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You are here: Experience and Enjoy > Wildlife & Nature > Birdwatching in Mid Wales

Birdwatching in Mid Wales

Mid Wales is where the red kite was saved. By the 1960s, this bird had been reduced to just a handful of breeding pairs in the remote valleys of the Cambrian Mountains. From that tiny population, the kite has recovered across the whole of Wales and beyond, and today you can see them overhead from almost anywhere in Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia.

Two feeding stations give guaranteed close-up views. At Gigrin Farm near Rhayader, red kites gather every afternoon for the daily feed, and at Nant yr Arian near Aberystwyth the kites come down to the lake while you watch from the cafe terrace. Both are worth visiting, and on a good day you might count fifty or more birds circling overhead.

Ospreys returned to Wales at the Dyfi estuary near Machynlleth. The Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust runs the Dyfi Osprey Project with live nest cameras and a public viewing point open from April to September. Watching a fish eagle return to its nest with a catch is one of the best wildlife experiences in Britain.

The oak woodlands of Mid Wales, particularly in the Dyfi valley, around Lake Vyrnwy and in the Elan Valley, hold breeding pied flycatchers, redstarts, wood warblers and tree pipits in spring and summer. These are some of the most important woodlands for these species in the UK.

On the Ceredigion coast, choughs nest on the cliffs between Aberystwyth and Cardigan. Upland moors across the Cambrian Mountains support breeding curlew, golden plover, ring ouzel and merlin. The estuaries of the Dyfi and Mawddach draw wading birds and wildfowl through autumn and winter.

For guided birdwatching, check listings for local wildlife guides who know where to find the birds at different times of year.

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Coed y Fron Wyllt (NRW)

Address

Clocaenog Forest (NRW), Nr Llanfihangel, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 2AS

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ruthin

Walk to the wildlife viewing hide which overlooks small ponds and the stream - open to the public at all times.Dormice are found in these woodlands, though very hard to spot. Much of this wood is ancient woodland (1600)
Dolydd Hafren Nature Reserve

Address

Forden, Powys, SY21 8NN

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Powys

The River Severn loops lazily across its valley floor, its loops and bends creating oxbow lakes which are now good wetland habitat for waterfowl.
Constitution Hill

Address

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2DN

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberystwyth

Constitution Hill rises dramatically 430 feet from the north end of Aberystwyth promenade. The views from the top are spectacular and on a clear day you can see Snowdon. Take the cliff railway to the summit or follow the coast path.
Canolfan Treftadaeth | Tregaron Heritage Centre

Address

Tregaron Heritage Centre, Dewi Road, Tregaron, Ceredigion, SY25 6JW

Telephone
07799 231999

Tregaron

Tregaron is one the oldest market towns in Wales, having received a royal charter in 1292. The Tregaron Heritage Centre is situated in the old Victorian church school, and includes a reconstructed Victorian era classroom, tea room and information…
Morfa Harlech Nature Reserve (NRW)

Address

Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2UR

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Gwynedd

Morfa Harlech is one of two extensive sand dune systems which make up much of the southern Snowdonia coastline, extending from the Mawddach estuary in the south to Black Rock Sands in the north west.
Great Little Trains of Wales | Discount Card

Address

Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

gr8littletrains@gmail.com

Tywyn

Discover Great Little Trains of Wales: Buy a 20% off Discount Card and get 20% off one adult full round-trip fare on twelve steam railways located in stunning scenery across Wales.
Hafod Hardware

Address

East Street, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5DS

Telephone
01597 810383

hafodhardware@gmail.com

Rhayader

Situated in the centre of Rhayader in the heart of Mid Wales is one of the oldest businesses in the town - Hafod Hardware. A traditional old fashioned Ironmongers with wooden flooring and walls and ceiling lined in pine.
RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas Nature Reserve

Address

Ystradffin, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0PG

Telephone
02920 353000

gwenffrwd.dinas@rspb.org.uk

Llandovery

This delightful reserve is set in the heart of Mid Wales near Ystradffin, Rhandirmwyn. Dinas is a pleasant circular walk, part of the circuit is steep with difficult terrain. Strong footwear is advised.
Aberystwyth Railway Station

