Walking the Coast Path
From Pembrokeshire to Aberystwyth in the north of Ceredigion
Castles and Railways and Rivers
Other attractions include the Gwilli Railway, Cilgeran, Cenarth Falls, Teifi Vallley, Teifi River, Newcastle Emlyn
Birdwatching in West Wales
The coast as a whole varies greatly, from the sand-dune systems of Newport, Poppit and Gwbert to the rugged rocky shore of Cemaes Head, Cardigan Island, Mwnt and Llangranog, not to mention the two estuaries of the Afon Nefern and Teifi. Then there are the multitude of wooded valleys, which is spring and summer vibrate to the sound of singing birds.
Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation
Cardigan Bay – a special place
The fantastic variety of life and habitats of Cardigan Bay and the Teifi River make them outstanding and internationally important environments. As a result, they have been declared Special Areas of Conservation.
What is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC)?
A SAC is a statutory European designation that will help to ensure that the area and its wildlife are safeguarded for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.
Wonderfully wild
While the bottlenose dolphins may steal the limelight, we must not forget the other fascinating wildlife and habitats that make up the diversity of life here in Cardigan Bay. Rich reef, sandbank and sea cave habitats support a multitude of species, from the most primitive of all living vertebrates, the eel like sea lamprey, to the impressive male Atlantic grey seals that grow up to 2.7m long (9ft).
In truth anywhere in the area is not only good for birds but also scenically impressive. It is therefore impossible to cover all the good sites in this short guide (for more detailed information see the book, “Birding in Pembrokeshire” by Green & Roberts – ISBN 095421451X).
For coastal species, such as Chough, Peregrine, Stone Chat and seabirds then head for Mwnt or Llangranog. If it is waders then go to the estuaries of Nevern and Teifi, for wildfowl it has to be the Teifi estuary or the Teifi Marshes. But for shear volume the old woodlands can’t be beaten, check out the Teifi valley between the Teifi Marshes and Llechryd.