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Wildlife Watching in Autumn in Mid Wales

Autumn is a busy season for wildlife in Mid Wales. Grey seals have their pups on the Ceredigion coast, red kites gather in the hundreds over Rhayader, winter birds start arriving on the estuaries and deer rut in the woods. Across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Southern Snowdonia), the quieter paths make it easier to see them.

Red kites at Gigrin Farm, Powys

Red kites were almost lost from Britain in the last century, and Mid Wales is where they held on. Now you can see them almost anywhere here. At Gigrin Farm, half a mile from Rhayader, the kites are fed every day of the year, at 2pm from the end of October, and around 500 come in during the colder months. You watch from hides as they twist down to feed, with buzzards and ravens trying their luck too. Rare white (leucistic) kites visit the farm now and then.

Grey seal pups on the Ceredigion coast

Where can I see seal pups in Wales? The Ceredigion coast is one of the best places, from September to November. Grey seals have their pups on quiet beaches and in coves below the cliffs, and the white-coated pups stay on the shore for their first few weeks. Look down from the Wales Coast Path between New Quay and Cardigan, including around Mwnt and Cardigan Island.

Please watch from the clifftop. Don't go down to the beach or try to get closer, as a frightened mother may leave her pup. Keep dogs on a lead and keep noise down.

Red squirrels in the Tywi Forest

A small population of red squirrels lives in the forests where Ceredigion, Powys and Carmarthenshire meet, around the Tywi Forest and Llyn Brianne. You'll need patience and some luck to see one, but autumn, when they're busy storing food, is your best chance. Walk quietly, stop often and watch the tops of the conifers.

Birds on the bogs and estuaries

From October, winter birds arrive from further north. Cors Caron near Tregaron in Ceredigion is a huge raised bog with a boardwalk and hide, where you can see wildfowl and birds of prey over the reeds. The Dyfi estuary near Machynlleth, with the RSPB reserve at Ynys-hir on its southern shore, fills with ducks, geese and waders. In Southern Eryri, the Mawddach estuary between Dolgellau and Barmouth is good for waders and herons, and you can watch from the Mawddach Trail. See RSPB sites and reserves for more.

Deer in autumn

October is rutting season, when stags and bucks bellow and clash to win their groups of hinds and does. Fallow deer live in parkland and woods across Mid Wales, and early mornings and dusk are the times to listen for them. Keep your distance, as males in the rut can be unpredictable.

Good to know

Bring binoculars and warm layers, and plan to be out early or late when animals are most active. Check tide times before coastal walks. For more places to see wildlife, see wildlife and nature in Mid Wales, and for ideas on where to stay, see autumn in Mid Wales.

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More to see this autumn

Inspiration

Ceredigion Coast | Beaches and Coastal Towns
October Half Term in Mid Wales

Steam trains through autumn woods, Halloween ghost trains and caverns for wet days. October half term in Mid Wales keeps the whole family busy.
Accommodation with Open Fires and Log Burners

A log burner, thick blankets and a walk from the door. These cottages, inns and B&Bs are made for autumn and winter evenings in Mid Wales.
Autumn in Mid Wales

Copper woods in the Elan Valley, waterfalls running full after the rain and red kites over Rhayader. Autumn in Mid Wales is for walking in the morning and settling in by the fire at night.
Dark Skies and Stargazing in Mid Wales

Some of the darkest skies in Britain, with the Milky Way overhead on a clear night. Here is where to go, what to look for and when.
Autumn Walks in Mid Wales

Oak woods turning copper above the reservoirs, larch going gold in Hafren Forest and the Mawddach at low tide. These are our favourite walks for autumn colour.

