Best Locations
Below are listed some of the best locations in Brecknockshire for bird-watching. Click on a location name to see more information including access and parking.
Battle Hill Forestry (SO010345)
A mainly coniferous woodland with some areas of deciduous wood. A hard surfaced track makes for fairly easy walking but would be unsuitable for wheelchair users. Often a good site for Crossbill with Raven, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Red Kite often seen in the area and Goshawk has been recorded. Breeding summer migrants include Pied Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, Wood, Willow & Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Resident breeders include Stonechat, Linnet, Redpoll, Coal & Marsh Tit, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Stock Dove and Bullfinch. On the surrounding farmland Red-legged Partridge is occasional and Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Wheatear are regular in summer. The small pool to the south of the forestry has attracted passage Teal, Green Sandpiper, Mallard and Canada Goose. A Firecrest was recorded here in recent time.
Brechfa Pool (SO118377)
This is a small shallow-bottomed lake within common-land. Disabled Access is very good as the whole reserve can be viewed easily from the roadside. Please avoid disturbance to birdlife by keeping on or close to the roadside. It is an important stop-over feeding site for migrating birds. Over 70 species have been recorded.
Craig Y Cilau NNR (SO219154)
Managed by the Countryside Council for Wales this is a mix of quarried and natural limestone cliff and scree and marshy peat bog. There is no disabled access but there is an old tramline in good repair, however paths are steep in places. Summer visitors include Raven, Peregrine, Redstart and Warblers with 50 different species being recorded.
Craig-y-nos Country Park (SN840155)
Managed by the Brecon Beacons National Park this site is popular with families. This is an area of mixed woodland, two rivers, ponds and meadows. There are plenty of seats and picnic benches and most of the paths in the Country Park are on level or gently sloping ground, some having hard surfaces making for good disabled access. This is part of the Brecknock Wildlife Trusts Upper Tawe Valley Living Landscape Project. Breeding summer migrants include Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, House Martin and Common Sandpiper with resident Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker, Dipper and Grey Wagtail.
Dol y Mynach Reservoir (SN905616)
A small shallow reservoir on the county border nestled in the stunning Elan Valley supported by Welsh Water and the Countryside Council for Wales. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is included in the Special Protection Area (SPA) under the European Wild Birds Directive. A hide overlooking the reservoir is located in the small woodland near the roadside information point. Although there is no disabled access to the hide excellent roadside views can be enjoyed at the information point. In winter it hosts small wintering flocks of Goldeneye and Goosander as well as some other wildfowl. Spring records have included Osprey, Black Tern and Little Gull. Toilet facilities nearby at SN872634 or the Elan Valley Visitor Centre SN928646 which has an excellent cafe.
Glasbury (SO178393)
The river Wye marks the Brecknock border with Radnorshire. From Glasbury bridge level footpaths run along the river in both directions on the Radnorshire side of the Wye. There is no easy disabled access. Along the river Green and Common Sandpipers, Little Grebe, Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Mute Swan and Grey Wagtail can all be seen. The nearby Radnor Wildlife Trust reserve Pwll Patti with its bird hide (SO165389) is well worth a visit with good numbers of wintering wildfowl.
Graig Cerrig-Gleisiad NNR (SN964221)
Managed by the Countryside Council for Wales this is a dynamic mix of huge, craggy cliffs and exposed moorland. There is no disabled access but a roadside picnic area on the A470 does afford some views. The path leading from the parking area has recently been relaid, and the paths the Reserve are well marked but very steep in places. Sensible footwear is advised. Summer visitors include Ravens, Peregrine, Ring Ouzel, Wheatear, Redstart, Whinchat, Tree Pipit and Skylark. 80 different species have been recorded.
Llangorse Lake (SO135265)
This privately-owned but accessible lake is the best site for birding in the county. South Wales largest natural lake, the extensive reedbeds and marginal vegetation has been given SSSI status. An active and highly successful bird-ringing group works year round. Disabled access is good with excellent views possible from both the Llangorse Common northern access point and Llangasty car park on the south shore. Disabled access can also be organised to the bird hide (see link). A level, but often muddy and impassable in winter, footpath runs around the western end from Llangasty to Llangorse village. A bird hide is situated about half way round. There are high numbers of wintering wildfowl including Goldeneye, Gadwall, Pochard, Shoveler, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Teal and Goosander and a large Gull roost is also present. Summer sees Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Reed, Sedge, Garden, and Grasshopper Warbler as well as Redstart and Pied Flycatcher around the varied marginal habitats. Year round residents include Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Coot, Water Rail, Cormorant and Cettis Warbler. The lake is very important for migrating birds including Osprey, Common Scoter, Arctic, Sandwich, Common, Little and Black Tern, as well as waders which are best seen from the Llangasty car park and picnic area.
