Cwm Clydach National Nature Reserve
Encyclopedia
Cwm Clydach National Nature Reserve is an area of 24.8ha of steeply sloping valley-side on the southern side of the Clydach Gorge
, two miles east of Brynmawr
in southeast Wales
which is protected for its ancient semi-natural beech
woods. It was designated by the Nature Conservancy Council
and is now protected by its successor authority the Countryside Council for Wales
.
The dense foliage of the beech canopy results in a rather minimal ground flora but species like bird’s nest orchid are found amongst the leaf litter. The high humidity of the more sheltered parts of the gorge encourage the growth of ferns, mosses and other lower plants including the lichen
, Stricta sylvatica and the hay-scented buckler fern (Dryopteris aemula).
Woodland birds in the reserve include nuthatch
and both the green woodpecker
and greater spotted woodpecker. Birds of prey include sparrowhawk, kestrel
and tawny owl
.
The reserve is a part of the Cwm Clydach site of special scientific interest
(SSSI) and of the Cwm Clydach Woodlands/Coedydd Cwm Clydach special area of conservation
(SAC).
There is good public access to much of the reserve through a network of public footpaths and paths whilst it is overlooked by a section of the national cycleway
and by public roads. Interpretive panels at access points to the reserve provide maps of the reserve and information.
Clydach Gorge
The Clydach Gorge is a steep-sided valley in south-east Wales down which the River Clydach flows to the River Usk. It runs for 5.6km from the vicinity of Brynmawr in Blaenau Gwent eastwards and northeastwards to Gilwern in Monmouthshire...
, two miles east of Brynmawr
Brynmawr
Brynmawr is a market town in Blaenau Gwent, south Wales. The town, sometimes cited as the highest town in Wales, is situated at 1,250 to 1,500 feet above sea level and nestled at the head of the South Wales Valleys...
in southeast Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
which is protected for its ancient semi-natural beech
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
woods. It was designated by the Nature Conservancy Council
Nature Conservancy Council
The Nature Conservancy Council was a United Kingdom government agency responsible for designating and managing National Nature Reserves and other nature conservation areas in Great Britain between 1973 and 1991 ....
and is now protected by its successor authority the Countryside Council for Wales
Countryside Council for Wales
The Countryside Council for Wales is an Assembly Government Sponsored Body. It is the Welsh Assembly Government's wildlife conservation authority for Wales...
.
The dense foliage of the beech canopy results in a rather minimal ground flora but species like bird’s nest orchid are found amongst the leaf litter. The high humidity of the more sheltered parts of the gorge encourage the growth of ferns, mosses and other lower plants including the lichen
Lichen
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner , usually either a green alga or cyanobacterium...
, Stricta sylvatica and the hay-scented buckler fern (Dryopteris aemula).
Woodland birds in the reserve include nuthatch
Nuthatch
The nuthatches are a genus, Sitta, of small passerine birds belonging to the family Sittidae. Characterised by large heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet, nuthatches advertise their territory using loud, simple songs...
and both the green woodpecker
Green Woodpecker
The European Green Woodpecker is a member of the woodpecker family Picidae. There are four subspecies and it occurs in most parts of Europe and in western Asia...
and greater spotted woodpecker. Birds of prey include sparrowhawk, kestrel
Kestrel
The name kestrel, is given to several different members of the falcon genus, Falco. Kestrels are most easily distinguished by their typical hunting behaviour which is to hover at a height of around over open country and swoop down on prey, usually small mammals, lizards or large insects...
and tawny owl
Tawny Owl
The Tawny Owl or Brown Owl is a stocky, medium-sized owl commonly found in woodlands across much of Eurasia. Its underparts are pale with dark streaks, and the upperparts are either brown or grey. Several of the eleven recognised subspecies have both variants...
.
The reserve is a part of the Cwm Clydach site of special scientific interest
Site of Special Scientific Interest
A Site of Special Scientific Interest is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom. SSSIs are the basic building block of site-based nature conservation legislation and most other legal nature/geological conservation designations in Great Britain are based upon...
(SSSI) and of the Cwm Clydach Woodlands/Coedydd Cwm Clydach special area of conservation
Special Area of Conservation
A Special Area of Conservation is defined in the European Union's Habitats Directive , also known as the Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora...
(SAC).
There is good public access to much of the reserve through a network of public footpaths and paths whilst it is overlooked by a section of the national cycleway
National Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network is a network of cycle routes in the United Kingdom.The National Cycle Network was created by the charity Sustrans , and aided by a £42.5 million National Lottery grant. In 2005 it was used for over 230 million trips.Many routes hope to minimise contact with motor...
and by public roads. Interpretive panels at access points to the reserve provide maps of the reserve and information.