| Organisation / Company | Countryside Council for Wales |
|---|---|
| Website | Click Here |
Coedydd Aber is the best example of upland western oakwood along the North Gwynedd coast. It shows gradual transition from dense tree canopy at sea level to scattered Hawthorn and open acid grassland above. On the valley floor, Alder and Ash occupy the wettest areas, with Sessile Oak on the drier rocky slopes. There is a rich growth of lichens, especially on the oaks. The ground flora is mainly of mosses and fine-leaved grasses, but pockets of base-rich soil support herbs such as Ramsons, Dog’s Mercury and Moschatel. There is good representation of all vertebrate groups, including Badger and Otter. Many bird species breed in the woodland, including Redstart, Nuthatch and Wood Warbler. Pied Flycatchers are of special interest. Skylark, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit and Wheatear (summer visitor) can be seen on the pasture above the woodland. The falls are a particular attraction and the river supports Brown trout and Common Eel, with small numbers of Sea Trout and Salmon. The woodland is rich in invertebrates, especially moths.
| Organisation / Company | North Wales Wildlife Trust |
|---|---|
| Website | Click Here |
Access is from a lay-by on the A487, 350 metres from Corris craft centre. One of the few areas of old broad-leaved woodland left in the Corris Valley. The tree canopy is dominated by Sessile Oak and Ash with an understorey of Holly and Hazel. The steep wooded slopes, high rainfall and the Afon Deri in the valley bottom all help trap moist air, which allows mosses and ferns to thrive. In the drier parts of the reserve, where Common Dog Violet grows beneath Bracken, the microclimate is ideal for the caterpillars of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Breeding birds include Redstart, Wood Warbler, Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, Spotted Flycatcher and Long-tailed Tit. Grey Wagtail and Dipper frequent the river, as do Otter, Brown Trout, Sea Trout and Salmon. Although the reserve itself is fairly small, the surrounding area holds much besides.
| Organisation / Company | Bala Tourist Information Centre |
|---|---|
| Website | Click Here |
At 6.4 km long and 1.5km wide, Bala Lake is the largest natural body of water in Wales. It is a very deeply gouged glacial lake on the course of the River Dee, with the town of Bala at its northern end. Its shoreline is readily accessible by road and a popular narrow gauge railway runs along its southern edge. The lake has very clear water and supports good populations of fish, such as Perch, Pike, Roach, Brown Trout and Eel. It is also the unique habitat of the Gwyniad, a whitefish related to the Herring. Plants of special note include the rare Water Plantain. Over 120 species of bird have been recorded, including Bewick Swan, Black-throated Diver and Green Sandpiper. Those most likely to be seen include Cormorant, Little and Great-crested Grebes, Coot, Heron, and several species of duck.
| Organisation / Company | North Wales Wildlife Trust |
|---|---|
| Website | Click Here |
Cors y Sarnau is a secluded wetland lying along a narrow valley. If by car, park in the village, avoiding the school, and cross the road; the entrance is 30m to the north. Walk to the footbridge and then turn right onto the nature reserve, keeping to footpaths at all times. Cors y Sarnau is a valley mire, a habitat now rare in lowland Britain. It formed from centuries of peat deposition gradually infilling a lake, itself formed from glacial action. Bog Moss cover a large part of the infilled basin. Their dead remains accumulate to form peat. Wet woodland, mainly Alder and Willow, occurs beside the mire and is rich in fungi. Over 30 species of bird have been recorded. Regulars include Tree and Meadow Pipit, Goldcrest, Redpoll and Grasshopper and Sedge Warblers (summer visitors). Plants of note include: Cranberry, the insectivorous Round-leaved Sundew and the wonderfully coloured Bog Asphodel.
