Places To See Wildlife In Snowdonia
The Cob, Porthmadog
The Cob at Porthmadog was built by William Maddocks and finished in 1811. It stopped the tide from flooding the land in as far as Aberglaslyn. Land was reclaimed and became productive farmland and the road and railway across The Cob brought prosperity to Porthmadog. Take a walk along The Cob (footpath away from the traffic on the opposite side to the railway or walk carefully alongside the railway line to see the seaward side). Here are some of the things to look our for:
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Mallard ducks
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Grey seals - often seen in the harbour or near to the sluice gates
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Curlew
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Little egret
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Shelduck
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Oystercatcher
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Teal
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Osprey - during the Summer season at least one pair nest locally
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Otters
Glaslyn Wildlife Project
Located between Porthmadog and Beddgelert this centre is best known for its breeding ospreys. To see ospreys visit between mid-March and mid-September (check their website for arrival and departures). A knowledgeable team are on hand to help with information about the birds and their are scopes, displays and a live steam from the nest to give more information.
Of course there is more to see than just ospreys. There are other birds around, otters and bats. Check out their website for events throughout the year and details of how to adopt an osprey, support them in other ways or to volunteer.
Gwaith Powdwr - Penrhyndeudraeth
From 1865 to 1995 this site was an explosives factory. During the Second World War the factory produced 17 million grenades! After being decommissioned the Site was taken over by North Wales Wildlife Trust. It is now open to the public as a nature reserve but it also has lots of historical interest too.
Some of the wildlife to look out for includes:
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Nightjar
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Redstart
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Pied Flycatcher
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Lesser Horseshoe Bats
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Brown Long Eared Bats
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Glow worm
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Slow worm
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Grass snakes
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Adders
Find out more including details of events (wildlife after dark tours and more) by visiting the website HERE
Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau SAC
The sea off our coast is protected as Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau SAC. When standing on any of the beaches of Cardigan Bay it is quite unimaginable what is happening just below the waves.
There are things that you might expect to find there - fish, seals, crabs, jellyfish but there are also leatherback sea turtles, basking shark, dolphins, porpoise and the occasional orca too.
Check out the information HERE and keep your eyes open.
Dolphins & Marine Life In Cardigan Bay
Barmouth is one of the most reliable locations for sightings in Southern Snowdonia. Bottlenose dolphins frequently hunt close to the shore, the harbour mouth, and the green buoys in Barmouth Bay. Barmouth Boat Trips run dolphin and marine life spotting trips from Barmouth Harbour.
The waters surrounding Criccieth, including Criccieth Bay and off the castle headland, are frequent stops for pods of dolphins traveling between Cardigan Bay and the Llŷn Peninsula. Dolphins and small whales can sometimes be spotted from the Prom and Castle headland. There are seals to be seen regularly at the western end of the beach with one who famously sits on a rock!
Situated near the mouth of the Dwyryd Estuary and the vast expanse of Black Rock Sands (Morfa Bychan), this area sees pods of dolphins passing through during the spring and summer months. Marine wildlife trips are available from the Harbour at Porthmadog. Look out for Enlli Charters.
