Ynys-Hir 17/06/17

A good turnout of 40 members and friends set off from Stockport for a full day visit to the RSPB’s Ynys-hir reserve. After a provision stop at Welshpool we started to pick up our first sightings of Red Kite. This iconic species, once so rare, was easily seen from the coach and we continued to have good views of these birds throughout the day. The coach journey also produced good views of Buzzard, Curlew, Pheasant and Raven. A female Redstart was also identified en-route.

The end of the coach journey, as we approach the car park, is usually entertaining on this trip and today did not disappoint! Glenn had to use all his skill and concentration to manoeuvre the large vehicle around the narrow lanes. He managed to get us through the obstacles with only a few paint scratches!

(Holly Page)

Once parked up the group proceeded to the small visitor’s centre, stopping to view the adjacent pool and feeders. The pool behind the toilet block held several drab ducks, in early stages of moult, with a very smart Little Egret in comparison. Mute Swan and a Kingfisher were also in attendance. The feeders produced good views of the commoner finch species, with Siskin being well represented. Grey Squirrels fought for the spilt seed below.

Taking the path to the north of the reserve, passing over the railway bridge, most members picked up one of the day’s target species, Pied Flycatcher. Also in the area were singing Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. A brood of very smart newly fledged Bullfinch’s were also found. 

Pied Flycatcher (Holly Page)

The Marian Mawr hide produced little of note and several members took the opportunity to visit the hide that can be found to the east. It has been closed off on all our previous visits, perhaps because we are usually a little earlier in the season. The hide could be found after a walk through a meadow, with a Stonechat pair foraging and young Pied Wagtail feeding, and then a short walk through a wood, where both Treecreeper and Nuthatch were observed. The hide, which although signposted isn’t, on the site map overlooks the adjacent Dyfi river. Good views of Common Sandpiper were had along with Shelduck, Goosander, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Little Egret. Cormorant were also in attendance along with large flocks of Canada Geese.

The distant Osprey nest was scoped but the heat haze made it very difficult to observe. A number of members did report views of Osprey throughout the day.

Back on the main reserve the walk round to Saltings hide produced excellent views of Sedge Warbler. Progressing to the south side of the reserve most members connected with another of the day’s target species, the Redstart. Good views were had of a small number of birds.

On the boardwalk area we also picked up Tree Pipit, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Redpoll and Reed Bunting. Viewing the estuary from the Ynys Feurig hide was again problematic due to the high temperature and associated heat haze. Further around the boardwalk area Reed and Grasshopper Warbler were also recorded.

Wood Warbler (Holly Page)

Moving on into the woodland members picked up on the distinctive call of the Wood Warbler, with a couple of individuals found. The woods were generally quiet but small parties of the commoner tit species were observed along with Great Spotted Woodpecker.

The only new species to add on the return journey were a pair of Wheatear seen from the coach.