Songs of the Spinnies - Part 3: The Kingfisher Hide
The Spinnies Aberogwen's Kingfisher Hide is the best place to see and listen to the kingfisher. But what other birds can you see and listen to here? In Part 3 of our series 'Song of the…
Chwilio
Speckled wood butterfly - Vicky Nall
Chwilio
Black darter
The black darter is a black, narrow-bodied dragonfly that can be seen throughout summer and autumn. It is hovers around damp moors, heaths and bogs, darting out to surprise its prey.
Common water-measurer
Found in ponds and marshes, the fragile look of the common water-measurer belies its fierce nature. A predator of small insects, it uses the vibrations of the water's surface to locate its…
Our response to wildfires in North Wales
We're often asked for a response to the effects of wildfires on nature and, although our reserves have not been affected to date, the risk is real and we are on high alert. Our Head of Living…
Common hawker
A large hawker, the common hawker can be seen throughout the summer and into autumn. A fast-flying insect, it catches its prey mid-air. Look for it around ponds in the uplands of the north and…
Common backswimmer
The fearsome common backswimmer hunts insects, tadpoles and fish. It uses its oar-like legs to swim upside-down under the water's surface where unsuspecting prey can be found.
Hornet robberfly
With black-and-yellow markings, the hornet robberfly looks like its namesake, but is harmless to us. This mimicry helps to protect it from predators while it perches in the open, waiting for its…
Songs of the Spinnies - Part 1: The Main Hide
Often referred to as the Sea Hide, the Main Hide offers two stunning views ... one of which lets you see the entirety of the River Ogwen and the other a view of the lagoons. In Part 1 of this…
My close up
Once a month, Robert attends his local Wildlife Watch group in Nottinghamshire. He’s been going for over a year now and has made lots of new friends; most of all, though, he loves how much he has…
Songs of the Spinnies - Part 2: The Main Hide
Often referred to as the Sea Hide, the Main Hide offers two stunning views ... one of which lets you see the entirety of the River Ogwen and the other a view of the lagoons. In Part 2 of this…
Gudgeon
The gudgeon is a bottom-dwelling fish, similar to the stone loach, but with only two whisker-like barbels near its mouth. These sensory organs help it to find its prey in the sand and gravel of…
Stone loach
The stone loach is notoriously hard to spot - not only is it mostly nocturnal, it is also well camouflaged and can partially bury itself in the riverbed. It uses its whisker-like barbels to find…