To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Learn more

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.

Inspiration

Number of results: 1021

, currently showing 781 to 800.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Poppit Sands Beach

Address

Poppit Sands Beach, Cardigan, Pembrokeshire, SA43 3LN

Telephone
01437 776638

fishguardlibrary@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Cardigan

Poppit Sands is a Blue Flag Beach that has gently sloping sands and extensive dunes. Located on the Teifi Estuary near Cardigan, the Wales Coast Path is accessible from nearby St Dogmaels.
Rhaeadr Ddu & Coed Ganllwyd | Walking Trails

Address

Coed Ganllwyd Nature Reserve, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2TG

Telephone
01341 440238

eyri@nationaltrust.org

Dolgellau

A network of paths on the Coed Ganllwyd reserve mean you can choose from circular walks of 100 metres up to more demanding routes that stretch over two kilometres.
Cefn Cenarth Nature Reserve

Address

Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5LR

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Powys

Two areas of upland sessile oak woodland connected by a recently felled conifer plantation now replanted with native broadleaved species. An important place for mosses and lichens.
Llanandras | Presteigne

Address

Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2AD

Presteigne

Presteigne, (Llanandras in Welsh), was once the county town of Radnorshire and nestles at the heart of the Mid Wales Marches on the border of Wales and England. Presteigne and Norton have been designated by DarkSky International as the very first…
Machynlleth

Address

Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Machynlleth

Unwind in the heart of the Dyfi Biosphere at Machynlleth. Part of the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere and offers exciting activities, from mountain biking to exploring the natural beauty of Mid Wales. The Centre for Alternative Technology is an excellent…
Hay Castle | Wedding Venue

Address

Hay Castle, Oxford Road, Hay-on-Wye, Powys, HR3 5DG

Telephone
01497 820079

helen.lowther@haycastletrust.org

Hay-on-Wye

Hay Castle sets the imagination soaring. Once a great medieval stronghold, the castle and the grounds in the heart of Mid Wales are alive with possibilities once again.
Aberdyfi | Aberdovey Beach

Address

Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, LL35 0RT

Telephone
01654 767321

TIC.Aberdyfi@snowdonia.gov.wales

Gwynedd

Aberdyfi is a charming coastal village in Southern Snowdonia, boasting a stunning beach with views of Cardigan Bay and opportunities for sailing and watersports. The area is also home to a nature reserve and Ramsar site.
Hendomen & Dolydd Hafren Cycle Route

Address

Trefaldwyn | Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6HN

Telephone
01938 552043

admin@montgomery-wales.co.uk

Powys

Circular cycle route starting from in front of the Montgomery Town Hall providing an exceptional view of the town and with the option of extending the route to include the Dolydd Hafren Nature Reserve.
Aberporth | Dolwen & Dyffryn Beaches

Address

Aberporth, Ceredigion, SA43 2DD

tourism@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberporth

Aberporth, a pretty coastal village, shelters two beautiful sandy beaches named Dolwen and Dyffryn. Low tide comes complete with little rock pools on the sandy beach where children gather for hours of entertainment.
Dyfi Discovery Walk | Derwenlas Walk

Address

Derwenlas, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BL

Telephone
0300 065 3000

Machynlleth

Start: Lay-by Derwenlas
Grid Reference: SN721 991
Distance: 6.2 km - 3.8 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Firm tracks, open fields, some boggy areas
Maps: OS Explorer OL23
Llyn Brenig | Walking Trails

Address

Llyn Brenig Lake and Visitor Centre, Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre, Cerrigydrudion, Corwen, Denbighshire, LL21 9TT

Telephone
01490 420463

siwan.hughes@dwrcymru.com

Cerrigydrudion, Corwen

Number of designated walks ranging from ten mile 'round the lake walk to more leisurely themed trails including an archaeological trail. Guides available from visitor centre.
Aberaeron | Cycle Routes

Address

Aberaeron, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA46 0BT

Telephone
01545 570602

aberaerontic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberaeron

There are two cycle routes that start from Aberaeron Tourist Information Centre. There is also a 2 mile cycle trail from Aberaeron to Llanerchaeron.
Y Bwa | The Arch (NRW)

Address

Nr Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Nr Devil's Bridge

The old masonry arch spanning the road was built by Thomas Johnes of Hafod in 1810 to mark the Golden Jubilee of George III. Three circular walking trails are waymarked and start from the Hafod Arch car park and The Arch is designated as a Dark…
Tretower Court and Castle (Cadw)

Address

Tretower, Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1RD

Telephone
03000 252239

Tretowercourt@gov.wales

Crickhowell

Restored courtyard house with origins in the fourteenth century. Rebuilt by Sir Roger Vaughan in the fifteenth century. Recreated fifteenth-century garden. Beautiful tranquil setting.
The Precipice Walk

Address

Dolgellau, Southern Snowdonia, LL40 1PS

Southern Snowdonia

The Precipice Walk is one of the famous attractions of Dolgellau. It passes through an interesting variety of habitats which include deciduous woodland, a conifer plantation, meadows, lakeside and sheep-walk.
Betsi Cadwaladr | Heritage Trail

Address

Station Road, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7NG

Bala

A circular walk first through the town, over farmland and moorland to Llanycil returning along the lake and through the town with many stiles. The walk passes various locations associated with Betsi Cadwaladr.
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
Outdoor Theatre: Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet | Powis Castle

Address

Powis Castle, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 8RF

Telephone
01938 551944

powiscastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

Welshpool

The Duke’s Theatre Company presents Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, a bold reimagining of the iconic tragedy directed by Joseph Pitcher
Penrhyndeudraeth Railway Station

Address

Cambrian View, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6LN

Telephone
0800 464 0000

Penrhyndeudraeth

Penrhyndeudraeth railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.
Barmouth & the Mawddach Valley | Cycle Routes

Address

Abermaw | Barmouth, Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, LL42 1LS

Telephone
01341 280787

barmouth.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk

Barmouth

With the development of Trans Wales cycle routes, Barmouth has become an ideal centre for a cycling based holiday. The dramatic beauty of North & Mid Wales offers a vast array of cycling opportunities for all types of cyclists.