it has been an interesting Autumn with at times the weather feeling as if it was still a Summers's day. The trees and woods at Ynys-hir have not disappointed in their splendid natural explosion of colour. Everything from the bright yellow of the hazel leaves, oranges of the beach and oak, larch and birch through to the reds of wild cherry have been wonderful to see and spend time in and amongst them.
The change of the season has also meant a change in the bird life at the reserve. There are now at least 500 Barnacle geese, huge flocks of wintering lapwing, wigeon and teal with smaller but regular numbers of redshank, shelduck, sandpiper (common and green) ,good numbers of little egrets and up to 7 great white egrets too. The small flock of Greenland white fronted geese (16 at present) arrived back in early November, still hopeful that more may appear but it seems that their breeding success this summer was poor.
In the skies over the wetlands birds of prey to be seen have included peregrine, buzzard, red kite, hen harrier and marsh harrier. An exciting sighting this last week has been that of a leucistic red kite almost white due to partial pigmentation, flying with the other kites, a ghostly like companion.
Thanks to Mark Carter for the images Leucistic Red Kite at RSPB Ynys-hir
Please note that the trails are open everyday (except Christmas Day) but the Visitor Centre is now closed monday and Tuesdays throughout the winter.