An enchanting mix of estuary, marshes and woodlands

Bill Condry, author of 14 books who for 41 years contributed Country Diary to The Guardian, was instrumental in ensuring Ynys-hir was purchased by the RSPB, and in 1969 was appointed as the first warden. Although primarily a wetland, a striking feature are the rocky, windswept ridges that are islands amid the marshes – indeed Ynys-hir means Long Island. Some have ancient woodlands, largely Sessile Oak, a haven for hole-nesting birds like woodpeckers, tits, Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers.

A Grey-tailed Tattler was present in the late autumn of 1981, the first occurrence in the Western Palearctic. Other notable firsts for Ceredigion include Mandarin, American

Wigeon, Buff-breasted and Spotted Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, Caspian Tern, Rose-ringed Parakeet and Serin.

WHERE TO WATCH

1

Pass through the visitor centre, making sure you collect a copy of the monthly bird list, into the woodlands, which, whatever the season, always seems alive with birds. Head north on the Saltmarsh Trail at the end of the ridge. The William Condry hide affords great views over the lagoons and the great sweep of the Estuary.

2

Having descended to the floodplain there’s a choice of hides, two overlook the freshwater lagoons, the third the estuary itself. Grey Herons and Little Egrets are immediately obvious, while the ducks should include Shoveler, Teal, Mallard and Wigeon.

3

Making your way along the trail listen out for Water Rails before reaching another superb hide. From here there are views across the saltings, where Barnacle and Canada Geese often dominate the scene. There’s also a tiny flock of wintering Greenland White-fronted Geese here. Half a century or more ago up to 200 were present but there has been a sharp decline and now only about 20 occur.

4

Return along the Woodland Trail from where the Ynys-hir hide provides a bird’s eye view across the treetops, woods where Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers occur. Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts, Garden Warblers, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs delight the summer visitor to the reserve.