ELAN VALLEY
Huge reservoirs, woodlands and magnificent high ground
Radnorshire was described by Shakespeare in King Lear as “with shadowy forests, plenteous rivers and wide shirted meads”. The “plenteous” waters of the Afon Elan, fed by numerous tributaries, now pass through four reservoirs before reaching the River Wye. An abandoned dam on the Nant y Gro stream, which flows into Caban-coch Reservoir, was used in 1942 and 1943 by Barnes Wallace to test his ‘bouncing bombs’, the results still visible. The woodlands fringing Carn Gafallt, an RSPB reserve, should never be missed; climbing to the high ground still has rewards. Alas, rarely do these include Lapwing, Golden Plover, Dunlin and Curlew as not so very long ago. DAVID SAUNDERS
1 WHERE TO WATCH
The ideal place to commence is the Visitor Centre and a chance of Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Common Sandpiper as the
Afon Elan makes its final journey to the Wye three miles distant. The high ground each side of the valley is ideal during the morning for soaring Buzzards, Ravens and Red Kites, which in the afternoon are likely to be among those at the gatherings at Gigrin Farm feeding station a short flight away.
2
A first sight of the reservoirs and another opportunity to enjoy the trilling calls of Common Sandpipers. In both spring and autumn passage waders, though few and far between, are likely and have included Knot, Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper, Ruff, Greenshank and Redshank while Common and Little Terns occasionally make appearances.
3
Over the past 40 years the Mandarin has become established in Wales, the largest count 195 birds, two-thirds being adult males, at Carreg-ddu Reservoir in November 2020. The road hugs the shore as it heads to Penygarreg then Craig Goch Reservoirs and eventually a choice, a route to Rhayader or across lonely uplands to reach Cwmystwyth and Devil’s Bridge.
4
One needs to leave the car at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre, from where it’s a 10- minute walk to the RSPB’s Carn Gafallt nature reserve of oak woodland with stunning veteran trees, wood pasture and in spring and early summer the dawn chorus of woodland birds including Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Wood Warblers.
5
Climb to the Carn Gafallt upland and be rewarded with Tree Pipits, Wheatears, Whinchats and Stonechats and more views of soaring Buzzards, Ravens and Red Kites. Few visit such uplands in autumn and winter but hardy souls could well be rewarded by a sighting of Snow Buntings.