← Back💧 Reservoir

Llyn Alaw

1,005 ha

📷 Andy Waddington · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal

Free entryDogs welcome1,005 ha

Getting here

53.35211, -4.41589

Open directionsv

Google Maps↗Driving directions Apple Maps↗Driving directions Waze↗Live driving navigation Google Transit↗Bus, rail or tram Apple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🌞Midsummer — dragonfly and damselfly activity peaks along water edges
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — dragonfly and damselfly activity peaks along water edges
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

£Free to visit — no entry charge
🐕Dogs welcome

Parking

Best for

4 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Tufted Duck, Herring Gull, Carrion Crow +88 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Tufted Duck, Herring Gull, Carrion Crow +88 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — White-tipped Bristle-moss, Bird's-claw Beard-moss, Lesser Pocket-moss +75 more · last seen 2023; Plants — White-tipped Bristle-moss, Bird's-claw Beard-moss, Lesser Pocket-moss +75 more · last seen 2023

Free

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Meadow Brown, Tanytarsus part 2, Tanytarsus part 1 +29 more · last seen 2024; Insects — Meadow Brown, Tanytarsus part 2, Tanytarsus part 1 +29 more · last seen 2024

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚴

Cycling

15 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

NicoCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

National Cycle Network Route 5Cycling route

Named routeRef 5National Cycle Network

Route 566Cycling route

Named routeRef 566National Cycle Network

Trywydd CoprCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

Main RouteCycling route1.4 km

Named routeRef 5Length 1.4 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route376 m

Named routeRef 5Length 376 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

1,608 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

1,608 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds93 species

autumn

2025

Tufted Duck · Herring Gull · Mallard · Carrion Crow · Coot +88

Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2023
Herring GullLarus argentatus2023
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2023
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2023
CootFulica atra2023
RobinErithacus rubecula2023
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus2023
Great White EgretArdea alba
RavenCorvus corax2023
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2023
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2023
BlackbirdTurdus merula2023
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2023
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2021
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2023
Canada GooseBranta canadensis2023
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2023
TealAnas crecca2021
MagpiePica pica2021
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2021
JackdawColoeus monedula
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2023
Greylag GooseAnser anser2023
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2022
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2023
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2023
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2021
GadwallMareca strepera2021
Great TitParus major2020
Mute SwanCygnus olor2023
DunnockPrunella modularis2021
BuzzardButeo buteo2021
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2021
Little EgretEgretta garzetta2023
Common GullLarus canus2023
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2023
ShovelerSpatula clypeata2021
SnipeGallinago gallinago2021
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2021
SwallowHirundo rustica2021
GoldeneyeBucephala clangula2020
House SparrowPasser domesticus2023
PintailAnas acuta2021
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2021
LapwingVanellus vanellus2021
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2021
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2020
GoosanderMergus merganser2020
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2020
RookCorvus frugilegus2020
RuffCalidris pugnax
FieldfareTurdus pilaris2022
LinnetLinaria cannabina2021
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosa2021
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2021
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2020
House MartinDelichon urbicum2018
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucos
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2023
ScaupAythya marila2022
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsis2021
StonechatSaxicola rubicola2021
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2021
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2020
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2019
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2018
WoodcockScolopax rusticola2014
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalus
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2022
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula2021
Little StintCalidris minuta2021
Ring-necked DuckAythya collaris2021
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotos2021
Limosa limosa islandicaLimosa limosa islandica2021
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnus2021
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinus2020
GannetMorus bassanus2020
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2020
Jack SnipeLymnocryptes minimus2020
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2020
ShelduckTadorna tadorna2020
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2020
Rock DoveColumba livia2020
Black SwanCygnus atratus2018
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus2018
WhitethroatCurruca communis2018
Water RailRallus aquaticus2014
KingfisherAlcedo atthis2014
Great Northern DiverGavia immer2014
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensis2014
Coal TitPeriparus ater2014
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus2013
SiskinSpinus spinus2013