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Falconry Experience Wales

Address

Llwyn Celyn, Adfa, Newtown, Powys, SY16 3DG

Telephone
01686 805771

falconryexperiencewales@gmail.com

Adfa, Newtown

Named the Wildlife Experience of the Year at the Wales Prestige Awards 2022-23, Falconry Experience Wales offers an insight into the world of Birds of Prey. Fly and handle Lakota the Bald Eagle or Moggie the White Faced Owl.
Brad Carr's School of Photography | 1:1 Tuition, Workshops & Retreats

Address

Prince Of Wales Drive, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 7UE

Telephone
07479 503324

brad@bradcarrphotography.co.uk

Welshpool

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Through the school of photography, I offer a comprehensive range of learning experiences for photographers at all stages of their creative journey. These include group landscape photography workshops, private 1:1 photography tuition, and residential…
Dolphin Survey Boat Trips

Address

Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, Cilgraig, Gilfachreda, New Quay, Ceredigion, SA45 9SP

Telephone
01545560032

steve@cbmwc.org

Gilfachreda, New Quay

Dates

From:

1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026

Dolphin Survey Boat Trips based in New Quay on the Mid Wales Coast, operate a choice of Boat Trips from 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours or all day.

Price
Price £14.00 per child to £140.00 Per Group
Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park

Address

Gwbert, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 1PR

Telephone
01239 623637

info@cardiganisland.com

Cardigan

Dates

This unique farm park is located on a stunningly scenic headland overlooking the nature reserve of Cardigan Island, which is just 200 yards off-shore. A colony of grey seals breed in the many caves below the farm park & are viewed most days

Price
Price £4.90 per child to £5.90 per adult
Gigrin Farm | Red Kite Centre

Address

Gigrin Farm, South Street, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BL

Telephone
07874 397787

office@gigrin.co.uk

Rhayader

The Gigrin Red Kite Centre on the outskirts of Rhayader is an upland sheep farm providing wonderful views of the Wye and Elan valleys. Gigrin is best known for wild red kites that are fed every day of the year, where you can watch breathtaking feats…

Price
Price £7.00 per child to £45.00 per adult
Llanfair Slate Caverns

Address

Cae-Cethin, Llanfair, HARLECH, Gwynedd, LL46 2SA

Telephone
01766 780247

childrensfarm2@tiscali.co.uk

HARLECH

Llanfair Slate Caverns, one mile south of Harlech in Gwynedd, offers a self-guided walk through man-made slate caverns deep underground. Suitable for all ages and welcoming well-behaved dogs, with free parking, plus an on-site café and gift shop. No…
Porth Farm

Address

Porth Farm PYO, Porth, Moat Lane, Caersws, Powys, SY17 5SE

Telephone
07971960540

porthfarm@yahoo.com

Moat Lane, Caersws

PYO juicy strawberries, fresh raspberries, sunflowers and meadow flowers, pumpkins and a range of seasonal vegetables. Tackle our adventure playground and explore the Woodland Wander while enjoying the stunning scenery of Mid Wales. Cabin cafe with…
Nannerth Nature Reserve

Address

Nannerth Country Holidays, Nannerth Fawr, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5HA

Telephone
01597 811121

info@nannerth.co.uk

Rhayader

Nannerth Country Holidays have small private nature reserve with a nature trail and a Badger Watching hide and on Nannerth Fawr Farm near Rhayader and the Elan Valley.
Dyfi Wildlife Centre

Address

Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve, Derwenlas, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8SR

Telephone
01654 645184

dopenquiries@montwt.co.uk

Machynlleth

Dates

From:

11 Sept 2026to20 Dec 2026

The Dyfi Wildlife Centre near Machynlleth is the home of the Dyfi Osprey Project at the Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve. Most visitors spend around one and a half to two hours per visit, including some time in the 360 Observatory where you can enjoy…

Price
Price £1.75 per child to £6.00 per adult
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Dyfi)

Address

Mid Wales, SY20 8ER

Experience the Wonder of Dyfi Biosphere: A Natural Gem Recognised by UNESCO
Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Dyfi Biosphere, an internationally recognised Biosphere Reserve designated by UNESCO. The reserve is a true gem, one of only six…
RSPB Ynys-hir Nature Reserve

Address

RSPB Ynys-hir Reserve, Eglwys-fach, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8TA

