Snowdonia

[103mol]

I am off to Snowdonia at the beginning of Jan . I was wondering if anyone knew of any good wildlife locations or places for landscape shots. We are staying on the north side of Cader Idris. If anyone knows the area I would be very glad of any advice.

Thank you

[Brocker]

Hi,
The only one I can remember from a long while back is at the Snowdon Mountain Railway end of Llanberis Pass to your right is a huge slate quarry. You can walk fairly close to it by footpath I believe and that area is renowned for birds of prey. You will need to be patient though and have a good set of bins or powerful camera and lens to get them in detail. It is such a vast area. Good luck though

[AlphaZeroOne]

Originally Posted by 103mol

I am off to Snowdonia at the beginning of Jan . I was wondering if anyone knew of any good wildlife locations or places for landscape shots. We are staying on the north side of Cader Idris. If anyone knows the area I would be very glad of any advice.

Thank you

Hi

I seem to remember that there was an area nearby called the Watkins Pass. I remember this clearly due to the fact that I saw a stream that had a vivid blue rock bed due - I was told - to the presence of copper. I understand also that a fair number of unfortunate WII bombers crashed into the hill side up this pass so that should give you some idea of the local terrain. Worth checking out although I am going back about 35+ years!

Good climbing and DON'T break a leg!

[demicav]

Beautiful area. Lots of bird life and plenty of Buzzards.

[naturelover]

hi i have been there lots of times,the views are amazing,this was years ago mind you when i was younger but i dont suppose it has changed,we camped along llamberass pass in a field with a load of sheep,that was fun as they kept getting in our tent and eating our food plus pooing all over the place,good fun though not the pooing but the holiday,thats my sort of holiday not in a hotel, in the wild with all the wildlife,we even drank from a streem from the mountains fresh spring water,possably with sheep poo from futher up the mountains,didnt think of it at the time but i am still here to tell the tale,this was back in the 60s.

[ogwen]

Not sure about the area by cadaer idris, but you usually see quite a few bird of prey and other birds up by Cwm Idwal and Tyfan. Get great views from there over Nant Ffrancon pass and on a clear day can see the sea in the far distance.
Btw snowdonia is supposed to be riddled with mountain goats, never seen one though there are plenty of sheep....

[tufftie]

There's a waterfall at the back of Llanberis, you have to walk a little way along a footpath beside a river to get to it. There used to be dippers along there as well. It's not very big but pretty and not many people go / went there.

[103mol]

Thanks for those remote locations! My other half has just done his leg and is now on cruches

Anyone know any nice laybys

[forevergreen]

Am a Welsh man my self but live in south Wales though have never been to snowdon myself but from what ive seen in brecon beacons (another great place)
expect many buzzards some red kite and other birds of prey. But also look out for thier prey to . Im sorry i couldnt tell you any locations but good luck.

[Sam Conway]

Darn it, I'm off to snowdonia in two weeks to go camping for a few days, (yes it will be very wet and very cold....and very windy....and very wet) and I was going to leave the bigma & bigma's tripod at home to save weight, you've now convinced me otherwise, ah well is only another 7 kilos

[rlchew]

I have to say that I have never thought of Snowdonia as a "beginning of January" place to visit.

Now if it was May, I would be preparing for my spring visit .... Wood Warbler, Common Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, etc., etc.

Richard

[JeffH]

We once spent two weeks (though in Summer ) in a cottage on the north-western foothills of Cader Idris near a village called Arthog. As I recall there are two vehicle accessible 'Llyns' (or mountain lakes) to the south-east of the village - lovely peaceful spots with fantastic views.

Barmouth Bay itself also offers some lovely landscape views of course and the Mawddach Old Railway walk is quite good for wildlife.

Jeff