🦌

Mammals1 species

autumn

2015

Hedgehog

HedgehogErinaceus europaeus

🦎

Reptiles1 species

spring

2022

Adder

AdderVipera berus

🐝

Insects32 species

summer

2024

Meadow Brown · Tanytarsus part 2 · Tanytarsus part 1 · Procladius (Holotanypus) Pe4 · Green-veined White +27

Meadow BrownManiola jurtina2012
Tanytarsus part 2Tanytarsus part 22023
Tanytarsus part 1Tanytarsus part 12023
Procladius (Holotanypus) Pe4Procladius (Holotanypus) Pe42023
Green-veined WhitePieris napi2011
CladotanytarsusCladotanytarsus2023
Endochironomus albipennisEndochironomus albipennis2023
Orthocladius consobrinusOrthocladius consobrinus2023
GatekeeperPyronia tithonus2012
ParatanytarsusParatanytarsus2023
CryptochironomusCryptochironomus2023
DicrotendipesDicrotendipes2023
MicrotendipesMicrotendipes2023
StempellinellaStempellinella2023
Corynoneura arctica groupCorynoneura arctica group2023
PsilotanypusPsilotanypus2023
Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae2011
Large WhitePieris brassicae2011
Common BluePolyommatus icarus2011
Blue-tailed DamselflyIschnura elegans
DemicryptochironomusDemicryptochironomus2023
ParachironomusParachironomus2023
GlyptotendipesGlyptotendipes2023
Chironomus dissidensChironomus dissidens2023
Pagastiella orophilaPagastiella orophila2023
PolypedilumPolypedilum2023
VirgatanytarsusVirgatanytarsus2023
Cricotopus sylvestrisCricotopus sylvestris2023
MicropsectraMicropsectra2023
Cladotanytarsus nov. spCladotanytarsus nov. sp2023
Large SkipperOchlodes sylvanus2012
Small WhitePieris rapae2012

🌿

Plants78 species

summer

2023

White-tipped Bristle-moss · Bird's-claw Beard-moss · Lesser Pocket-moss · Rough-stalked Feather-moss · Kneiff's Feather-moss +73

