"The Dyfi valley is teeming with diversity and wildlife. It is a goldmine of potential walks and days out. The Dyfi river is a great spot for bird watching, otter spotting and wildflower discoveries. We have woodland exploding with life, coastal areas with rare birds and plants, and bogs and marshes that allow a great number of interesting creatures to thrive.

This is why we decided to form the Dyfi Wildlife Explorers. Based in Machynlleth a group of us decided to get together with the RSPB and run year round activities for local kids to get more involved with their natural environment.

Gwenfair Glynn, a teacher at the local school, was keen to get her pupils out and about, so we advertised through the school. The first event was at Ynys-Hir, led by part-time warden and retired teacher Mark Robbins.

We walked around the reserve in the sun taking in the bird calls and learning about the behaviour of different species. We also did a scavenger hunt which the kids and their parents love. Ynys-Hir is a world class reserve, with a range of habitats and a high diversity of not only birds but trees, and plants too. I was keen to see a pied flycatcher, one of the stars of Ynys-Hir.

This month we did a woodland wander at the Centre for Alternative Technology, where I work as the Biologist. We collected leaves and identified trees and had fun in the sun. Kids had a sheet of all the tree and leaves and were able to learn the names of all the trees in our woods, and there are lots of trees!

Next up is Dragonfly Discoveries event at Ynys Hir. The diversity of dragonflies there is truly remarkable and they are such a distinctive species that we are bound to be amazed. Children will make a dragonfly to take home. Dragonfly Discoveries will take place on Sunday 22nd June from 2-4pm. We will also be exploring Borth Bog, wild places in Machynlleth and other nature sites around the area.

We ask that children are accompanied by an adult and that they wear appropriate footwear. There is a small cost of £1.00 per child or 50p for more children from same family. We ask that people book in advance by email grace.crabb@cat.org.uk. Please contact us for a programme of this summers events."

Article by Grace Crabb