Coed Cwmgwared is an ancient woodland on the steep valley sides of the Afon Hen, near Clynnog-fawr and below Bwlch Mawr. Soil conditions vary, giving a variety of woodland types not found elsewhere in western Gwynedd. The main type is of Sessile Oak, Downy Birch, Ash and Wych Elm, with Alder on wetter ground. Rowan and Hazel feature in the understorey. There has been substantial underplanting with conifers. The ground flora is well developed because the area has been little grazed. It includes Greater Wood-rush, Lady Fern, Honeysuckle and Broad Buckler-fern. Humid conditions in the valley support the delicate Wilson’s Filmy-fern and several uncommon mosses needing constant wet and cool conditions. The nearby summit of Bwlch Mawr offers good views across north-west Gwynedd and Caernarfon Bay. Limited roadside parking.
| Organisation / Company | Gwynedd Council |
|---|---|
| Website | Click Here |
Dudley Park is a Local Nature Reserve, on the lower slopes of Moel Smytho, and is a good all-round site for wildlife. There is a picnic area and both short and longer circular walks, the latter particularly interesting, although it can be steep and slippery in places. Scrub and acid grassland at the lower end quickly gives way to woodland upslope, showing much of the character of western upland oakwood, including a rich moss ground flora and some fine individual Sessile Oak trees. Many familiar woodland and garden birds use the park, but those of special note include Redstart and Pied Flycatcher (both summer visitors). Green Woodpecker may be heard in the area. The invertebrate interest includes butterflies, such as Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Small Tortoiseshell.
| Organisation / Company | Countryside Council for Wales |
|---|---|
| Website | Click Here |
Coed Ganllwyd is an upland oakwood on the Afon Gamlan. The woodland structure varies between dense, ungrazed, closed canopy woodland and open, grazed wood-pasture further into the Dolmelynllyn Estate. The canopy is mainly of Sessile Oak, with some Downy Birch and a little Ash and Alder. Wood Sorrel and Bluebell feature among herbs in the ground flora. However, the principal botanical interest of Coed Ganllwyd lies in its abundant, diverse and luxuriant mosses and liverworts. These thrive in the constantly humid conditions of closed canopy woodland in areas of mild climate with high rainfall, particularly within and around river gorges. The attractive Black Falls (Rhaeadr Ddu), in particular, help to maintain high humidity. The species list is lengthy and includes several rarities. Spring/summer birds include Redstart, Wood Warbler, Tree Pipit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher. The Brimstone butterfly occurs locally, closely associated with its food plant, Alder Buckthorn.
| Organisation / Company | Gwynedd Council |
|---|---|
| Website | Click Here |
The historic Glynllifon Estate is now a Country Park offering a wide range of attractions and activities, including the mansion house and outbuildings, gardens and wooded grounds. Accounts of estate forest management are of particular interest. Current wildlife interest centres round a population of Lesser Horseshoe Bats, which have summer roost and hibernation sites in the house and grounds. There are also links to other sites for this species in the neighbourhood. Other bat species recorded include: Whiskered Bat, Natterer’s Bat, Daubenton’s Bat, Common Pipistrelle, Noctule and Brown Long-eared Bat. The extensive wooded grounds are important to the bats’ foraging and they may be seen following distinct flight lines as summer light fails. Otter and Water Vole occur on the Llyfni.
| Organisation / Company | North Wales Wildlife Trust |
|---|---|
| Website | Click Here |
Gwaith Powdwr, the former site of the Cooke’s/ICI explosives works, is an excellent example of how wildlife can flourish in a post-industrial setting. A wide range of habitats, from oak and wet willow woodland to heathland and open water support common birds and woodland specialists such as willow warbler, tree pipit, garden warbler, lesser redpoll and,over the heath, visiting nightjar. The dipping pond contains frogs, toads and newts. Dragonflies and damselflies can be seen weaving their way between the horsetails. Many mammals, including 7 species of bat, are found on the reserve. Badgers and foxes often visit. A wildlife haven and important historical site with numerous old buildings, the views from its highest point are fantastic. You can see the Dwyryd estuary, Portmeirion, and yr Wyddfa.
