Summer: Non-stop buzz of activity 

As our wildflowers meadows become a riot of flowers, the farm and gardens are paradise for insects, birds, and small mammals. The longer days are perfect for dawn and dusk wildlife spotting. Take a  wildflower or bee and butterfly survey sheet and see how many you can spot, a fun game, especially on a sunny day.  

Wildlife highlights: 

• Newts remain active in the ponds and pool – look for the pregnant ones 

• Stoats, Weasels, Rabbits & Field Mice can be heard or seen across the fields 

• Buzzards and Red Kites circling overhead, especially on a hot day 

• Swallows and Swifts love to feed on the wing, dipping into the swimming pool  

• Pollinators are abundant, just look at the cotoneaster by the herb garden 

• Dragonflies can be seen hovering over the ponds and streams  

In the early evening, or twilight you may see or hear Foxes barking, or find a badger running up the lane, and you’ll see bats swooping round the eaves – don’t worry if one comes into the house, they generally find their way out if left alone, just ignore them. 

 Autumn: Rich colours and hard work preparing for winter 

As the leaves turn red and golden and the days grow shorter, our wildlife becomes more visible, and some species are obviously active in preparing for winter. 

Seasonal wildlife to spot: 

• Squirrels making trips laden down with nuts to store them for winter 

• Muntjac Deer silently moving through bracken in the lower fields 

• Barn Owls hunting at dusk over meadows 

• Badgers foraging before winter hibernation 

Winter: Quiet, crisp and still plenty to see 

While winter may seem silent at first, the farm continues to host a surprising amount of activity—especially in the early morning and just before dusk. 

What you might see: 

• Fox tracks and badger paths in fresh snow or frost 

• Tawny owls calling at night from the woods 

• Muntjac and Roe deer browsing in sheltered spots in the hidden valley 

• Barn owls gliding over the meadows looking for food 
  

The bare trees make it easier to spot woodland birds, if spot anything rare, please do let us know. We also have a wildlife camera if anyone would like to borrow it.  

Whether you're a birdwatcher, a family with curious and engaged children, or simply someone seeking quiet moments in nature, Wonderful Escapes at Wern-y-Cwm Farm offers the chance to reconnect with the land. Our meadows, orchards, and ponds are carefully managed to support native species and encourage biodiversity. You will find habitat piles in our woods and dense undergrowth in our woods, perfect to wildlife to feel safe and multiply.  

The Wonderful team have spotted these birds in the past few months as they go about their jobs:  

Curlews (which are now very rare), Kingfishers, Linnet, Spotted Flycatcher, House Martin, Blue Tit, Pied Wagtail, Chiff Chaff, Peregrine Falcon, Gold Finch, Green Finch, Wren, Long Tailed Tits, Robin, Swifts, Tauny Owls, Barn Owls and the ubiquitous Swallows of course.  

Guests - please do let us know if you spot anything which we can add to the list.  

If you don’t already know us already, our location just outside Abergavenny, near the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) National Park, gives you easy access to rare upland habitats and birdwatching hotspots and our farm itself remains a sanctuary for native wildlife all year round.