The following message is from Dave Anning, site manager.
I am sad to say that we have had to close the Breakwater hide at RSPB Ynys-hir. We appreciate that this hide is very popular with local bird watchers and the decision to close it was not taken lightly. For several years now we have been monitoring the condition of the hide closely and in our most recent inspection new signs of rot and subsidence were found and keeping it open was untenable.
Many of you will also note that the Covert Ddu hide has been closed for some time too. Unfortunately this hide has suffered in a similar way to the Breakwater hide with severe rot in one of its legs. I can assure people that the closure of the two hides were not connected, but reflect the fact that they are both old hides that have deteriorated gradually over many years.
The RSPB is committed to offering an excellent visitor experience at the reserve and birdwatchers are one of our priority audiences. The construction of the Ynys-Feurig hide a few years ago is testament to that as its principle audience is active birdwatchers as opposed to families and walkers.
We are currently reviewing visitor infrastructure across mid-Wales to ensure that it offers the visitor experiences that our visitors want and is fit for purpose. Unfortunately it is too early to say what outcomes this review will produce, but we are working on it. We are keen to keep local birdwatchers informed.
If you have any further question please feel free to contact me.
Dave Anning, david.anning@rspb.org.uk