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Featured Article
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RSPB Nature Reserves in Wales
from This Week Wales
"Nature comes to life at 11 of the most splendid reserves in Britain"
 RSPB nature reserves provide excellent opportunity to watch birds and other wildlife in some of the most beautiful parts of the country. There are 11 RSPB nature reserves throughout Wales, covering thousands of acres.
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1. South Stack Nature Reserve
(See breeding seabirds on the cliffs)
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Plas Nico, South Stack, Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey LL65 1YH
This reserve, in north-west Anglesey, overlooks the Irish Sea. More than 4,000 seabirds breed on the cliffs each year and can be viewed via CCTV. During the breeding season (March to July) look out for puffins, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, ravens and choughs.
What's new in 2005:
Facilities:
Visitor centre, binoculars and telescopes, guided walks, closed circuit TV (CCTV), toilets, disabled facilities, parking, picnic area, nature trails. Public footpath along the clifftop.
Opening times:
Reserve open at all times.
Information centre open from Easter to September 10am to 5.30pm.
Admission charges: Free. Small fee at lighthouse (not RSPB)
Disabled access: To be advised.
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About our location:
Click here for map. Grid reference: SH218827. 3 km (2 miles) west of Holyhead on minor roads signed from Holyhead and Trearddur Bay. Rail: Holyhead Station. Click here to view timetables. Bus: Daily from Holyhead to South Stack. Daily from Holyhead to South Stack. Cycle: The reserve is three miles from Route 8 of the National Cycle Network. Click here to view the National Cycle Network map of South Stack Cliffs.
Telephone: 01407 764973
Website
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2. Valley Wetlands
(See a variety of ducks on the lakes)
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Valley, Caergeilliog, Llangefni, Isle of Anglesey
The reed-fringed lakes found here are one of the best places in Wales to see wildfowl all year round. Tufted ducks, pochards, shovellers,  gadwalls and grebes all breed here. In spring and early summer see reed and sedge warblers in the reedbuds and, if you are lucky, water rails marsh harriers and Cetti's warblers. In winter, wigeons and goldeneyes arrive.
What's new in 2005:
Facilities:
A 2-mile nature trail, parking.
Opening times:
Reserve open at all times.
Information centre open from Easter to September 10am to 5.30pm.
Admission charges: Free. Small fee at lighthouse (not RSPB)
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Disabled access: To be advised.
About our location:
Click here for map. Grid reference: SH311769. 2 miles south of Caergeiliog. Rail: Valley (4 miles)/Rhosneigr (7 miles). Click here to view timetables. Bus: Maes Awyr/RAF Valley daily from Bangor and Holyhead. Cycle: This reserve lies on Route 8 of the National Cycle Network. Click here to view the National Cycle Network map of Valley Wetlands
Telephone: 01407 764973 Website
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3. Conwy Nature Reserve
(See ducks and wading birds from the visitor centre)
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Llandudno Junction, Conwy LL31 9XZT
This reserve was created on the construction site left from the Conwy tunnel. A series of pools can be viewed from the hides and from the visitor centre. A nature trail leads to hides overlooking the estuary and Conwy Castle. The reserve celebrates 10 years in 2005.
What's new in 2005:
Facilities:
Visitor centre, gift shop, refreshments, nature trails, wheelchair access, binocular hire, toilets, disabled facilities,  parking, bicycle rack.
Opening times:
Reserve is open at all times except Christmas Day 10am to 5pm or dusk if earlier.
Admission charges:
£2.50 adult, £1.50 concessions, £1.00 under 16. RSPB and Wildlife Explorer Members go FREE.
Disabled access:
To be advised.
About our location:
Click here for map. Grid reference: SH799771.
Telephone: 01492 584091 Website
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4. Point of Air
(Get excellent views of the birds of the Dee Estuary)
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Near Prestatyn, Flintshire
As this reserve overlooks the Dee Estuary, it is a great place to watch estuary birds. It is at its best in the winter when thousands of wading birds and wildfowl feed on the mudflats. When the tide rises, the birds are forced onto the saltmarshes, giving even closer views.
