Birdwatching …..

Anglesey has long associations with bird watchers and famous bird artists and has many excellent sites for for Birdwatching.

Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe, OBE, RA (1901–1979) was an internationally renowned naturalistic painter of British birds and other wildlife. He spent most of his working life on the Isle of Anglesey. (artuk). In 1947 he moved to Malltraeth, on the estuary of the Afon Cefni on Anglesey, where he lived until his death in 1979. there is a good online collection of his works (wikiart). He painted frequently at Cemlyn, Beddmanarch as well as Malltraeth. Most of his collection of art was purchased in 1981 by Oriel Môn and housed in the Tunnicliffe gallery.

Philip Snow is a renowned bird and wildlife artist who also lives in Malltraeth where his studio overlooks the Cefni Estuary. A lot of his work is also on display in the Oriel. As well as bird paintings, Philip produces wonderful sketch maps illustrated with local scenes and wildlife. He has published many books, the latest [illustrated below] is getting rave reviews.

IoACC Reserves

Nant y Pandy (the Dingle) Nature Reserve The Dingle / Nant y Pandy Local Nature reserve is a 10 hectare (25 acre) wooded valley, rich in wildlife and history. Birds are easy to see throughout the year; blue tits and great tits nest in the woods and moorhen in the water; wrens and grey wagtails are common small birds seen along the boardwalk; and larger birds, ravens, buzzards and herons fly overhead. A glimpse of a kingfisher may be seen as a flash of electric blue, or a dipper may be bobbing along the river. The tawny owl can be heard, and often seen, in the woodland at night.

RSPB Reserves for Birdwatching

RSPB South Stack Cliffs spectacular sea bird colonies nest on sheer cliffs; visitor centre with telescopes and CCTV. Free to visit all year round

RSPB Cors Ddyga (Malltraeth Marsh) large wetland area similar to the Fens. The lakes, ponds and ditches that make up Cors Ddyga are some of the most important in the UK and host more than 30 scarce wetland plants. Bitterns, marsh harriers, wetland warblers and wildfowl live in the reedbeds, while the grassland supports one of the largest colonies of lapwing in Wales.

RSPB V alley Wetlands The Valley Wetlands, formerly known as Valley Lakes, is a wonderful nature reserve in Anglesey which gives you the opportunity to see wildfowl all year round. Look out for tufted ducks, pochards, shovelers, gadwalls and grebes around its reed-fringed lakes when you visit

North Wales Wildlife Trust Reserves for Birdwatching

NWWT Cemlyn Bay A real wildlife haven with a spectacular seabird colony at its heart.
NWWT Cors Goch A network of paths over a variety of terrains. There is a boardwalk across part of the wetland
NWWT Porth Diana A southerly gem of Holy Island’s heathland habitat where you can find the spotted rock-rose – Anglesey’s county flower
NWWT Coed Porthamel The nature reserve is made up of two separate woodland blocks. Coed Chwarel is a former quarry/landfill site; Coed Brain has the only proper path along an access track to a neighbouring property
NWWT Caeau Pen y Clip Surrounded by agriculture and urban housing, these wildflower-rich fields and mature hedgerows create a haven for wildlife
NWWT Mariandyrys Wander through wildflowers whilst gazing out to sea or across the Snowdonia mountain range.