The Biggest Twitch watches spring at RSPB Ynys-hir

It was an early start for Rose, Roy, Jane and the Biggest Twitch team as we headed down for a day's birding in and around RSPB Ynys-hir. We wanted to have a look around this wonderful reserve before the BBC's Springwatch took over this peaceful reserve, and it wasn't hard to spot the TV Village that had sprung up just outside it. But there were no TV celebrities or cameras in sight as we headed into this beautifully scenic and natural-feeling RSPB reserve.



Once again, the strong wind made conditions feel most un-spring-like, but the birding started even before we'd left the car park as we heard Wood Warbler calling close by and had great views of the antics of the Siskins on the feeder.


The birding activity is so busy this time of year, and we enjoyed watching two pairs of Pied Flycatchers and a Coal Tit pair busy with their nesting and feeding routines. Further along the trail, we encountered Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart too.



Out in the open areas overlooking the estuary, we really felt the strength of the wind, but that didn't stop us getting a good scope look at Garden Warbler and close views of a family party of Treecreepers.



The birding didn't stop even as we ate our butties, as we watched Teal amongst the birds on the lagoon below the picnic area, and scanned the skies for raptors.



The day always flies by too fast when you're busy birding, and all too soon it was time to move on to our next destination, the Dyfi Osprey Project. A quick check from the viewing hide showed the female hunkered down low on the nest protecting the eggs from the cool wind. No sign of the male but we were told he often appeared around mid-afternoon bearing fish. We decided to head out onto the boardwalks to see what else we could see. Passerines were mostly keeping their heads down in the gusty winds, but Lesser Redpolls were feeding well just outside the hide.



As we followed the boardwalk out across the marshes we checked the pools and bushes for birds, and enjoyed the sunshine on our backs and reflecting off the flag irises.



Then Alan bellowed, as only Alan can, 'Osprey!!' Sure enough, there was a male Osprey with a fish; it was 3.30pm, mid-afternoon, food had arrived right on time.



Following the direction he was pointing, we all focused our bins on a male Osprey landing on the top of a distant tree, with a large fish in his talons. We watched as he snatched a mouthful of fish for himself before heading back to the nest to feed the female. We galloped back up the steps of the viewing hide just in time to see the close-camera view of him passing the fish to the female before heading off again. What an exciting end to a great day's birding!

If you'd like to join us on one of our scheduled day trips or weekends, check out the details here: Guided Birdwatching Trips in North Wales or email us on info@thebiggesttwitch.com for details of these or our custom tours. We look forward to hearing from you!