Claerwen National Nature Reserve

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Overview

The Claerwen NNR in the Elan Valley has a number of habitats that support some special plants and birdlife. Among the rare plants which grow in the lakes and reservoirs is floating water plantain, of which the UK has a large proportion of the world population. Claerwen has the largest area of blanket bog and acid peatland in the central Welsh uplands. Plants that grow here include bog rosemary, round-leaved sundew and hare’s-tail cottongrass, along with heathers. Former lead-mining sites have been colonised by metal-tolerant species of liverworts and mosses, including the rare lead moss, which grows in dense yellowish mats. Probably the most renowned feature in the Elan Valley area is its birdlife, and over 180 species have been recorded. Some of the breeding birds are merlin, hawfinch and the lesser spotted woodpecker. Other birds often seen in the area include red kite, buzzard, golden plover and raven.

Location

Elan Village

About the area

The largest unitary authority in Wales, Powys covers an area of approximately 2,000 square miles. Much of that is mountainous because it actually has the lowest population density of all the Welsh counties.