White-tipped Bristle-mossOrthotrichum diaphanum
Bird's-claw Beard-mossBarbula unguiculata
Lesser Pocket-mossFissidens bryoides
Rough-stalked Feather-mossBrachythecium rutabulum
Kneiff's Feather-mossLeptodictyum riparium2022
Dune Thread-mossBryum dichotomum2016
Cypress-leaved Plait-mossHypnum cupressiforme2016
Capillary Thread-mossBryum capillare2016
Silver-mossBryum argenteum2016
Creeping Feather-mossAmblystegium serpens
Minute PouncewortMyriocoleopsis minutissima
Green-tufted Stubble-mossWeissia controversa
Bruch's PincushionUlota bruchii2022
Frizzled PincushionPlenogemma phyllantha2019
Wood Bristle-mossLewinskya affinis2019
St Winifrid's Other MossChiloscyphus pallescens2016
Thickpoint GrimmiaSchistidium crassipilum2016
Nicholson's Beard-mossDidymodon nicholsonii
Lesser Bird's-claw Beard-mossStreblotrichum convolutum var. convolutum
Supine Plait-mossHypnum cupressiforme var. resupinatum
Whiskered VeilwortMetzgeria consanguinea
Intermediate Screw-mossSyntrichia montana
Elegant Bristle-mossOrthotrichum pulchellum
Sessile GrimmiaSchistidium apocarpum
RedshankCeratodon purpureus
Whitish Feather-mossBrachythecium albicans
Lateral CryphaeaCryphaea heteromalla2022
Greater Water-mossFontinalis antipyretica2022
St Winifrid's MossChiloscyphus polyanthos2022
Blueish VeilwortMetzgeria violacea2022
Wall Screw-mossTortula muralis2016
Bifid CrestwortLophocolea bidentata2016
Atlantic Pocket-mossFissidens monguillonii2016
Variable Forklet-mossDicranella varia2016
Dilated ScalewortFrullania dilatata2016
Cylindric Beard-mossDidymodon insulanus2016
Common PottiaTortula truncata2016
Fern-leaved Hook-mossCratoneuron filicinum2016
Springy Turf-mossRhytidiadelphus squarrosus2016
Common Feather-mossKindbergia praelonga2016
Silky Wall Feather-mossHomalothecium sericeum2016
Pointed Spear-mossCalliergonella cuspidata2016
Himalayan BalsamImpatiens glandulifera2016
Water Screw-mossSyntrichia latifolia
Hooded Bristle-mossOrthotrichum cupulatum
Crimson-tuber Thread-mossBryum rubens
Ephemerum serratumEphemerum serratum2022
Eight-stamened WaterwortElatine hydropiper2021
Six-stamened WaterwortElatine hexandra2021
Rufous Forklet-mossDicranella rufescens2019
Willow Feather-mossHygroamblystegium varium2019
Grey-cushioned GrimmiaGrimmia pulvinata2016
Swartz's Feather-mossOxyrrhynchium hians2016
Forked VeilwortMetzgeria furcata2016
Delicate Earth-mossPseudephemerum nitidum2016
Clustered Feather-mossRhynchostegium confertum2016
Streblotrichum convolutum var. commutatumStreblotrichum convolutum var. commutatum2016
Many-fruited LeskeaLeskea polycarpa2016
Fissidens bryoides var. bryoidesFissidens bryoides var. bryoides2016
Perthshire Beard-mossDidymodon rigidulus2016
Anomalous Bristle-mossOrthotrichum anomalum2016
Slender Bristle-mossOrthotrichum tenellum2016
Hart's-tongue Thyme-mossPlagiomnium undulatum2016
FossombroniaFossombronia2016
Small Hairy Screw-mossSyntrichia laevipila2016
Sand Feather-mossBrachythecium mildeanum2016
Pea BryumBryum ruderale2016
Schreber's Forklet-mossDicranella schreberiana2016
Yellow Fringe-mossRacomitrium aciculare2016
Weissia controversa var. densifoliaWeissia controversa var. densifolia2016
Field Forklet-mossDicranella staphylina2016
Ulota crispa s.str.Ulota crispa s.str.2016
Isothecium myosuroidesIsothecium myosuroides2016
River Feather-mossBrachythecium rivulare2016
Marsh BryumBryum pseudotriquetrum2016
Even ScalewortRadula complanata2016
Hornschuch's Beard-mossPseudocrossidium hornschuchianum2016
Canadian WaterweedElodea canadensis2010

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

1,608 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds93 species

autumn

2025

Tufted Duck · Herring Gull · Mallard · Carrion Crow · Coot +88

Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2023
Herring GullLarus argentatus2023
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2023
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2023
CootFulica atra2023
RobinErithacus rubecula2023
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus2023
Great White EgretArdea alba
RavenCorvus corax2023
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2023
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2023
BlackbirdTurdus merula2023
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2023
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2021
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2023
Canada GooseBranta canadensis2023
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2023
TealAnas crecca2021
MagpiePica pica2021
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2021
JackdawColoeus monedula
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2023
Greylag GooseAnser anser2023
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2022
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2023
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2023
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2021
GadwallMareca strepera2021
Great TitParus major2020
Mute SwanCygnus olor2023
DunnockPrunella modularis2021
BuzzardButeo buteo2021
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2021
Little EgretEgretta garzetta2023
Common GullLarus canus2023
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2023
ShovelerSpatula clypeata2021
SnipeGallinago gallinago2021
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2021
SwallowHirundo rustica2021
GoldeneyeBucephala clangula2020
House SparrowPasser domesticus2023
PintailAnas acuta2021
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2021
LapwingVanellus vanellus2021
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2021
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2020
GoosanderMergus merganser2020
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2020
RookCorvus frugilegus2020
RuffCalidris pugnax
FieldfareTurdus pilaris2022
LinnetLinaria cannabina2021
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosa2021
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2021
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2020
House MartinDelichon urbicum2018
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucos
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2023
ScaupAythya marila2022
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsis2021
StonechatSaxicola rubicola2021
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2021
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2020
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2019
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2018
WoodcockScolopax rusticola2014
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalus
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2022
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula2021
Little StintCalidris minuta2021
Ring-necked DuckAythya collaris2021
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotos2021
Limosa limosa islandicaLimosa limosa islandica2021
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnus2021
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinus2020
GannetMorus bassanus2020
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2020
Jack SnipeLymnocryptes minimus2020
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2020
ShelduckTadorna tadorna2020
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2020
Rock DoveColumba livia2020
Black SwanCygnus atratus2018
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus2018
WhitethroatCurruca communis2018
Water RailRallus aquaticus2014
KingfisherAlcedo atthis2014
Great Northern DiverGavia immer2014
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensis2014
Coal TitPeriparus ater2014
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus2013
SiskinSpinus spinus2013

