Cwm Idwal Wildlife

Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve holds a variety of habitats which sustain a host of insects, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish and birds. The habitats include wet, and dry heath, acidic grassland, calcareous grassland, tall-herb cliff ledges, nutrient poor lakes, and montane heaths. Here are some of the species that can be found at Cwm Idwal.

It is fairly infrequent that you’d spot mammals in the nature reserve, often they are well hidden or only venture out between dusk and dawn. Among these mammals are stoats, weasels, moles, bats, goats and foxes.

There are a variety of birds to be seen in Cwm idwal. Some, such as the wren and raven can be seen all year round. Others like the meadow pipit, stonechat, wheatear and ring ouzel migrate back to the cwm each spring.

There are many different types of insects that live in Cwm Idwal. Various butterflies, moths, bees, beetles, dragon flies and spiders can be seen in the nature reserve. Cwm Idwal is also home to the rare Bilberry Bumblebee (Bombus monticola). Below you can see some of these species.