SN61-21-

Description and habitats

This section of the river Tywi is non-tidal and has an extensive flood-plain which is mostly pasture land.

Directions

Although there are several places along this length of the river where it can be accessed, the three sites described here all have easy and un-restricted access and are regularly watched.

Dryslwyn, SN553202. Follow the signs for “Dryslwyn Castle” from the A40 or B4300. Use the car park below the castle.

Cilsan Bridge, SN589215. Follow the signs for “Aberglasney” from the A40 or B4300. It is possible to park at the north end of the bridge or at the roadside south of the bridge. Do not park on the bridge or its immediate approaches.

Bethlehem Road, Ffairfach, SN636223. From the roundabout at Ffairfach, south of Llandeilo, take the minor road towards Bethlehem. Continue past the school and just after leaving Ffairfach look for three houses on your right. On the right just after the last house, there is a car park at the entrance to Tregib Wood. Walk 150 yards (150 m) further along the road and cross the stile to reach the riverside. Bethlehem Road can also be reached by walking from Llandeilo (via the footpath which starts at SN631222) or from Ffairfach, both of which are served by bus and rail transport. The other sites are not served by public transport.

Facilities for visitors

Toilet at Dryslwyn car park (summer only). Full visitor facilities in Llandeilo. These sites do not provide access suitable for disabled people.

Tips for birding the site

Dryslwyn. View the river and the river valley from Dryslwyn bridge. Goosander and Common Sandpiper are regularly on the river and Sandmartins nest in the river bank. Little Ringed Plover breed on the shingle. Birders who climb up to the castle are rewarded with a panoramic view of the river valley in both directions. Flocks of wintering Whooper Swans and geese can be found with the aid of a telescope. White-fronted geese no longer use this site and Bewick’s Swans are now rare. Among the birds which are attracted to the feeders in the car park are Tree Sparrow and Great Spotted Woodpecker. About 300 yards (300 m) south of Dryslwyn bridge, a disused railway line (now a farm track) crosses the road. This track is worth exploring in both directions for close views of the river.

Cilsan Bridge. View the river from the bridge. In winter, the fields south of the bridge often have Whooper Swans, a large Mute Swan flock, Greylag and Canada geese.

Bethlehem Road. Walk upstream to the footbridge. It is possible to continue further upriver. This section of the river is a good place to see breeding Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper. It is worth looking in the woodland plantation (Gelli Spartiate) behind the car park for breeding passerines including Whinchat.

Best seasons

Most interesting in winter but good at all times of year

Regular birds

Common Buzzard, Red Kite, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goosander, Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sandmartin, Swallow, House Martin, Swift, Raven, Treecreeper, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Tree Sparrow

Scarce and rare birds

Hobby, Bewick’s Swan, Egyptian Goose, Laughing Gull, Franklin’s Gull, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Little Owl