³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

In order to see this content you need to have both enabled and installed. Visit for full instructions

Elan Valley

This huge reserve in mid Wales near Rhayader has a multitude of habitats perfect for a range of wildlife.

Seventy square miles of the countryside forms the reserve, which is owned by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water. Part of the reserve forms an area of special scientific interest.

With reservoirs, farmland, woodland, forest and hills, it's no surprise that 180 species of birds have been recorded with 80 species breeding regularly. Out of these, seven are classified by the RSPB and British Trust for Ornithology as among the rarest in Britain.

Some of the interesting species of birds to be seen at Elan Valley include the merlin, lesser spotted woodpecker, goshawk, peregrine falcon, red kite, siskin, dunlin, golden plover and crossbill.

A multitude of mammals as well as birds call Elan Valley home. Stoats, otters, polecats, weasels, woodmice, voles and bats have all been regularly recorded.

For flora and fungi fans, over 300 species of flowering plants are present, as are lichens, mosses, liverworts and ferns.

Address

Elan Valley Visitor Centre
Elan Valley
Rhayader
Powys
LD6 5HP


Bookmark this page:

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Local

Upper Ddwli waterfall. Photo: Peter Thomas

Mid Wales places

Take a trip to one of Mid Wales' nature reserves.

Nature reserves

Iolo Williams

Listen to this

Iolo Williams reveals his favourite wildlife hotspots.

Wild About Nature

Tick off what you've spotted with our handy wildlife spotter guides.

Breathing Places

Find breathing places near you:

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iD

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ navigation

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Â© 2014 The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.