🦌

Mammals1 species

autumn

2015

Hedgehog

HedgehogErinaceus europaeus

🦎

Reptiles1 species

spring

2022

Adder

AdderVipera berus

🐝

Insects32 species

summer

2024

Meadow Brown · Tanytarsus part 2 · Tanytarsus part 1 · Procladius (Holotanypus) Pe4 · Green-veined White +27

Meadow BrownManiola jurtina2012
Tanytarsus part 2Tanytarsus part 22023
Tanytarsus part 1Tanytarsus part 12023
Procladius (Holotanypus) Pe4Procladius (Holotanypus) Pe42023
Green-veined WhitePieris napi2011
CladotanytarsusCladotanytarsus2023
Endochironomus albipennisEndochironomus albipennis2023
Orthocladius consobrinusOrthocladius consobrinus2023
GatekeeperPyronia tithonus2012
ParatanytarsusParatanytarsus2023
CryptochironomusCryptochironomus2023
DicrotendipesDicrotendipes2023
MicrotendipesMicrotendipes2023
StempellinellaStempellinella2023
Corynoneura arctica groupCorynoneura arctica group2023
PsilotanypusPsilotanypus2023
Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae2011
Large WhitePieris brassicae2011
Common BluePolyommatus icarus2011
Blue-tailed DamselflyIschnura elegans
DemicryptochironomusDemicryptochironomus2023
ParachironomusParachironomus2023
GlyptotendipesGlyptotendipes2023
Chironomus dissidensChironomus dissidens2023
Pagastiella orophilaPagastiella orophila2023
PolypedilumPolypedilum2023
VirgatanytarsusVirgatanytarsus2023
Cricotopus sylvestrisCricotopus sylvestris2023
MicropsectraMicropsectra2023
Cladotanytarsus nov. spCladotanytarsus nov. sp2023
Large SkipperOchlodes sylvanus2012
Small WhitePieris rapae2012

🌿

Plants78 species

summer

2023

White-tipped Bristle-moss · Bird's-claw Beard-moss · Lesser Pocket-moss · Rough-stalked Feather-moss · Kneiff's Feather-moss +73