Address

Alexandra Rd, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1LH

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Aberystwyth

The railway station is the terminus of the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury. Located close to the town centre, there is a taxi rank and bus station adjacent.
Y Gelli Gandryll | Hay-on-Wye

Address

Hay-on-Wye, Powys, HR3 5DG

Telephone
01982 553307

Hay-on-Wye

Hay-on-Wye - in Welsh 'Y Gelli Gandryll' or just 'Y Gelli' is well known as 'the town of books' and is home to the Hay Literature Festival.
Aberriw | Berriew

Address

Powys, SY21 8BQ

Telephone
01686 640478

Berriew (Welsh: Aberriw) is a village in Powys situated between Welshpool and Newtown. The river Rhiw near the confluence (Welsh: aber) with the River Severn flows through this picturesque village.
Calan Gaeaf at Powis Castle and Garden: Hunt for the Hwch Ddu Gwta

Address

Powis Castle & Garden, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 8RF

Telephone
01938 551944

powiscastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

Welshpool

Dates

From:

24 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026

This October half term, follow the pumpkins through the garden and see if you can spot the Hwch Ddu Gwta hiding among the autumn colour..
Aberdyfi Circular Walk off the Wales Coast Path

Address

Aberdyfi | Aberdovey, Gwynedd, LL35 0ED

Telephone
01286 679217

tourism@gwynedd.gov.uk

Aberdyfi | Aberdovey

Circular walk starting from the popular coastal town of Aberdyfi. Stunning sandy beach, medieval castle site, tales of sunken villages, and far-reaching views of the Dyfi estuary and Cambrian coast are all part of this short but scenic walk.
Aberystwyth Art Centre | Café Bar

Address

Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DE

Telephone
01970 622889

artstaff@aber.ac.uk

Aberystwyth

The Arts Centre award winning cafe offers a mouthwatering selection of freshly made salads, hot meals and snacks every day....
Royal Welsh Show

Address

Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3SY

Telephone
01982 553683

requests@rwas.co.uk

Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells

Dates

From:

19 July 2027to22 July 2027

The Royal Welsh Show is one of the most respected events of its kind in Europe. It brings together the farming industry and rural communities to celebrate the very best of British agriculture, with a distinctive Welsh character that sets it apart.
Pincyn Llys (NRW)

Address

Clocaenog Forest (NRW), Nr Llanfihangel, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 2AS

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ruthin

Walk up to the Lord Bagot's monument with excellent views eastwards across Ruthin and the Vale of Clwyd
There is a small roadside car park and information board. OS Grid Ref: SJ060557
Cadair Idris | Visitor Centre & Tea Room (NRW)

Address

Minffordd, Talyllyn, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9AJ

Telephone
01654 761505

Tywyn

Cadair Idris Visitor Centre & Tea Room is 250 metres from the car park and the Minffordd path to the Cadair Idris summit passes by them.
Pen Cerrig-Calch Walk

Address

Brecon Beacons | Black Mountains, Powys

Telephone
01873 812105

Powys

Both this walk and the one following to Pen Allt-mawr are more demanding walks. Start the walk in the pay and display car park and follow the directions for getting up Table Mountain
Llangammarch Railway Station

Address

Llangammarch, Powys, LD4 4EE

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Llangammarch

Llangammarch railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line which runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
Y Tren Nadolig Fictoraidd | Talyllyn Railway

Address

Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway, Gorsaf Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

Telephone
01654 710472

enquires@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Dates

From:
8 Dec 2026
From:
15 Dec 2026
From:
22 Dec 2026

Celebrate the joys and traditions of Christmas and join us for a day out with a Festive Flavour on one of our special Guided Trains.
Llandysul/Pont-Tyweli South Walk

Address

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4DN

Telephone
01239 613230

cardigantic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of Llandysul Trails - Llandysul / Pont-Tyweli South Walk
Start: SN418406 - Car Park, Llandysul
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 9km/5.6M
Time: 2.5hrs (excluding rest stops)