| Organisation / Company | Countryside Council for Wales |
|---|---|
| Website | Click Here |
Llyn Mair is a beautiful lake surrounded by mixed woodland that forms part of the very extensive western oakwood along much of the south-facing slopes of the Vale of Ffestiniog. The road runs alongside and a picnic area is nearby. Tan-y-Bwlch railway station is further up the hill; a train ride through the woodland gives an excellent impression of the habitat and wonderful views. The lake area is frequented by several species of duck, Heron, Yellow Wagtail and Pied Wagtail, damselfly and dragonfly. Water lilies make an excellent summer show. The nearby Coed Llyn Mair nature trail winds up through the adjacent Maentwrog woodland. The Sessile Oaks grow on steep rocky ground on the thinnest of soils. A deep gorge runs through the trees and the constantly humid conditions there support a very wide variety of mosses, liverworts, lichens and ferns. Away from the gorge, the ground flora is dominated by grasses, mainly bents and fescues. Notable birds breeding in the woodland include: Redstart, Wood Warbler, Nuthatch and Pied Flycatcher.
| Organisation / Company | Gwynedd Council |
|---|---|
| Website | Click Here |
The park covers much of Llyn Padarn and a good deal of the woodland on the northern shore. It is easily accessible and contains a wide range of attractions. The lake itself is an excellent place to see Goosander towards the northern end, Cormorant, Coot and small numbers of duck, including Tufted and Pochard. It holds one of only a very few populations of Arctic Char in Wales, a glacial relict species related to trout and salmon that survives in only the deepest and coldest lakes. The woodland is dominated by Sessile Oak, rising up dramatically above the lake. Rowan, Holly and Hazel occur in the understorey, with occasional areas of Downy Birch. The woodland is ungrazed and so has a well-developed field layer, including Bell Heather, Bilberry and Greater Woodrush. The birds are characteristic of upland oakwood and include Redstart, Pied Flycatcher (summer visitors) and Nuthatch.
| Organisation / Company | Gwynedd Council |
|---|---|
| Website | Click Here |
These two Local Nature Reserves lie close to the popular village of Borth y Gest. Parc y Borth is a hillside woodland with small wild flower meadows overlooking the estuary, while Pen y Banc has a mixture of woodland and coastal habitats stretching along the shoreline and including the sheltered cove that forms the focus of the village. The Parc y Borth woodland is largely of planted oak, with conifer towards the top. Birds include Pied Flycatcher (summer visitor) and Great Spotted Woodpecker. The adjacent meadows include a good range of wild flowers. Pen y Banc provides a good vantage point for bird watching over the estuary. Species include: Sandwich Tern, Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Shelduck and Little Egret, with occasional Black-necked Grebe, Purple Sandpiper, Scoter and divers in winter. Away from the coast, the reserve supports remnants of heath, quickly grading to mixed woodland and scrub.
| Organisation / Company | National Trust |
|---|---|
| Website | Click Here |
A small valley offering rare and welcome shelter along the otherwise heavily exposed coastline. The scrub and grassland along the upper length are attractive to a wide range of birds seeking protection from bad weather and offer a good place to look for landfall migrants. Regulars include Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Skylark and Stonechat. It is also one of the best places locally to see butterflies, including Dark Green Fritillary, which tend to favour the south-facing sheltered habitat. The grassland along the main path to the cove supports numbers of Common Glow-worm, best spotted at dusk in June-July (please do not disturb them). The soil is relatively lime-rich in places and supports lime-loving plants such as the showy Bloody Cranesbill. Porth Meudwy was once an embarkation point for the many visitors to Bardsey and is still a busy lobster fishing cove. The area offers good views of the Gwylan islands.
| Organisation / Company | Countryside Council for Wales |
|---|---|
| Website | Click Here |
Torrent Walk lies within the woodland Coed Maes y Helmau. It is one of the most popular walks in southern Gwynedd, designed for its original owner as an extension to his garden. A narrow and steep gorge channels the Afon Clywedog into a series of pools and water falls, creating constantly humid conditions. These support a very rich variety of ferns, mosses, liverworts, lichens and fungi that together give this Sessile Oak woodland its special character. Other trees include Downy Birch, Alder and Rowan, while the understorey is mainly of sparse Holly and Hazel. Wavy Hair-grass, one of Britain’s most attractive native grasses when in flower, occurs throughout, as do Common Bent and Sweet Vernal Grass. Ferns of interest include: Beech Fern, Oak Fern and two species of filmy fern that survive only in conditions of very high humidity because of their extremely thin leaves. Birds include: Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Blackcap (all summer visitors), Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
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