Telephone
01654 700222

ynyshir@rspb.org.uk

Machynlleth

RSPB Ynys-Hir nature reserve is a wildlife haven in the heart of Mid Wales . Explore oak woodlands. peat bogs and salt marsh with views across the Dyfi estuary. Perfect for nature lovers & families wishing to discover their wild side.
Glaslyn Ospreys

Address

Glaslyn Osprey Project, Prenteg, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9SP

Telephone
07834 575008

info@glaslynwildlife.co.uk

Porthmadog

Dates

Visit the stunning Glaslyn Valley in Snowdonia and see breeding ospreys in the spring and summer close to the Pont Croesor Visitor Centre near Porthmadog.
Cwm Elan | Elan Valley & Visitor Centre

Address

Elan Valley, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5HP

Telephone
01597 810880

elanvalley@dwrcymru.com

Rhayader

The Elan Valley Estate in Powys, Mid Wales is truly epic and sprawls over 72 square miles, making up 1% of the whole of Wales! The area is designated as an International Dark Sky Park.
Hafan Yr Afon Visitor & Community Centre

Address

Hafan yr Afon, Back Lane Car Park, Newtown, Powys, SY16 2NH

Telephone
01686 880777

bookings@opennewtown.org.uk

Newtown

This new visitor and community centre is centrally located on the banks of the River Severn alongside Back Lane car park, and forms an attractive gateway to Newtown’s green and blue spaces.
The Animalarium

Address

Ynys Fergi, Borth, Ceredigion, SY24 5NA

Telephone
07957775581

tracytweedy@hotmail.com

Borth

The Animalarium is a hands-on animal attraction in Borth, Ceredigion, with a small selection of domestic and farm animals you can pet and feed. There are outdoor play areas, daily animal handling sessions, and a cafe open every day. Dogs are welcome…
Good Day Out | Walks with Animals

Address

Pig Walks, Mini Donkey Picnics & Sheep Dog Sessions, Brecon Beacons locations, Directions on booking, Sennybridge, Crickhowell, Brecon, LD3 8TY

Telephone
01874 749092

hello@gooddayout.co.uk

Directions on booking, Sennybridge, Crickhowell, Brecon

Walk & paddle with Kunekune Pigs in the scenic Senni Valley, stroll with a pair of Miniature Donkeys or play agility games with them in their field, and learn how to command a Welsh Border Collie sheep dog on a Welsh hill farm.
Walks and encounters…
Magic of Life Butterfly House

Address

Magic of Life Butterfly House, Cwmrheidol, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3NB

Telephone
01970 880928

info@magicoflife.org

Aberystwyth

The Magic of Life Butterfly Centre is a must-visitor attraction for all nature lovers! It is home to a whole host of different butterfly species and an equally fascinating collection of tropical plants, making this a fun and educational place.
Denmark Farm Conservation Centre

Address

Betws Bledrws, Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 8PB

Telephone
01570 493358

info@denmarkfarm.org.uk

Lampeter

Denmark Farm is located in the heart of rural West Wales. Wildlife is at the heart of everything we do, from our campsite to our easy trails and nature-watching hides, and from our training courses to facilities for your own events.
Llanerchaeron

Address

Ciliau Aeron, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA48 8DG

Telephone
01545 573010

llanerchaeron@nationaltrust.org.uk

Aberaeron

Llanerchaeron near Aberaeron is managed by the National Trust. The self-sufficient estate includes an elegant Georgian villa, designed by architect John Nash in 1790, a farm, walled gardens and lake.

Price
Price £5.00 per adult to £24.80 per family
Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve

Address

Derwenlas, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8SR

Telephone
01654 781414

enquiries@dyfiospreyproject.com

Machynlleth

The Cors Dyfi reserve in the heart of the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere is a mixture of bog, swamp, wet woodland and scrub supporting a plethora of animals and plants, including the magnificent ospreys and the recently introduced beavers.
Cadair Idris | Visitor Centre & Tea Room (NRW)

Address

Minffordd, Talyllyn, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9AJ

Telephone
01654 761505

Tywyn

Cadair Idris Visitor Centre & Tea Room is 250 metres from the car park and the Minffordd path to the Cadair Idris summit passes by them.