One thing is certain in Wales, you will see rather a lot of sheep. There are around ten million of them compared to three million people. But what about other animals, not to mention birds, trees and flowers?
There are no dangerous wild animals in Wales. Bears and wolves were hunted to extinction many centuries ago and most animals you will see will be on farms: sheep, cattle and pigs. There are wild animals about, however, and it can be a real joy to get a sighting of a red squirrel in Anglesey (where they have been re-introduced) and glimpse a polecat. There are also feral creatures in isolated upland areas, including goats, sheep and horses - we often come across these when we are least expecting to!
There are also rare birds to be found such as the Red Kite and Osprey and secretive birds such as the Kingfisher.
As well as creatures of the mountains, woods and fields, Wales’ long coastline is the home to a host of diverse sea creatures. Seals, dolphins, sharks, jellyfish, crabs and lobsters are all found around the Welsh coast. As well as sea life, our coasts are home to birds, including Arctic Terns, Choughs and Puffins which can all be found at the appropriate season around the coasts of Anglesey.
Trees and flowers abound in Wales – indeed it can seem almost dazzlingly green. The change through the seasons is a particular delight, as Spring sees daffodils bursts out in March, bluebells in April, and blossom on fruit trees in May. As summer turns to Autumn, so leaves begin to turn to red, yellow, brown and gold, before Winter provides opportunities to see places usually hidden beneath the leaves.
Rare species can be found in Wales. In the upland region of Snowdonia, arctic-alpine flora thrives including the Snowdon lily (Lloydia serotina), a species confined to this area’s cool, north-facing slopes.
There are wildlife reserves around the country, including important coastal locations, where you can see these creatures in their natural habitat.