WILDLIFE IN PEMBROKESHIRE

As the UK’s only coastal National Park Pembrokeshire is uniquely suited as a habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.

In clear blue waters you can find countless forms of marine life from tiny sea urchins to the enormous basking sharks and playful dolphins. The numerous islands, including Skomer, Skokholm, Caldey, Ramsey and Grassholm, make wonderful day trips where throngs of sea birds, such as Gannets, Manx Shearwater, Guillemots, Razor Bills and Cormorants can be seen nesting in Spring. There are many migrating birds, the Puffin perhaps being the best loved. These delightful, comical birds can be seen on Skomer Island in spring and early summer, sometimes staying well into July. In recent years numbers have increased, and the official count (2023) was more than 42,000, the highest number since the late1980’s when recording first started.

Pembrokeshire has great variety to offer the wildlife enthusiast and keen walker; coastal rambles, hill walking in the Preseli Mountains, and sheltered inland estuaries each offer their own unique environment. Regular boat trips leave from Martins Haven near Marloes to visit Skomer Island Bird Sanctuary and Marine Reserve. Whilst thrill packed boat rides around Ramsey, leaving from St. Justinian’s near St. David’s, offer the possibility of sighting leaping porpoise and Atlantic Grey Seals basking on the rocks.

Discoveries at Windmill Park

Bird Records

We encourage interest in our local flora and fauna and are delighted that several visitors to the farm and to Cliff Cottage have shown interest inĀ  recording some of our wildlife, including birds and months. We’re beginning to compile and share this information.

Bird recording checklist 2023