Arthog Bog Nature Reserve, Nature Reserves Arthog, Gwynedd - Wales where to go, what to see and where to stay in Wales

At the west end of the Mawddach Valley, on the edge of the wide sandy estuary and close to the village of Fairbourne is the village of Arthog and the Arthog Bog. Not a very inspiring name but what a beautiful place to visit! <br><br> The Arthog Bog is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is an RSPB reserve. There are information boards, toilets and picnic tables 200m east of Morfa Mawddach railway station. Parking is available but why not leave the car in the town and make the trip on foot or bicycle using the Mawddach Trail. The trail with the adjacent reed beds and wetlands offer many opportunities to bird watchers as well as safe cycling for children and family groups. The small wetland mire with willow and alder scrub and flower-rich grassland is a wonderful place to see flowers, butterflies, and birds. Look for special wetland plants - greater spearwort, bog bean, ragged robin, and yellow flag. <br><br> In spring and summer, marsh marigold, and flag iris, line the streams, where dragonflies hunt. Sedge warbler, garden warbler, willow warbler, blackcap, whitethroat and chiffchaff, may be heard in the scrub. You may be lucky to catch sight of a heron, shellduck, or sparrow hawk, or common blue and small copper, speckled wood butterflies. In the autumn flocks of redpoll and siskin can be seen foraging in the trees, and you may catch a glimpse of the elusive water rail or lesser-spotted woodpecker. In the woods in winter look out for redwings and fieldfares feeding on holly, ivy and rowanberries, the mainstay of their winter diet. In the autumn flocks of linnet and goldfinch feed on fields of thistles. A short walk onto the morfa and you might be fortunate to see little egret, oystercatchers, herring gull, and cormorant. <br><br> Yes it’s a wonderful day out at the Arthog Bog, and should you be holidaying in Barmouth, bikes are available for hire from the Birmingham Garage close to the Mawddach Railway Bridge.