Around Llyn Brenig 6th July 2019

Welsh Team fishing trialist setting off from the landing stage at the Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre.

Looking North from the Llyn Brenig dam.

A few Greylag geese on Llyn Brenig.

Looking South towards Llyn Brenig from the Clwydian Way.

Foxgloves and an unidentified thistle next to the Clwydian Way path.

The Osprey nesting platform, but only being used by a buoy!

Walk stats: Distance: 9.7 miles. Climb: 519'.

Time: 4 hours 6 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.8 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.4 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn.

I had no takers for this walk, but decided to go on my own as leaving it later would mean losing the chance of seeing an Osprey.

 The forecast wasn't great, with light rain, drizzle and even fog being suggested, but at least the wind was slight and it wouldn't feel cold.

 I arrive at the Visitor Centre to find that lots of fishermen were checking in before getting in boats and setting off into the middle of the lake. Apparently these fishermen were all trialist in a match to determine who should represent Wales in International Fishing Competitions later in the year.

 I was surprised to see the the water levels in the reservoir were quite low, but it might have had something to do with a jetty/construction work that was being built the South east end of the dam.

 Views across the lake were always shrouded in mist, and I doubted that I would see an Osprey nesting platform let alone an actual Osprey.

 I did eventually see and Osprey, thanks to the volunteers from the National Wildlife rust that were manning the Osprey viewing point and had spotting copes that were trained on the nest.

 I did see one nesting platform, but this one contained a buoy, put there to ensure that a second pair of Osprey didn't set up a nest competing with resident pair.

 However there were plenty of other birds around to see. These included: Pied wagtail, Meadow pipit, Barn swallow, House martin, Oystercatcher, Greylag goose, Herring gull, Lesser black back gull, Common blackbird, Common whitethroat, Stonechat, Great cormorant, Skylark, Siskin and Osprey.

 I didn't stop for lunch, and ended up having my soup when I got home.

 Overall an enjoyable walk, even if I did have use my waterproof jacket all of the time.

 It was good to find out that the Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre is open between 08-00 and 16-00 each day and parking Pay and Display just £2-00 for the day.

 The average speed cameras along the road from Denbigh across the moors now seems to be operational.