A walk on the wild side
Dolphins
The Trefeddian Hotel sits on the coast of Cardigan Bay, which is inhabited by Britain’s biggest resident population of dolphins. It is claimed to be the best place for dolphin watching in Europe, and bottlenose dolphins can be seen all year round. But summer is undoubtedly the best time to spot these graceful creatures. Their smaller cousins - harbour porpoises - can be seen around the Welsh coast, and if you’re really lucky, the odd orca or humpback whale may swim by. No matter how many times you see a dolphin - and on a summer's day in Cardigan Bay, it’s a daily spectacle - the thrill never fades.
Red Kites
Bwlch Nant yr Arian, near Aberystwyth, is a well-known location for red kites, particularly at feeding time. Bwlch Nant yr Arian has been a red kite feeding station since the 1990s, playing a role in the species' conservation in Wales. They are fed by the lake, every day, at 2pm in the winter and at 3pm in the summer. Up to 150 red kites can be seen gathering for approximately two hours beforehand, then circling and swooping down for meat scraps at feeding time.
Ospreys
The Dyfi Osprey Project is located at the Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve just outside Machynlleth. As a breeding species, Ospreys were once extinct in the UK but in response to increasing sightings in spring and autumn, an osprey nest platform was erected in 2007. In 2009, the Dyfi Osprey Project opened for the first time, and in 2011, the first male was joined by a young female. And soon, the first osprey egg and chick on the Dyfi for centuries were spotted. Ospreys have returned to breed on the Dyfi every year since. The 360 Observatory is the centerpiece of the reserve, and the new Dyfi Wildlife Visitor Centre opened in spring 2021. At just 190m from the Osprey nest, it provides superb viewing opportunities and is a wonderful place to soak up the 360° panoramic views of the Dyfi Valley.
Alpacas
Alpaca Adventures is based in Bryncrug, a 10-minute drive from the Trefeddian hotel. You can choose from two unforgettable experiences. The first is the Alpaca Meet & Greet Experience, where you can enjoy meeting, feeding and learning all about the amazing alpacas in a fun, relaxed setting. The second is the Alpaca Walking Experience, where you will meet the herd, spend one-to-one time with your alpaca, walk them around the lovely hillside paddocks and feed them afterwards. It’s the perfect way to unwind and enjoy some quality time with these gentle creatures. Both experiences must be booked online, where there is more information on what to expect, as well as guidelines to read before your arrival.
Butterflies
The Magic of Life Butterfly Centre is located in the stunning Rheidol Valley, 10 miles from Aberystwyth. The centre displays a vast collection of fascinating insects, including beetles, spiders and stick insects, as well as the stunning marine fish tank. But the real highlight is the butterfly section, where you'll be surrounded by a diverse array of species from all over the tropics. You can even feed and hold the butterflies, making for an unforgettable experience. They have some of the largest and most colourful butterflies in the world with up to 70 different species. They also have giant caterpillars and display many rare and exotic plants that thrive in the lush tropical conditions. The centre is also home to many different types of insects, including praying mantis, giant stick insects and beautiful moths.
