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Wales Gwynedd

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

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 mountain areas have good numbers of Peregrine, with smaller numbers of Chough, while in May Dotterel on passage are regular on the Carneddau range. 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.

top sites

Bardsey Island

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

Lafan Sands

(SH620730) Wildfowl & Waders

contributor

Rhion Pritchard
Rhion@pritchardr.freeserve.co.uk

county recorder

James Dustow (Meirionnydd)
jim.dustow@rspb.org.uk

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

useful reading

Best Birdwatching Sites in North Wales

by Alan Davies & Owen Roberts Nov 2007 Buckingham Press �15.95p
See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 9780955033940
Buy this book from NHBS.com

useful information

County Bird

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

clubs

Corris RSPB Wildlife Explorers

helen@hellmark.madasafish.com
The Corris Wildlife Explorer group meets once a month on the 2nd Saturday of the month. The group meet between 2 and 4pm, and the programme is very varied. The Corris Institiwt is the main meeting place, and the group generally spend most of their meetings outdoors, in the locality. The group is mainly focused on activities for children between 6 and 11. However, other ages are not restriced from attending but those under 6 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Cymdeithas Adarydda Cambria - Cambrian Ornithological Society

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.

Mawddach RSPB Wildlife Explorers

Mawddachwex@hotmail.com
This group is run specifically for 5 to 13 year olds and follows a varied programme from fungal forays to beachcombing. The Mawddach Estuary and surroundings offers a wide variety of wonderful habitats for us to study. We also have visitors who tell us about their interest and work in the environment. We meet on the second Saturday of the month.

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

Forestry Commission - Coed y Brenin

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.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/recreation.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 - Arthog Bog

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/m/mawddach-arthogbog/index.asp
Arthog Bog is a small wetland and a wonderful place to find weird and wonderful plants, flowers, butterflies and birds. With more than 130 species of plants recorded, there are colourful displays through the year and an amazing variety of birds and butterflies to see...

RSPB Reserve - Mawddach Valley, Coed Garth Gell

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/m/mawddach-coedgarthgell/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...

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 can�t find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page� give them a try!

tour operators

Birds of Snowdonia

http://www.birdsofsnowdonia.com
Immerse yourself in the most beautiful scenery the British Isles has to offer. Welcome to Snowdonia, land of myths and legends, with the National Park covering over 800 square miles. Where else can you find beautiful valleys, snow capped mountains, stunning lakes and rivers, not to mention the unrivalled beaches?

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

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...

Minffordd Hotel - Talyllyn Tywyn

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

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_doc.asp?doc=13073&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...