Wild Ponies

There are thought to be about 300 wild ponies roaming the uplands of Snowdonia, and they can be found in a 200 square kilometre area across the Carneddau mountains to the North-east.

The Carneddau Ponies, as they are known, have been roaming free since the Celtic times and have adapted to life in this beautiful but harsh landscape.

Once a year, in November, the Carneddau Pony Society organise the Carneddau pony gathering where visitors can glimpse these magnificent ponies as they run together across the mountains. The ponies are wild and semi-feral and rarely come into contact with humans apart from this annual gathering.

Rainbow Leaf Beetle

If smaller creatures are more your thing, the Rainbow Leaf Beetle is a rare insect with a beautiful shell that reflects light to create a glorious rainbow of colours.

Only 10mm in length, these tiny insects make up in style what they lack in size with their stunning metallic red, green and blue hues, and they have adapted to live at extremely high altitudes.

With a population of around 1000, these beetles are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and can be found on Mount Snowdon from April to October.

Wild Mountain Goats

An iconic sight across the cliffs of Snowdonia National Park, the wild mountain goats have been roaming the landscape for 10,000 years.

Since lockdown, the goats have become ever braver and have been known to be spotted sleeping in Dinorwic Quarry car park!

Spotted in areas such as Glyders, Cadair Idris, Beddgelert, the Moelwyns, Craig Aderyn, Rhobell Fawr and Rhinogs, the goats have made Snowdonia their home since the Ice Age, and are well adapted to traversing the rocky and steep terrain.

Kingfishers

A must-see for any birdwatcher, the kingfisher is a beautiful bird that is instantly recognisable by its bright orange belly and electric blue back and wings.

Found by rivers and streams, these birds spend their time perching on low branches before diving into the water to catch fish.

Despite being a difficult bird to spot, you can visit North Wales Wildlife Trust’s Spinnies reserve and the RSPB Conwy nature reserve where you can find viewing points to help you glimpse these feathered friends.

Dolphins & Porpoises

The Llyn Peninsula or the north coast of Anglesey are great spots to catch a glimpse of a Harbour Porpoise frolicking in the water and they can be spotted all year round – just remember to bring your binoculars!

If you fancy making a day of it and don’t mind travelling a bit further afield, the biggest pod of Bottlenose Dolphins can be spotted around Cardigan Bay.

Head to a spot on a rocky outcrop for the best view of the sea, or there are plenty of organised boat trips that you can join that will take you right out to the dolphins.

Bottlenose Dolphins in particular love to come up to boats and ride on the waves in their wake.

You might also catch a glimpse of seals or orcas on your sea adventures!

Cuckoo

The forests and woodlands of Snowdonia are a haven for cuckoos, and you are most likely to hear their distinctive call at the beginning of spring.

An infamous bird that lays its eggs in another bird’s nest, the cuckoo has distinctive long, pointed wings and can easily be mistaken for a bird of prey.

Although their numbers have been in decline over recent years, there is still a chance of hearing the cuckoo’s call in Snowdonia. A good walk to potentially spot a cuckoo is Llyn Crafnant to Capel Curig.

Legend has it that those who hear a cuckoo call will receive good fortune, so keep your eyes (and ears) peeled!

Otters

An adorable animal that will entertain itself by playing with pebbles, otters are a staple of the British countryside.

Found on the banks of rivers and lakes, Afon Erch, Afon Dwyfor and Afon Atro are some of the rivers in Snowdonia with known otter activity, and the best time to spot an otter is either dusk or dawn.

Keep an eye out for paw prints on riverbanks, or tunnels in the grass near water as signs that otters are nearby.

Badger

The largest predator in the UK, the badger is an iconic animal of the countryside and can be spotted in Snowdonia.

These large mammals with their distinctive stripy coats live underground in burrows called setts and will come out at dusk to look for food.

Found throughout Snowdonia, mainly on woodland edges or roadsides, badgers are active through the night. Be careful not to disturb them or their setts, as they are protected animals.

Woodpecker

Don’t be alarmed if you hear a drumming sound in the woodlands of Snowdonia, it is likely a woodpecker marking out its territory!

The woodpecker is a common bird in the British countryside and the tranquillity of Snowdonia makes it the perfect place to see this striking bird.

Look out for the distinctive red patch seen on the back of the male’s head, and the black and white colouring. You will probably hear them before you see them as they drum away at a tree trunk!

Puffins

Located off the coast of Anglesey, head to Puffin Island to catch a glimpse of a fantastic variety of wildlife such as seals, cormorants and of course, puffins!

The island is a bird sanctuary and visitors are not allowed on the island itself, but you can catch boat tours from Beaumaris that will take you around Puffin Island.

Puffins make the island their home for a few months a year, generally between April to mid-August, but will spend time out to sea to hunt for food.

Have you seen any of these species when staying at Snowdonia? We hope we have inspired all the animal lovers and birdwatchers out there to grab those binoculars and keep an eye out for these wonderful creatures.