What's new in 2005:
Facilities:
Excellent views of the birds of the Dee Estuary.
Opening times:
Open at all times.
Admission charges:
Free
Disabled access:
To be advised.
About our location:
Click here for map. Grid reference: SJ125845. Access from Talacre,
which is signed off the A548, 2 miles/3.2 km east of Prestatyn.
Telephone: 0151 336 7681
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5. Lake Vyrnwy Nature Reserve
(Hear and see pied flycatchers and redstarts in the woods)
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Llanwddyn, Oswestry SY10 0LZ
Heather moorland, woodland, meadows, rocky streams and a large reservoir attract a wide variety of wildlife to this reserve at the end of the Berwyn Mountains. You may see dippers and kingfishers by the lakes and streams, great crested grebes and goosanders on the water and ravens and buzzards on the moorland.
What's new in 2005:
Facilities:
Visitor centre, gift shop, closed circuit TV (CCTV), picnic area, nature trails, hides, wheelchair accessible hide, binocular hire, toilets, disabled toilets, parking.
Opening times:
1 April - 31 October 10.30am to 5.30pm. 1 November - 24  December 10.30am to 4.30pm. 1 January - 31 March 10.30 to 4.30pm weekends only.
Admission charges:
Free
Disabled access: To be advised.
About our location:
Click here for map. Grid reference: SJ016192. 10 miles west of Llanfyllin via the B4393 to Llanwddyn.
Telephone: 01691 870278 Website
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6. Mawddach Valley
(See beautiful scenery and enjoy woodland walks)
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Penmaenpool, Gwynedd LL40 1YF
The two reserves in the Mawddach Valley are Arthog and Coed Garth Gell. Coed Garth Gell offers superb scenery and beautiful walks through oak woodland. In the spring, pied flycatchers, wood warblers and redstarts can be seen and heard in Coed Garth Gell.  Different types of warblers, reed buntings and water rails can be seen at Arthog. Ravens and buzzards occur all year.
What's new in 2005:
Facilities:
Nature trails, toilets, parking.
 Opening times:
Reserve: open at all times.
Admission charges:
Free
Disabled access:
To be advised.
About our location:
Click here for map. Grid reference: SH650170. 2 miles west of Dolgellau on the A493 next to the toll bridge at Penmaenpool.
Telephone: 01654 700222 Website
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7. Ynys-Hir Nature Reserve
(See woodland flowers in spring and geese on the estuary in the winter)
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Eglwysfach, Machynlleth SY20 8TA
On the south of the Dyfi estuary, this reserve mixes Welsh oak woodland with wet grassland and saltmarsh. The land is being managed for breeding lapwings, wintering wildfowl and wading birds. The woodland in spring is full of bird song and spring flowers. In autumn and winter, the estuary has large numbers of ducks and geese feeding on the saltmarshes. Red kites and peregrines occur all year.
What's new in 2005:
Facilities:
Visitor centre, small shop, refreshments, picnic area, nature trails, seven hides, binocular hire, toilets, disabled toilets, parking, bicycle rack.
Reserve: open 9am to 9pm daily. Visitor centre: March to October 10am to 5pm, November to February 10am to 4pm Wednesdays to Sundays only.
Opening times:
Reserve: open at all times.
Admission charges:
£3.50 adults, Concessions £2.50, under 16 £1.00, family ticket £7.00, RSPB and W ildlife Explorer members go FREE.
Disabled access:
To be advised.
About our location:
Click here for map. Grid reference: SN679964. Directions to the reserves can be obtained from a sign outside of the Information Centre, 2 miles/3.2 km west of Dolgellau on the A493 next to the toll bridge at Penmaenpool.
Telephone: 01654 700222 Website
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8. Carngafallt Nature Reserve
(See pied flycatchers and red kites in the woods in spring)
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Near Rhayader, Powys LD1 6NU
This nature reserve has some of the best woods and moors in Wales. For those looking for a taste of the Welsh uplands, this is the place to visit. You can see red kites and pied flycatchers in summer.
