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Radnorshire Wildlife Services

Warwick House, High Street

Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6AG

T: 01597 825722

E: [email protected]

www.rwtwales.org

Scoping Project

Hills of Radnor Living Landscape

http://www.rwtwales.org/


Distribution

Date Issued to Name

19.02.2015 Client RWT

Disclaimer: Radnorshire Wildlife Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Radnorshire

Wildlife Trust. However, the views expressed in this report are those of the consultancy

alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Trust, nor does the report infer

any form of consultation with the Trust or any other Wildlife Trust.

This report or any part of it shall not be reproduced without the permission of

Radnorshire Wildlife Services.

Report Information

Report Status Final Date of Issue 19.02.2015

Author Phil Ward MCIEEM Checked By Katie Gaisford MCIEEM

Signature

Signature


Scoping Project

Hills of Radnor Living Landscape

Contents

Summary 4

1 Introduction 5

2 Methodology 7

3 Area Description 8

4 Results 9

5 Evaluation 19

6 Recommendations 21

7 Conclusion 29

8 Appendices (and as separate attached documents) 30

Appendix 1: Maps of defined area

Appendix 2: Map of Phase 1 habitats

Appendix 3: Map of designated sites

Appendix 4: SSSI citations

Appendix 5: List of priority and local species and habitats

Appendix 6: Maps of priority species

Appendix 7: Spreadsheet results of landowners and community consultation

Appendix 8: Map of potential habitat enhancement opportunities and surveys

Appendix 9: Wildlife walks routes

Appendix 10: Spreadsheet list of Water Framework Directive actions

Appendix 11: Site photographs


Summary

The subject of this report is a scoping study in the Hills of Radnor Living Landscape area that aims to

identify known current species and habitats of the area through desk study and ground-truthing

visits, to gain a better understanding of the areas wildlife.

The study also undertook landowner and community group consultation to help identify

opportunities for future wildlife enhancements for both people and wildlife. There is good support

from landowners and community groups who are interested in helping with future project work.

This report identifies outline project plans for wildlife survey and habitat enhancement, and

landowner and community engagement opportunities to act as a roadmap for future landscape scale

restoration and biodiversity projects. It also lists and reviews current Welsh Government strategies,

Water Framework Directive actions and existing species and habitat survey reports relevant to the

area.


Radnorshire Wildlife Services: January 2015

1 Introduction

1.1 Radnorshire Wildlife Services (RWS) was commissioned by Radnorshire Wildlife Trust (RWT) to undertake

a scoping study in the Hills of Radnor Living Landscape (LL) area to identify future habitat enhancement

and community engagement opportunities, and to develop an action plan for future LL project delivery.

This report is written by Phil Ward MCIEEM, RWS Consultancy Manager with assistance from Katie

Gaisford MCIEEM, RWS Senior Ecologist.

Area location

1.2 The Hills of Radnor Living Landscape area forms the main part of north-east Radnorshire, in the modern county of Powys, centred at grid reference NGR: SO 17 74. The area is a very rural one, being sparsely populated. Two areas of upland common named Beacon Hill and Maelienydd lie at its heart, which are surrounded by farms and a network of small communities located in the adjoining lower river valleys.

Objectives of the study

1.3 The objectives of this report are therefore to develop a better understanding of wildlife within the Hills of

Radnor Living Landscape area and to identify opportunities for targeted biodiversity surveys, stakeholder

engagement and habitat enhancement work. The final report will act as a roadmap for landscape-scale

restoration.

Objectives:

a) Define a rational geographical boundary for the Living Landscape area in consultation with RWT,

which includes local communities.

b) Create a series of maps of the Living Landscape area showing existing habitats (phase 1 and 2 where it exists), designated sites and locations where habitat enhancement could benefit wildlife and connectivity within the landscape.

c) Use maps and species records to identify areas where priority species or habitats are known to exist

and work with volunteers to ground-truth opportunities for further targeted surveys or research projects.

d) Identify key landowner stakeholders and undertake interviews where possible to establish the

feasibility and practical work required to undertake habitat enhancement and improvements to

landscape connectivity.

e) Identify and consult with community groups and schools to investigate opportunities to engage them

in activities within the area.

f) Review Welsh Government strategies including agri-environment, forestry, tourism and river

catchment management plans and how they relate to the LL area. Identify potential funding streams

to support project work.

g) With the help of volunteers, identify at least 2 ‘wild walk’ routes to encourage people to enjoy the

landscape on foot and record wildlife while doing so.



1.4 The outputs of this project need to include:

a) A report (2 printed copies and a digital version) detailing the work that has been undertaken and

an outline plan for future activity. The following documents are to be attached as appendices to

the report so that they can be used in future work.

● List of priority (S42) species and habitats, plus any other locally important species that might

not be on the S42 list (e.g. lichens) with grid references/locations in the LL area

● Digital and printable maps showing location of priority species and areas to target with future

survey work

● Digital and printable maps showing designated sites (SSSI etc) in or near the LL area

● Digital and printable A4 map of the defined LL area (having consulted with RWT) identifying

communities and key features, to be used for future reports and publicity.

● Digital and printable maps at suitable scales showing Phase 1 (and phase 2 where appropriate)

habitats across the LL area

● Digital and printable maps at suitable scales showing desirable habitat enhancement or

creation opportunities within the LL area

● List of Water Framework Directive actions (Lugg and Teme catchments) that are relevant to the

LL area

● List of landowner stakeholders and contact details that have been interviewed, with location

and any outcomes for future habitat enhancement work

● A list of known biodiversity/water/habitat surveys or reports which are relevant to the LL area

● List of community groups in communities in or near the LL area, identifying any outcomes from

consultation

b) A record of 8 different volunteers being involved in the project, undertaking tasks such as ground

truthing, biodiversity surveys, researching etc

c) Attendance at one or more community events within the LL area to raise the profile of RWT and

to talk with people about local wildlife, with the intention of identifying target survey areas and

possible volunteers.



2 Methodology

Desk study and pre-existing information

2.1 A data search from the Local Records Centre on existing wildlife records was sought for the area.

2.2 A study of the Ordnance Survey (OS) maps and aerial photographs (using Google Maps) was conducted to

identify the area of the Site, its location and general landscape information.

2.3 Species records resulting from survey work carried out in the area will be supplied to the Biodiversity

Information Service for Powys (BIS), the Local [environmental] Records Centre.

Landowner engagement

2.4 Landowner contact details were sourced from RWS held contacts from previous projects carried out in

the LL area; RWT held contacts including its members and Wildlife Habitats Group; web-based internet

searches; and personal contacts leading from landowner and community group consultations.

2.5 Consultations were undertaken using site visits and face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews or by

email.

2.6 Landowners were asked to identify habitats or species of interest on their land, to identify any future

habitat enhancement work and for any other comments.

Community groups and schools consultation

2.7 Community and school contact details were mainly sourced from web-based internet searches; RWT

Education Officer sources; and personal contacts.

2.8 Consultations were undertaken using mainly telephone interviews and emails and the occasional site

visit.

2.9 Community groups and schools were asked to describe any areas of interest they currently have for

wildlife, what wildlife they are interested in learning more about or surveying for, what input we could

give them, and for any other comments.

Wild walk routes

2.10 RWT staff member Darylle Hardy worked with volunteers and RWS to identify three wild walk routes.

Review of Welsh Government strategies

2.11 Web-based research was undertaken to locate core sources of Welsh Government strategies actions that

are relevant to LL area.

Water Framework Directive actions

2.12 Web-based research was undertaken to locate core sources for Water Framework Directive actions that

are relevant to LL area for the Rivers Aran, Ithon, Lugg and Teme catchments. A list of summarised

actions was produced in Excel spreadsheet format.



List of known biodiversity surveys and reports

2.13 A list has been compiled using local knowledge of surveys conducted within the LL area and Google

searches relating to sites and locations within the LL.

Future funding opportunities

2.14 A list has been compiled using web-based research of funder’s websites to identify potential funding

streams to support future project work.

Constraints

2.15 All surveys were conducted in autumn/winter 2014. This is outside the optimal period for wildlife surveys.

3 Area description

3.1 The Hills of Radnor Living Landscape area forms the main part of north-east Radnorshire, in the modern county of Powys, centred at grid reference NGR: SO 17 74. The area is a very rural one, being sparsely populated. Large areas of upland common named Beacon Hill and Maelienydd, the latter a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) lie at its heart, which is surrounded by farms and a network of small communities including Beguildy, Bleddfa, Dolau, Felindre, Knucklas, Llanbadarn Fynydd, Llanbister, Llanddewi Ystradenni and Llangunllo, located in the adjoining lower valleys of the Rivers Aran, Ithon, Lugg and Teme. The River Ithon forms the western boundary of the LL area and the River Teme the eastern boundary.

3.2 The source of the River Teme is located just west of Felindre, in the Kerry Hills on Cilfaesty Common

flowing south-east along the English/Welsh border through the Welsh market town of Knighton and on

through England to Ludlow and Worcester where it joins the River Severn. The whole length of the Teme

is designated an SSSI on account of its ecological value supporting important species such as brook and

sea lampreys, bullhead, grayling, otter, salmon, twaite shad and white-clawed crayfish.

3.3 The Rivers Aran, Ithon and Lugg are all tributaries of the River Wye which occur in the LL area, the River

Wye itself lying to the west outside of the LL area. The River Wye and several tributaries are designated

as a Special Area of Conservation due to its rich wildlife and habitat. The Aran, Ithon, Lugg and

headwaters are designated as SSSI.

3.4 Glyndwr’s Way National Trail forms a significant and important route through the LL area. It heads west

from Knighton to Llangunllo Station where from it turns north to run centrally through Beacon Hill

Common to Felindre. It then heads west again to Llanbadarn Fynydd.

3.5 The Kerry Ridgeway path runs east to west from north of Llanbadarn Fynydd to north of Felindre and

marks the northern boundary of the LL area. The southern LL boundary lies roughly north of the A488

road between Penybont and Knighton.

3.6 The RWT own and manage two nature reserves within the LL area; Cnwch Bank and Tylcau Hill. They have

until recently had a conservation lease over Beacon Hill Common (since 1993) from the owners the Crown

Estate. This was relinquished in 2012 on purchase of the adjoining Cnwch Bank.

3.7 RWT/RWS also work closely with Powys County Council in undertaking annual botanical surveys of

several roadside nature reserves within the LL area.



4 Results

A total of 14 different volunteers were involved in undertaking ground-truthing, biodiversity surveys and

desk research. A record of volunteer hours has been kept.

Priority (S42) species and habitats

4.1 A list of priority (S42) species and habitats and other locally important species can be found in Appendix

5.

4.2 Landowner engagement

4.3 A total of 36 landowners were contacted. A full list of landowner names, address and contact details can

be found in Appendix 7. Please note Appendix 7 is confidential. This lists landowners that have been

contacted, their habitat and species of interest and future work identified.

4.4 Many landowners were supportive of some kind of future wildlife enhancement projects, although they

could not identify specific projects or ideas, but would be open to discussion.

Community groups and schools consultation

4.5 Total of 30 community groups and schools were contacted. A full list of names and contact details can be

found in Appendix 7 Please note Appendix 7 is confidential. This lists groups and schools that have been

contacted, their areas of interest and feedback comments.

Wild walk routes

4.6 A total of three ‘Wild Walks in Radnorshire’ routes were produced, which can be found in Appendix 9.

Each walk route lists the distance, time it takes, route difficulty, parking, and has a walk route description

with wildlife notes and photographs.

