Day Trips

Day Trips from Clwyd
The following list of Birdwatching Venues are all prime locations, selected because they are well within the range of a day trip from anywhere in Clwyd. Only Map References, nearest towns and main roads are given, further information is available at local Tourist Information Offices.
Lake Vyrnwy
O.S. Map Reference SJ0219 Lake Vyrnwy is well signposted on the B4393 near Abertridwr. There is a Visitors Centre and Picnic Area. Habitats here are varied, with high heath and moorland above mixed woodlands through which the River Vyrnwy flows. The lake covers about 7sq.Km and has a bird hide at the western end. It is worth visiting any time of year but late spring/ early summer when summer migrants arrive is probably most productive. Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Wood and Garden Warbler nest here as do Common Sandpiper on the river. Raptors include Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Peregrine, with Goshawk being recorded in recent years.

Delamere Forest
O.S. Map Reference SJ5571 Delemere Forest in Cheshire is the remains of an ancient swathe of woodland which once covered covered the Cheshire Ridge. It is now owned and run by the Forestry Commision as a working forest. It comprises a mixture of deciduous and coniferous woodland, the ages of which vary from old mature forest to new plantings. A broad range of resident and migrant woodland birds can be seen here including Crossbill in most years. From Delamere take the B5152 towards Frodsham. The forest Visitors Centre and Picnic site are well signposted.

Anglesey
The Isle of Anglesey is an absolute mecca for birdwatchers and lovers of wildlife and unspoiled countryside. As such, it deserves a page of it's own and this is something that the author may undertake at a later date. The following list of prime sites, is intended to provide the reader with a few ideas for a visit to the island:

South Stack RSPB Reserve SH2183 Sea Cliff/Marine Heath Nesting Auks May/June Seawatching anytime.
Point Lynas Lighthouse SH4794 Sea Cliff/Marine Heath Seawatching Autumn Gales
Llyn Alaw SH4186 Freshwater Lake Waders,Duck, Geese and Swan Autumn through Spring
Llyn Cefni SH4577 Freshwater Lake Waders,Duck, Geese and Swan Autumn through Spring
Traeth Dulas SH4888 Enclosed Coastal Inlet Ducks, Waders Autumn through Spring
Red Wharf Bay SH5580 Sandy Bay Ducks, Waders Autumn through Spring
Malltraeth SH4268 Pool/River/Estuary Excellent for Waders, Ducks, Geese Autumn through Spring
Newborough Warren/Forest SH4265 Sand dune/beaches/Coniferous Wood General Species Summer

Penmaenpool
O.S. Map Reference SH695185 The Penmaenpool Reserve of the RSPB is in the Mawddach Estuary about 3Km west of Dolgellau on the A493 by the George Hotel and the Toll Bridge. It is best visited in Spring/Autumn during maximum periods of bird migrations. As well as the many ducks and waders that can be seen here, there are often reports of visiting Osprey seemingly on route to or from Scotland.

Ynys Hir
O.S. Map Reference SN6896 Situated on the southern side of the Aberdovey estuary about 10 Km west of Machynlleth on the A487 near the village of Eglwysfach, the RSPB's Ynys Hir Reserve is arguably the best year round venue in the upper half of Wales. The vast range of habitats here, some of which have been painstakingly created, include pinewood, sessile oakwood, scrub and grazing meadow, lakes and marshland and the estuary saltings. An incredible number of bird species are possible here with a strong possibility of seeing Red Kite. For any Birders fortunate enough to live within a day trip of this reserve, it should be a seasonal pilgrimage!

Leighton Moss
O.S. Map Reference SD4875 Much the same comments made in the previous entry with regards to Ynys Hir also apply here, although this is a premere RSPB Reserve of the North West of England. It is near the village of Silverdale about 15 Km north of Lancaster on the A6. A large range of birds can be seen here but it is rightly famous for being the last stronghold of the Bittern outside the Norfolk fenland and is also a breeding site for the Marsh Harrier and Bearded Tit. Although it is about 150 Km from the Clwyd border, it is worth at least a yearly visit. In spring there is a chance to see or at least hear the Bittern "Boom" and October mornings are probably the best chance to see the Bearded Tit when this normally shy bird becomes less retiring.
Sandbach Meres
O.S. Map Reference SJ7461 Just west of Sandbach in Cheshire off the A533 are the Sandbach Meres or Flashes, a number of shallow lakes, originally the result of land subsidence. The three that have been nominated as reserves are Elton Hall Flash, Foden's Flash and Watch Lane Flash. Breeding birds include Grebe, Teal, Pochard, Little Ringed Plover, Reed and Sedge Warblers. Migration periods have brought many rarities to these lakes and in winter, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard and Bewick's Swan are amongst the regular visitors.
Cannock Chase
O.S. Map Reference SJ9618 South of Stafford on the A34, a vast area of heath/woodland comprises Cannock Chase. Although some areas are popular with holiday makers in the summer months, the number of tracks and footpaths that intersperse the heath and wood make it easy to find undisturbed sites in which to watch the vast range of birds that inhabit the chase. The Hawfinch is a possibility here, while in the evenings Nightjar may be seen and heard flying across the open woodland.
Tatton Park
O.S. Map Reference SN7481 Tatton Park is about 4 Km north of Knutsford (Cheshire) on the A5034. It comprises around 400 hectares of parkland, rich in birdlife, and a large lake "Melchett Mere", which has breeding Ducks, Grebe and Rails, and vast numbers of wintering wildfowl.
Neumanns Flash
O.S. Map Reference SJ6675 Neumanns Flash is a shallow lake on the outskirts of Northwich in Cheshire. It is also known locally as the " Old Lime Pits" which gives a clue as to it's origins. It can produce some unusual species particularly during autumn and spring migrations, such as Temminck's Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper,Ruff and Golden Plover.

Dinas
O.S. Map Reference SN7847 West of Llanwrtyd Wells and north of Llandovery on minor roads off the A483, a visit to the RSPB's Dinas Reserve presents an excellent chance to see a Red Kite, one of Britains rarest resident birds. This area of Wales contains the main concentration of these birds in the country and the fact that they are now increasing in number and spreading further afield is largely due to the conservation efforts of the RSPB.
A circular walk of about 5Km from the Visitors Center, takes in mixed woodland, river and moorland habitats and even if the kites are elusive, there is still much to see. Resident and migrant woodland birds are abundant both in number and species, while Dipper, Kingfisher and Wagtail inhabit the streams. Atop the high moor, Raven, Buzzard and Peregrine quarrel over airspace amongst scenery which even were it devoid of birds, would still be worth the walk!