Ynys Hir nature reserve is located approximately five miles south west of Machynlleth, on the southern side of the Dyfi Estuary. It has been managed and maintained by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds since the late 1960s. 'The reserve covers an area of 800 hectares with a wide mix of habitats - mountain, lowland wet grassland, reedbed, bog, woodland and saltmarsh. It has many conservation status including SSSI, SAC, RAMSAR and sits in the middle of the only Welsh UNESCO Biosphere reserve.
The Welsh oak woodland has breeding pied flycatcher, redstart, wood warbler and lesser spotted woodpecker as well as the early spring flowers such as bluebells, whilst the estuary saltmarsh and lowland wet grasslands support breeding lapwing and redshank. During the autumn and winter months this habitat is important for Greenland white-fronted geese, golden plover, lapwing, wigeon and barnacle geese.' The nature reserve's other habitats 'include freshwater pools, reedbeds and peat bog. Birds to be seen here include grasshopper warblers, water rail with hen harrier in the winter. There are many species of dragonfly and butterflies including small red dragonfly and brimstone butterflies, otters, common lizard, slow worms and grass snakes.'
Source: www.rspb.org.uk
M. Ryder, RCAHMW, 1st November 2018.