Review of Welsh Government strategies

4.7 The following list sets out Welsh Government strategies followed by a brief review.

4.8 An introduction to Glastir and other UK agri-environment schemes. (2011)

(Stated aims are to balance need for food and protect environment; be accessible to all; support

biodiversity, climate change and water outputs; spread money for implementing agri-environment work

more widely among farmers. Scheme is designed to cover farmer’s costs delivering environment goods

and encourage them to manage land to reduce impact on climate change and the environment. Farmers

have options to achieve a point system ie native tree planting, hedgerow management, retaining winter

stubble etc and good environment practices. Upper level entry focuses on soil carbon management,

water quality and management, biodiversity, historic environment and improved access. Farmers submit

an expression of interest for the advanced level which may be selected if land meets objectives.

Information on farms taking up Glastir is not currently available to the general public.)



4.9 The Environment Strategy for Wales (2006) (and subsequent Environment Strategy Action Plan 2008-

2011(2008)).

(Reviews, recognises change and sets out actions for strategic and long term approach to environmental

improvement. Links to other key strategies that will help deliver ES outcomes. Lists actions for

biodiversity, access and recreation, water management, ecosystems services, research, people and the

environment, partnerships and environmental quality, and provides list of outcomes, indicators and

progress.)

4.10 Sustainable Development Scheme and Action Plan

(Main strategy that sets out vision for sustainable future for Wales in terms of social change, economic

and environmental improvement work)

4.11 One Wales: One Planet – the Sustainable Development Scheme of the Welsh Assembly Government

(2009).

(Sets out vision for sustainable development, aims and approach, and lists actions and indicators for

sustainable resource use, the environment, economy, society and wellbeing. It also highlights support for

roles other organisations and businesses can play.)

4.12 Community Strategies

(For each local authority area, to develop and deliver shared community visions including sustainable

development, climate change and the environment, including biodiversity, flood risk and environmental

education.)

4.13 Wales’ Fisheries Strategy

(Sets out long term management and development of fisheries, to support development of sustainable

and the environment.)

4.14 The Climate Change Strategy for Wales (2010).

(Sets out reduction targets of carbon emissions, and commitments to improve energy efficiency.)

4.15 Towards Zero Waste (2010).

(Sets out environmentally sustainable waste management and targets to achieve successful

environmental outcomes.)

4.16 Woodlands for Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government’s Strategy for Woodlands and Trees (2009).

(Identifies 6 key outcomes for woodlands: the need for more sustainable management; healthy and

resilient ecosystems; better adapted to deliver a full range of benefits; increase woodland cover in Wales;

relate management more closely to other land uses; and urban woodlands and trees deliver a full range

of benefits.)



4.17 The Action Plan for Pollinators in Wales (2013)

(Recognises importance of pollinators to economy. It looks into issues surrounding pollinators and their

conservation and areas of concern, and sets out vision, outcomes and action to improve conditions for

pollinators and to halt and reverse their decline in Wales.)

4.18 Trunk road estate biodiversity action plan 2014-14 (2004).

(Includes the A483. A useful plan which lists biodiversity action plans in some detail. Lists relevant plans,

objectives including biodiversity, key issues, plan development and consultation, detailed action plans,

delivery and targets.)

4.19 Partnership for Growth: The Welsh Government Strategy for Tourism 2013-2020 (2013)

(Sets out to achieve growth in tourism earnings in Wales of 10% by 2020. Generally identifies the Wales

natural environment as a major tourism asset, and considers its use in growing tourism sustainability.

Reviews and highlights the tourism experience and tourism market and sets out areas for growth and

development.)

Water Framework Directive actions

4.20 A list of WFD actions which are relevant to the LL river catchments can be found in Appendix 10.

List of known biodiversity surveys and reports

4.21 The following lists set out known biodiversity and habitat survey and reports relevant to the Hills of

Radnor Living Landscape area followed by a brief review.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

4.22 Site Management Statement (SMS) documents, SSSI Citations and ‘Operations likely to damage the

special interest’ have been produced by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) (formerly Countryside Council

for Wales) for the following SSSI sites within the LL:

Cwmsaise SSSI - SMS, Citation and Operations;

Far Hall Meadow SSSI - SMS, Citation and Operations;

Ithon Valley Woodlands SSSI - SMS, Citation, Operations;

Llymwynt Brook Pastures SSSI - SMS, Citation, Operations;

Lower Caerfaelog Pasture SSSI - SMS, Citation, Operations;

Maelienydd SSSI - SMS, Citation, Operations;

River Ithon SSSI - SMS, Citation, Operations;

River Lugg SSSI - SMS, Citation, Operations;

River Teme - Natural England document only (cross county citation (Hereford & Worcester/ Shropshire/ Powys); and

Gwernaffel Dingle - SMS, Citation, Operations

4.23 The above documents are available as PDF files from NRW and online. The SSSI citations for each of the

above are included in Appendix 4.



Special Area of Conservation (SAC)

4.24 Chris Dyson (2008) Core Management Plan (including conservation objectives) for River Wye Special Area

of Conservation. Countryside Council for Wales

River Ithon, Management Unit 7

(Provides lists of conservation objectives and performance indicators for the water course to achieve favourable conservation status.)

4.25 Atkins (2014) River Wye SAC Nutrient Management Plan Evidence base and options appraisal. Produced

by Atkins for Environment Agency and Natural England

River Lugg

(An action plan that focuses on sources for phosphates within the catchment.)

River Catchments and Water Quality

4.26 Professor P. Whitehead, D. Butterfield and Dr A. Wade (2008) Potential impacts of climate change on

river water quality. Science Report - SC070043/SR1. Environment Agency

River Lugg

(Focuses on climate change issues with respect to water quality impacts through nitrate and phosphorus levels.)

4.27 Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales (2014) Severn River Basin District. Consultation on the

draft Flood Risk Management Plan.

(Provides evidence on flood risk and climate change to support decision making.)

4.28 JBA consulting (2013) Restoring the River Teme SSSI – A River Restoration Plan. Technical Report. Second

edition.

(Assesses existing river condition and details pressures, solutions and restoration opportunities.)

4.29 Natural Resources Wales (2012) Ithon Catchment Action Plan for WFD 2015. Printed copy, redacted for

RWT

(Details current water catchment status, pressure and actions to improve water quality.)

4.30 Environment Agency (2009) Water for life and livelihoods. River Basin Management Plan Severn River

Basin District

River Teme

River Lugg

Wye catchment

(Details current water catchment status, pressure and actions to improve water quality.)

4.31 Natural England & Environment Agency (2010) River Teme SSSI Diffuse Water Pollution Plan. Authors

(Details water quality, catchment status, WFD phosphorus classification and targets, assessments,

measures in place and additional measures and outcomes.)



Beacon Hill surveys & reports

4.32 Steve Chambers (2009) Beacon Hill Botanical Survey. Radnorshire Wildlife Services

(Found some important and nationally scarce lichens including very rare lichen which was a new record

for Wales and only the second record for Britain. Fron Rocks the best area for lichens on Beacon Hill

Common.)

4.33 Sue Buckingham (2009) Beacon Hill, Heather Condition Survey, Radnorshire Wildlife Trust

(Comprehensive survey which concluded that current cutting and burning management will maintain

heather areas which occurr on hill tops so long as grazing intensity was not increased; potential to

increase heather through bracken control; if management is introduced to areas of bracken with a

grassland under-storey there is the potential to increase livestock grazing and reduce the grazing pressure

on heathland vegetation; without change of management where the condition of the remnant heather

is of concern there is likely to be a reduction in area of heather across the area; motorcycle activity needs

to be addressed to stop soil damage and erosion and encourage vegetation to re-establish.)

4.34 Chris Ledbury (2012) Beacon Hill 2009-12 Final Report. Radnorshire Wildlife Services

(The report documents achievements of Biffaward funding including the creation of 17 pools, bracken

control, reptile survey, pond survey work, gorse survey, pool repairs, recreation monitoring, awareness

raising, grouse monitoring, moth surveys, community consultation, management issues and purchase of

Cnwch bank RWT reserve.)

4.35 RWS (2010) Beacon Hill-the next 10 years. Radnorshire Wildlife Services

(Brings together and documents several baseline surveys - higher and lower plants, invertebrates and

birds carried out across the area in 2009 to inform future management and build good working

relationships with commoners. It prepares a proposal for a second funding year.)

4.36 Phil Ward (2009) Beacon Hill Common - Ecological Survey. WARD Ecology Ecological Consultants

(Documents methodology and results of surveys for dragonflies, plants, phase 1 habitats, pool and stream

invertebrates, and photo monitoring)

4.37 Pond Conservation (2012) Million ponds project. Bringing back clean water into the countryside.

4.38 Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (2009) Red Grouse on Beacon Hill.

(Reviews and considers grouse management and monitoring on Beacon Hill)

4.39 The Crown Estate. (2009) The Crown Estate Biodiversity Action Plan.

(Section of the Rural Estate including Welsh Commons. A summary that the Crown Estate will manage its

estates in accordance with UK and local BAP. A habitat and species audit and BAP will be carried out on

each estate. This will evolve into a Rural Action Plan to include monitoring and projects. It is stated that

BAP action plans will be reviewed annually with agents and every 3 years by an environmental consultant

or local Wildlife Trust to look at priority species and habitats.)



RWS/RWT reports

4.40 K. Gaisford & P. Ward (2013) Report on baseline flora and fauna surveys at Greenstreet Larches, Llangullo.

Radnorshire Wildlife Trust for Knighton Tree Awareness Trust

(Survey report of small woodland site at Llangunllo which undertook plant, invertebrate, lichen, butterfly

and moth surveys.)

4.41 Peter Powell (2012) Himalayan Balsam on the River Aran catchment July 2012. RWT internal report.

(Short report on species distribution and management along the River Aran catchment, including maps

with high, moderate, and clear areas of Himalayan Balsam)

Biodiversity Action Plans

4.42 Powys BAP habitat and species action plans.

Habitats (list of habitat action plans relevant to the area)

Coniferous Woodland

Farmland

Garden habitat

Linear habitats

Low dry acid grassland

Lowland raised bog

Lowland meadows

Lowland wood pasture

Mesotrophic waters

Rhos pastures

Rivers and streams

Scrub and ffridd

Upland lowland heath

Upland oak woodland

Wet woodland


Scoping Project Hills of Radnor Living Landscape Radnorshire Wildlife Services: December 2014 - DRAFT REPORT

Species (BAP species list of those most applicable to area):

Alien plant species

Brown hare

Brown trout

Curlew

European otter

Great crested newt

Hazel dormouse

Nightjar

Pillwort

Pipistrelle bat

Red kite

River lamprey

Water vole

Waxcap grasslands

White clawed crayfish

Wood bitter vetch

Maps

4.43 Environment Agency Wales (2014) Potential Wetland Identification Results Phase 1. Held by RWS.

Other

4.44 J. Hall and P Sambrook (2012) Uplands Initiative. Radnorshire Small Commons Archaeological Survey. Trysor

for Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

Contains information on the Maelienydd

4.45 R. Hayman & W. Horton (2008) The Uplands Initiative. Beacon Hill An Archeological Survey. Author for

RCAHM Wales

4.46 R. Hankinson (2006) Beguildy-Llangunllo Uplands Survey (East Radnorshire). Archaeological Field Survey.

CPAT report No. 779. The Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust for RCAHM Wales

4.47 P. Nicolet, et al (2007) A preliminary assessment of Important Areas for Ponds (IAPs) in Wales. Pond

Conservation produced for Countryside Council for Wales

Contains information on the Maelienydd



Future funding opportunities

4.48 The following list in Table 1 sets out potential funding schemes relevant to the LL area.

Table 1 - List of funding schemes

Organisation

name

Funding amount

available

Name of fund Criteria % funding

available

Big Lottery Fund £500-£5,000 (For

1 year)

Awards for All

Wales

For voluntary &

community

groups. For

projects which aim

to help improve

local communities.

