A trip to Cors Dyfi on 5th July

After an excellent night at the Chilfest in Hertfordshire I found myself waking up nice and early in a very comfortable B&B the following morning.  I had originally intended to check out what reserves were in the vicinity - I think Rye Meads wasn't too far away - but the only problem was the weather, chucking it down with rain!  As I sat eating my breakfast I decided I really didn't want to head for home that early so I mulled over alternative destinations.  The weather forecast was on the TV and it showed the rain clearing from the west.  As I had the whole day ahead of me I decided to check out the excellent new Observatory at the beautiful Cors Dyfi reserve near Machynlleth - a mere four hours' drive from where I was staying! - so once I'd finished eating I headed off.

It was absolutely worth the journey!  The weather improved as I got closer to the Welsh coast until there was a cloudless blue sky overhead and I was feeling very happy with life.  On arriving at the reserve I quickly headed towards the new facility - it is located considerably closer to the osprey nest than the old hide and I was looking forward to seeing the stunning family in residence!

All of the family were about:

On the T-post is the male bird, Monty - his mate, Glesni, was feeding the two chicks in the nest.  The chicks were ringed ten days later - it turned out that there is a boy (Gwynant) and a girl (Deri).

There are a few nesting platforms in the area - this particular one is too close to the one Monty's family are using to be tolerated by him should any osprey try their luck:

The new Observatory is a most impressive structure!  I happened to turn up on the same day that a large party of visitors arrived - they all turned out to be from a Facebook group who had organised a mass visit.  They were a friendly crowd, especially one particular gentleman who was wearing a T-shirt covered in frogs and who greeted me with a friendly 'How!'.  It takes all sorts.  I snapped a few of the visitors from the boardwalk to the Observatory:

I walked back to the visitor centre - on the way I came across a volunteer with a bike.  He explained that the bike was kept at the reserve to enable all the staff to get to and from the Observatory much more quickly.  What a good idea - and there he goes:

I then paid a visit to the old hide - some lovely birds were on the feeders in front of it:

All too soon it was time for me to leave - I didn't get that much time at this lovely reserve but I was so pleased I made the effort to go, even though it was another 5 hours' drive to Felixstowe.  I hope you all enjoy the photos!