Iolo Williams has lived in Mid Wales all his life and knows the region like the back of his hand. He worked for several years as one of the RSPB's officers in Powys, keeping a watchful eye on the area's birdlife.
Iolo's now a well-known radio and television presenter. Here, he shares what he knows about what birds to watch for in Mid Wales and where.
Ynyshir Nature Reserve, Machynlleth
In winter, the Dyfi estuary attracts thousands of ducks such as wigeon and teal, as well as 150 Greenland white-fronted geese, the only regular wintering site in England and Wales. In the spring and summer, the oakwoods attract three species of woodpecker in addition to the usual woodland species. The Dyfi estuary is also one of the few strongholds for breeding lapwing and redshank in Wales. Ynyshir is an RSPB reserve.
Ynyshir features in Iolo's Welsh Safari on 11 May...Lake Vyrnwy, Llanfyllin
This upland reserve comprises deciduous and coniferous woodland, farmland, freshwater and, most importantly, moorland. Rare plants include the lesser twayblade orchid as well and the cloudberry grows adjacent to the reserve boundary. The moor supports hen harriers, merlin, black and red grouse although all are difficult to see and should be watched from the mountain road. The fast-running rivers support breeding goosander, dippers and common sandpipers and the conifer woodlands are excellent places to listen out for crossbill and siskin. Red squirrels may still survive in one or two pockets, but they are very rare indeed.
Dolydd Hafren, Welshpool
This Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust Reserve is situated on the confluence of the rivers Severn, Rhiw and Camlad. In winter, it's an excellent place to watch snipe, teal and water rail as well as yellowhammers, reed buntings, stock doves, skylarks and tree sparrows which are attracted by the field of corn sown for the wildlife. In spring, little ringed plover, oystercatcher, yellow wagtail, sand martins and skylark all breed as do linnets, reed bunting and tree sparrows.
Gigrin Farm, Rhayader
Winter is the time to visit this kite feeding centre on the outskirts of Rhayader. Kite feeding takes place at 2pm GMT every day and over 200 kites are regularly recorded along with over 20 buzzards and ravens.
Teifi Marshes, Cilgerran
A Wildlife Trust for South and West Wales Reserve, the Teifi Marshes are made up of reedbeds, wet meadows, river and woodland, and therefore attract a wide variety of wildlife. It's one of the best places in southern Britain to see otters and on warm spring days, there's a good chance of seeing slow worms and adders. In winter, the rare bittern is a regular, albeit elusive, visitor to the reedbeds and during the breeding season, reed-, sedge- and Cetti's warblers can all be heard (and seen if you're patient). From April until July, the woods are alive to the songs of pied flycatchers, redstarts and wood warblers and throughout the year, dippers, grey wagtails, little egrets and kingfishers can be seen on the river.
More Mid Wales reserves... Iolo's Welsh Safari website...
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your comments
Chris Allen
I was swimming on Pembrey beach yesterday(27/08/08). At a very quiet stretch of the beach, far from the usual crowds that gather there. I was very pleased and excited to spot a Seal, hunting the ebbing tide. I moved towards it a bit to get a closer look, but I didnt need to as it reapeared 20 feet from me! It was real good to see such a beautiful animal up close in its own environment. It looked at me with some interest, had a look to say 'do you know what you are doing here' made me feel really inadequate. It continued to dive and and hunt, each time surfacing close and looking at me again, it was wonderful. Made my year.
Mon Jul 28 10:44:53 2008
Paul Hudson, Penrith
AS a sand lizard expert and the main breeder of the 130 or so sand lizards released this year on Iolo's Welsh safari ,i feel i can confidently state that the Lizards that Alan Chapman claims to have seen would almost cetainly be Common Lizards, although i would love to be proved wrong with photographic evidence.
Mon Dec 31 10:12:12 2007
The people of Green Lane, Abermule
We have noticed some red kites in the woods opposite where we live. Would a proposed housing development directly in front of them destroy their environment?
