Llyn Alaw, Reservoir and Site of Special Scientific Interest in Isle of Anglesey, United Kingdom.
Llyn Alaw is a reservoir in the north of Anglesey, Wales, edged by flat, reedy shores and dotted with several small islands. The protected site covers open water alongside wet grassland and reed beds, providing habitat for a wide range of birds and other wildlife.
The reservoir was created in the 1960s by flooding a low-lying marshy area in northern Anglesey to supply drinking water to the island's communities. The habitats that formed around the water over the following decades led to the site being designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Llyn Alaw draws birdwatchers to Anglesey throughout the year, especially in autumn and winter when large flocks of wildfowl gather on the open water. The flat, open shoreline makes it easy to scan the surface from several points around the site.
Paths run around much of the shoreline and are suitable for walking or cycling, with bird hides set up at key points for watching wildlife without disturbing it. Picnic areas near the water give you a place to stop and rest during a visit.
Although the reservoir was built for water supply, it has become one of the most important wintering sites for ducks and sawbills in the whole of Wales. In some years, several thousand wildfowl can be found on the water at the same time.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
