Allt Rhyd y Groes National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Allt Rhyd y Groes NNR near Llandovery consists of sessile oak woodlands clinging to steep gorges formed by rushing small streams and some larger rivers, including the River Towy. In spring, the reserve is a great place to see bluebells. Other plants that grow here include great burnet, devil’s-bit scabious, pignut, wood anemone, bilberry, and in the grasslands, heath spotted orchid. The woodlands support birds including chiffchaffs, redstarts, pied flycatchers, blackcaps, wood warblers, tree creepers and great spotted woodpeckers. In the heath and grassland areas there are northern wheatears, whinchats, meadow pipits, and green woodpeckers. Overhead the crying of buzzards and red kites can be heard, and along the rivers you may catch sight of a kingfisher or a dipper. Insect life is abundant in the humid woodland and not only feeds the resident and visiting birds, but also bats which emerge to hunt above the streams and rivers.

Location

Ystrad Ffin

About the area

Carmarthenshire is the largest of the historic counties of Wales, and known to have been inhabited since prehistoric times. Carmarthen, its county town, with its Roman fort, claims to be the oldest town in Wales.