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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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Morfa Dyffryn Nature Reserve (NRW)

Address

Dyffryn Ardudwy, near Barmouth, LL43 2AR

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

near Barmouth

The spectacular Morfa Dyffryn Reserve stretches for about 4.5 miles along the coast of Cardigan Bay from Afon Ysgethin in the south to Afon Artro in the north.
Cors Caron National Nature Reserve (NRW)

Address

Tregaron, Ceredigion, SY25 6JF

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Ceredigion

Cors Caron is a vast wetland near Tregaron. The huge raised peat bogs and surrounding habitats support a wealth of wildlife. Accessible boardwalk over bog to hide, and Sustrans National Cycle route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
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.
Mawddach Estuary

Address

Dolgellau - Barmouth, Southern Snowdonia, LL40 2TA

Telephone
01766 770274

Dolgellau - Barmouth

The vast and sandy Mawddach estuary is one of Snowdonia National Park’s most remarkable areas. The area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation due to its salt marsh and lowland peat habitats.
Morfa Harlech Nature Reserve (NRW)

Address

Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2UR

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Gwynedd

Morfa Harlech is one of two extensive sand dune systems which make up much of the southern Snowdonia coastline, extending from the Mawddach estuary in the south to Black Rock Sands in the north west.
Coed Ganllwyd Nature Reserve

Address

Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2TG

Telephone
01341 440238

rhodri.wigley@nationaltrust.org.uk

Gwynedd

The Dolmelynllyn estate is about 5 miles north of Dolgellau. To explore the estate, which includes the Coed Ganllwd Nature Reserve. This ancient woodland extends up the hill and valley side above the famous Rhaeadr Ddu (Black Falls).
Offa's Dyke Centre

Address

West Street, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN

Telephone
01547 528753

oda@offasdyke.org.uk

Knighton

The Offa's Dyke Centre is positioned at about the halfway point of the Offa's Dyke Path National Trail and at the start of the Glyndwr's Way National Trail.
Forest Holidays | Garwnant

Address

Garwnant Forest Visitor Centre, Cwmtaf, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 2HU

Merthyr Tydfil

Garwnant Visitor Centre and holiday cabins are managed by Forest Holidays. The centre lies on the southern end of the Brecon Beacons National Park
Roundton Hill Nature Reserve

Address

Old Churchstoke, Churchstoke, Powys, SY15 6EL

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Churchstoke

From the top of Roundton Hill it's easy to see why an Iron Age hillfort was once sited here - the vantage point offers great viewing across the surrounding countryside.
Coed Crafnant Reserve

Address

Llanbedr, Gwynedd, LL46 2YA

Telephone
01248 351541

info@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk

Gwynedd

This 120 acre reserve is a fine example of Ancient Woodland, with a rich flora of mosses, liverworts and ferns. The Coed Crafnant Reserve is comprised of two distinct woodlands; Coed Crafnant and Coed Dolbebin.
Coed Rheidol Nature Reserve (NRW)

Address

Coed Rheidol Nature Reserve (NRW), Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion, SY23 3JW

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Devil's Bridge

Coed Rheidol is situated about 12 miles east of Aberystwyth. It occupies parts of both banks of the Afon Rheidol, upstream, and the south bank downstream of Devil's Bridge.
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) Visitor Centre

Address

National Park Visitor Centre, Libanus, Brecon, Powys, LD3 8ER

Telephone
01874 623366

enquiries@beacons-npa.gov.uk

Brecon

The Bannau Brycheiniog Visitor Centre provides information and interpretation for visitors to the area. There is a cafe on site, picnic area and craft and gift shop. The centre is one of the best places in the National Park to experience Dark Skies.
Cors Y Llyn Nature Reserve

Address

Newbridge-on-Wye, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3RU

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Builth Wells

The Cors y Llyn Reserve is one of several mires in the old county of Radnorshire and is located to the south of Newbridge-on-Wye.
Craig y Cilau National Nature Reserve (NRW)

Address

Llangattock, Crickhowell, NP8 1LG

Telephone
01874 620860

office@visitbrecon.org.uk

Crickhowell

This former limestone quarry is one of Wales' most outstanding botanical sites, famous for its exceptional variety of alpine plants and trees, some extremely rare.
Coed Pendugwm Nature Reserve

Address

Pontrobert, Powys, SY22 5JF

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Powys

Majestic sessile oaks have nurtured this quiet corner of Wales for over 400 years providing leafy cover for plants and animals and creating a 'wild wood'.
Glaslyn Nature Reserve

Address

Aberhosan, Powys, SY20 8RE

Telephone
01938 555654

Powys

Glaslyn is Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust’s biggest nature reserve, an integral part of the Cambrian Mountains.
Coed y Brenin Forest Park (NRW)

Address

Coed y Brenin Forest Park, Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL402HN

Telephone
01341 440747

coedybrenin@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Dolgellau

Coed y Brenin Forest Park is set in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park near Dolgellau and forms part of the National Forest for Wales. There are many walking trails from various car parks within the Coed y Brenin forest park where you can see…
Craig Cerrig Gleisiad & Fan Frynych (NRW)

Address

Brecon Beacons, Nr Libanus, Powys, NP8 1LG

Telephone
0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Nr Libanus

Craig Cerrig-gleisiad and Fan Frynych National Nature Reserve is a 156 acre (631,000 m²) area of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Abercorris Nature Reserve

Address

Nr Corris, Gwynedd, SY20 9SP

Telephone
01248 351541

info@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk

Nr Corris

Abercorris Nature Reserve in southern Snowdonia is a three acre site of remnant broadleaved woodland on the steep east bank of Afon Deri combining the woodland habitat with that of the mountain stream below.
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.
Pwll Penarth Nature Reserve

Address

Llanllwchaiarn, Newtown, Powys, SY16 3BA

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Newtown

This reserve was once part of the sewage farm next door!