Here are 10 things you need to know about DOP 2024:

1. When are you open?

We open today, on St David's Day, 1^st March 2024. 

For the first four weeks we're still in winter mode - so open Wednesdays-Sundays every week, 10am - 4pm.

From Wednesday 27^th March we change to summer mode, open every day straight until September - 10am - 5pm.

2. What is the entrance charge?

£7 - adult day entry

£3.50 - children 5 -16 old, up to 5 free

£20 - Season ticket, unlimited 2024 access

£10 - Children's season ticket

Free - Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust members

3. When are the ospreys back?

Previous arrival dates:

Telyn (Blue 3J)

4th April - 2018

30th March - 2019

2nd April - 2020

26th March - 2021

28th March - 2022

27th March - 2023

Idris (unringed)

5th April - 2020

29th March - 2021

5th April - 2022

30th March - 2023

With any luck, both Telyn and Idris will be back at the end of the month, but we sometimes see visiting ospreys on the Dyfi before that.

4. Any improvements this year?

Oh yes. 

Car Park - re-covered the whole car park with a top layer of stones.

Disabled Access - made the ramp access easier for wheelchairs. 100% of the visitor centre, car park, reserve, boardwalks and 360 Observatory are accessible, including two wheelchair lifts.

Decking - the decking on both sides of the Dyfi Wildlife Centre was slowing sinking. We've spent three months levelling both sides off and improving accessibility and access. You'll no longer feel you're on the HMS Titanic whilst chomping on your panini.

Habitat Management - we've set around two acres of foresting area next to the Obs back to ecological succession zero. This will significantly increase biodiversity in the coming years, keeping the bog wet.

360 Observatory - big structural improvements over the winter as well as enhancements in the Obs itself. Janine has donated her 6-foot fish tank for the cause (not what you think!). We've also put echo-absorbing panels on the walls so the acoustics are a lot better and not so echo-y. The Obs looks the best it's ever done.

Energy Sustainability - We've installed another 7kW PV system, adding to the current car park and roof array. We're now at an almost 100kWh system, this will generate - on a good day in May/June - around 500kWh a day. Half a Megawatt!

A massive thanks to Geraint, Huw, Mike and Stewart for all their hard work over the winter.

Interpretation Panels - we've installed more educational panels on the reserve with more coming soon in the Dyfi Wildlife Centre itself including a mural-on-wood about John Felix. Remember him?

5. I have an electric car/hybrid car, do you have EV chargers there?

Yes, we have 15 EV chargers, they charge at 22kW but check your own vehicle as to how much of this 22kW it can take.

We have four electric bike chargers too. We have the most electric chargers of any nature reserve in the UK, we have you covered.

EV electric price is 50p per kWh, electric bike charging is free.

6. Is the Caffi still there?

Oh yes. Caffi Tŷ Maenan has had some improvements too.

The kitchen area has been refurbished and another store room added. This means an overall new feel and some more diversity in what we can offer our customers. V/Vg/Gl options too.

We've also added two hand rails to the booth eating area to improve accessibility and customer safety.

7. Osprey Cameras?

We have seven cameras in all, six of  them are high-resolution 4K cameras that operate at 30fps. Testing and servicing is complete and we're ready to go for the 2024 season.

8. What about beavers?

Our beaver family is doing well. Byrti, the eldest offspring will be translocated to another site soon as he enters his 'teenager' years. He'll be ready to breed for himself now.

Look out for more about Byrti and all our beaver family soon. We'll also be Live Steaming from our two beaver cameras at selective points during the summer - you'll see this as camera changes on the main DOP YouTube channel.

9. When does the Live Streaming Start?

March the 20-something, possibly 25th. Here is the link to the DOP video channel.

We'll also have the Live Chat running. Both the DOP LS and Chat will run continuously until September. We've made some improvements for this year - hopefully they work out. We've also invested in a brand new powerful computer and professional streaming software that should make everything run more smoothly, including encoding software that will make camera changes on the fly much more easy to watch. 

Yes, the time clock will be back!

10. Live Streaming Appeal 

As you know, our cameras and Live Streaming is funded by our followers and supporters every year. We couldn't do this without you.

Could you help us raise £25,000 to pay for this year's cameras and LS please?

There are three main ways you can help:

1. Via JustGiving. They don't take a commission and you can use Gift Aid. All donations go directly to the DOP live streaming appeal.

2. Via the PayPal Giving Fund. (Again, no commission and you can use Gift Aid once you've completed your donation). All donations go directly to the DOP live streaming appeal.

3. By visiting or sending a cheque payable to ‘Dyfi Osprey Project’ to:

2024 Live Streaming Appeal
Dyfi Osprey Project
Cors Dyfi
Machynlleth
SY20 8SR

Thank you very much for your generosity. We are so excited about the 2024 season in our beautiful Dyfi Wildlife Centre - bet you are too.

Happy St David's Day!