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Llandegla’s Bird Hide
50% of the Welsh black grouse population lives within one mile of Llandegla, and there is now a bird hide which offers the opportunity to observe this ‘red list’ species.
During April and May 2006 over 300 people joined the RSPB at Llandegla to witness a fascinating and somewhat comical wildlife spectacle – the mating or ‘lekking’ display of black grouse.
The RSPB led guided walks every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in April and May. The walk took participants through the forest on a newly created footpath to the purpose-built hide. The hide overlooks a stunning moorland setting where a black grouse lek takes place.
The black grouse did not disappoint and displayed on every occasion. The mock-charging and strange bubbling and screeching sounds that can be heard up to two miles away made the walks well worth the dawn start time.
The walk to the hide from the visitor centre takes half an hour, and around one hour is spent at the hide with binoculars and high-resolution telescopes before returning to the visitor centre for hot drinks and cooked breakfasts.
The ‘Ghosts of the Forest - Black Grouse Watch’ is one of several RSPB ‘Aren’t Birds Brilliant!’ projects in Wales and is a partnership project between the RSPB, UPM Tilhill, Oneplanet Adventure, Denbighshire County Council and the Countryside Council for Wales.
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