Coed Gorswen National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Coed Gorswen NNR near the village of Rowen on the western side of the Conwy valley is a gentle landscape of small woodlands, grazed fields and a latticework of hedgerows. Large boulders scattered across the reserve provide striking evidence of former Ice Age activity, and these are perhaps what protected the woodland over the centuries as surrounding land was cleared for human use. Unlike many of the woodlands in North Wales, which are dominated by sessile oaks, the relatively flat ground of Coed Gorswen has a much richer mix of trees. The alkaline soils in the area are also home to some rare and interesting plants including various wild orchid species as well as moonwort. The woodland supports breeding populations of birds such as pied flycatcher, greater spotted woodpecker, redpoll, redstart, willow and wood warbler and marsh tit, and woodcock are also present in winter.

Location

Llanbedr-y-Cennin

About the area

The majority of the population of Conwy lives along its picturesque coastline, while a third of the county falls within jaw-dropping landscape of the Snowdonia National Park. The town of Conwy, which takes its name from the county (which in turn was named after the river that runs through it), is undoubtedly one of the great treasures of Wales.