1. Starlings

Winter brings around one of nature’s greatest spectacles: starling murmurations. Our Starling population increases with migrating birds in the winter months, forming huge flocks. These birds put on a mesmerising show, moving in unison and shifting into amazing shapes, especially if trying to avoid predators like Sparrowhawks. The sound of a Starling murmuration is also impressive, with thousands of Starlings chattering noisily as they settle down for the night.

Our Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve is a great spot to see starling murmurations. Find out more here. 

2. Collared earthstars

Look out for these distinctive star shape fungi in the leaf litter. Collared earthstars fruit in November, releasing spores at the lightest touch. They are found in broad leaf woodlands. 

Go on a fungi foray at one of our nature reserves. Find your local reserve here. 

3. Whooper swans

Look out for these majestic winter visitors! Unlike our resident Mute swans, Whooper swans only spend the winter here in Wales. They migrate all the way from Iceland every year and will return in spring. Look out for them on fields during the day, eating grass or leftover crops. They are larger than our other swans and have a distinctive yellow and black beak. They are a Schedule 1 species, so be mindful of this when watching them, as it’s illegal to disturb them.

4. Atlantic salmon 

Look out at your local river for leaping salmon this month! The Atlantic salmon spends most of its life at sea, but makes an epic journey back to the river or stream in which it hatched to spawn. November is a great time to spot them travelling upstream. Watch out for them jumping over weirs and waterfalls to get to the gravelly headwaters where they breed.

5. Grey seals 

Head to the coast to spot some seal pups. Grey seals breed from August to November. These adorable pups stay on land until they have lost their white coats and trebled their body weight.

During this time of year, mothers and pups need space to be able to bond, feed, grow and rest. If disturbed the mother may abandon her pup prematurely, which could result in the pup’s death. Please remember to observe from a distance of at least 100m, keep dogs away and on a lead; and avoid doing anything to frighten the seals. Find out more about our wildlife watching code of conduct here.