´óÏó´«Ã½

In order to see this content you need to have both enabled and installed. Visit for full instructions

Llandegla Forest

Last updated: 14 May 2008

Visit Coed Llandegla Forest in Denbighshire this spring for a rare opportunity to witness one of Wales' most weird wildlife spectacles up close.

Black grouse perform their mesmerising love dance called a lek each spring in the hope of securing a mate for the breeding season. You can see them strutting their stuff from a purpose built hide at the lek site, each year from March through till May but they dance early - around 5.30am, so set your alarm clocks!

Llandegla Forest is a forest of planted conifers covering 6.5 square kilometres in Denbighshire.

In the middle of the forest lies Pendinas Reservoir. It was constructed in the late 19th century to provide water for the local area and is now fished.

The forest and nearby moorland are important habitats for the black grouse which is declining in many parts of England and Wales. The number of birds is increasing in the forest because of successful land management.

A purpose-built hide has been constructed overlooking the birds' lek - the males' mating display area - to allow visitors to watch them.

Telescopes and binoculars are on hand to help visitors get the best view of the birds, while a microphone bring the bubbling and screeching calls of the lek even closer.


Bookmark this page:

Try one of the walks from Derek's latest walking series on ´óÏó´«Ã½ One Wales.

Nature reserves

Iolo Williams

Listen to this

Iolo Williams reveals his favourite wildlife hotspots.

Follow in the footsteps of Doctor Who with these five Welsh walks.

´óÏó´«Ã½ iD

´óÏó´«Ã½ navigation

´óÏó´«Ã½ © 2014 The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.