Wildlife
From birds, bees and butterflies to insects and plant life on the woodland floor, Bute Park is full of wildlife for you to discover.
If you’re lucky you may even spot an otter which are known to pop up along the river, but they are notoriously shy, so sightings are very rare.
‘Love Exploring’ app
‘Love Exploring’ app
Download the ‘Love Exploring’ app to play for free Are you on the lookout for things to do with the family in Cardiff? Have you ever visited somewhere and wished there was more to do? The Love Exploring app puts the power of discovery in your hands by providing a range of quiz trails and... View ‘Love Exploring’ app Learn more.
Nature Activity Trail
Nature Activity Trail
Aimed at our younger visitors – this trail is ideal for those aged 4 to 10. Learn more.
Dock Feeder Canal
Dock Feeder Canal
The Dock Feeder Canal runs along the eastern boundary of Bute Park from Blackweir at the north end, south to the Castle, where it turns east, and runs along the north side of the Castle to leave the park. Learn more.
Blackweir Woods
Blackweir Woods
This beautiful woodland is designated as a Site of Interest for Nature Conservation (SINC) because of its importance to wildlife in Cardiff. It includes plants such as wood anemones, toothwort, moschatel (town hall clock), and ramsons (wild garlic), which are characteristic of native ancient woodland. Learn more.
Wildlife Explorer Trail
Wildlife Explorer Trail
Bute Park Wildlife Explorer Trails are available to collect at the Education Centre. Learn more.
Bee hives
Bee hives
Bute Park honey is now back on the menu and available to buy directly from Bute Park Education Centre and Pettigrew Tea Rooms Learn more.
Herbaceous Border
Herbaceous Border
Our renowned ‘Herbaceous Border’ is a striking display of perennial and herbaceous plants that runs parallel to the river Taff. Learn more.
Bat Meadow
Bat Meadow
The wildflower meadow was created in 2017 to provide a diverse and attractive habitat for insects, pollinators and a food source to encourage an increase in bat population. Learn more.
River Taff
River Taff
The River Taff is 64 km long and is formed at Cefn-coed-y-cymmer in Merthyr Tydfil at the confluence of the rivers Taf Fechan and Taf Fawr. Learn more.
Wildlife Cameras
In 2018 we added wildlife cameras to record footage of the many animal visitors to the park. From bird feeders and bird tables to our very own bee hives, there’s plenty of wildlife to see.
Our cameras follow:
- Bee hives located within the nursery walls.
- A fox den in the open shed in the nursery yard.
- Bird feeder and table on the raised beds behind the Visitor Centre.
- Hedgehog feeding stations at the back of the plant shop.
- Several nest boxes on the trees and one in the main nursery building.
The wildlife cameras have provided a new and exciting opportunity for volunteers to support the park. Volunteers can help by viewing footage and making recordings of particular events of interest (animals feeding, eggs hatching, feeding of young etc.)
The footage has already enhanced our education activities for schools children with hedgehog footage being shown as part of a hedgehog and hibernation session
You can enjoy the live footage online or you can watch our wildlife updates on our YouTube channel.
On camera
Animals we have seen so far include regular visits from:
- a fox,
- hedgehogs,
- a weasel,
- mice, and
- plenty of squirrels.
Frequent bird visitors include:
- dunnocks,
- robins,
- coal tits,
- great tits,
- nuthatches, and
- woodpigeons.
