One of the large pools at Spinnies Aberogwen nature reserve. The water is surrounded on all sides by vegetation and large trees, at the very bottom of the picture, a dead branch juts out into the water as a perch for the local kingfishers. The picture is framed on both sides by large trees in full leaf overhanging the view point. On the horizon there are hills visible through a gap in the trees. The sky is blue, with lots of grey/ white clouds, all highlighted in yellow from the sun behind them. All the col

Spinnies Aberogwen nature reserve © Jonathen David Harty

A pair of Kingfishers, small birds with striking iridescent blue wings and back feathers, an orange chest and long black beak. Sat on a branch in front of some reeds. The one on the left with it's back to the camera, the other on the right facing front, both with their heads turned inwards to look at each other.

Kingfishers © Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography

SpinniesAberogwen Nature Reserve_Brian McGarry

A close up picture of a water rail. A smaller bird with a grey chest, black and brown streaked upper body, black and white barring on the flanks, a long red bill and pale pink legs.

Water rail at Spinnies Aberogwen Nature Reserve © Steve Ransome

Goldfinch at feeder on Spinnies Aberogwen nature reserve © Steve Ransome

Chiffchaff - Janet Packham Photography

An arial view of the Spinnnies nature reserve. The large shallow pool of the reserve is outlined with thick tree cover. The islands in the pool are covered with vegetation, and the bottom of the pool is shallow enough to be seen in places.

Spinnies Aberogwen Nature Reserve

A fantastic place to get close to wildlife, where bird hides give you the chance to really spend time with the reserve’s residents. There’s never a dull moment!

Location

Bangor

LL57 3YH

OS Map Reference

SH613720 - main entrance
OS Explorer Map OL17

Know before you go

Size

3 hectares

Entry fee

Parking information

The lane adjacent to the reserve is well used by local farm traffic and includes large vehicles. Please always park safely and avoid obstructing the lane or any gateway Large car park at the shore; limited parking at roadside south of here (SH614721)

Bicycle parking

Yes - just inside main entrance

Grazing animals

Walking trails

From the car park near the beach walk back along the road to the reserve entrances where a short walk takes you to one of three hides. It is also possible to walk along the shingle beach but it is uneven, difficult walking and should be avoided as high tide approaches as feeding birds will be disturbed. There is limited parking adjacent to the Kingfisher Bird Hide . The main entrance should only be used as a drop-off point for less-abled visitors. Please bear in mind that this area is used as a turning area for farm vehicles.

Access

Please stay on the well-marked paths, avoid walking to the reserve along the shoreline and do not approach the lagoons. Most paths (and two of the hides) are wheelchair-accessible. Please respect other users of the bird hides and avoid excessive noise. At busy times please be considerate of other hide users.

Dogs

On a lead

Facilities

Bird hides

When to visit

Opening times

Open during daylight hours

Best time to visit

Autumn and Spring for migrants; summer for breeding birds. An hour or so either side of high tide is best for views of birds on the estuary

About the reserve

Spinnies Aberogwen’s series of lagoons and surrounding habitat provide shelter and food for wildfowl, waders and smaller birds, especially during the autumn and spring migrations. The reserve is next to the estuary of the River Ogwen and the tidal mudflats known as Traeth Lafan, and the constant ebb and flow of the tides attract some amazing species – including, on rare occasions, osprey. Tall, graceful stands of common reed provide sheltered nest sites for moorhen as well as an excellent place to watch grey heron and little egret hunting! For much of the year, the brightly coloured kingfisher is a familiar and well-loved sight as it perches around the reserve and dives into the water in search of prey. Bird hides and feeders provide fantastic opportunities to enjoy the wildlife close at hand.

Wonderful work parties
Volunteers and staff work together to manage the reserve’s woodland, grassland, reed beds and lagoons; providing a varied natural environment which supports many different plants and animals. A special sluice gate controls water levels and salinity by letting water out and preventing it flowing back in, helping to prevent flooding and ensuring that the lagoon remains freshwater. Monthly work parties help maintain the bird hides and footpaths, whilst the provision of bird food at the hides is supported by many individuals and local organisations – thank you everyone!

Did you know?
The wetlands of the nature reserve are essentially man-made: thought to be ‘borrow pits’ from which soil was dug, they are certainly by-products of the diversion and canalisation of the River Ogwen in the early nineteenth century.

Directions
Spinnies Aberogwen is easily accessible from Junction 12 of the A55. Heading towards Bangor/Tal-y-Bont, look for the brown ‘Nature reserve’ sign. Follow it down a minor road for approximately 1 mile to reach the coastal car park (SH 615 723), before carefully walking back towards either entrance to the reserve.

Discover more with our Song of the Spinnies blog series

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