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Winter Wildlife in Mid Wales

Winter is a good season for wildlife in Mid Wales. Red kites gather in hundreds to feed, starlings swirl in their thousands over Aberystwyth at dusk, and birds from further north arrive on the estuaries and bogs. Across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Southern Snowdonia), bare trees and quiet paths make animals easier to spot.

Red kites at Gigrin Farm, Powys

Where can I see red kites in winter? Gigrin Farm, half a mile from Rhayader, feeds them every day of the year, at 2pm from the end of October to the end of March. Around 500 kites come in during the colder months, along with buzzards and ravens, and you watch from hides. It's one of the best wildlife spectacles in Britain in winter.

Starling murmurations in Aberystwyth

On winter evenings, thousands of starlings gather over the seafront in Aberystwyth before dropping down to roost under the pier. Stand on the promenade about half an hour before sunset on a calm evening to watch them twist and turn over the sea. It's free, and one of the easiest wildlife sights in Wales to reach.

Winter birds on estuaries and bogs

RSPB Ynys-hir on the Dyfi estuary near Machynlleth has hides looking over saltmarsh and wetland where ducks, geese and waders spend the winter. Cors Caron near Tregaron in Ceredigion is a huge raised bog with a boardwalk, where birds of prey hunt over the reeds on winter afternoons. In Southern Eryri, the Mawddach estuary is good for waders and herons from the Mawddach Trail. See RSPB sites and reserves.

Grey seals

Grey seal pups are born on the Ceredigion coast in autumn, and some are still on the beaches into early winter. Watch from the clifftop path and keep dogs on a lead.

Lakes and reservoirs

Lake Vyrnwy in north Powys and the Elan Valley reservoirs attract ducks and other waterbirds in winter, with woodland birds in the trees around them. Both have paths along the shore.

Good to know

Bring binoculars, warm layers and a flask. Wildlife is most active early and late in the day, which in winter means short, cold outings, so wrap up well and check sunset times. For more, see wildlife and nature in Mid Wales and autumn wildlife.

What is the best time of day to see wildlife in winter?

Early morning and the last hour before dark. Red kite feeding at Gigrin Farm is at 2pm, and starlings gather over Aberystwyth around sunset.

For somewhere warm to come back to, see cosy Christmas cottages.

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More winter ideas

Inspiration

Christmas with Dogs in Mid Wales

Winter beaches with room to run, pubs that welcome muddy paws and a cottage fire to dry off by. Christmas with the dog is easy in Mid Wales.
Twixmas Breaks in Mid Wales

Leftovers eaten, presents opened, everyone going stir crazy. A few days in Mid Wales between Christmas and New Year is the reset you need.
Christmas in Mid Wales

Santa steam trains, candlelit country houses, market town shopping and a cottage with the fire lit. Christmas in Mid Wales is festive without the crowds.
Cosy Christmas Cottages in Mid Wales

A wood burner, a tree in the corner and a walk from the door. Christmas cottages in Mid Wales sell out early, so it pays to book ahead.
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.
Winter Walks in Mid Wales

Frost on Cadair Idris, low sun on the Elan Valley reservoirs and a sheltered forest trail when the wind blows. Winter walking in Mid Wales, with a fire at the end.

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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…
RSPB Carngafallt Nature Reserve

Address

Elan Valley, Glanfaron, Rhayader, LD6 5HW

Telephone
01654 700222

carngafallt@rspb.org.uk

Glanfaron

Carngafallt is a wonderful place to see birds or simply enjoy the view. The moorland landscape looks especially colourful in late summer, while spring is the perfect time to come and see migrant birds.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bailey Einon Nature Reserve

Address

Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5PD

Telephone
01597 823298

info@rwtwales.org

Powys

A broadleaved woodland that sits alongside the River Ithon. Teeming with birds and flowers, this is a small nature reserve with a lot of wildlife.
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.
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.
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'.
RSPB Mawddach Valley - Arthog Bog

Address

5 St Marys Terrace, Arthog, Gwynedd, LL39 1BQ

Telephone
01654 700222

mawddach@rspb.org.uk

Arthog

Arthog Bog is located in southern Snowdonia between Dolgellau and Fairbourne. It is a small wetland and a wonderful place to see weird and wonderful plants, flowers, butterflies and birds.
Lake Vyrnwy | Llyn Efyrnwy

Address

Llanwddyn, Owestry, Powys, SY10 0LZ

Telephone
01691 870 571

VisitorSites@hdcymru.co.uk

Powys

Experience the awe-inspiring natural beauty and rich history of Lake Vyrnwy, Wales. The stunning destination boasts a vast reservoir surrounded by remote mountains and thick forests, offering a unique and dramatic landscape for outdoor enthusiasts…
Llanymynech Rocks Nature Reserve

Address

Underhill Lane, Pant, SY22 6HD

Telephone
01938 555654

info@montwt.co.uk

Pant

Straddling the border between England and Wales, the reserve lies at the southern end of the carboniferous limestone outcrop that stretches from Anglesey and the Great Orme at Llandudno.
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.