Birdwatching on Anglesey
Anglesey is an excellent place to see many different species of bird - the wide variety of landscapes and habitats combines with the maritime location to make the island a haven for all sorts of birds.
Anglesey obviously has a huge distance of coastline, so seabirds are to be seen in great numbers. Particular favourites are puffins, which can often be seen at places such as South Stacks, together with razorbills and guillemots.
But don't forget the inland areas, too - the woods, heaths and lakes are also excellent places for birding. Llyn Cefni near Llangefni, for example, has a nature reserve and hide where you can watch birds.
Overseas visitors may be suprised at just how much public access there is in the UK, so you will often find a public footpath or trail close to where you want to go.
The RSPB has a visitor centre at South Stacks Cliffs Nature Reserve, where you can get expert information. The charity also has a reserve at Valley Wetlands. The reedbeds here are home to gadwalls and grebes, wigeon and warblers at different times of year.
Visitors from urban areas may be surprised at the large number of buzzards in the Anglesey skies these days. Over recent decades, they have spread from the breeding centres which remained after the persecution of the mid 20th century, and are nowadays a common sight. But no matter how many times you encounter them, they remain an impressive sight and sound, as their piercing cries fade away on the wind as they scour the landscape for another meal.