100% available

Big Lottery Fund £5,000-£1m over 3

years

People & Places Needs to benefit

communities in

Wales through co-

ordinated action

including

enhancing local

environments.

Up to 100%

available

Biffa award Up to £10,000 Rebuilding

Biodiversity

Must be within 25

miles of a Biffa

landfill site. Site

based projects

that protect &

enhance

biodiversity and

lead to habitat or

species

improvements.

95% available

British Ecological

Society

Up to £5,000 Research and

training grants for

ecological studies.

100% available

Chestnut Fund

(administered by

TCV)

Up to £350 Grants for

Conservation

For tools,

equipment,

training for

community groups

to carry out

conservation

actions

100%



Environment

Wales

Up to £12,000 Various Funds start up

grants for new

community

groups, ecological

surveys, training,

project materials

& equipment, and

towards new job

posts.

100%

Esmee Fairburn

Foundation

£5,000-£500,000

Up to 5 years

Main Fund-

Environment

Work that

encourages

species, habitats

and partnership

working.

100%, although if

cost is high,

additional sources

of match-funding

would be needed.

Heritage Lottery

Fund

£100,000-£3m Landscape

Partnerships

Areas between

20km2 & 200km2.

Landscape

partnership

schemes that

make a lasting

difference for

heritage and

people.

5-10%

contribution

Natural Resources

Wales

Grants For registered

charities. To

benefit people &

wildlife.

Up to 50%

Powys County

Council

Powys Community

Nectar Tree

Scheme

May have funding

for fruit trees.

Severn Rivers

Trust

Funding available

for landowners for

river corridor

fencing etc?

Tree Council £100-£700 Orchard Windfalls

Fund

For planting apple

& pear trees with

school and

community

groups. Children

aged 16 & under

75% available



have to be

involved on

publicly accessible

land.

Tree Council £100-£700 Tree Futures-

Community Trees

Tree planting with

school and

community

groups. Children

aged 16 & under

are have to be

involved on

publicly accessible

land.

75% available

Welsh

Government

? Sustainable

Development

Fund (Although for

Wales’ AONB’s &

National Parks, it

includes areas

outside these

where funds have

a positive impact

on protected

areas, ie.Wye

Valley AONB?)

Projects that

conserve and

enhance

landscape

including wildlife

through practical

actions on the

ground.

75%

Welsh

Government

Water Framework

Directive funding

Funding may be

available for river

catchments?

Welsh

Ornithological

Society

£500-£1000 Small grant

scheme &

donations to bird

research

Bird research 100%

Wye & Usk

Foundation

Current funding

available for River

Ithon catchment

fencing

PEP funding £750 Community

environment

projects

50%. Needs match

funding of 50% ie

volunteer time



5 Evaluation

5.1 Consultation revealed that just about all landowners and community groups were supportive or interested

in helping with future wildlife enhancements of the LL area.

5.2 The Hills of Radnor LL is a large project area with potential to work more closely with many organisations,

landowners, groups and volunteers. There is huge potential for community involvement to help deliver

local projects on the ground together with many educational benefits this brings.

5.3 Concern was raised over lack of parking facilities for visitors to gain access to footpaths over Beacon Hill

Common. “Remarkably few points of access altogether on the Common, with Beacon Lodge, Tynyryn and

Beguildy entrances the only ones accessible to most people”. This is an important consideration for

encouraging further wildlife tourism and walkers to the Common.

5.4 Many local churchyards exist within the LL area. Some church groups including those who manage churches

in Beguildy, Bleddfa, Crug-y-Bydder, Heyope and Llangunllo are already undertaking small enhancements

such as tree planting with funding (in association with funded projects through ‘Caring for God’s Acre’).

Many of these churches have potential for further wildlife enhancements.

5.5 The Knighton based Teme Valley Environment Group (TVEG) comprise very active volunteers (c.40

members) within the Teme Valley area. They have their own website and six sub-groups: Allotments, Edible

Knighton, Tidy Towns, Transport, and a Woodland group which have set up the Knighton Tree Allotments

Trust - a not for profit company who lease and manage two woods for wood fuel and wood produce to also

benefit wildlife. The TVEG groups appear very well set up, organised and self contained. As such, it is

suggested that RWT involvement with this group take on a supporting and advisory role.

5.6 The TVEG Tidy Towns group have recently undertaken riverfly population monitoring at three sites on the

River Teme in partnership with the Severn Rivers Trust and two members recently attended an Otter

training day. There is potential to work with the Severn Rivers Trust and Wye and Usk Foundation to involve

other local groups including fishermen to undertake riverfly monitoring on other rivers within the LL area.

5.7 The control of alien invasive Himalayan Balsam is of priority concern. The TVEG recently found it on the

River Teme near Knighton and Knucklas in 2014, and it also occurs on at least two sites along the River

Ithon at Llanbabarn Fynydd and downstream at Dolau Jenkin, but probably occurs at other sites between

these. It is also present on the River Aran which flows into the River Ithon near Dolau Jenkin and further

along the River Aran catchment around Dolau and Llanfihangel Rhydithon. Previous management by RWT

has been carried out in the area.

5.8 There is good opportunity to work with the Severn Rivers Trust, Wye and Usk Foundation, landowners and

local communities to eradicate this plant from the LL river catchments. Funding may be available under the

WFD.

5.9 Commons areas including Beacon Hill Common, Cilfaesty Hill Common and Maelienydd have huge potential

to work with landowners, commoners and organisations including The Crown Estate, Gamekeepers

Association, NRW, in heather, grouse and grazing management to increase biodiversity. Some survey and

management work has been carried out previously by RWT/RWS on the Beacon Hill Common area during

2009-12. The upland commons areas have appropriate habitat for many priority species including birds



such as curlew, hen harrier, lapwing, ring ouzel, merlin and skylark, interesting and rare plants such as

pillwort, and grassland fungi such as waxcaps.

5.10 Apart from the Maelienydd SSSI, main river catchment areas and some recent work by RWT on Beacon Hill

Common, the LL area has been poorly covered in terms of wildlife recording with large gaps in coverage of

species and areas within the LL. As such, it is difficult to ascertain local occurrence, distribution and

population levels of many species. Some important species do occur but greater survey and monitoring

effort of a wide range of species including priority birds, fungi, invertebrates, lichens, mammals, plants and

reptiles and amphibians is obviously needed. Existing county recorders and the LRC can play a vital role in

targeting species and areas and encourage and train new recorders from the local community.

5.11 One sporting tenant is actively involved in undertaking red grouse management over Beacon Hill Common.

Numbers of red grouse on Beacon Hill Common fluctuate slightly from year to year, but yearly counts have

produced an average figure of 10 pairs. The sporting tenant is keen to increase this number and is also very

interested in a possible re-introduction of black grouse to the area in the future. He has been researching

information on black grouse management and successful re-introduction to parts of North Wales. No

populations of black grouse currently exist in Radnorshire. This would be a matter for some further

research and feasibility study.

5.12 In terms of recording, there is a network of established local county recorders most of which can be called

on for their expertise and support. The Wildlife Trust’s themselves are responding to the current lack of

wildlife surveys and monitoring and are currently developing their own scheme known as ‘Living Map’ to

cover the UK Living Landscape areas. A working group has been set up. This is obviously something which is

designed specifically for use in the LL areas and something which RWT can involve themselves with and

access in the immediate future.



6 Recommendations

6.1 The recommendations below form an outline plan for future action in the LL area.

Potential future projects

6.2 From all consultation undertaken and information gathered including existing wildlife records, a list of

potential future projects has been identified in Table 2. These include ‘citizen science’ opportunities and

activities to engage local communities and schools.

Table 2 - List of potential future projects

Small holders - Providing management help and advice and identify wildlife grants (ie. for creation of

ponds)

Although many smallholders have already provided wildlife areas through creating ponds, hedges, tree

planting etc, several stated that they would like to create/provide habitat for wildlife including ponds or

manage existing ponds which are becoming overgrown. This includes creating a weir pond near the River

Teme at Lloyney; provision of an earth bund on land drain to create pond at Llanfihangel Rhydithon; re-

instate an old mill pond and leat on a site east of Llanbister; pond management at silted up ponds at

Llangunllo and help with pond management for an existing great crested newt site near Crossgates .

Other wildlife enhancements smallholders would be interested in and needed help with included

grassland/wildflower meadow creation and management at Llanbister and Dolau, hedgerow management

at Lloyney, planting of fruit trees for bees at Llanbister, tree planting to create shelter belts at Llanfihangel

Rhydithon, woodland management of sites near Llanbister Road and Felindre, woodland fencing from

grazing to encourage regeneration at Dolau, provision of bird nest boxes, bat boxes and dormice boxes at

several sites.

Obviously there is great scope for RWT to work with many small holders across the whole area of the LL.

These small holders are easy to engage with as they either already provide wildlife enhancements or are

keen to do so, several of which are already members of RWT.

Cilfaesty Hill Common upland management

This smaller area of common land is located on the north Radnorshire border north-east of Llanbadarn

Fynydd. There are 6 commoners who have grazing turn outs rights to Cilfaesty Common and who all reside

adjacent to the common. The Common includes heather moorland, and species such as curlew, skylark and

hare, which identifies the area as of local and national importance.

Cilfaesty Common can form a project area to bring together the 6 commoners to benefit the biodiversity of

the Common though a co-ordinated approach. This would include working with the commoners in

undertaking grazing/heather management, bracken control to benefit biodiversity and create better

habitat for nesting birds, pool creation for dragonflies, amphibians and feeding birds, and hedgerow

creation and management.

Little wildlife recording has taken place in this area and it would be worthwhile undertaking upland surveys

including for breeding birds, heather condition, and other potential species to better understand what



wildlife occurs on the Common.

Beacon Hill Common upland management and access and interpretation provision

The large area of Beacon Hill Common is very much a core area within the LL and includes large areas of

heather moorland, streams, and pools, several rare plants including the aquatic pillwort which occurs in

pools within the Pool Hill area, curlew, red grouse, skylark, bullhead, and dragonflies.

Much funded work has been done previously by RWT mostly during 2009-12, which involved working

closely with the 65 commoners, including much bracken control management, creation of 20 new pools,

and many wildlife surveys of the Common.

This project will maintain close working relationships with the commoners and continue to enhance the

area for wildlife and peoples enjoyment. Work identified from consultation includes further bracken

control, further pond creation, undertaking heather management for grouse and upland nesting birds,

provision of interpretation boards at key points particularly along the route of Glyndwr’s Way including at

Cefn Pawl, the Felindre to Llanbister road at SO154765, the layby on the B4355 at Dutlas at SO211777 and

at Beacon Lodge, and identifying and creating better parking provision for key walking access points to

areas of the Common including at Rhos Crug. It was expressed that there are very few safe places to park to

access the rights-of-way and maybe encouraging farmers to provide parking facilities might be possible

under a future LL project. Partnership work is needed with landowners, Powys County Council highways

and rights of way departments.

The Common is also in need of further survey work on many priority and local species including upland

breeding birds, plants, lichens and invertebrates.

Eradication of alien invasive Himalayan Balsam on main rivers

Himalayan Balsam is currently known to occur along river habitat adjoining the Rivers Aran, Ithon and

Teme. RWT report (Powell 2012) on Balsam control provides maps of infested areas along the River Aran

catchment. Other known sites include the River Ithon at Llanbadarn Fynydd, Dolau Jenkin and one

unknown site along the River Teme near Knighton (pers.com.)

A project to work with landowners and volunteers to identify and eradicate this alien species along the

catchments and protect riverine species and habitat. RWT and volunteers had done some control

previously. More work needs to be done to identify existing sites and undertake a programme of control of

Himalayan Balsam using volunteer helpers.

