A trip to Bluestone will see you making neighbours with a whole host of furry, feathered, maybe even slimy, friends. Bluestone is a haven for all types of critters and creatures, with great efforts undertaken over the years to protect, preserve and even bring wildlife into the area. Keep a keen eye out as you explore the resort and discover another world in Bluestone’s woods, fields and waters. Read on to see who you could be meeting on your next visit:
Wildlife on Resort
Down by the Lake
Bluestone’s serene man-made lake, nestled next to the lively village, is home to diverse wildlife. Year-round, you can spot Mallards and Moorhens, while summer brings Swallows and Housemartins. Look out for the resident Swan, but give him space if he seems grumpy! In spring, Common Toads, Frogs, and Palmate Newts visit to spawn. A ring of trees and shrubs provides food and cover for various species, including Dragonflies and Damselflies flitting about in summer. Enjoy the view from benches around the lake or take a stroll along the circular path to see how many inhabitants you can spot
Amongst the Trees
Coed yr Adar, or The Bird Wood in English, is an area of woodland following along the Pen Glyn Brook. In 2019, an otter holt was installed in the brook, encouraging otters who had returned to the area to use the brook for the first time in many years. The babbling waters are also a breeding site for Golden Ringed Dragonflies (the largest variety in Britain) and Demoiselle Damselflies which can be seen sunbathing on leaves next to the water. Coed yr Adar is also a great place to spot Dippers, Britain’s only aquatic songbird, as they scour the stream for insects
In the Long Grass
Maes Natur's grassland, filled with colorful flowers and tussocks, serves as a vital habitat for various species. Field Voles create tunnels and nests from shredded grass, while Harvest Mice weave nests among tall stalks (fun fact: they are the only British mammals with prehensile tails). This abundance of small mammals attracts resident Barn Owls and other birds of prey. Surrounding the area is a coppiced stretch of blackthorn, maintained to support the Brown Hairstreak Butterfly, a priority species in the UK biodiversity action plan.
Wandering the Woodland
In 2012, a 60-acre broadleaf woodland, Coed Bach, was planted to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Over a decade on, the woodland is now well established, with foxes, badgers and a variety of birds, including Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Tree Pipits, all calling Coed Bach their home.
On your Doorstep
Finding wildlife at Bluestone can happen right from your window! While enjoying your morning coffee or winding down for the evening, you might spot furry and feathered neighbours. Great Spotted Woodpeckers flit around the trees, and grey squirrels and rabbits scurry by. At night, badgers emerge for their nightly activities, visible to any night owls still awake and swans can be seen roaming around throughout the day.