Carmel National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Carmel NNR, 5 miles southwest of Llandeilo, consists of a mosaic of habitats with a pattern of woodland blocks, with intervening grassland rides. The woodland is dominated by ash with much coppiced hazel and also spindle and hawthorn. There is a typical spring limestone flora including bluebell, dog’s mercury, wood anemone, wild garlic and hart’s-tongue fern. Scarcer plants include lily-of-the-valley and herb Paris. Parts of the reserve are covered in large areas of freely-draining species-rich neutral grassland which host different species including common knapweed, bird’s-foot trefoil and devil’s-bit scabious. The lower parts of this block are marshy grassland, and parts of the upper limestone ridge are covered in a scrubby layer of bracken and gorse, which provides a good habitat for reptiles. Dormice have been found in the southwestern corner of the reserve and a wide range of birds can be seen in the varied habitats, including willow tit, green woodpecker and great spotted woodpecker.

Location

Carmel

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.

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Carmel National Nature Reserve

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Carmel National Nature Reserve

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