Broad-leaved woodland/tree management

A project to work with landowners in managing new and existing woodland habitat. Landowners who

expressed an interest included ones at Dolau, Felindre, Knighton, Llangunllo and Penybont. One landowner

suggested woodland management to provide own biomass fuel for farm.

Glastir offer two stand-alone schemes to land managers for either Glastir Woodland Creation (GWC) or

Glastir Woodland Management (GWM). GWC is to create new woodlands, with grants available to

contribute to the cost of establishing new woodland, fencing to protect trees from livestock and income

foregone payments when holding a GWC contract. GWM is to manage existing woodlands of 0.5ha or more



in a single block, with grants available for tree thinning, restocking, infrastructure, fencing, priority species,

vegetation management, pest control, and public access.

Priority species can include dormice, with this species being recently found at Llangunllo, woodland

management in this area for dormice is recommended.

Pond creation and restoration

We have already mentioned ponds for small holders and in areas of common land in other projects above.

However, there is huge potential to work with other landowners and community groups to identify sites

and undertake pond creation/restoration and provide future pond management advice across the LL area.

Several farms have existing ponds which need management.

Currently within the LL area, great crested newts are found in several ponds around the east side of Beacon

Hill Common, the Maelienydd and one site north-east of Llangunllo. Further survey and creation of ponds in

these areas would benefit this and other amphibian species. Great crested newts need a network of fish-

free ponds within a local area for breeding and safe passage and refuges on land for hibernation.

6.3 RWT/RWS undertook creation of over 20 new pools as part of the Beacon Hill project in 2009-12. The

creation of more new pools or ponds is a relatively easy habitat enhancement to undertake. The creation of

more pools spread further across the LL area would be a worthwhile landscape scale project which would

greatly benefit biodiversity including dragonflies and aquatic invertebrates, aquatic plants, amphibians,

feeding birds, and encourage scarce species including great crested newt, pillwort, scarce blue-tailed

damselfly and water vole. New ponds particularly in areas which have none or few, would allow natural

spread and colonisation of many species to occur.

Survey for breeding Curlew and identify potential habitat

Curlew is a Red Listed bird species in the UK and a Powys LBAP species which has to be taken into account

during any future planning proposals in potential habitat. Our current understanding of curlew distribution

and habitat suitability in the area is poor, so future work in partnership with bird recording organisations,

recording community, landowners and volunteers to help undertake surveys for breeding curlew (& other

wading birds including lapwing) is urgently needed to identify breeding and feeding territory and potential

sites.

From records, known curlew breeding sites include Maelienydd and Beacon Hill Common, with

spring/summer records also known from the River Aran near Llanfihangel Rhydithon, Bailey Hill (east of

Knighton) and Cilfaesty Common (pers.comm.).

Upland pond surveys for scarce species

Many ponds exist across the LL area but many have never been surveyed. Surveys of 21 pools and ponds

have been carried out over the Beacon Hill Common area in 2009 (Ward Ecology 2009). This included

vegetation mapping, dragonfly and invertebrate surveys of pools.

This project will work with landowners, volunteers and experts to undertake surveys for scarce species

including: temporal or seasonal upland pools for Fairy Shrimp (no known records in LL area, but occurs in

other pools in south Radnorshire commons); Great Crested Newt (see ‘pond creation and restoration’



project above); open and grazed temporary pools for Pillwort being a specialist of bare pond

edges(currently recorded Maelienydd and Pool Hill); early successional bog pools with some habitat

disturbance which maintains bare ground for Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly (Maelienydd), etc.

Survey results and data shall be input into local/national BAP’s, LRC’s and recording societies.

Survey for Adder and identify potential habitat

Records of adder within Radnorshire are decidedly scarce with a recent record for Knighton Station. Limited

work has been undertaken over the area to ascertain adder presence or absence. RWS undertook a

reptile/adder survey of eight areas of suitable habitat sites across the whole of the Beacon Hill Common in

2011 which found no presence of adder. This type of survey can be repeated across further areas of the LL

including the Maelienydd and Cilfaesty Common. Suitable habitat to survey includes areas of heather and

adjoining gorse, scrub, bracken and bramble.

This project will work with landowners and train volunteers to undertake surveys for adder and potential

adder habitat.

Survey for heather condition

Heather moorland is a priority habitat in the UK and Powys LBAP. Some large areas of heather moorland

are present within the LL area. RWT/RWS has previously undertaken a heather condition survey of the

Beacon Hill Common area in 2009 (Buckingham, 2009), with maps produced of dominant heathland

species, age and % cover (RWS 2010). Similar surveys across other suitable areas of the LL would be

worthwhile and would link in with heather management for many species. Buckingham also recommended

that Beacon Hill Common be resurveyed in 5 years time!

Work with landowners and commoners to identify and survey for heather condition across suitable areas

within the LL area and provide management recommendations/advice to landowners.

Survey for bees and habitat (including Tormentil mining bee, bilberry bumblebee and other bees)

Surveys for bees including many declining and UK BAP species would be worthwhile. Current knowledge of

bee distribution in Radnorshire is very poor with little focused recording undertaken. A recent small study

by bee recorder Janice Vincett (pers. comm.) identified the presence of the rare and declining Tormentil

mining bee in the Elan Valley in west Radnorshire. Previous recording by the Radnorshire Invertebrate

Group have found the scarce Bilberry Bumblebee to to presence on the Beacon Hill area.

Habitat areas which have abundant tormentil within the LL area should be surveyed for this bee along with

other suitable nesting bee areas to ascertain more detail on bee habitats within the LL area. For instance,

the area of Cefn Lledren has been found to be a good location for large areas of tormentil.

This project would work in partnership with Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Powys LBAP officer and expert

entomologists to identify species and important areas for bees. The LL area has good potential to support

rarer species, some of which are associated with heather and upland habitats.

Records from surveys would be input into local/national BAP’s, LRC’s and recording societies.



Orchard planting

6.4 The decline in nectar feeding insects particularly bees are very much at the forefront of recent conservation

action and policy.

6.5 RWT has recently 2013-15 planted orchard trees on its reserve of Tylcau Hill. RWT staff knowledge, orchard

tree sourcing, planting and management can be used to good effect in supporting and helping further fruit

tree/orchard planting sites across the LL area. It is known that Powys County Council (PCC) provided fruit

trees in 2014 to the Dolau Station Action Group under the Powys Community Nectar Tree Scheme.

6.6 One landowner near Llanbister expressed they would like to plant pear trees to supplement their other in

orchard trees and another landowner near Penybont would like to add more fruit trees to existing small

orchards.

Clover fields for bumblebees

One landowner expressed desire to create more red and white clover fields for stock grazing and nitrogen

fixing. Clover fields would hugely benefit bumblebees and other nectar feeding insects.

A project to encourage landowners, provide advice and resources for clover seeding would be an extremely

worthwhile and beneficial biodiversity project for managed improved fields across the LL area.

Survey and monitoring for Dormouse

Dormice (a European Protected Species) have recently been found near Llangunllo in 2014. This record lies

somewhat north of the existing known dormice range in south Radnorshire. Llangunllo and Knighton

community groups would be interested in helping undertake dormice nut hunts and monitoring.

Providing nest boxes and undertaking dormice surveys and monitoring around the area is an important

project to ascertain areas of presence, population level and habitat suitability, and aims to work with

landowners, community groups, volunteers, the Radnorshire Mammal Group and NRW.

The work would involve volunteers, community groups and schools to make dormouse nest boxes,

undertake dormice nut hunts, install nest boxes and undertake site monitoring.

This project would be very suitable for Powys Environmental Partnership (PEP) funding, which requires 50%

match fund from volunteer time.

Knighton’s Wild Places

RWT director has spoken directly with the TVEG. A project for RWT to support the TVEG aimed at finding

out more about Knighton’s wild spaces, undertaking surveying and mapping of the town area. RWT will

include offering training sessions on wildlife identification, GIS mapping and surveying, providing

opportunities to work with the Knighton community including church, school and youth groups, the latter

particularly focusing on the 16-24 year age group to encourage wildlife spotting through social media and

phone ‘apps’. The project would produce a series of e-postcards highlighting key wildlife species known to

be found in Knighton and support purchase of equipment including bat detectors, SMART survey devices,

insect nets, bug jars and pooters and identification charts.



Wild play in schools and community village halls

Schools in the area including Dolau and Llanbister have been contacted and are interested in involvement.

Dolau School has a wildlife garden committee. RWT have their own People and Wildlife Officer and

occasional education assistants. Funding can be sought to provide or support this role in raising wildlife

awareness, involvement and understanding with schools and community groups and the provision of

wildlife benefits including school conservation areas, ponds etc. RWT could provide ‘wildplay’ sessions

during school holidays in communities including Crossgates, Dolau, Knucklas, Knighton and Llanbister.

Community engagement though talks and wildlife events

Feedback from a selection of local community groups including church committees, WI, youth clubs and

community councils have expressed an interest in the project. Some said they would be interested in

knowing more and suggested us doing evening talks on the project and how to get involved. RWT has

already arranged a talk to the Teme Valley Gardeners Club in July 2015 and other groups including the

Llangunllo WI would be interested. This is obviously an excellent way to engage and involve groups face to

face and build on education, understanding, community links and volunteer participation opportunities.

River corridor action groups - litter picks and river wildlife surveys

The TVEG are a very active group of volunteers based in the Teme Valley. They carry out litter picks, wildlife

surveys and monitoring along the Teme. This type of long term involvement is extremely beneficial to the

local community in taking ‘ownership’ by adopting and caring for their stretch of river. Similar groups could

be set up in other river catchment areas across the LL area.

This type of project may involve partnership work with the Wye & Usk Foundation, Severn Rivers Trust,

NRW, landowners, volunteers and community groups.

Riverfly monitoring

A project to work with Wye & Usk Foundation, Severn Rivers Trust, landowners and community groups and

volunteers to train local community groups and individuals to ‘adopt’ a section of river to undertake regular

riverfly monitoring. This type of project may be included within the river corridor action group above or

may stand alone and target groups such as fishing clubs etc.

Monitoring for Salmon redds

The rivers in the area are important for salmon including key sites such as the Rivers Aran, Ithon and Lugg.

This project would work with and train local community groups and individuals to survey a section of river

for salmon redds. This would involve partnership work with the Wye & Usk Foundation, Severn Rivers Trust,

landowners and community groups and volunteers.

Tony Norman of the Wye & Usk Foundation has offered to train volunteers in recognition & survey

techniques.

Butterfly surveys and moth recording

Butterfly distribution is poorly known across the LL area. Work with the butterfly recording community,



local volunteer community and individuals would be undertaken to train local community groups and

individuals in undertaking regular butterfly monitoring. In Radnorshire as a whole, butterfly transects are

undertaken at only 3 or 4 sites, and none within the Hills of Radnor LL area. Sites such as Knucklas Castle

would make suitable transect locations for butterfly surveys and involvement with the Knucklas Castle

Community Land Project group volunteers. All data from butterfly surveys would be input into local and

national recording schemes and the LRC.

Moth ecology is very well known, being excellent indicators of good habitat and climate change. However,

very little work has been undertaken in the LL area. Local volunteers could be recruited to record moths

and with funding, provided with moth traps, identification guides and expert support from county

recorders. A similar and very successful scheme is run by the moth recorder for Brecknock with funding

from the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Records would be input into local and national recording schemes and LRC.

River corridor fencing

This project will help identify areas where river catchment fencing would enhance the riverine habitat,

protecting river banks from erosion from grazing.

Work with rivers trusts, WFU, landowners and NRW to help identify areas for river catchment fencing and

undertake fencing work.

