Skomer Island and Cardigan Bay named wildlife hotspots

Both Welsh locations made The Times' list of the 20 best places in the UK to spot wildlife along the coast.

Skomer Island, just a short boat ride from the mainland, is best known for its famous puffins, but it was included in the list as the best place to spot grey seals, manx shearwaters and butterflies. 

However, by August the puffins have moved on but Skomer Island is still home to the world's largest breeding colony of Manx shearwaters.

You can also spot Fulmars, kittiwakes, gulls and choughs, as well as lots of butterflies, and towards the end of summer grey seal pups start to appear too. 

The Times said: "It may be only a 20-minute boat ride from the Welsh mainland, but the island of Skomer feels like a remote and magical spot to spend a day.

"By early August the site’s famous puffins have largely departed (though there’s always the chance you’ll get lucky) but it remains home to the world’s largest breeding colony of Manx shearwaters.

"Fulmars, kittiwakes, gulls and choughs patrol the cliffs while butterflies including meadow brown, small copper, dark green fritillary, peacock and painted lady flit between the swaying grasses.

"The surrounding seas are a haven for harbour porpoises and dolphins.

"Towards late summer, grey seal pups will begin appearing along the island’s rocky shores, making it a particularly wonderful time to visit".

Cardigan Bay was also recognised for its marine life, with bottlenose dolphins seen throughout the year from the shore (Image: Sea Mor Dolphin Watching)

Cardigan Bay was also recognised for its marine life, with bottlenose dolphins seen throughout the year from the shore or on dolphin-spotting boat trips, with increased sightings from April through until November.

The Times spokesman said: "You can regularly spot harbour porpoises, Atlantic grey seals and a huge variety of birdlife at Cardigan Bay.

"Bottlenose dolphins can be seen here throughout the year from the shore or on dolphin-spotting boat trips out on the beautifully clear turquoise water, with increased sightings from April through until November.

"The summer months also bring seasonal visitors such as basking sharks and sunfish, which may be seen cruising through the bay’s plankton-rich waters".

During the summer, visitors may also see basking sharks and sunfish.

Cemlyn Nature Reserve on Anglesey also featured on the list, named by The Times as a top spot to observe curlews and redshanks.