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Bird Watching In and Around Blaenavon |
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The Blaenavon area is surrounded by a wide variety of habitats which makes it an ideal location for bird watching at all times of the year.
The Garn Lakes Local Nature Reserve contains wintering wildfowl and Snipe together with many species such as Reed and Sedge Warblers during spring and summer.
The adjacent Waunavon Bog holds Short-eared Owls and the occasional Hen Harrier during winter and breeding species such as Grasshopper Warbler during summer. |
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Short Eared Owl |
Grasshopper Warbler |
Dippers and Grey Herons can be seen along the main river (The Afon Llwyd) and its tributaries all year round, whilst Common Sandpipers are present in summer.
Oak woodland along the cycle track has breeding Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers and Wood Warblers in spring, whilst a coniferous plantation such as the Blaenafon Community Woodland has breeding Crossbills and Sparrow hawks.
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Sedge Warbler |
Snipe |
Common Sandpiper |
Dipper |
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The hills around the town such as the Blorenge and Coity contain Red Grouse, whilst breeding Lapwings can be seen in the Garn yr Erw area.
Many birds of prey can be seen in the area. Merlins can often be seen hunting over the hills during spring and autumn and Goshawks can be seen displaying in early spring. Red Kites are becoming increasingly common in the area, whilst Peregrine Falcons are regularly seen. Buzzards are a very regular sight. |
Peregrine Falcon |
Red Kite |
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Forgotten Landscapes Project -- Create/Maintain Reed Bed
In 2009 a feasibility study was carried out to consider the construction of
a reedbed and associated wetland habitats on the Kays and Kears reclamation site to the
south of Garn Lakes, Blaenavon. The location is on the site of a former colliery spoil tip, which has been regraded
and re-vegetated.
The aim of the project is to create an important wetland feature that will enhance adjacent habitats
and enhance opportunities for wildlife now and in the future as a response to
climate change. It is hoped that all this work will attract amphibians and invertebrates as well as birds such as snipe, reed warblers and sedge warbler.
To date ditches and bunds have been excavated and put in place and thousands of reeds have been planted by volunteers.
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May 2011 |
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May 2011 |
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