One landowner would be happy to undertake woodland stream fencing but needs alternate watering

source for stock, with no mains water would need possible borehole.

Surveys for globeflower

A scarce and declining plant in Radnorshire which occurs in wet meadows and along rivers and stream

banks. It has an association with six species of ‘globeflower flies’ in the genus Chiastocheta, all of which

only breed in globeflower seed heads. These flies are very scarcely recorded in the UK, but recent work in

2013 on globeflower sites in the Elan Valley and Brecknock have found them to occur.

It is uncertain whether globeflower still occurs within the LL area. It was found at two sites north and south

of Llanbister in the 1980’s (Bailey’s Wood & Drainllwynbir), with no recent records. It would be worthwhile

undertaking surveys in and around this area of the River Ithon catchment to establish its continued

presence and the presence of Chiastocheta flies.

Work with the plant recording community, NRW, landowners, Radnorshire Invertebrate Group and

volunteer community to survey for globeflowers in potential areas and if found, globeflower flies, to

identify its current location and distribution within the LL area.

If the plant is present, then future potential to collect seeds and undertake a programme of increasing

stock for later re-introduction could be undertaken. Seed have been collected and plants successfully raised

by Andy Shaw near Builth Wells and Sorcha Lewis in the Elan Valley. Their expertise and experience can be

called on for growing seed stock plants.



Hedgerow planting, fencing and management

Several landowners across the LL area expressed an interest in planting new hedges and one small holder in

hedge laying at a site at Lloyney. Two landowners expressed concern over lack of funds for boundary

fencing maintence.

Hedgerow creation and fencing is a costly enhancement, and any available funding would no doubt

encourage more landowners to participate. A restriction is that most small-holders are not able or willing to

join agri-environment schemes. It would be ideal to have a scheme to support small-holders in planting

and management of hedgerows.

Reedbed filtration ponds

One landowner was interested in installing own reedbed filtration ponds as safeguard for organic waste

storage run off.

A project to provide expert advice on natural filtration systems and management would be worthwhile and

provide pond and reedbed biodiversity enhancements.

River Lugg headwaters survey

The upper source section of the River Lugg SSSI within the Beacon Hill Common area is known to have

underlying mildly calcareous rocks and a significant mix of grassland types, and as such is locally significant.

The species found alongside the river which prefer this more calcareous influence include carline thistle,

fen bedstraw, flea sedge, quaking grass, wild thyme and many unusual lichens on river stones (Chambers,

2009, and WARD Ecology, 2009).

Further concentrated survey work including lower plants would be worthwhile.

6.7 Several farmers and landowners would like to see bracken control undertaken, particularly for instance

where bracken encroaches onto more valuable habitat areas such as heather moorland. With Biffaward

funding during 2009-12, RWT purchased a bracken bruiser which undertook much bracken control with

help from landowners and commoners across the Beacon Hill Common area. However, the 3 year timescale

for this bracken control was deemed too short a timescale, and a funded programme of subsequent control

should aim at a more realistic timescale of up to 5 years. This allows initial areas of bracken to be controlled

through bruising with a programme of follow up spot treatment to be undertaken in later years. Maps were

produced showing bracken type and priority bracken control areas across Beacon Hill Common by RWS

(RWS 2010).

6.8 There is large potential to work more closely with farmers and landowners to provide better sustainable

management and future biodiversity enhancements such as site management for own biomass fuel

provision, natural filtration systems, increasing coverage of clover fields as well as influencing agricultural

payment schemes such as Glastir to make funding available for suitable schemes.



7 Conclusion

7.1 In conclusion, this scoping study report identifies many opportunities to undertake future community

engagement and wildlife biodiversity enhancements across the LL area. There is good support from

landowners and community groups who are interested in helping with future project work.

7.2 Future projects which deliver on the ground benefits for biodiversity, potential increases in Biodiversity

Action Plan species and habitats, and actions that support government strategies such as the Water

Framework Directive, will be looked upon favourably by relevant local and national authorities and

potential funding bodies. The Hills of Radnor LL area can provide many future projects and opportunities to

support these actions.

7.3 Key to achieving on the ground results is obviously the support of landowners and communities and

maintaining good working relationships with them. RWT is perfectly placed as a people’s charity

conservation organisation to continue to build further on these close partnerships.

7.4 RWT has identified and committed long term to the Hills of Radnor Living Landscape area, and its aims to

enhance the area for wildlife conservation and its cultural heritage. Through working closely with partner

organisations to halt biodiversity loss and hopefully increase it across the area, RWT can continue to

improve habitat and species connectivity across the Hills of Radnor project area in the immediate future.



8 Appendices

Appendix 1: Map of defined area (and as separate attached document)



Appendix 2: Map of Phase 1 habitats (and as separate attached document)



Appendix 3: Map of designated sites (and as separate attached document)



Appendix 4: SSSI citations

COUNTRYSIDE COUNCIL FOR WALES

SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST CITATION

POWYS ITHON VALLEY WOODLANDS

Date of Notification: 1981, 1983, 1989 National Grid Reference: SO 102658

O.S. Maps: 1:50,000 Sheet number: 147 and 148

1:25,000 Sheet number: SO 06 and SO 16

Site Area: 19 ha

Description:

The site is an important example of semi-natural mixed deciduous ancient woodland. It is relatively species-rich for woodland development on acid/neutral soils and contains uncommon plant species. The area is largely a plateau of level or gently east-facing slopes above the flood plain of the River Ithon. However, steeper ground occurs in the vicinity of the river and of east-flowing streams whose dingles dissect the plateau. The woodland is mainly open to grazing stock from the adjacent improved grassland, but in recent years the central area has been fenced out from stock. The woodland is varied in structure, with moderately grown maidens of sessile oak Quercus petraea being the dominant trees. However, the steeper slopes have a variable quantity of ash Fraxinus excelsior, and on poorly draining slopes the occasional alder Alnus glutinosa. The shrub layer is well developed, with abundant hazel Corylus avellana throughout, and other shrubs including holly Ilex aquifolium on the drier areas and guelder-rose Sorbus aucuparia on the lower slopes. Other tree and shrub species include rowan Sorbus aucuparia, birch Betula pendula and B. pubescens, goat willow Salix caprea and hawthorn Crataegus monogyna. The drier areas are intermediate in character between the oak-birch-wood sorrel (Quercus-Betula-Oxalis acetosella) vegetation type and the more base-rich ash-rowan-dog’s mercury (Fraxinus-Sorbus-Mercurialis perennis) community. They are, however, probably closer to the former despite a generally well developed herb layer with wood avens Geum urbanum, enchanter's-nightshade Circaea lutetiana and sanicle Sanicula europaea. Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum is also well represented. In grazed areas, the ground layer is more grass-dominated, with abundant creeping soft-grass Holcus mollis and frequent male-fern Dryopteris felix-mas. The damp slopes are botanically varied since they include both flushed slopes and receiving sites. There are few clear boundaries between vegetation types, other than in association with topography. The wetter stands may be described as an alder-ash-yellow pimpernel (Alnus-Fraxinus-Lysimachia nemorum) woodland, but alder is not well represented and the stands merge into types with affinities to both the vegetation communities described above. Characteristic is the presence of more ash and some guelder-rose, and a herb-rich layer including bugle Ajuga reptans, opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, remote sedge Carex remota and lady-fern Athyrium filix-femina. Locally uncommon species occurring in the varied area include broad-leaved helleborine Epipactis helleborine, herb-Paris Paris quadrifolia and, near the river, water avens Geum rivale. The site also includes two small areas of pasture close to the river. These provide shelter to a variety of insects, including common butterfly species such as meadow brown Maniola jurtina. The river bank provides nesting sites for sand martins.

This document is NOT a definitive legal version and has been formatted, updated and partially edited for use on the CCW Web site. This document should not be used in any legal proceedings, public enquiry or any other hearing or appeal. If you require a full legal copy of the document please contact CCW in writing.



COUNTRYSIDE COUNCIL FOR WALES SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST CITATION

POWYS LLYMWYNT BROOK PASTURES Date of Notification: 1999 National Grid Reference: SO 105770 O.S. Maps: 1:50,000 Sheet number: 148 1:10,000 Sheet number: SN 17 NW Site Area: 7.2 ha Description: Llymwynt Brook Pastures is of special interest for its areas of fen meadow and swamp, and associated mire, flush and fen vegetation. The site comprises of a series of fields on either side of the Llymwynt Brook near Llanbadarn Ffynydd, at an altitude of approximately 300m. The geology of this area is comprised of sedimentary rocks of Silurian age. The underlying clay soils have impeded drainage and some peat is accumulating in pockets next to the brook. A number of springs rise in the sloping fields on the south side of the valley. The westerly field south of the brook contains fen-meadow vegetation with purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea, carnation sedge Carex panicea, tawny sedge C. hostiana, meadow thistle Cirsium dissectum, quaking-grass Briza media, and devil’s-bit scabious Succisa pratensis. This vegetation grades into areas in which soft-rush Juncus effusus or sharp-flowered rush Juncus acutiflorus is abundant, growing with Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus, ragged-robin Lychnis flos-cuculi, greater bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus pedunculatus, and marsh thistle Cirsium palustre. Some prominant springheads occur along the top of the site, where small sedges such as carnation sedge, tawny sedge, common sedge Carex nigra and flea sedge Carex pulicaris and mosses such as Cratoneuron commutatum, Drepanocladus revolvens and the uncommon Trichocolea tomentella grow. Associated plants include marsh lousewort Pedicularis palustris, marsh arrowgrass Triglochin palustris, fen bedstraw Galium uliginosum, marsh valerian Valeriana dioica, common butterwort Pinguicula vulgaris and fairy flax Linum catharticum. To the north of the brook is an area of swamp occupied by lesser pond-sedge Carex acutiformis. Plants associated with the sedge are typically sparse but include wild angelica Angelica sylvestris and meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria. Small pockets of this vegetation also occur in the fields south of the brook. Springs in the valley bottom support tall fen vegetation variously dominated by meadowsweet, yellow iris Iris pseudacorus and wood club-rush Scirpus sylvaticus. The easterly field south of the brook supports mire vegetation consisting of purple moor-grass with tall herbs such as common valerian Valeriana officinalis, wild angelica and marsh willowherb Epilobium palustre. Elsewhere, meadowsweet is locally abundant. On better-drained soils there are small patches of acidic grassland with sheep’s-fescue Festuca ovina common bent Agrostis capillaris, betony Stachys officinalis, mouse-ear hawkweed Pilosella officinarum and heath bedstraw Galium saxatile. Along the length of the brook, broad-leaved woodland dominated by oak Quercus spp, with occasional downy birch Betula pubescens and rowan Sorbus aucuparia, occurs. There are also small pockets of woodland dominated by grey willow Salix cinerea or alder Alnus glutinosa. This document is NOT a definitive legal version and has been formatted, updated and partially edited for use on the CCW Web site. This document should not be used in any legal proceedings, public enquiry or any other hearing or appeal. If you require a full legal copy of the document please contact CCW in writing.



COUNTRYSIDE COUNCIL FOR WALES SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST CITATION POWYS MAELIENYDD Date of Notification: 1980, 1983 National Grid Reference: SO 140715 O.S. Maps: 1:50,000 Sheet number: 148 1:25,000 Sheet number: SO 17 Site Area: 350 ha Description: This area of unimproved hill land, lying at 300-350 metres above sea level, is of botanical and ornithological interest. The mixture of habitats of wet and freely drained acid grassland, small pools, gullies and gorse thickets enables this area to support a diverse range of breeding birds. Within Powys it is of particular significance for wader species, both as wintering and breeding habitat; species include lapwing, snipe, curlew and redshank. Botanically, the area is most noted for the occurrence of populations of the scarce pillwort Pilularia globulifera in some of the pools. Remarks: Owned by the Crown Estate. Registered as Common Land. This document is NOT a definitive legal version and has been formatted, updated and partially edited for use on the CCW Web site. This document should not be used in any legal proceedings, public enquiry or any other hearing or appeal. If you require a full legal copy of the document please contact CCW in writing.



