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Wales Gwyndd

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus ŠNigel Blake http://www.nigelblake.co.uk/

Gwyndd Comprises the old counties of Merionethshire (Meirionnydd); Caernarvonshire (Caernarfon); and Anglesey

Most of Gwynedd is mountainous, with a number of peaks over 1,000 metres high, and only a narrow strip of coastal plain in the north of the county. There is lower, but still hilly, ground on the Llyn peninsula to the west. The island of Anglesey on the other hand is mainly flat, and has more wetlands than the mainland.

The mountain areas have good numbers of Peregrine, with smaller numbers of Chough, while in May Dotterel on passage are regular on the Carneddau range. On the coast, Conwy RSPB reserve has produced an impressive list of rarities. Good views of waders and wildfowl can be obtained here and at Lafan Sands further west. Bardsey Island at the tip of the Llyn peninsula has a bird observatory that welcomes visitors and is a site where almost anything could turn up. Buzzard and Raven are both present in large numbers and can be seen almost anywhere.

On Anglesey, the tern colony at Cemlyn is a must for birdwatchers from May to July, with several hundred pairs of Sandwich Tern and smaller numbers of Common and Arctic. South Stack gives excellent views of thousands of Guillemots and Razorbills, with smaller numbers of Puffins. In autumn and winter, the Llyn Alaw reservoir often holds impressive numbers of wildfowl.

top sites

Bardsey Island

(SH120215)Buzzard, Raven, and almost anything else, Bird Observatory.

Cemlyn

(SH335935)Famous for its tern colony which has held roseate terns.

Conwy RSPB Reserve

(SH796774)Wildfowl, waders and rarities.

Lafan Sands

(SH620730)Wildfowl & Waders

Llyn Alaw Reservoir

(SH400870)Good for wildfowl, especially in Autumn & Winter.

South Stack

(SH203823)Guillemots, Razorbills & Puffin with a supporting cast of peregrines and chough.

contributor

Rhion Pritchard
Rhion@pritchardr.freeserve.co.uk

county recorder

D L Smith (Meirionnydd)
3 Smithfield Lane, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 1BU
01341 421064
d.smith@ccw.gov.uk

John Barnes (Caernarfon)
Fach Goch, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd. LL55 4YS
01286 650362

Steve Culley (Anglesey)
Mill House, Penmynydd Road, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59.
01248 470449
steCul10@aol.com

numbers

Number of bird species:?
There is no official county bird - however the Cambrian Ornithological Society have a Peregrine Falco peregrinus as a logo and the Bangor Bird Group have a Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax

useful reading

Best Birdwatching Sites in North Wales

by Alan Davies & Owen Roberts Nov 2007 Buckingham Press Ł15.95p
See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 9780955033940
Buy this book from NHBS.com

clubs

Cymdeithas Adarydda Cambria - Cambrian Ornithological Society

http://mysite.freeserve.com/cambrianos
Welcome to the C.O.S. Website. The C.O.S. is for all birdwatchers with an interest in the north-west Wales area; the new counties of Anglesey, Gwynedd and the western part of Conwy.

observatories

Bardsey Bird Observatory

http://www.bbfo.org.uk/
07855 264 151
BBFO is the only accredited bird observatory in Wales. Its emphasis is ornithological, but there are considerable opportunities for other interests. Recent years have seen marine biologists, entomologists, geologists and mammologists making visits to the Observatory. Bardsey is two miles off the tip of the Lleyn peninsula. The Observatory boat leaves each Saturday during the season (or the first suitable day thereafter) from Pwllheli Marina. Contact: Steve Stansfield, Warden, Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory, Cristin, Ynys Enlli, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 8DE. 017855 264151 steve@bbfo.freeserve.co.uk

reserves

Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) North Wales

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/1098/Eryri.html
Eryri or the Snowdonia National Park was designated a National park in 1951, the third National Park to be created in England and Wales under the 1949 National Parks and Access to the countryside Act. It is the second largest National park in England and Wales, covering some 2,171 square kilometres (838 square miles) of north west Wales, and including the Carneddau, and Glyderau mountain ranges as well as the Highest mountain in England and Wales (1085m/3560ft)- Yr Wyddfa (the Tomb in welsh); or Snowdon from which the Park takes its (english) name. The welsh name Eryri means place of the eagles.

Forestry Commission - Coed y Brenin

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/wildwoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/WalesGwyneddNoForestCoedyBrenin
Black Grouse may be spotted on the forest fringes where the moor meets the trees.The males are easy to recognise with their distinctive black feathers and lyre shaped tail in flight. The females, however, are less easy to distinguish from Red Grouse which also inhabit the forest edges. Large and small raptors can be spotted all over the forest. Buzzards soar high above the valleys; Goshawks (known as the phantom of the forest) are more secretive and are extremely difficult to spot as they glide through tall mature trees and into thick undergrowth to catch their prey. Red Kites are also becoming more common as they distribute themselves north of their range. They are the easiest big raptor to spot with their large forked red tail. Peregrines are also present but not common. If you are really lucky you may spot a Merlin but you have to be quick...

Forestry Commission - Dyfi

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/wildwoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/WalesGwyneddDyfi
BLACK GROUSE can be spotted on the forest fringes where the moor meets the trees. The males are easy to recognise with their distinctive black feathers and lyre shaped tail in flight. The females are easily confused with RED GROUSE which also inhabit the fringes of the forest. You may also spot BUZZARDS or RED KITE but would be very lucky to see a GOSHAWK as they are extremely difficult to spot...