What's new in 2005:
Facilities:
Two nature trails.
Opening times:
Reserve: open at all times.
Admission charges:
Free.
Disabled access:
To be advised.
About our location:
Click here for map. Grid reference: SN935652. 1.2 km (3?4 mile) south of Rhayader on A470. Rail: Llandrindod Wells 19 km (12 miles). For timetable click here. Bus: for information contact the Rhayader Tourist Information Centre at 00000 000000.
Telephone: 01597 811169 Website
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9. Dinas Nature Reserve
(Discover the beauty of the Welsh oakwoods)
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Near Llandovery, Carmarthenshire
This reserve, in the heart of mid Wales, has a boardwalk and footpath that takes you through an oak woodland on steep slopes. The trail continues to the fast-flowing river. Some parts are rugged and steep and can be slippery when wet. This part of the trail is unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Red kites can be seen frequently. In summer, you can see dippers, pied flycatchers, common sandpipers and grey wagtails.
What's new in 2005:
Facilities:
Nature trail, picnic area, parking.
Opening times:
open at all times.
Admission charges:
Non-RSPB members - parking fee £1.00
Disabled access:
To be advised.
About our location:
Click here for map. Grid reference: SN750460. 10 miles north of Llandovery on the minor road to Llyn Brianne. Rail: Llandovery (10 miles).
Telephone: 029 2035 3000 Website
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10. Ramsey Island Nature Reserve
(Experience the peace and quiet of a beautiful island)
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St Justinians, St Davids SA62 6PY
An offshore island with 120m high cliffs covered in seabirds. There are fine examples of coastal heathland. Access is by boat between Easter and September. Crossings are dependent on weather conditions. You can see seabirds on the cliffs between April and July. Choughs ravens and wheatears breed on the island. In autumn, see the largest colony of breeding grey seals in Wales.
What's new in 2005:
Facilities:
Information, small shop, refreshments, picnic area, nature trails, binocular hire, toilets. Easter to September. Boat trips contact Thousand Island Expeditions 01437 721721.
Opening times:
Admission charges:
Non-members £4.00, children £2 (under 5 go FREE), OAP £2. Boat fares are extra.
Disabled access:
To be advised.
About our location:
Click here for map. Grid reference: SM706237. Access from the A55 expressway. Leave the A55 at the exit signed Deganwy: the reserve entrance is on the roundabout above the expressway. Rail: Llandudno Junction (0.75 miles/1.2 km). Bus: 0.5 miles/0.8 km every 20 minutes. Cycle: This reserve lies close to Route 8 of the National Cycle Network. Click here to view the National Cycle Network map of Conwy.
Telephone: 07836 535733 Website
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11. Cwm Clydach Nature Reserve
(See buzzards, pied flycatchers and dippers)
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Craigcefnparc, Swansea SA6 5TL
Cwm Clydach is a mixed broadleaved woodland. The lower Clydach river flows through the centre of the reserve. In summer you can see pied flycatchers, redstarts, buzzards and dippers along the river.
What's new in 2005:
Facilities:
Nature trails, toilets. The reserve has a tramway running the whole length, providing an easy footpath for visitors.
Opening times:
Open at all times.
Admission charges:
Free
Disabled access:
The first 1300 metres of nature trail is accessible to wheelchairs.
About our location:
Click here for the map. To get to Cwm Clydach Reserve, leave the M4 at junction 45. Head north on the A4067 until you reach a roundabout. Take the first turn off the roundabout to Clydach. You will pass INCO Ltd on your left. At a mini roundabout, go straight across, and almost immediately take a right turn off the main road. In effect this almost straight on. Keep on this road for 1 1/2 miles. You will come to pub called NEW INN on your right. The road then crosses a small river bridge, and the Cwm Clydach Reserve entrance is immediately on the right after the bridge.
Telephone: 01792 842927 Website
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Associated Features
National Nature Reserves in Wales
A Walk in the Park
National Trails
Countryside Escapades
The Countryside Code-Yr Côd Wledig
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