COUNTRYSIDE COUNCIL FOR WALES SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST CITATION POWYS LOWER CAERFAELOG PASTURES Date of Notification: 1990 National Grid Reference: SO 109737 O.S. Maps: 1:50,000 Sheet number: 136 1:25,000 Sheet number: SO 17 Site Area: 2.9 ha Description: This site comprises areas of damp pasture, fen and species-rich dry banks lying on either side of the Dorthau Brook north of Llanbister. The range of vegetation types present displays a great diversity of plant species, including some that are locally uncommon. North of the brook, hillside springs give rise to pasture dominated by sharp-flowered rush Juncus acutiflorus. Associated species include soft-rush J. effusus, common marsh-bedstraw Galium palustre, Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus, sneezewort Achillea ptarmica, meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, greater bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus uliginosus, ragged-robin Lychnis flos-cuculi, lesser spearwort Ranunculus flammula and marsh valerian Valeriana dioica. Purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea and carnation sedge Carex panicea are locally prominent along with meadow thistle Cirsium dissectum, which approaches the northern-most edge of its Welsh distribution here. Locally, the pasture is less rush-dominated, with abundant common bent Agrostis capillaris and crested dog's-tail Cynosurus cristatus, and frequent sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, fescues Festuca spp., glaucous sedge Carex flacca, common knapweed Centaurea nigra, heath spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza maculata subsp. ericetorum, tormentil Potentilla erecta, devil's-bit scabious Succisa pratensis, and red clover Trifolium pratense. Immediately adjacent to the brook the ground is wetter and species such as marsh-marigold Caltha palustris, lesser pond-sedge Carex acutiformis, white sedge C. curta and water horsetail Equisetum fluviatile are common components of the rush-dominated vegetation. Lesser pond-sedge achieves overall dominance in places and is accompanied by the locally uncommon wood club-rush Scirpus sylvaticus. South of the brook the gently sloping ground supports extensive rush-dominated communities, similar to those described already, interspersed with purple moor-grass dominated vegetation supporting frequent common bent, sweet vernal-grass, sheep’s-fescue Festuca ovina, mat-grass Nardus stricta, carnation sedge, heath spotted-orchid, tormentil and devil's-bit scabious, with occasional heath wood-rush Luzula multiflora and saw-wort Serratula tinctoria. Drier hummocks within this damp pasture support a sward dominated by common bent, crested dog's-tail and fescues, with a variety of herbs including wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, common bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus, great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis, betony Stachys officinalis, devil's-bit scabious and the locally uncommon dyer's greenweed Genista tinctoria. The south-west corner of the site comprises a steep bank which supports an unusual community dominated by sheep’s-fescue and common bent, with frequent heath bedstraw, pignut Conopodium majus, tormentil, harebell Campanula rotundifolia, bitter-vetch Lathyrus montanus, common bird's-foot-trefoil, betony, devil's-bit scabious and mouse-ear hawkweed Hieracium pilosella. Also occurring occasionally here are quaking-grass, intermediate lady’s-mantle Alchemilla xanthochlora, bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, burnet-saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga and great burnet. This document is NOT a definitive legal version and has been formatted, updated and partially edited for use on the CCW Web site. This document should not be used in any legal proceedings, public enquiry or any other hearing or appeal. If you require a full legal copy of the document please contact CCW in writing.



COUNTRYSIDE COUNCIL FOR WALES SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST CITATION POWYS RIVER ITHON Date of Notification: 2001 National Grid Reference: SO 080 694 O.S. Maps: 1:50,000 Sheet number: 136, 147 & 148 1:10,000 Sheet number: SO 05 NW & NE SO 06 SW, SE, NW & NE SO 07 SE & NE SO 08 SE SO 16 SW, NW & NE SO 17 SW, SE & NW Site Area: 176.6 ha Description: River Wye The Wye system, comprising the River Wye and several of its tributaries including the River Ithon, represents a large, linear ecosystem, which acts as an important wildlife corridor, an essential migration route and a key breeding area for many nationally and internationally important species. The Wye is of special interest for its associated plant and animal communities. Its character spans a range of types from an upland base-poor stream to an estuarine, silty lowland river. The river's overall diversity is a product of its underlying geology soil types, adjacent land use and hydrology. The River Wye forms one of the longest rivers in England and Wales. From its source to its confluence the main channel is 250 kms long, drains a catchment of 4136 km sq. and has the fourth largest flow of any river in England and Wales. Rising at an altitude of 680 m on Pumlumon Fawr in Powys, the Wye meanders down through Wales, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, finally entering the Severn Estuary at Chepstow. River Ithon The site is of special interest for its mesotrophic river types, which include communities containing water crowfoot Ranunculus spp. It supports important populations of otter Lutra lutra, Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, bullhead Cottus gobio, brook lamprey Lampetra planeri and river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis. The headwaters support more oligotrophic aquatic communities and extensive areas of semi-natural riparian habitats can still be found next to the Ithon and its tributaries. These include semi-natural woodland, dry and marshy grassland, stands of tall fen and marsh vegetation and gravel banks. The site also includes back channels and oxbows that support otters and waterfowl and provide valuable refuges for small fish and invertebrates in times of flood. The site includes the River Ithon from its headwaters to the confluence with the River Wye, and a number of important tributaries such as the Gwenlas Brook, Migram’s Brook, Camddwr, River Aran, Mithil Brook, Clywedog Brook, River Dulas and Howey Brook. Together they form a representative series of mid-altitude, mesotrophic watercourses that have characteristics of both northern and south-western British types. The Ithon catchment is situated on a plateau, located between the Radnor Forest in the east and the Cambrian Mountains to the west, which drains towards the Wye valley in the south. It rises at an altitude of 400 m above sea level on Kerry Hill south of Newtown and descends gently to an altitude of 150 m where it enters the Wye below Newbridge-on-Wye. The catchment comprises largely agricultural land with significant areas of permanent pasture, broadleaved woodland and other semi-natural vegetation. Most of the Ithon catchment has developed on sedimentary rocks of Silurian age but these show a number of distinctive local variations in texture, hardness and base status. Parts of the river and its lower tributaries cross Ordovician rocks and, between Cefnllys and Alpine Bridge, the Ithon crosses several major fault zones where volcanic rocks, such as dolerite, have intruded into Ordovician shales. In large areas of the Ithon basin the rivers and streams meander through a flood plain composed of glacial till, outwash gravels and



more recent river alluvium. Though rock sections are uncommon in the bed of the Ithon, the orientation of the river’s course indicates that it is controlled by features in the solid geology, such as faults and folds in the valley floor. In places meanders have cut into the margins of the alluvial plain, exposing rock sections in river cliffs or at the foot of bluffs. The soils in the catchment vary from well-drained calcareous brown earths to acidic clays, although the majority are neutral to base-rich. The middle and lower reaches of the River Ithon, River Aran, Mithil Brook, Clywedog Brook, River Dulas and Howey Brook support plant communities that are typical of mesotrophic rivers and streams. Typical aquatic plants include intermediate water starwort Callitriche hamulata, alternate water-milfoil Myriophyllum alterniflorum, amphibious bistort Polygonum amphibium, broad-leaved pondweed Potamogeton natans, stream water-crowfoot Ranunculus penicillatus subsp. pseudofluitans (both in its typical form and var. vertumnus), and the water mosses Fontinalis antipyretica and F. squamosa. Rocks in the flood zone support species such as the mosses Amblystegium fluviatile, Brachythecium rivulare, Cinclidotus fontinaloides and Schistidium alpicola var. rivulare, the liverwort Chiloscyphus polyanthos and the lichens Dermatocarpon luridum and Verrucaria praetermissa. Common emergent species include common spike-rush Eleocharis palustris, floating sweet-grass Glyceria fluitans, water mint Mentha aquatica, water forget-me-not Myosotis scorpioides, reed canary-grass Phalaris arundinacea and branched bur-reed Sparganium erectum. Downstream from Penybont, the Ithon becomes deeper and slow flowing in places. Species indicative of more eutrophic, lowland conditions predominate here such as small pondweed Potamogeton berchtoldii, curled pondweed P. crispus, perfoliate pondweed P. perfoliatus, river water-crowfoot Ranunculus fluitans, fool’s water-cress Apium nodiflorum, great willowherb Epilobium hirsutum, yellow loosestrife Lysimachia vulgaris, bittersweet Solanum dulcamara, unbranched bur-reed Sparganium emersum, marsh woundwort Stachys palustris and filamentous algae Hildenbrandia rivularis and Lemanea fluviatilis are characteristic of these sections.

The tributaries feeding the upper Ithon, including the Gwenlas Brook, Migram’s Brook and Camddwr, are more oligotrophic, and this is reflected in the flora. Alternate water-milfoil and the moss Fontinalis antipyretica are prominent in places but other large aquatic and emergent species are scarce. The lower plant communities are well developed here and include characteristic upland species, such the mosses Calliergon cuspidatum, Hygrohypnum ochraceum and Rhyncostegium riparioides and the liverwort Pellia epiphylla. Woodland is widespread along the river and stream banks, dominated variously by alder Alnus glutinosa, willows Salix spp., ash Fraxinus excelsior and oak Quercus spp. Wet areas that are protected from grazing stock support a tall vegetation dominated by meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, with frequent wild angelica Angelica sylvestris, common valerian Valeriana officinalis, common marsh bedstraw Galium palustre, ragged robin Lychnis flos-cuculi, marsh marigold Caltha palustris, water avens Geum rivale, lesser spearwort Ranunculus flammula, hemlock water-dropwort Oenanthe crocata, greater bird’s-foot-trefoil Lotus pedunculatus, lady fern Athyrium filix-femina and great horsetail Equisetum telmateia. Grassland dominated by bents Agrostis spp. and fescues Festuca spp. is widespread along the banks of the upper Ithon and its tributaries, whilst wetter pasture is largely dominated by rushes Juncus spp. and purple moor- grass Molinia caerulea. Old back channels contain swamp vegetation that includes rushes, floating sweet-grass, tall sedges Carex spp., yellow iris Iris pseudacorus, and the uncommon wood club-rush Scirpus sylvaticus. Partly vegetated shingle bars occur throughout the river system and support a range of characteristic plants including marsh cudweed Gnaphalium uliginosum, water pepper Polygonum hydropiper, marsh yellow-cress Rorippa palustris, procumbent pearlwort Sagina procumbens, tansy Tanacetum vulgare and colt’s-foot Tussilago farfara.

The upper Wye and its tributaries support one of the strongest populations of otters in England and Wales. This species is threatened by habitat destruction, disturbance and pollution throughout its European range. Otters rely on woodland, scrub and tall bankside vegetation for cover. Their holts can be located on the riverbank or in other suitable dense vegetation at some distance from the edge of the river channel.



