Ynys-hir Nature Reserve

Ynys-hir Nature Reserve lies just off the main road between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth. It covers 427 hectares (1,056 acres), and provides a range of exciting habitats.

Woodland In spring, the woods are carpeted with bluebells and wood anemones. Speckled wood and green-veined butterflies are common here, and you can see holly blue butterflies in most years, especially in Cae'r Berllan Wood. The oak woodlands have a rich community of breeding birds in spring, including buzzards, pied-flycatchers, wood warblers, redstarts and lesser-spotted woodpeckers.

Freshwater pools and streams Watch out for dragonflies and damselflies hunting over the open water any time between May and the end of October. Feeding cormorants, goldeneyes and red-breasted mergansers can be seen from the Domen Las Hide.

Saltmarsh Ynys-hir's saltmarshes are very important for wild-fowl in winter. In spring and autumn, up to 1,000 curlews and many other waders use the estuary on their migration.

Peatbogs Bog mosses and insect-eating sundews are characteristic plants of Ynys-hir's remnant peatbogs, which also supports bog asphodel, the fragrant bog myrtle, and the rare bog rosemary.

Reedbed The reserve's small reedbed in Covert Du supports breeding reed, sedge and grasshopper warblers.

Facts and Figures:

We have walks suitable for wheelchair users.

To avoid disturbing the wildlife, dogs are not allowed on the reserve.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is the charity that takes action for wild birds and the environment and is the UK partner of BirdLife International. For membership details, please write to us: The RSPB, Wales Headquarters, 2nd Floor, Sutherland House, Castlebridge, Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AB.

RSPB Ynys-hir Nature Reserve, Tel: 01654 700222


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