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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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Harlech Castle (Cadw)

Address

Castle Square, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2YH

Telephone
03000 252239

harlechcastle@gov.wales

Harlech

Explore the magnificent castle of Edward I at Harlech - which is inscribed on the World Heritage List. One of the most formidable and dominant fortresses in Wales. Panoramic views of Snowdonia and the sea. On site exhibition.
Royal Welsh Winter Fair

Address

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

Telephone
01982 553683

requests@rwas.co.uk

Builth Wells

As one of the finest prime stock shows in Europe, the Winter Fair draws crowds from far and wide to enjoy two-days packed full of competitions, festivities and Christmas shopping.
The Rheidol Cycleway

Address

Ceredigion, SY23 1PG

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

A 28km trail along designated cycle paths and quiet country lanes between the towns of Aberystwyth & Devils’ Bridge.
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.
Rhyd y Gaseg (NRW)

Address

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

Telephone
0300 068 0300

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ruthin

Try this lovely mixed woodland, coppice and riverside walk with some towering poplar trees. Includes two fords, a historic weir and waterfall.
Coming out of Ruthin on the B5105 turn left opposite Llanfwrog church. Car Park 0.5mles
Bogathlon - Return of the mud! - Green Events

Address

Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
07493 654048

Bob.g@green-events.co.uk

Watch friends, family and fellow competitors as they race around the bog field!
Ystwyth Trail | Aberystwyth - Ystradmeurig

Address

Ystwyth Trail, Aberystwyth - Ystrad Meurig, Ceredigion, SY25 6BJ

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberystwyth - Ystrad Meurig

The Ystwyth Trail is a 32.https://dms-nvg.newmindets.net/App/PMS/Product.aspx?pid=1741451&ref=s#1km/20M cycle route and footpath linking Aberystwyth and Tregaron. Part of the trail follows the track of the old Great Western railway line.
Llanbedr

Address

Llanbedr, Gwynedd, LL45 2LD

Telephone
01341 280787

Llanbedr

Llanbedr is an attractive village situated between Barmouth and Harlech. It's an ideal location for walking and Shell Island is famous for it's abundance of sea shells.
Blaenau Ffestiniog

Address

Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 3HS

Telephone
01766 512981

porthmadog.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk

Blaenau Ffestiniog

Blaenau Ffestiniog is famously known as the "slate capital of Wales" and the "town that roofed the world". Its industrial role has long since diminished, yet Blaenau Ffestiniog attracts many visitors because of its rich slate history.
Llys-y-Frân Lake & Visitor Centre

Address

Llys y Frân, Clarbeston Road, Pembrokeshire, SA63 4RR

Telephone
01437 532273

llysyfran@dwrcymru.com

Clarbeston Road

Llys y Frân Lake has reopened following a £4m refurbishment with a new Visitor Centre, cafe, cycle hire, fishing, walking, watersports, adventure playground and climbing wall
Rhayader | Walking & Hiking

Address

Rhaeadr Gwy | Rhayader, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BU

Telephone
01597 810561

enquiries@rhayader.co.uk

Rhayader

Get off the beaten path and explore everything that Rhayader and the Elan Valley has to offer, from gentle relaxing walks to something to challenging the most experienced climbers.
Cadair Idris (NRW)

Address

Southern Snowdonia, Gwynedd, LL39 1AX

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Southern Snowdonia

Cadair Idris is a spectacular mountain reserve in southern Snowdonia with a variety of landscapes and terrain that cover over 450 hectares of breathtaking landscape.
Llangammarch Wells

Address

Llangammarch Wells, Powys, LD4 4EE

Llangammarch Wells

Llangammarch Wells lies south-west of Builth Wells and east of Llanwrtyd Wells and is the smallest of the four spa towns/villages of Mid Wales.
Wales Coast Path | Gower & Swansea Bay

Address

Margam Country Park - Llanmadoc, SA3 1DA

Telephone
0300 065 3000

wcp@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

This stretch of the Wales Coast Path is an area of contrasts; from the stunning coastline of the Gower Peninsula, with its award winning golden beaches, to the busy seaside city of Swansea and spectacular views over Swansea Bay.
Katrina @ Cardigan Castle

Address

Cardigan Castle & Gardens, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 1JA

Telephone
01239 615131

info@cardigancastle.com

Cardigan

If you feel like ‘Walking on Sunshine’ this summer join us at Cardigan Castle – Eurovision song contest winner Katrina will perform on Saturday the 18th of July
Wales Coast Path | Aberystwyth - Borth

Address

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion

Telephone
01970 612125

aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk

Aberystwyth

If you're looking for a short, yet picturesque walk along the coast, the Wales Coast Path from Aberystwyth to Borth is an ideal option. This 5-mile (8 km) section is a delightful path, albeit with one or two hills to conquer.
Manor Wood | Walking Trails (NRW)

Address

Wye Valley Woodlands (NRW), Wye Valley, Between Chepstow and Monmouth, GL16 7NZ

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Between Chepstow and Monmouth

Manor Wood is on the edge of a quiet village on the eastern side of the Wye Valley. Home of the Manor Wood Leap Grid Ref: SO 528059
'Chapel' World Bog Snorkelling Championships - Green Events

Address

Waen Rydd Bog, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RW

Telephone
07493 654048

Bob.g@green-events.co.uk

Llanwrtyd Wells

The annual World Bog Snorkelling Championships are held in Llanwrtyd Wells, Mid Wales.
Dyfnant & Vyrnwy Forests (NRW)

Address

Dyfnant & Vyrnwy Forests (NRW), Lake Vyrnwy, Powys, SY21 0QH

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Lake Vyrnwy

Dyfnant and Vyrnwy Forests in north Powys which is renowned for rolling hills, lush green valleys and picturesque farmsteads and villages. The Forest caters for horse riding and carriage driving as well as walking and picnic areas.
Taff Trail | Cardiff to Brecon

Address

Cardiff, CF10 1AH

Telephone
0300 303 2604

supporters@sustrans.org.uk

Cardiff

The Taff Trail is a 55mile/93km way-marked route for walkers and cyclists running from Cardiff to the Brecon Beacons National Park. Largely traffic-free, the 55 mile trail passes through a variety of landscapes.