A range of fish species occur in the Ithon and its tributaries. The system provides important spawning areas for Atlantic salmon, and juvenile salmon are present throughout. Brook and river lamprey are present in the main river and may also spawn in the tributaries. Bullhead are abundant everywhere. Although not of special interest, the site supports a range of breeding birds that are associated with riparian habitats, including grey heron Ardea cinerea, common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos, grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea, dipper Cinclus cinclus, kingfisher Alcedo atthis and sand martin Riparia riparia. The river and bankside trees support large populations of flying insects, which provide an important food source for bats, including Daubenton's bat Myotis daubentonii. The exposed riverine sediments support two nationally scarce beetles, the rove beetle Deleaster dichrous and the ground beetle Tachys parvulus. White-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes were recorded in 1987 near Llandewi Ystradenni. Remarks: The site supports the following habitats and species covered by the EC Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora): Rivers with floating vegetation often dominated by water-crowfoot - Annex I Common otter - Annex II and IV Atlantic salmon - Annex II and V Bullhead - Annex II River lamprey - Annex II and V Brook lamprey - Annex II Otter is also listed in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended). This document is NOT a definitive legal version and has been formatted, updated and partially edited for use on the CCW Web site. This document should not be used in any legal proceedings, public enquiry or any other hearing or appeal. If you require a full legal copy of the document please contact CCW in writing.



COUNTRYSIDE COUNCIL FOR WALES SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST CITATION HEREFORD AND WORCESTER/POWYS RIVER LUGG Date of Notification: 1995 National Grid References: SO173751 - SO565372 O.S Maps: 1:50,000 Sheet number: 148, 149 1:10,000 Sheet number: SO 17 NE, SE SO 36 NW, NE, SE, SW

SO 53 NE, SO 26 NE, NW SO 46 NW, SW, SE SO 54 NW, SE, SW SO 27 SW, SO 45 NE SO 55 NW, SW Length (approximate): Area (approximate): English Length: 74.2 km English Area: 210.05 ha Welsh Length: 26.9 km Welsh Area: 26.9 ha Total Length: 101.1 km Total Area: 237.09 ha Description and Reasons for Notification From its upland source in Powys in Mid Wales to its confluence with the Wye below Hereford in England, the River Lugg is considered to be one of the best British mainland examples of both a clay river and a river displaying a transition from nutrient-poor to naturally nutrient-rich water chemistry. Despite being canalised in some small sections of its 101 km length and running through an intensively farmed catchment in its middle and lower reaches, it is a largely unpolluted natural river and supports river plant communities and otter populations of special interest. The Lugg rises at 500 m on Pool Hill in Powys and descends rapidly to flow through a more gentle landscape and eventually onto a broad alluvial floodplain joining the River Wye. It runs for most of its length through pasture with some areas of arable. Only around its source and at the Lugg Meadows SSSI does adjoining semi-natural vegetation constitute significant land cover. The river is tree lined for most of its length, alder Alnus glutinosa and willows Salix spp. being the main species. The SSSI boundary incorporates short stretches of adjacent wet woodland and includes all fringing tree lines. The channel itself is quite active, especially in the upper and middle reaches, with migrating meanders which deposit shingle banks and cut vertical bank faces up to 3 m high. Through its long history of use the river also has several mill leats and flood flow channels, the most notable of the latter being the Kenwater through Leominster. These stretches complement the biological interest found in the main channel and have been included in the site, even though they have extensive bank protection or canalised sections. Geology and Topography Near to its source the infant river drains an upland area based on Silurian mudstones and siltstones, where the bedrock geology is the dominant influence on channel form. Numerous peaty flushes and small springs on the valley sides feed the headwaters and combine to cut a steep-sided and rock-bottomed section, descending to over 200 m in the first 3km. The Lugg's upper catchment is underlain by these same Silurian rocks. From the border with England, the underlying rocks are predominantly non-calcareous and are principally Old Red Sandstone of Devonian age on the valley sides, with some limestone outcropping at the Aymestry Gorge. Changes in bedrock and river gradient are reflected in the channel substrate. Along the stretch from the border to Leominster the Lugg has a well developed pool and riffle system and a river bed predominantly of cobbles, pebbles and gravels. From Kingsland and particularly below the confluence with



the River Arrow, the river meanders across an alluvial plain. These lower reaches are characterised by deeper water and slower flows and the river is clay bedded with silt deposits. Such variations in geology, flow and substrate have given rise to an interesting downstream variation in river plant communities, ranging from naturally species-poor communities of upland channels prone to spate, to those representative of mature lowland rivers. These types combine in the Lugg's lower reaches to produce a plant assemblage of unusual occurrence in England. Flora The headwaters on Pool Hill are characterised by a range of aquatic and semi-aquatic bryophytes including the golden-brown moss Cratoneuron commatatum in stony flushes and Cinclidotus fontinaloides on streamside rocks. There are a few higher plants present, especially in the peat pools near to the river's source where intermediate water-starwort Callitriche hamulata, water-purslane Lythrum portula and round-leaved crowfoot Ranunculus omiophyllus can be found. The large pool at the source supports the nationally scarce pillwort Pilularia globulifera. The river banks and surrounds in the headwaters support a range of semi-natural vegetation including heather moorland, dry calcareous grassland, base-rich flushes typically with small sedges and brown mosses and damp pasture. The latter is characterised by purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea, quaking grass Briza media, sharp-flowered rush Juncus acutiflorus, devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis, marsh valerian Valeriana dioica and rusty willow Salix cinerea subsp oleifolia scrub with a rich ground flora that includes water avens Geum rivale. In the upper Lugg there is little vegetation where the flow is greatest and the bed is unstable. Characteristic plants include encrusting and filamentous algae, the liverworts Pellia epiphylla and Solenostoma triste and the moss Rhynchostegium riparioides. The species diversity for such small, shaded, sandstone streams is typically poor with lower plants constituting over one-third of plant species present. The only truly aquatic higher plants of this community are branched bur-reed Sparganium erectum, which grows in silt at the channel edge, and brook water-crowfoot Ranunculus penicillatus subsp. pseudofluitans on riffles. Most of the middle and lower reaches have species-rich, calcareous, lowland river communities due to the downstream influence of the drainage from the Silurian shales and limestones. In the middle reaches from Leominster to the Vern Railway bridge the transitional nature of the river is shown by the lowland species, typical of a clay bedded channel, growing alongside water crowfoots and a variety of bryophytes requiring coarser substrates. Below the confluence with the Arrow, the dominant higher plant of the upper river - brook water-crowfoot - gradually gives way to extensive beds of river water-crowfoot Ranunculus fluitans, a species largely confined to rivers with a large flow volume. There is an increasingly eutrophic influence downstream with spiked water-milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum, horned pondweed Zannichellia palustris and the green algae Cladophora glomerata and Enteromorpha frequent. Marginal vegetation is sparse with only branched bur-reed and reed canary-grass Phalaris arundinacea commonly present. In the lower reaches of the Lugg the vegetation assemblages are increasingly characteristic of southern clay rivers but retain the influence of coarse substrates. Upstream of weirs and where the flow is sluggish, several species occur which are typical of slow moving, soft bottomed rivers, for example yellow water-lily Nuphar lutea, unbranched bur-reed Sparganium emersum and common club-rush Scirpus lacustris. The nutrient-rich nature of the lowermost reaches is shown by the appearance of fennel pondweed Potamogeton pectinatus, perfoliate pondweed Potamogeton perfoliatus and arrowhead Sagittaria sagittifolia. Along the river's edge, great yellow-cress Rorippa amphibia and flowering rush Butomus umbellatus occur, at or near to their western limit of distribution.



The high naturalness and diversity of the aquatic communities is demonstrated by the occurrence of the pollution intolerant red algae, Lemanea fluviatilis and Hildenbrandia rivularis along the entire course of the Lugg and the presence of a total of 121 river plant species. Mammals Field signs of common otter Lutra lutra are numerous and widespread along the length of the river and indicate a healthy population. It is one of the few rivers in central England that retained a strong population during the widespread decline of the 1980s. The Lugg, therefore, is considered a core refuge area for otters and has played a key role in the species' recolonisation of the River Wye catchment. Invertebrates Extensive populations of the native Atlantic stream crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes are present, a species which is in decline across Europe. Limited sampling to date has identified a variety of rare and scarce invertebrates from the lower Lugg, including the nationally rare pea mussel Pisidium tenuilineatum, a species requiring unpolluted conditions. The nationally scarce species present include two aquatic beetles Riolus cupreus and R. subviolaceus which live on stones in flowing water, and the alderfly Sialis nigripes, a species with an aquatic larva living in silts in large river systems. A range of mayflies Ephemeroptera including species with localised distributions are also recorded. The common hawker Aeshna juncea is common along the headwaters of the river. The change in river bed substrate and flow rate can be mapped by the distribution of two damselflies, the banded demoiselle Calopterys splendens and the beautiful demoiselle C. virgo. The latter is present above and around Leominster but is replaced by the banded demoiselle down to the confluence with the Wye. Fish The fish community includes several species listed on Annex II of the 'Habitats' Directive. The River Lugg upstream of Leominster is predominantly a brown trout Salmo trutta fishery with some grayling Thymallus thymallus present. Few coarse fish are found upstream of Aymestry which marks the limit of the atlantic salmon Salmo salar migration. Coarse fish including chub Leuciscus cephalus, roach Rutilus rutilus, pike Esox lucius and barbel Barbus barbus become more plentiful downstream of Leominster. Eels Anguilla anguilla, stoneloach Neomacheilus barbatulus, minnows Phoxinus phoxinus, brook lamprey Lampetra fluviatillis and bullheads Cottus gobio are present throughout the river, whilst twaite shad Alosa fallax are present in the lower stretches of the river up to Urdimarsh. Breeding Birds The River Lugg provides good habitat for a range of typical river birds. Dipper Cinclus cinclus is found on the upper reaches, with kingfisher Alcedo atthis occurring more on the middle and lower stretches. Grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea occurs throughout. Several pairs of mute swan Cygnus olor and common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos also breed on the river, as do mallards Anas platyrhynchos which are plentiful. Some active cutting faces of the meanders hold colonies of sand martins Riparia riparia. Other Information The site interest includes the following species covered by Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna:

Atlantic stream crayfish Austopotamobius pallipes - Annex II Common otter Lutra lutra - Annex II and IV Atlantic salmon Salmo salar - Annex IV Bullhead Cottus gobio - Annex IV Twaite shad Alosa fallax - Annex II Brook Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis - Annex II



Atlantic stream crayfish and common otter are also listed in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended. Between Presteigne and the Wye confluence the River Lugg is designated a "Salmonid Water" under Council Directive 78/659/EEC on the quality of freshwater needing protection or improvement in order to support fish life, commonly referred to as the "Freshwater Fish Directive". Since May 1994 the River Lugg has been designated a "Sensitive Area" under Council Directive 91/271/EEC on Urban Waste Water Treatment. Parts of the site within Wales at Pool Hill and within England at Presteigne are managed by the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust as the Beacon Hill and Withybeds Nature Reserves, respectively. This document is NOT a definitive legal version and has been formatted, updated and partially edited for use on the CCW Web site. This document should not be used in any legal proceedings, public enquiry or any other hearing or appeal. If you require a full legal copy of the document please contact CCW in writing.



COUNTRYSIDE COUNCIL FOR WALES SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST CITATION

SHROPSHIRE/POWYS RIVER TEME HEREFORD AND WORCESTER/ (AFON TEFEIDIAD) Date of Notification: 1996

National Grid Reference: SO 121848 – SO 850525 O.S. Maps: 1:50,000 Sheet number:136, 137, 138, 150 1:10,000 Sheet number:SO 18 SW, SE SO 56 NW, NE

SO 17 NE, SO 66 NW, NE SO 27, NW, NE, SE SO 75 NW, NE, SE

SO 37 SW, SE SO 76 NW, SW SO 47 SW, SE, NE

SO 85 SW, SO 57 NW, SW

Site area: English area: 417.1 ha Welsh area: 44.2 ha Total area: 461.3 ha Description: The River Teme is the second largest tributary of the River Severn, draining a hilly, predominantly rural catchment of Silurian and Devonian rocks. The notified channel is of special interest as a representative, near-natural and biologically-rich example of a river type associated with mudstone and sandstones. This type has a mostly northern and western distribution in Britain but is especially characteristic of the Welsh Marches. The Teme demonstrates a close relationship with the underlying geology. A short, upland section with nutrient-poor, relatively acidic water then changing to typically more basic and naturally nutrient-rich conditions for most of the river’s length over Silurian shales and mudstone and the Old Red Sandstone strata. At its lowest section the Teme is a lowland river on soft deposits. These attributes, and the high water quality, support significant river plant, fish and invertebrate communities and otter populations. A small length of the lower River Clun is included in the SSSI for a notable species.

