Because Ceredigion is such a sparsely populated county – population only 73,000 in 700 sq. miles (slightly larger than Greater London which has 8 million people) – it’s a great place to experience wildlife on a daily basis. For instance, it’s not unusual for us to see Red Kites, Buzzards, a harem of Pheasants, a brown hare, a fox and a couple of Ravens on a short walk or cycle to the local shop!
But if you want to discover the best that Ceredigion has to offer, these are the 10 best wildlife & nature experiences in our opinion (in no particular order).
1. DOLPHINS
Cardigan Bay is home to the only resident population of Bottle-nosed Dolphins in the UK. You might be lucky and see them from the shore anywhere along the Ceredigion coast, but the best way to increase your chances is to take one of the dolphin-watching boats from New Quay. Its well worth the ride just for the scenery even if you are unlucky with the dolphins and you’re likely to see an Atlantic Grey Seal or two resting on the rocks as compensation.
Where: New Quay harbour
When: April – October
Link: www.newquayboattrips.co.uk
2. STARLING MURMURATION
Starlings might not strike you as the most interesting or exciting birds, but you’ll change your mind when you see tens of thousands of them flying in fantastic formations, called murmurations. They put on this display over the pier in Aberystwyth as sunset every evening in Autumn/Winter before disappearing under the pier to roost for the night.
Where: Aberystwyth
When: October – March
3. RED KITE FEEDING
This is something not to be missed whether you are a bird/wildlife enthusiast or not. At Nant-yr-Arian Forest, which is managed by Natural Resources Wales, you can watch hundreds of wild Red Kites being fed scraps of fat a few yards in front of you. This happens every afternoon at 3pm in the summer (2pm winter), and the birds from far & wide know what time to start collecting in the surrounding trees – ready to swoop down over your head to the thrown treats. Take your camera.
Where: Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian, east of Aberystwyth
When: all year
Link: www.naturalresources.wales
4. OSPREYS
Ospreys were extinct in Wales until recently when they have started to nest here again at a few protected sites. One of these is the Dyfi Osprey Project south of Machynlleth, managed by the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust. This is a superb little reserve with a boardwalk leading to an observatory overlooking the estuary and an osprey nest platform. You are almost guaranteed to see these magnificent birds during the summer months – the pair usually have 2/3 chicks. The nest is also live-streamed.
Where: Dyfi Osprey Project, near Machynlleth
When: March – August
Link: www.dyfiospreyproject.com/
5. EXOTIC BUTTERFLIES
At the Magic of Life Butterfly House you can experience hundreds of huge exotic butterflies and caterpillars in a tropical environment and maybe even witness one emerging from its chrysalis.
Where: Magic of Life Butterfy House, Rheidol Valley (east of Aberystwyth)
When: April – October
Link: www.magicoflife.org
6. BIRD ROCK
Bird Rock near New Quay is a great place to observe a “seabird city” at close range. Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Cormorants and Shags nest on the sheer cliff face, which can be seen from the Wales Coastal Path south-west of New Quay or from one of the dolphin-watching boat trips (see Dolphins above).
Where: New Quay
When: April – July
7. CAMBRIAN MOUNTAINS RARITIES
A drive into the beautiful and remote Cambrian Mountains from Tregaron on the old drover’s road to Abergwesyn could bring you face-to-face with the only known Golden Eagle in Wales. “Eddie” as he/she has been named has taken up residence here and seems to be thriving on the local rabbit population. And in the forests up here there are known to be small populations of Red Squirrels and Pine Martens.
These last three are excellent Bird Sanctuaries/ Nature Reserves which are well worth a visit:
8. YNYS HIR (RSPB), near Machynlleth – on the Dyfi estuary
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ynys-hir
9. WELSH WILDLIFE CENTRE (Wildlife Trust), near Cardigan – on the Teifi Estuary
www.welshwildlife.org/visitor-centres/the-welsh-wildlife-centre
10. CORS CARON (NNR), near Tregaron – a rare raised bog habitat
www.naturalresources.wales/days-out/places-to-visit/mid-wales/cors-caron-national-nature-reserve