At a glance
21 verified wildlife sites — from South Stack's 1,000+ breeding seabird pairs to the Glaslyn osprey project and Bardsey Island's Manx shearwater colonies. Many are free.
About wildlife and nature in North Wales
North Wales lies at a meeting point of habitats — open Atlantic coastline, sub-Arctic mountain plateau, ancient oak woodland and extensive estuary systems — that supports an exceptionally diverse range of species. Anglesey's coastline has some of the most important seabird colonies in Wales; Snowdonia's uplands hold rare Arctic-alpine plants and birds of prey; the Glaslyn estuary has become famous as the home of North Wales's most-watched ospreys.
South Stack RSPB reserve occupies the dramatic sea cliffs on the westernmost tip of Anglesey. Around 1,000 pairs of seabirds nest on the sheer quartzite cliffs in spring and early summer: razorbills, guillemots, puffins (from April to July), fulmars and kittiwakes. The RSPB provides telescopes and volunteers to help visitors get the most from a visit. Choughs — red-billed crows increasingly rare across Britain — are resident year-round.
Inland, Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve in the Ogwen Valley was Britain's first National Nature Reserve (1954) and protects a glacial cirque with rare Arctic-alpine flora including the Snowdon Lily — a glacial relict found in Britain only on inaccessible Snowdonian cliffs. The circular walk around Llyn Idwal (about 2.5 miles) passes through this extraordinary landscape and is suitable for families.
Top 8 wildlife and nature sites
Wildlife by season
- Spring (March–May)
- Ospreys return to Glaslyn (late March). Seabirds arrive at South Stack. Choughs begin nesting. Snowdonia's upland birds return — ring ouzel, wheatear, peregrine.
- Summer (June–August)
- Peak puffin viewing at South Stack (June–July). Glaslyn osprey chicks hatching (June). Red kite active across all regions. Basking sharks and dolphins off Llyn Peninsula coasts.
- Autumn (September–November)
- Seabird passage at Point Lynas and Bardsey Island — gannet, skua, shearwater in big numbers during north-westerly winds. Red squirrels active at Newborough. Ospreys depart September.
- Winter (December–February)
- Short-eared owl hunting at South Stack heathland. Estuary waders at Conwy RSPB and the Menai Strait. Whooper swans at some Anglesey sites.
Frequently asked questions
The best place to see puffins in North Wales is South Stack RSPB reserve on the western tip of Anglesey, where around 1,000 pairs nest on the sea cliffs from April to late July. The RSPB visitor centre has telescopes and staff to help you find them. Bardsey Island (accessible by boat from Aberdaron) also has puffin colonies, along with Manx shearwaters.
Glaslyn Ospreys have nested in the Glaslyn Valley near Porthmadog since 2004. The Pont Croesor viewpoint (near Beddgelert) has CCTV cameras with live feeds and RSPB volunteers on hand from April to August. In 2023, 23 chicks had fledged from the site over the project's lifetime. Viewing is free. The ospreys arrive in late March and depart for West Africa in September.
Yes. Bardsey Island (<span lang="cy">Ynys Enlli</span>) is accessible by boat from Aberdaron on the Llyn Peninsula — trips run weather permitting from Easter to September, operated by Bardsey Boat Trips. Day trips and week-long self-catering stays on the island are available (book months in advance). The island has a Manx shearwater colony of 16,000+ pairs, puffins, choughs, grey seals and outstanding seabird passage in autumn.
Snowdonia supports rare upland species including peregrine falcons (nest on quarry cliffs), red kite (common across the region), choughs (red-billed crows, found on coastal and upland crags), ring ouzels and wheatears in summer. The Glaslyn ospreys are a short drive from Beddgelert. Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve protects rare Arctic-alpine plants including Snowdon Lily (Lloydia serotina), a glacial relict found only on Snowdonian cliffs in Britain.
Anglesey is one of the few places in Wales with a self-sustaining red squirrel population, thanks to an active conservation programme that has removed grey squirrels and restored native woodland. Newborough Forest is the best known location; Wylfa Nature Reserve and Red Squirrels Trust Wales viewpoints around Anglesey also offer sightings. Best time: early morning in autumn when squirrels are active caching food.
April to July is peak seabird season at South Stack, when razorbills, guillemots, puffins and fulmars nest on the cliffs. May and June are best for puffins specifically. From late July, breeding birds depart and the cliffs quieten. Year-round, the reserve is excellent for choughs, peregrine and short-eared owls in winter. The RSPB visitor centre is open April–September; the heathland and lighthouse viewpoint are accessible year-round.