Spotter's Guide
Use these spotter’s sheets as an introduction to natural history groups. They each show a small selection of things that occur in the natural world to help you to get started. If you need more help get in touch with our museum scientists.
Is there a spotter’s sheet that you would like to see here? Please send us your suggestions.
Spotter's Sheets
Garden Pond Snails in Wales
Are there snails living in your wildlife pond? Why not go out and check for yourself using this guide to garden pond snails in Wales.
Building Stones of National Museum Cardiff
Did you know the museum was built from igneous rock and sedimentary rock? Granite and a limestone that contains fossils. Use this guide to tour the museum and identify some of the building stones used.
Have I found a fossil?
Fossil hunting is a fun outdoor activity that can be carried out by all the family. This guide shows you how to find fossils in rocks and how to recognise other rock markings.
Penarth fossils
Use this guide to start hunting for fossils along Penarth beach in south Wales, and learn about the geological background of the colourful cliffs.
Guide to Fossil Groups
Would you like to learn about the different types of fossils? Use this guide to learn more about fossils and to help you separate your fossil finds into the most common groups.
Ocean Plastics and Animal Hitchhikers
When ocean plastic waste is washed up on our beaches it may sometimes have animals attached to it, but not all of them are native to the UK. Use this guide to see if any of the animals you can find on beach plastics have crossed the Atlantic to visit Wales!
Ocean Plastics and Animal Hitchhikers
When ocean plastic waste is washed up on our beaches it may sometimes have animals attached to it, but not all of them are native to the UK. Use this guide to see if any of the animals you can find on beach plastics have crossed the Atlantic to visit Wales!
Spotting Seaweeds in Wales - brown seaweeds
Seaweed spotting can be a fun outdoor activity for all the family. Brown seaweeds make up over a quarter of the Welsh species – use this guide to find out where to look for them, the most common types and which one is used to make seaweed fertiliser!
Spotting Seaweeds in Wales - reds and greens
Seaweed spotting can be a fun outdoor activity for all the family. Reds and greens make up most of the 450 different kinds in Wales – use this guide to find out where to look for them, the most common types and which seaweeds are edible as crisps, seasoning and laverbread!
Common Seashells
Some of the more common seashells in Wales are shown in this sheet. Have you seen any of these shells on the beach near where you live? Seashells come in all shapes, sizes and colours. But what are shells? Shells are created by the animals that live inside them, the soft-bodied molluscs.
Treasures of the Strandline
The beach strandline is where animals and seaweeds are washed up and left behind by the tide. On your next wildlife walk, you never know what you might find! Look closely next time you visit the beach in Wales and use this spotter’s sheet.
Sort it Out! Stripy Snails
Identifying stripy snails can be a puzzle. Their patterns vary, and their shapes change as they grow. Finding more shells makes sorting easier. Make it your next wildlife project to work out which snail is which!
Common Garden Birds
Which of these common garden visitors can you spot in your garden or local green space in Wales? Birds are some of our most well-loved urban wildlife. Look out for their different colours and sizes; listen out for their songs and calls.
Ogmore Fossils
A photo guide to the common fossils on the beach at Ogmore-by-Sea in south Wales. They tell a story of tropical seas, desert storms, and sea-level rise in south Wales from 350 to 200 million years ago.
Deciduous trees and shrubs in Wales
Guide to trees and shrubs with oval or rounded leaves that lose their leaves in winter. Try looking for them when walking in Wales, in the countryside, in parks, and in the city.
Have I Found a Moss?
Moss grows on rocks, trees, pavements and walls. Moss can be found living alongside liverworts and lichens which can look similar Use this guide to help you work out if you’ve found a moss.
Welsh Coastal Birds
The coasts of Wales are one of the best places to spot birds, from beaches to cliff tops, to secluded islands and the open sea. Get your binoculars and let’s get spotting!
Hawk-moths in Wales
Large and striking moths! Look for them at dusk or try creating your own moth trap. Spot Humming-bird Hawks collecting nectar during the day.
West Angle fossils
The rocks of West Angle Bay, South Pembrokeshire, were formed around 350 million years ago in shallow, stormy, tropical seas.
St Davids area Geology
The colourful rocks around St Davidsare some of the oldest in Wales. Dating from 650 -460 million years old they were formed in cold oceans and show evidence of volcanoes, and fossils of extinct animals.
Building Stones of St Davids Pembrokeshire
Many historic buildings and houses in St Davidscontain a variety of building stone, many are sourced locally, but some come from further afield. Building stones are a great way to study geology in the urban environment. Here is a selection of local stones you can spot!
Southerndown fossils
The rocks at Southerndown, Vale of Glamorgan, are some of the youngest in Wales and were laid down in warm Jurassic seas.
