Local Walks

Note: Risk assessments are carried out prior to every walk.  If requested, a trip report can be made available. Walks are set at a comfortable pace with local history pointed out.  Pick up and drop off arrangements can be made if required. We can prepare and deliver walks in areas of your choosing as well. Dawn chorus walks and evening walks are also available. Depending on the seasons, there will be different bird species.   Below is a small selection of some of the sites we visit.

Ridges and Castles  – Cefn Onn Ridgeway.

Explore open farmland, Beech and Oak woodlands, spectacular views over the Bristol Channel and see two 13^th century castles. We will see a great variety of birds from Buzzards and Woodpeckers, to Finches and Thrushes. There are plenty of interesting plants and fungi along the way. 

Draethen Circular.

Stunning ancient beech woods, forestry, limestone outcrops and farmland all go to making this a wonderful walk. Stunning views across to Devon and plenty of woodland birds, Raptors, Crossbills, Siskins and much more.  A great area for fungi as well. 

Birds and Fossils.

Visit Wern Ddu and the Warren – a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) for its geological features which will be pointed out along the way. Learn about the brick works. We will be looking for Crossbill, Coal Tit, Siskin, Goldcrest, Buzzard, Tawny Owl, Amphibians and Plants. 

Birds and Basins.

Enjoy a circular walk of Caerphilly Common taking in views of the Basin below and the valleys beyond. Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Raven and Kestrel are the birds of the day, with many others at different times of the year. There is the chance of Adders and Grass Snakes at various times of the year. 

Craig-yr-Allt.

We take in a ridge with views over several valleys, a section of cycle track, the beautiful Ty Rhiw woodland and open farmland on this circular walk. Plenty of habitats make for plenty of birds and plants with a few surprises along the way. 

Commons, Pools and Moorland.

We will spend our time visiting several sites, starting with Gelligaer Common, which is steeped in Roman history and packed with birds including the magnificent Red Kite and Little Owl.  We visit several pools, especially Raslas which turns up wader and duck species at any time of the year, including Goldeneye, Goosander and Wigeon.  We will also be looking for Snipe, Curlew and Lapwings.  Blaen Rhymney is an open moorland site which we scan for numerous birds.  Hen Harrier is possible in winter.  Finally, we drop down into the beautiful valleys surrounding Deri for woodland and farmland birds. Great at any time of the year. 

Parc Cwm Darren.

A walk around the lake for Gulls, Ducks and Herons before going along forestry tracks for a variety of Finches and other birds, before reaching open ground where Buzzard, Red Kite, Mistle Thrush, Skylark and much more can be seen. 

Cwmcarn Scenic Drive.

Stunning forestry steeped in Mosses and Plants, open views, plenty of birds and wildlife and the oppertunity of seeing an Iron Age hill fort.  During late May, arrangements can be made to visit a site here for Nightjar, Woodcock and Tawny Owl.    

Forest Farm Nature Reserve.

A pleasant walk along the Glamorgan Canal looking for Kingfisher and Ducks. There are two bird hides to visit overlooking pools where Reed Bunting, Little Grebe, Water Rail and Reed Warbler can be seen. We finish by following a section of the River Taff where we look for Cormorant, Goosander, Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Ducks. 

Kenfig National Nature Reserve.

A bird watchers paradise due to the vast array of species at any time of the year.  We explore the pool for many species of Ducks, Grebes, Gulls and Herons with Bittern possible on the edges of the reeds. A walk through the dunes with orchids and many species of plants and the occasional Short Eared Owl brings us to Sker Beach, where we be looking for offshore birds such as Divers and Shearwaters.  Sker Point will give us Waders such as Purple Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Curlew and more. Winter time here will see a flock of up to 500 Golden Plover. Rarities turn up regular here.  A must visit site. 

Ogmore.

A great variety of birds along the estuary including Ducks, Waders, Gulls (occasionally Mediterranean and Common Gull), Herons and Swans. Water Pipit is found in the winter months.  Moving onto Ogmore by Sea we look for more Waders, Rock Pipit, offshore birds and Passerines in the coastal vegetation. We will be looking for the Red Billed Chough along the Heritage Coast path. 

Merthyr Mawr Dunes.

Visit the highest dune system in Europe, with its fantastic vegetation and hide aways, ideal for a variety of bird species.  Warblers, Goldcrest, Finches, Tits, Thrushes, Gulls, Raptors including Peregrine Falcon and Waders are the birds of the day. During the winter months, the Sea Buckthorn becomes alive with hundreds of Fieldfares and Redwings which winter in the area, and can be seen feeding on it's berries. 

Goldcliff Reserve.

There are several bird hides all overlooking large areas of water to visit. Wader species are plentiful and will include the Avocet with its ‘Ski Jump’ Bill.  Little Egret, Herons, Raptors and Wagtails will be seen along with other species. We will visit the nearby sea wall to search the estuary mud flats for more Waders and birds. There is the option of visiting the nearby Newport Wetlands Reserve as well.