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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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Bwlch y Groes Mountain Pass | Scenic Drive

Address

Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd, LL49 9LP

Telephone
01654 702653

marketing@mwtcymru.co.uk

Dinas Mawddwy

Bwlch y Groes (Pass of the Cross) is one of the highest public road mountain passes in Wales. The route lies on minor roads linking Dinas Mawddwy, Llanuwchllyn and Lake Vyrnw with views across the Dyfi valley and Cadair Idris
Cwm Rheidol | Rheidol Valley

Address

Cwm Rheidol | Rheidol Valley, Nr Aberystwyth, Ceredigion

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythTIC@ceredigion.gov.uk

Nr Aberystwyth

The Rheidol Valley or 'Cwm Rheidol' is a good choice for a touring day out, featuring typically Welsh scenery, some unexpected attractions such as major hydro-electric power station and a chance for activities such as fishing and cycling
Circular Machynlleth via Tal-y-llyn | Scenic Drive

Address

Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
01654 702653

info@mwtcymru.co.uk

Machynlleth

This 35 mile circular route takes you on the A487 from Machynlleth via Corris towards Dolgellau and before turning off on the B4405 to Tywyn via the picturesque Talyllyn lake at the foot of Cadair Idris. Return to Machynlleth via Aberdyfi.
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Cwm Ralltgoed Walk

Address

Aberllefenni, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

Start: NRW forest car park.
Turn R just before Aberllefenni village sign.
Grid Reference: SH 769 092
Distance: 8.4 km - 5.2 miles
Grade: Easy/Moderate
Maps: OS Explorer . OL23
Spirit of the Miners Circular Walk

Address

Pontarfynach | Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion, SY23 3JW

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Part of 'Spirit of the Miners' Walks
Open fields, steep woodland trails, 3 river crossings
Start/Finish: SN738767 - Devils Bridge
Suitable for: Moderately fit walkers
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 110K/6M
Time: 3hrs
Calan Gaeaf/October Half Term at Llanerchaeron

Address

Llanerchaeron, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA48 8DG

Telephone
01545 570200

llanerchaeron@nationaltrust.org.uk

Aberaeron

Dates

From:

28 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026

Roam the estate as part of the Autumn themed trail, what will you discover? (the trail is free but please note normal admission applies).
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Machynlleth to Dyfi Wildlife Centre

Address

Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

This walk starts at the car park at Y Plas, Machynlleth and is graded as moderate. The terrain includes road, woodland paths, firm tracks and fields and is a distance of 5 miles.
Llanfyllin

Address

Llanfyllin, Powys, SY22 5AQ

Telephone
01938 552043

ticwelshpool@btconnect.com

Llanfyllin

Llanfyllin is thriving market town in north Powys on the upper reaches of the Cain valley. It is an ideal centre to explore the area including nearby Lake Vyrnwy and Welshpool.
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Pennal Walk

Address

Pennal, MACHYNLLETH, Powys, SY20 9DR

Telephone
0300 065 3000

MACHYNLLETH

Start: Pennal village
Grid Reference: SH 699 004
Distance: 13.2km – 8.3 miles
Grade: Strenuous – A mountain walk, not to be undertaken in poor visibility
Maps: OS Explorer – OL 23
Teifi Valley Railway

Address

Henllan Station, Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 5TD

Telephone
01559 371077

info@teifivalleyrailway.wales

Llandysul

The Teifi Valley Railway was created from a branch line of the Great Western Railway which served the West Wales rural area.
Shell Island

Address

Llanbedr, Llanbedr, Gwynedd, LL45 2PJ

Telephone
01341 241453

enquiries1@shellisland.co.uk

Llanbedr

Shell Island is a peninsula, which becomes an island at high tide and is situated near the village of Llanbedr. The island is renowned for its wild flowers, range of shells, wild birds and panoramic views.
Llandeilo

Address

Carmarthenshire, SA18 3EP

Telephone
01550 720693

llandovery.tic@breconbeacons.org

Llandeilo is named after one of the better known Celtic saints of the 6th century, Saint Teilo. The Welsh word 'llan' signified a religious enclosure, normally one dedicated to a particular saint (thus corresponds, today, to 'church of').
Bro Dyfi Leisure Centre

Address

Aberystwyth Road, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8ER

Telephone
01654 703300

broddyfi@freedom-leisure.co.uk

Machynlleth

Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre: An indoor 20 meter leisure swimming pool and 30ft flume, sports hall, squash courts, climbing wall and fitness suite.
Y Gaer | Museum, Art Gallery & Library

Address

Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7DW

Telephone
01874 623346

ygaer@powys.gov.uk

Brecon

Y Gaer is an exciting and inspirational development in the centre of Brecon, bringing together the refurbished Brecknock Museum & Art Gallery with a brand new Brecon Library to create meeting and event spaces.
Aberystwyth Promenade & Bandstand

Address

The Promenade, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3BY

Telephone
01970 628725

menwww@aber.ac.uk

Aberystwyth

Various events are held at Aberystwyth Promenade Bandstand throughout the year.
Gogerddan Wood | Woodland Trails (NRW)

Address

Gogerddan Wood, Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3ED

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Aberystwyth

Follow some of the original miners' paths around this attractive woodland and discover the Castle Grogwynion Iron Age Hillfort, the Grogwynion Falls, an amazing variety of trees, and a dam dating from the 19th Century.
Old Bell Museum

Address

Arthur Street, Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6RA

Telephone
01686 668313

curator@oldbellmuseum.org.uk

Montgomery

The Old Bell, a 16th century inn, has been converted into a local history museum by Montgomery Civic Society.
Rhayader Leisure Centre

Address

North Street, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01597 810355

rhayader@freedom-leisure.co.uk

Rhayader

The Rhayader Leisure Centre is centrally located in Rhayader and offers Health and Fitness facilities, swimming pool and conference facilities.
Brigands Inn

Address

Mallwyd, Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd, SY20 9HJ

Telephone
01650 511999

info@brigandsinn.com

Dinas Mawddwy

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

15th Century Coaching Inn set in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains and on the upper banks of the River Dovey. Elegant, spacious bedrooms & deluxe four poster- rooms, all with individual character & charm. Finest local produce used.
Brigands Inn | Dining

Address

Brigands Inn, Mallwyd, Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd, SY20 9HJ

Telephone
01650 511999

bookings@brigandsinn.com

Dinas Mawddwy

Nestled in the beautiful Dovey Valley, this 15th Century Coaching Inn offers guests a choice of dining, drinking and sleeping options, as well as a function room suitable for large events and parties including weddings.