White-tipped Bristle-mossOrthotrichum diaphanum
Bird's-claw Beard-mossBarbula unguiculata
Lesser Pocket-mossFissidens bryoides
Rough-stalked Feather-mossBrachythecium rutabulum
Kneiff's Feather-mossLeptodictyum riparium2022
Dune Thread-mossBryum dichotomum2016
Cypress-leaved Plait-mossHypnum cupressiforme2016
Capillary Thread-mossBryum capillare2016
Silver-mossBryum argenteum2016
Creeping Feather-mossAmblystegium serpens
Minute PouncewortMyriocoleopsis minutissima
Green-tufted Stubble-mossWeissia controversa
Bruch's PincushionUlota bruchii2022
Frizzled PincushionPlenogemma phyllantha2019
Wood Bristle-mossLewinskya affinis2019
St Winifrid's Other MossChiloscyphus pallescens2016
Thickpoint GrimmiaSchistidium crassipilum2016
Nicholson's Beard-mossDidymodon nicholsonii
Lesser Bird's-claw Beard-mossStreblotrichum convolutum var. convolutum
Supine Plait-mossHypnum cupressiforme var. resupinatum
Whiskered VeilwortMetzgeria consanguinea
Intermediate Screw-mossSyntrichia montana
Elegant Bristle-mossOrthotrichum pulchellum
Sessile GrimmiaSchistidium apocarpum
RedshankCeratodon purpureus
Whitish Feather-mossBrachythecium albicans
Lateral CryphaeaCryphaea heteromalla2022
Greater Water-mossFontinalis antipyretica2022
St Winifrid's MossChiloscyphus polyanthos2022
Blueish VeilwortMetzgeria violacea2022
Wall Screw-mossTortula muralis2016
Bifid CrestwortLophocolea bidentata2016
Atlantic Pocket-mossFissidens monguillonii2016
Variable Forklet-mossDicranella varia2016
Dilated ScalewortFrullania dilatata2016
Cylindric Beard-mossDidymodon insulanus2016
Common PottiaTortula truncata2016
Fern-leaved Hook-mossCratoneuron filicinum2016
Springy Turf-mossRhytidiadelphus squarrosus2016
Common Feather-mossKindbergia praelonga2016
Silky Wall Feather-mossHomalothecium sericeum2016
Pointed Spear-mossCalliergonella cuspidata2016
Himalayan BalsamImpatiens glandulifera2016
Water Screw-mossSyntrichia latifolia
Hooded Bristle-mossOrthotrichum cupulatum
Crimson-tuber Thread-mossBryum rubens
Ephemerum serratumEphemerum serratum2022
Eight-stamened WaterwortElatine hydropiper2021
Six-stamened WaterwortElatine hexandra2021
Rufous Forklet-mossDicranella rufescens2019
Willow Feather-mossHygroamblystegium varium2019
Grey-cushioned GrimmiaGrimmia pulvinata2016
Swartz's Feather-mossOxyrrhynchium hians2016
Forked VeilwortMetzgeria furcata2016
Delicate Earth-mossPseudephemerum nitidum2016
Clustered Feather-mossRhynchostegium confertum2016
Streblotrichum convolutum var. commutatumStreblotrichum convolutum var. commutatum2016
Many-fruited LeskeaLeskea polycarpa2016
Fissidens bryoides var. bryoidesFissidens bryoides var. bryoides2016
Perthshire Beard-mossDidymodon rigidulus2016
Anomalous Bristle-mossOrthotrichum anomalum2016
Slender Bristle-mossOrthotrichum tenellum2016
Hart's-tongue Thyme-mossPlagiomnium undulatum2016
FossombroniaFossombronia2016
Small Hairy Screw-mossSyntrichia laevipila2016
Sand Feather-mossBrachythecium mildeanum2016
Pea BryumBryum ruderale2016
Schreber's Forklet-mossDicranella schreberiana2016
Yellow Fringe-mossRacomitrium aciculare2016
Weissia controversa var. densifoliaWeissia controversa var. densifolia2016
Field Forklet-mossDicranella staphylina2016
Ulota crispa s.str.Ulota crispa s.str.2016
Isothecium myosuroidesIsothecium myosuroides2016
River Feather-mossBrachythecium rivulare2016
Marsh BryumBryum pseudotriquetrum2016
Even ScalewortRadula complanata2016
Hornschuch's Beard-mossPseudocrossidium hornschuchianum2016
Canadian WaterweedElodea canadensis2010

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Andy Waddington · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Public footpath along the south shore of Llyn Alaw

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🌱Community GardenUrban park3.5 km→⛪St Mary's ChurchReligious grounds3.6 km→⛪Capel BethlehemReligious grounds2.7 km→⛪St Pabo's ChurchReligious grounds1.5 km→⛪St Ceidio's ChurchReligious grounds2.2 km→⛪St Mary's ChurchReligious grounds4 km→

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