Dingle Nature Reserve and Moelfre

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Having spotted one or two Nature Reserves on the map, we headed to a reserve, spent a little time there, and decided to move on. We then headed onto the Dingle Nature Reserve which was beside a stream and had the added attraction of resident Red squirrels. Sadly, when we arrived we found that the reserve was still shut. Not sure why, but signs indicated unsafe. Luckily there was a cycleway through part of it so we headed along it, cameras at the ready.

An early Marsh Orchid

This I thought was beautiful - Bogbean

Marsh Marigold

Robin posing for us - this taken at Dingle Nature Reserve

Jay - spotted along the cycleway

My shot of the day - a Red Squirrel on  a branch overhead. Magic!

The stunning red squirrel is native to England and it's always a special sight to spot one of these cheeky critters scampering through our woodlands. Unfortunately this is becoming an increasingly rare occurrence as the last century has seen a dramatic decrease in their numbers. The reason for the widespread decline across Britain can be attributed to two main factors: the destruction of habitat, and the introduction of the grey squirrel from America. It is estimated by the Forestry Commission that there are now as few as 140,000 red squirrels left in Britain compared to the 2.5 million grey squirrels. Anglesey is a hotspot as all grey squirrels have been eradicated, and the Menai and Britannia bridges act as a barrier.

Then the sight of a Nuthatch.

Having walked the cycleway at Dingle, we decided that a trip to the nearby coast was in order so headed to Moelfre.


A walk along the front brought us to the Lifeboat station and this figure on the wall. Richard Matthew Evans (BEM), was a Welsh lifeboatman. He was born in the village of Moelfre on the north-east of the island of Anglesey. During his 50 years service as a lifeboatman, Richard Evans was involved in 179 launches and the saving of 281 lives and is one of only five men to be awarded the RNLI gold medal twice, the highest accolade awarded by the institution and the equivalent of the Victoria Cross for bravery at sea.


A view from the harbour before we bought the biggest ice-cream I have ever eaten (well almost eaten!), and then making our way back to base. Another very enjoyable day.


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Location: The Dingle (Nant-y-Pandy) Nature Reserve, Llangefni LL77 7ED,

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