RSPB Reserve - Mawddach Valley

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/m/mawddachvalley/index.asp
In the spring, pied flycatcher, wood warblers and redstarts can be seen and heard in Coed Garth Gell. Ravens and buzzards can be seen throughout the year...

RSPB Reserve - South Stack

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/s/southstack/index.asp
During the breeding season you are likely to see: puffins, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, ravens and choughs...

RSPB Reserve - Valley Wetlands

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/v/valleylakes/index.asp
The reed-fringed lakes of Valley Wetlands are one of the best places in Wales to see wildfowl all year round. Tufted ducks, pochards, shovelers, gadwalls and grebes all breed and numbers swell in winter with the arrival of wigeons and goldeneyes. Come in spring and early summer and the reedbeds are alive with reed and sedge warblers, and you may be lucky enough to glimpse other reedbed specialists, such as water rails, marsh harriers and Cetti`s warblers...

Snowdonia National Park

http://freespace.virgin.net/high.trek/snownp.htm
Golden Eagles vanished some 300 years ago but you may very well see buzzards and peregrines. You`ll almost definitely spot ravens (listen out for their Cronk Cronk and wheatears (spotted by their skimming flight and white rumps) and perhaps choughs and ring ouzles ...

trip reports

Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you cant find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page give them a try!

tour operators

Birding Pal

http://www.birdingpal.org/Unitedkingdom.htm
Local birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...

Shearwater Coastal Cruises - Pelagics

http://www.llynmarinecharters.supanet.com/
Shearwater is a large, stable luxury charter boat conducting seabird watching tours along the beautiful coast of the Lleyn Peninsula, from Pwllheli...

Water Line

http://www.water-line.co.uk/
We are a small boat charter business based in North Wales that can take groups of up to 5 on our MCA coded RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) We offer a personal service that can be tailored to peoples interests.

places to stay

Arosfa Cottage - Rhosneigr, Anglesey

http://chloelaney.tripod.com/angleseyholidayhome/
Arosfa cottage is situated on the outskirts of Bryn Du,Ty Croes near to the beautiful village of Rhosneigr renowned for its water sports and beautiful beaches.

Fort Belan - Belan Peninsula Nr Caernarfan

http://www.fortbelan.co.uk
Fort Belan is open all year round for weekly bookings. We also welcome short breaks and weekend bookings, especially during off-peak months. There are five houses available to rent. Over the Way, Belan House, Tower House, Newborough House, Dock Cottage and one apartment By the Way...

Maelog Lake Hotel - Anglesey

http://members.tripod.com/~maeloglakehotel/
Situated on the approach to the beautiful beach resort of Rhosneigr, the Maelog Lake Hotel is set in a prominent location on the edge of the sand dunes and overlooking the lake. Rhosneigr is a popular destination for visitors with varying interests who are pursuing either the peace and quiet of the rural coast, or to engage in their passion for outdoor pursuits. Whatever your reason for visiting us, you can be assured of a warm welcome and a pleasant stay at the Maelog Lake Hotel.

Minffordd Hotel - Talyllyn Tywyn

http://www.minffordd.com/
Visit the many local bird sanctuaries and see the rare Red Kite...

Plas Tyn y Coed - Llanymawddwy

http://www.plastynycoed.co.uk/
Built in the 1830s for an English industrialist, this characterful Welsh country house occupies spacious, secluded grounds with woodland, streams and ponds together with an abundance of wildlife - a real hideaway nestled in the upper reaches of the Dyfi Valley (one of Wales' best kept secrets) in the Snowdonia National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty...

Snowdonia Cottages

http://www.sts-holidays.com/
We have great pleasure in presenting to you a small selection of our holiday cottages, farmhouses and apartments which are available for a memorable holiday in and around the spectacularly beautiful Snowdonia National Park in North Wales, U.K.

The Sandpiper - Barmouth

http://www.a1tourism.com/uk/thesandpiper.html
Characteristically they have slender bills and legs, slim bodies ands well developed winged for fast flight. They are elegant sociable birds and several species may be seen on the beach and the estuary around Barmouth...

Wern Fawr Manor Farm

http://www.wernfawrmanorfarm.freeserve.co.uk/index.htm
Exceptional self-catering cottages and B&B offered in the heart of the Lleyn Peninsula, North Wales. We have buzzards, barn owls and numerous others.

Bio-diversity in Gwynedd

http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_section.asp?cat=2849&Language=1
It is difficult to associate Gwynedd with one particular type of landscape as it contains a varied range of habitats. On the Lleyn Peninsula we have wonderful views of the coast, dramatic rocky cliffs leading down to beautiful beaches and sand dune systems. The landscape of this area has been forged from a system of open rough grazing, white farmhouses, and hedges which line the narrow little lanes around the Lleyn...

Birding Conwy

http://www.birdingconwy.co.uk
Welcome to the web-site for Conwy Birders. Here in Conwy we are lucky enough to have a wide range of habitats, which gives us a wealth of interesting species to observe. There is also a hardworking group of birders who regularly watch the area, and find birds that show the potential of the county as a birding resource...

Natural History of Anglesey

http://www.anglesey-history.co.uk/angnatur.html
The island of Anglesey holds a wealth of sites of natural interests - cliffs, estuaries, dunes, heaths, wetlands, lakes, parks, and woodland - which are renowned for their birds, flower, geology and landscapes. This site describes some of the best of these, how to get to them and what facilities you will find there.

artists

Artist - Colin Woolf

http://www.madwolf.co.uk/
Colin is one of the UKs leading watercolour artists. Take time to examine the images on these pages, and you will see how he uses pure watercolour to create beautiful works of art...

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