Fri Nov 9 11:27:20 2007
Alan Chapman from Tai'rgwaith
On your program on the 10th of October you had a report on Sand Lizards. We saw you releasing young lizards and the "Expert" stated that the Sand Lizard had been extinct in Wales for 60 years. Our family were camping at Abersoch on the Lleyn peninsular in 1974 and we saw lots of Sand Lizards every day on the way to the beach. Since living down in South Wales we have seen them at Llangennydd on the Gower and in the dunes at the north end of Pembrey.Hoping this proves to be of use to you.Keep up the good work on an excellent programme.
Thu Oct 11 09:28:39 2007
Ms Jacqueline Sisley
I live near Tregaron in Ceredigion 973 feet above sea level. I have seen 1 (one) Bumble Bee this year back in April and no honey bees, where are they all? I have also noticed a great decline in the numbers of Swallows, House Martins and Swifts in this area. As for Butterflies they are non exsistent. I have bats living in my roof, last year around 200, this year about 30!!! What is happening to our world.
Thu Sep 6 09:13:34 2007
Alan Rogers, Lampeter
For the first time in my life (of 66 years) I have seen a polecat. It was sitting in the drainage ditch beside a country lane within 6 kilometers of Lampeter. I was able to watch it from within 5 metres for about a minute. It seemed quite un-afraid and was in excellent condition. A forestry firm were felling a pine plantation within half a kilometre so it may have been flushed out of cover by this activity. How rare or common in Wales are these beautiful animals? As we maintained eye contact I was reminded of the description of the pocket battleship Graf Spey... "powerful enough to destroy anythin! g of its size or smaller, agile and fast enough to escape anything larger".
Fri Aug 4 09:12:02 2006
Nick Hattingh from Tregoyd Mill
Like Linda Hodds, I also have bats in my roof. Linda should contact the Bat helpline on 0845 1300 228 or www.bats.org.uk.The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
Bats are protected and should not be disturbed.
Tue Aug 1 12:16:47 2006
Linda Hodds, Llangeitho
I live near Tregaron, Ceredigion. At the weekend I discovered I have bats living in my roof. My neighbour and I sat in the garden Sunday night (9th July) and watched 103 leave for their nights foray. I do not know what kind, if they cause any damage. Any information or who I can contact would be very welcome.
Thu Jul 13 09:58:05 2006
Libby Parsons from Abergynolwyn, Gwynedd
On Monday, 25th April, we heard the cuckoo behind our house which is situated behind Bird Rock, Bryncrug. We are also inundated with Hares.
Mon May 9 17:57:25 2005
Barbara Hill at Newbridge-on-Wye
Iolo Williams was asking us to let him know if we had seen any hares in our area. While out walking in the Glascwm area, near to Builth Wells last week, I spotted 4 good sized hares enjoying themselves in the spring sunshine - a wonderful sight.
Fri May 6 19:56:54 2005
Anne Moorsom, Rhayader
Heard Cuckoo on Sunday, 1st May
three and half miles north of Rhayader
Last year it was the 8th May.
Thu May 5 18:20:17 2005
Trevor Rogers - Manafon - nr Welshpool.
I today visited Gregynog Hall in Tregynon. Thought I heard the churrlng of a nightjar, 14.30hrs - could it have been a Greater spotted woodpecker `yaffling`? The sound was coming from excellent nightjar territory, but the time of day and year appear to be wrong. Any ideas please? The sound was regular and carrying well over distance.
Can you help?
Fri Apr 15 22:35:52 2005
Lyn Jenkins from Gwbert, Cardigan
Choughs are members of the crow family. They have red beaks and red legs and are quite rare. There are none in England, apart from the few that have returned to Cornwall. However, there were three pairs in the wild at Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park in Gwbert, near Cardigan at the start of 2003.I am pleased to report that one pair has reared THREE youngsters this year. Choughs have a wonderful acrobatic flight pattern and the distintive " Cheow !" call.
Wed Oct 15 11:08:16 2003
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