Mynydd Illtyd & Daudraeth Illtyd (SN977263)
A SSSI managed by the Brecknock Wildlife Trust and Brecon Beacons National Park this site is made up of several wetland sites and upland common. The popular Mountain Visitor Centre is nearby. Disabled access is good with a single track road affording excellent views running the entire length of the common and reserve. Summer visitors include Wheatear, Stonechat, Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Curlew with Red Kite often overhead. Scarse winter visitors have included Golden Plover, Great Grey Shrike, Green Sandpiper, Short-Eared Owl and Hen Harrier.
Mynydd Illtyd & Daudreath Illtyd (SN977263)
A SSSI managed by the Brecknock Wildlife Trust and Brecon Beacons National Park this site is made up of several wetland areas and upland common land. The popular Mountain Visitor Centre is nearby. Disabled access is good with a single track road affording excellent views running the entire length of the common and reserve. Summer visitors include Wheatear, Stonechat, Skylark, Meadow Pipit with Red Kite often overhead. Scare winter visitors have included Great Grey Shrike, Green Sandpiper, Short-Eared Owl and Hen Harrier. The pool Traeth Bach at the far western end will sometimes attract waders such as Curlew, Lapwing, Snipe and Ringed Plover.
Neuadd Reservoirs (SO029190)
Managed by Welsh Water these reservoirs at the foot of the beacons are the first of a chain of reservoirs on the Taff Fechan river that enjoy wonderful views of Pen-y-Fan and Corn Du. The reservoirs are surrounded by access land with well defined upland paths. Disabled access is good with a well maintained road running from the parking area to the top reservoir. Recently Crossbill, Ring Ouzel and Great Grey Shrike have been recorded here and small numbers of wildfowl can be found on the reservoirs. Upland birds are typical with Peregrine, Kestrel, Red Kite and Buzzard all regular and summer visitors including Stonechat, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit and Skylark. Undoubtedly an under watched site that could yield much interest particularly during migration months.
Park Wood (SO166338)
Managed by the Woodland Trust this is An Ancient Woodland Site. Park Wood is a long, narrow belt of woodland occupying the crest of a low hill overlooking Talgarth. There is a small parking area at the entrance and the track, though fairly even, would likely be unsuitable for wheelchair users. However there is a good population of Wood Warbler here that can often be heard from the parking area. Other notable breeding species include Spotted Flycatcher, Goldcrest, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow & Garden Warbler, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Marsh & Coal Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Redpoll and winter thrushes have been recorded during the winter.
Pont Melin-Fach (SN907105)
A beautiful deciduous woodland walk following the river Nedd and Pyrddin with some of the most spectacular waterfalls in mid-Wales. Access is easiest from the Angel pub, Pen-common where the path is fairly even and may be suitable for wheelchair users. This is a popular walk and the noise of the river can drown out birdsong at times. Best visited in summer when most of the common warblers can be expected along with good numbers of Wood Warbler. Goosander, Dipper and Grey Wagtail all breed here and can be seen in some numbers.
RSPB Carngafallt (SN947638)
An upland nature reserve comprising of woodland and moor. There is no disabled access but nature trails between 1 and 2 miles in length can be walked. Good populations of Pied and Spotted Flycatcher as well as Blackcap, Goldcrest, Whinchat, Wood, Willow and Garden Warbler with Red Kite easily seen overhead.
Talybont Reservoir (SO100190)
Its status as a SSSI has recently come under review but was achieved due to high numbers and diversity of wintering ducks and swans. Though Goosander numbers have decreased, good numbers of wildfowl are still present including Goldeneye, Goosander, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Wigeon and Teal. Year round residents include Little and Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Mallard and Coot. Disabled access is good with a roadside bird hide at the southern end of the reservoir overlooking the busy marsh area.
Usk Reservoir (SN820286)
The reservoir and surrounding woodland attract a variety of birds. During most recent winters 1-2 Great Grey Shrike have been present along with good numbers of Woodcock. Summer sees Crossbill, Tree Pipit, Whitethroat, Wood Warbler, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, as well as more common tits and finches, breeding in the conifer plantations. There are low numbers of wildfowl such as Tufted Duck and Goosander but passage Swans, ducks and waders can be seen. There is a bird hide at SN818280. Disabled access is poor but good views can be enjoyed form the parking areas.
Usk Valley Osprey viewpoint (SO108236)
In 2023 a pair of Osprey built a nest on an oak on Gilestone Farm. There is no public access to the nest and the site indicated is the nearest viewpoint with public access. The nest site is best viewed from here along the canal path from Talybont.