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The Great Britain Guide

Wildlife reserves · Mid Wales

Ynys-hir RSPB reserve

Ynys-hir RSPB reserve — RSPB nature reserve, situated beside the Dyfi estuary in Ceredigion, mid Wales.

Ynys-hir RSPB reserve, wildlife reserves in Mid Wales

Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence

Plan your visit

Typical visit
2 h–4 h
Best time of year
Autumn & winter (migration & wildfowl)
Nearest railway station
Dovey Junction · 2.5 km
  • Free entry
  • Dog-friendly
Visit on rspb.org.uk

About

Ynys-hir RSPB reserve is a wildlife reserve in the United Kingdom. Records date its origin to 1970. It covers approximately 550 km². Owned by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Managed by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Wikidata describes it as: "RSPB nature reserve, situated beside the Dyfi estuary in Ceredigion, mid Wales.". Coordinates: 52.5467°, -3.9452°.

Photo gallery

About this reserve

Enjoy the beautiful scenery in this iconic part of mid-Wales. See what wildlife is in the Oak woods, saltmarsh and estuary. Summer is a great time to see Redstarts, Common Lizards, Slow Worms and Grass Snakes. ? ? With the mountains of southern Eryri (Snowdonia) to the north and the Cambrian mountains to the south, once you enter the Ynys-hir reserve, you’ll be surrounded by beauty. And the birds agree, it’s a haven for waders, ducks, geese and some special woodland loving birds. Ynys-hir treats you to a variety of habitats. Enjoy a wonder through Welsh Oak woodland down to estuary saltmarsh. Take in the views across lowland wet grasslands, freshwater pools, reedbeds and peat bog . The sheer variety here means there’s a whole host of wildlife to spot too. Springtime sees the arrival back of Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts and a variety of warblers. Small Red Damselflies, Brimstone butterflies, Otters, Common Lizards, Slow Worms, and Grass Snakes all call this patch home. The reserve covers an area of 800 hectares containing some really important sites for wildlife. Our team of wardens and volunteers carefully manage these habitats to restore a conifer plantation into an active peat bog habitat. Managing the lowland, wet grassland supporting this habitat, we’re safeguarding England and Wales’s only wintering population of Greenland White-fronted Geese and providing the perfect spot for breeding Lapwing and Redshank. With three different trails to explore, a picnic area with a stunning view of pools and reedbeds, Ynys-hir is great for a day out or a stop along the Wales Coastal…

From the RSPB, reproduced under fair-use summary for visitor information.

From the Wikipedia article

Ynys-hir RSPB reserve is a nature reserve of the RSPB situated beside the Dyfi estuary in Ceredigion, mid Wales between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth. The reserve covers 550 hectares and includes a variety of habitats extending inland from mudflats and salt marsh through farmland and pools to oak woodland and hillside scrub. Facilities include a small visitor centre and seven hides. Ynys-hir [ˈə.nɨ̞s hiːr] means "Long Island" in Welsh. The name refers to a wooded ridge which was once surrounded by marshland. The area was a private estate until it was bought by the RSPB and became a reserve in 1970.

Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.

Background

History

RSPB Ynys-hir was founded on the estate of the late Hugh Maplin, who invited naturalist Bill Condry and his wife Penny to move into one of the estate cottages, , in 1959. Condry became the first RSPB warden when they took over the nature reserve in 1969. Condry was one of the main forces in the preservation of the red kite. Condry, who died in 1998 received an hon. MSc from the University of Wales in 1980. He wrote many guides and nature books.

Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Coordinates
52.5467, -3.9452
District
Ceredigion
Parish
Ysgubor-y-coed
Postcode
SY20 8TA
Parliamentary constituency
Ceredigion Preseli
Established
1970
Nearest railway station
Dovey Junction2.5 km
Official site
www.rspb.org.uk

Sources

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Ynys-hir RSPB reserve?
Ynys-hir RSPB reserve is in Mid Wales, United Kingdom (postcode SY20 8TA), in the parish of Ysgubor-y-coed.
When was Ynys-hir RSPB reserve built?
Built or established in 1970.
Who runs Ynys-hir RSPB reserve?
Ynys-hir RSPB reserve is operated by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
Is Ynys-hir RSPB reserve free to visit?
Yes, Ynys-hir RSPB reserve is free to enter.
How do I get to Ynys-hir RSPB reserve?
The nearest railway station is Dovey Junction, about 2.5 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode SY20 8TA.
Are dogs allowed at Ynys-hir RSPB reserve?
Most wildlife reserves allow dogs on lead only, with restrictions during ground-nesting bird season (March-July). Check signage at the reserve.