Nature Holidays

Enjoying our natural world

From wild bird reserves, to greener living, there’s lots of ways to get a bit closer to nature and find our why this area is so special.

Sand Dunes on the Dyfi Estuary

UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere

The area around the Dyfi Estuary has been recognised by UNESCO as Biosphere Reserve. Why? Because of the diversity of its natural beauty, heritage and wildlife.

There’s several important nature reserves, lowland wet grassland and salt marshes, ancient woodlands, lakes, national trails, coastal paths and mountains to explore… all within Dyfi the Biosphere.

Whilst there is no visitors centre, if you’re exploring the area you’ll probably be enjoying the Dyfi Biosphere without realising it! Find out more.

RSPB Nature Reserve hide

RSPB Nature Reserve

The RSPB Ynys-hir nature reserve is located on the Dyfi estuary with a stunning back drop of Snowdonia and the Cambrian mountains.

In Summer look out for wading birds, such as lapwings and redshanks and some very special butterflies. And in the colder months ducks and geese move in. Find out more.

Perching osprey at the Dyfi Nature Reserve

Dyfi Osprey Project

The Dyfi Osprey Project has been running at Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve near Machynlleth since 2009 and has been home to migrating Ospreys each Spring ever since.  

A brand new visitor centre will open in 2021, where you’ll not only be able to get a good view of the Ospreys but also learn more about the project and Montgomery Wildlife Trust.

During the Spring hatching season their nest web-cam is great for up close viewing. Find out more.

Dyfi National Nature Reserve

Dyfi National Nature Reserve

The Dyfi National Nature Reserve is situated midway between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth. The 2,000 hectare National Nature Reserve covers three main areas:

  • the Dyfi estuary
  • Ynyslas sand dunes
  • the raised bog of Cors Fochno

The visitors centre at Ynyslas sand dunes is the main access point to the National Nature Reserve, and here you can find the start of the marked trails.

The sand dunes are home to a rich population of orchids, mosses, liverworts, fungi, insects and spiders; many of these species are rare and some are unknown elsewhere in Britain. Find out more.

Red Kite in flight

Red Kite Feeding Centre

Watch the red kites feeding at Bwlch Nant yr Arian every afternoon. You can expect to see as many as 150 red kites coming in to feed.

Bwlch Nant yr Arian became feeding station in 1999 as part of a programme to protect the small number of red kites in the area. From the visitor centre there is also a range of trails for walkers, mountain bikers, and runners. Find out more.

The red kite is a national symbol of wildlife in Wales  and was voted  Wales’ Favourite Bird.

 

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