Bird-watching, birding, twitching; they all mean the same thing. The appreciation of wildlife viewed through a magnifying device – often accompanied by some very expensive camera equipment. That is the general perception anyway, but anyone can make a start with a very basic setup. If you’ve always liked the idea of a quiet day out but also with a target in mind, you could do a lot worse than try bird-watching for size. There are so many species that it will feel like an endless task, but if you either have all the time in world or just a couple of hours to kill, there aren’t many places better or with areas in abundance than South Wales.
- South Wales in south WalesGreg Miles / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA
And you don’t need all that fancy equipment – just head out with a basic pair of binoculars, a good camera and a steady hand; you’ll be hooked in no time. Here are some of the best places to visit in South Wales to start or continue your avian odyssey.
Gigrin Farm, Rhayader
Based in the heart of Wales, this farm is home to the Red Kite feeding centre and is also a hub for their rehabilitation. It might be a bit of a cheat to class this as bird-watching as the Kites come from all around the area (you’ll notice that the Red Kite is the symbol of the county of Powys) but it is definitely worth a visit. Every day at a time dependent of the time of year, a tractor full of tasty treats is spread out amongst the farmland which is surrounded by a number of hides where people can watch the Kites approaching from afar before swooping majestically down and grabbing their main meal of the day. Even if you don’t head to the farm, the surrounding Elan Valley boasts some spectacular scenery and will give you plenty of chance to spot these amazing birds in the wild.
Newport Wetlands Centre, Newport
Around 5 miles outside the centre of the city of Newport – situated on the South East Coast of Wales – you will find the Newport Wetlands Centre which is run by the RSPB. A one-off visitor will be just as enamoured with this huge centre as many of the regulars; no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll be guaranteed something special. Even sitting in the café, you will be able to spot many garden birds nibbling away at the feeders and once you are ready to brave the walk around this huge expanse, you’re in for many treats. Newport Wetlands experiences the mind-boggling phenomenon that is the starling murmuration. Each autumn at sunset, tens of thousands of starlings fly over the site, ready to roost down for the evening; but do it with such breath-taking beauty, that it is impossible to even try and describe.
Forest Farm Country Park, Cardiff
Just a couple of miles outside of the city centre of Wales’ capital, there is a small area of canal-side and woodland walks at Forest Farm. Walking along the canal, you’ll spot countless ducks and garden birds such as tits and robins all eager to be fed, but just off the path you’ll notice a couple of specially built hides where you can try your luck at spotting herons and kingfishers. The hides do tend to get busy, even on weekdays, but they are full of professional twitchers who will be more than willing to give you advice and if you’re lucky, a look through their binoculars!
Ben Gallivan has been a keen bird-watcher for a couple of years and is hoping to trade in his tiny camera for something a little more twitcher-worthy very soon. He writes for Wales Cottages, who look after some delightful holiday cottages in the South Wales valleys.
