Birds, binoculars and breathtaking views
The beauty of North Wales comes from the people, the landscapes, and the wildlife. From rare red squirrels to the iconic puffins of Puffin Island and even dolphins, we’re so lucky to be home to such a variety of animals. To celebrate National Marine Week, we caught up with Hanna, the Visitor Experience Manager from the Royal Society of the Protection of Birds (RSPB), to talk about the important work they do and the beautiful birdlife at South Stack.
Where is RSPB South Stack?
RSPB South Stack is situated high above the Irish Sea on the north-western tip of Anglesey. South Stack is one of Wales’ most picturesque nature reserves – a combination of sea cliffs and coastal and lowland heathland, now rarer than rainforest!
What can I expect to see there?
In late spring and early summer, the cliffs below Ellin’s Tower (built in 1868 by the honourable Willam Owen Stanley for his wife, Ellin) are overflowing with rows of breeding seabirds. Thousands of guillemots and razorbills nest along the narrow ledges, puffins nestle away amongst the loose rocks and grassy slopes in the spring and summertime. Herring and black-backed gulls also breed here and are concentrated on the island around South Stack Lighthouse.
Ellin’s Tower
The reserve’s protected birds are the choughs, red-legged and red-beaked crow-relations that nest in sea caves high above the violent waves. Attracted by the short turf of the coastal heath, they are seen year-round, often seen cruising in the strong updrafts above the cliffs, occasionally joined by the resident peregrines and ravens.
A chough
The heather, gorse and bracken heathland are home to a variety of smaller coastal and wetland birds, such as wren and warblers, with the occasional, unmistakable call of the oystercatcher echoing up from the rocky outcrops. Common lizards and adders can be seen basking in sheltered, less disturbed areas. Butterflies flourish in this flower-rich habitat, including the beautiful silver-studded blue. South Stack is also botanically rich with the very rare spathulate fleawort, currently endemic to South Stack, and the beautiful spotted rock-rose (Anglesey’s County flower) sharing their cliff top habitats with sea campion in the summer season.
Grey Seals are seen in the area, as are harbor porpoises, common dolphins and risso’s dolphins. Seabirds such as cormorants, shags and gannets are seen offshore, displaying amazing diving behaviours during feeding frenzies.
What else can I do at RSPB South Stack?
A variety of activities are run from the visitors hub, ranging from bug hunts to puffin walks, craft workshops to evening music performances. All bookable through the website or face to face in the centre with one of our friendly team.
Puffins
South Stack is part of the UNESCO Global Geopark – meaning it is a region of fascinating geological significance. South Stack itself is home to rocks from the cambrian geological time period, as well as rocks relocated from other parts of the island – keep your eyes peeled for fossils and glaciated rock formations. In addition to this, the reserve is home to 5 ancient monuments, stacked in history.
South Stack is based along the Anglesey Coastal Path and is blessed by a good network of footpaths – with the puffin and dragonfly walks both passing through the reserve.
Anglesey Coastal Path
After enjoying the wildlife and scenery, a visit to the RSPB shop and café for tea and cake is the order of the day!
Opening Times:
- Nature reserve: Open 24hrs
- Car park: Open 24hrs
- Toilets 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Shop10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Cafe10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Visitor centre10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Find out more information here: South Stack Nature Reserve, Anglesey
Just down the road from South Stack is Trearddur Bay, which is known as a haven for birdwatchers. With its stylish and comfortable interiors, Sandown House is an ideal base for those looking for the perfect spot to relax after a long day of twitching. Use your private beach path, pack a thermos and look out for the common tern and oystercatchers.
