New Quay is one of the 'hotspots' for spotting Cardigan bay's bottlenose dolphins, from the shore as well as from a guided boat trip. Both the Wildlife Trust of South West Wales and the Seawatch foundation have a base in New Quay, and scientists often accompany trippers on the boats to survey the population of dolphins and porpoises that are semi resident in Cardigan Bay.
There is choice of trips available, with experienced boat skippers and guides who know the best and most appropriate places to spot wildlife, and how to handle the craft for the best view without intruding on the animals and causing a disturbance.
Tours vary in length from one hour excursions to whole day trips lasting 8 hours. Choose from 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours, 4 hours and 8+ hour trips. Check the individual boat operators sites for timetables, fares and special trips.
What to look out for on the Ceredigion coast
Atlantic Grey Seals like Ceredigion's secluded coves and sea caves, especially when the female 'cows' need peace to give birth and rear their young pups in autumn. Seals can often be seen from the coast path, especially around Mwnt, Cwmtydu and Bird Rock near New Quay. Many caves and waterfalls are best and safely viewed from a boat - there are regular trips are available (see panel).
Coastal birds
Aptly named Bird's Rock, on the Ceredigion coast path just south of New Quay, is one of the best places to see Ceredigion's marine wildlife, including grey seals and bottlenose dolphins as well as the colonies of guillemots crowding onto the rocky ledges.
Other birds to look out for along the Ceredigion coast include razorbills, kittiwake, fulmar, shag and gannets, the UK’s largest seabirds. With a six foot wing span, they make a spectacular sight as they dive for fish.
Look out too for the Chough, the rare crow with its distinctive red beak and legs. The sea cliffs are also the haunt of Britain's fastest bird -peregrine falcons can reach speeds of 200mph.
Plantlife
Flowering plants include blackthorn (prunus spinosa, or sloe), yellow gorse, (ulaeus europaeus) pink or purple hued thrift (armeria) and white sea campion (silene maritima).
The combination of lichen, plants, cliffs and sea are a photographers delight. At Ynys Lochtyn, just to the north of Llangrannog, the carpets of bluebell-like spring squilla (scilla verna) can be seen in the short grass of the cliff edge as well as cloud like tufts of thrift. Orchids can also be spotted in many coastal meadows.
The European Union have identified the most important sites for wildlife in Europe and designated them as Natura 2000 sites. There are two types of Natura 2000 sites:
Special Protection Areas (SPA)- designated because of rare or migratory birds and their habitats
Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)- protects one or more special habitats and/or species other than birds
Ceredigion's coast has not one, but three Special Areas of Conservation.
Home to the biggest population in Europe of bottlenose dolphins, the Cardigan Bay SAC extends along almost 20 kilometres of coast and protects wildlife in 1000 square kilometres of the Irish Sea.
The northern coast of Ceredigion, from Sarn Cynfelyn is protected under the Pen Llŷn and Sarnau SAC.
Covering the whole bay area between north Pembrokeshire and the Llŷn peninsula is the West Wales Marine SAC.
The UNESCO Man and Biosphere programme has recognised the Dyfi river catchment and its surrounding area, including Aberystwyth, as a Biosphere - an area of world importance for the balance being sought for the environment, culture and economy.