The Teme rises at 460 metres on Cilfaesty Hill, Powys and falls steeply to Knighton, descending 122 metres over 1.6 kilometres of the Welsh/English border. It then flows through a more gentle landscape via Ludlow and Tenbury Wells to join the Severn just below Worcester. The river is mostly actively eroding and with many shingle bars, especially above Leintwardine. Where the river cuts through sandstone the bed is often formed of submerged rock platforms. The banks are well tree-lined with alder Alnus glutinosa, with some willow Salix spp. stands. There are extensive areas of rough grassland and wet flushes dominated by mosses and sedges on Cilfaesty Hill Common, thereafter the adjoining land use is mostly permanent pasture, arable fields, hop-yards and orchards. Parts of the river run through deciduous woodland, mainly of oak Quercus spp. and ash Fraxinus excelsior, some of which occurs in steep ravines. Little flood plain wetland has survived, though some early river engineering works have left cut-off meander loops which have developed marsh vegetation. Geology and Topography

Near to its source the young river drains an upland area based on Silurian siltstones, the bedrock geology being the dominant influence on the river bed. Numerous peaty flushes and several small moorland tributary streams join the river here as it passes through a small, steep-sided rocky gorge. The Ring, an active land slip, located on Cilfaesty Common, deposits silt and gravel into the channel which has a locally enriching effect on the nutrient status of the waters. After leaving Cilfaesty Hill the Teme flows through the



narrow valley of Cwm Gwyn to Felindre and from there on to a wider floodplain. Downstream from here the river shows a variety of features such as back channels, storm flow channels and cut-off pools. Down to Brampton Bryan the rocks are predominantly shales and mudstone of neutral base status but below this they change to more calcareous types and sandstones. Devonian Old Red Sandstone is the bedrock from Downton to Knightwick, with Triassic Mercia Mudstone from there to the confluence. From Felindre down to Leintwardine the river has a well developed pool and riffle system, with a cobble and pebble river bed. There are also extensive lateral gravel banks. After Downton gorge and past Ludlow, submerged sandstone rock platforms become a feature. The lowest reaches near to Worcester traverse clays and silts to give a lowland and mature character to the river. Such variations in geology, flow and substrate give rise to similarly diverse river plant communities and associated animals, ranging from species-poor upland spate types, to those more characteristic of slow flowing, alluvial rivers. Flora

The highest section of the river has many small falls and pools with a good cover of the moss Amblystegium tenax, along with other bryophytes such as the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha and the moss Fontinalis squamosa. A small side pool supports the stonewort Chara vulgaris var. vulgaris. Characteristic higher plants in these upper stretches are round-leaved water crowfoot Ranunculus omiophyllus and intermediate water-starwort Callitriche hamulata, with reed canary grass Phalaris arundinacea as a marginal species. There are also algal communities covering the pebble and small boulder strewn river bed throughout its length, with various species of filamentous green algae and the distinctive red alga Hildenbrandia rivularis, the latter reflecting the high water quality. With an increase in the calcareous influence between Knighton and the Clun confluence beds of the water crowfoots Ranunculus fluitans and R. penicillatus v pseudofluitans appear. The outcropping of the Lower Red Sandstone around Ludlow allows the river to cut deeply into the bedrock with a subsequent change in the aquatic flora. There tends to be one major water plant community in the lower reaches, with the river water crowfoot Ranunculus fluitans dominating. The large alga Enteromorpha is found, together with pondweeds such as fennel pondweed Potamogeton pectinatus and perfoliate pondweed P. perfoliatus. Vigorous stands of the branched bur-reed Sparganium erectum occur as a marginal species, along with water plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica and water figwort Scrophularia auriculata. The river banks between Tenbury Wells and Knightwick are often dominated by dense stands of comfrey Symphytum officinalis, with some areas suffering invasion from the alien Himalayan balsam Impatiens glandulifera. Mammals

The otter Lutra lutra has well established populations on the Teme, the stronghold being between Ludlow and Knighton, but they are found all along the river from Cwm Gwyn to Powick. Mink Mustela vison are also reported to be widespread in the catchment. Invertebrates

The Teme holds a good population of Atlantic stream crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes. The extensive shingle shoals hold a particularly interesting and rare beetle community, with some 17 species being recorded. Of these, Normandia nitens is classed as vulnerable, with Macronychus quadrituberculatus being nationally rare. The nationally scarce beetles Riolus subviolaceus and R. cupreus are found in the channel, with the nationally scarce carabid beetle Bembidium semipunctatum occurring on the banks. The SSSI also holds a population of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera, a rare and specially protected species.



Breeding Birds

The bird community is typical of that found along medium to fast flowing rivers. The dipper Cinclus cinclus is to be found in almost all the rocky sections together with the grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea, though the latter species is equally at home on the silt banks of the lower reaches. Both kingfishers Alcedo atthis and sandmartins Riparia riparia readily nest in the eroding banks which the river produces as it meanders, and pairs of common sandpipers Tringa hypoleucos occur on the shingle bars above Ludlow. There are scattered records of goosander Mergus merganser. Fish The River Teme has long been recognised as a quality salmonid and coarse fishery. The fish communities strongly reflect the ecological changes in the river as it descends the catchment. The lower and middle reaches have eels Anguilla anguilla, dace Leuciscus leuciscus, barbell Barbus barbus, bream Abramis brama, perch Perca fluviatilis, roach Rutilus rutilis and chub Leuciscus cephalus. The latter species is typical of the slow and deep flows of the lower and middle river and is found upstream as far as Ludlow, whereas the brown trout Salmo trutta is found most commonly above this point. Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and grayling Thymallus thymallus are also present up to the weir at Buckton. Brook lamprey Lampetra planeri, stone loach Nemacheilus barbatulus and bullhead Cottus gobio can be found in the fast and rocky stretches, though bullhead and stone loach do occur low down the river at Knightwick. Bullheads occur even in the very shallow and fast flows on the open hill near the source. Sea lamprey has been recorded on the lowest reaches of the Teme. Of particular conservation interest are the records of the very rare twaite shad Alosa fallax in the very lowest reaches of the Teme. This may represent an extension of the spawning ground from the Severn, which is one of only four confirmed breeding sites in the UK. Remarks: The site supports the following species covered by Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna: Atlantic stream crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes – Annex II and V Common otter Lutra lutra – Annex II and IV Atlantic salmon Salmo salar – Annex II and V Bullhead Cottus gobio – Annex II Twaite shad Alosa fallax – Annex II and V Brook lamprey Lampetra planeri – Annex II Sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus – Annex II Grayling Thymallus thymallus – Annex V Freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera – Annex II and V Otter, Atlantic stream crayfish, and freshwater pearl mussel are also listed in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended. This document is NOT a definitive legal version and has been formatted, updated and partially edited for use on the CCW Web site. This document should not be used in any legal proceedings, public enquiry or any other hearing or appeal. If you require a full legal copy of the document please contact CCW in writing.



COUNTRYSIDE COUNCIL FOR WALES SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST CITATION POWYS GWERNAFFEL DINGLE Date of Notification: 1989 National Grid Reference: SO 274708 O.S. Maps: 1: 50,000 Sheet number: 137 1: 25,000 Sheet number: SO 27 Site Area: 15.2 ha Description: The site is one of the largest of Radnor’s ancient mixed broadleaved woodlands. It provides excellent examples of four distinctive nationally recognised woodland types, which together comprise a woodland whose species composition is intermediate in character between the sessile oakwoods of upland western Radnor and the base-rich dingle woodlands of southern Radnor. Locally uncommon plant species are present. The woodlands are situated in a generally steep-sided dingle developed in Silurian Shales, with a variety of aspects. The southern tributary stream passes through a small gorge approximately 5 metres deep. Much of the woodland is fenced out from stock, but the northern part of the dingle is subject to some grazing. The woodland structure is varied, with the areas of ash Fraxinus excelsior wood frequently having a well developed shrub layer of hazel Corylus avellana, and often field maple Acer campestre. An area of relatively young ash is of plantation origin, but elsewhere trees are of uneven age and include some large, mature specimens. The shrub layer is also well developed in the southern oakwood, but is sparse or absent under a type of sessile oak high forest in the west-facing northern part of the site. Locally, there is dead standing wych elm Ulmus glabra, with young suckers. Alder Alnus glutinosa is a frequent component of areas of impeded drainage, and downy birch Betula pubescens is also well represented through the site. Other trees and shrubs present include rowan Sorbus aucuparia, cherry – particularly Prunus padus, guelder-rose Viburnum opulus, red currant Ribes rubrum and crab apple Malus sylvestris. When not dominated by alder, much of the dingle streamside and lower slopes support the ash/field maple vegetation type, with abundant tufted hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa and a species-rich herb layer which includes dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis, enchanter’s-nightshade Circaea lutetiana, yellow archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon, herb-Paris Paris quadrifolia and early-purple orchid Orchis mascula. In the southern arm, the gorge contributes additional species diversity with a range of mosses and ferns, including the locally uncommon oak fern Gymnocarpium dryopteris. Opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium is locally abundant and wood melick Melica uniflora also occurs. On the supper slopes of the southern half of the site the vegetation is a herb-rich example of the oak/bracken/bramble Quercus robur/Pteridium aquilinum/Rubus fruticosus vegetation type. As noted above the shrub layer is well developed, and locally abundant bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella and variable quantities of creeping soft-grass Holcus mollis and meadow-grasses Poa spp. are characteristic of the field layer. By contrast the west-facing northern part of the site is a high forest of standard oaks, with very few shrubs, and a ground layer either grass-dominated, with abundant sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, or moss-dominated, with abundant Dicranum scoparium. The former vegetation type relates to a type of oak/birch/common sorrel (Quercus/Betula pubescens/Rumex acetosa) woodland, and the latter to a type of oak/birch/wavy hair-grass (Quercus/Betula pubescens/Deschampsia flexuosa) woodland in which bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus and broad buckler-fern Dryopteris dilatata are represented. There are affinities to the western sessile oakwoods, but typical western oceanic bryophyte species are not well represented. A number of non-native species have been planted within the site, as evidenced by small areas of larch, spruce, Douglas fir, beech and southern beech. This document is NOT a definitive legal version and has been formatted, updated and partially edited for use on the CCW Web site. This document should not be used in any legal proceedings, public enquiry or any other hearing or appeal. If you require a full legal copy of the document please contact CCW in writing.



Appendix 5: List of priority and local species and habitats

(Attached as separate document)

Appendix 6: Maps of priority species

(Attached as separate documents)

Appendix 7: Spreadsheet results of landowners and community consultation

(Attached as separate CONFIDENTIAL document)



Appendix 8: Map of potential habitat enhancement opportunities and surveys (and as separate

attached documents)



Appendix 9: Wildlife Walks routes (DRAFTS)

Wildlife Walks in Radnorshire

Beacon Hill Heather and Pools

Time: 2 hrs or more if you wander further.

Distance: 3.5 miles, 5.7km (all access land)

Parking: Beacon Lodge SO191 748

OS Explorer map 214

Park at ‘Beacon Lodge’ on the edge of the

common near the interpretation board.

Coming from Llangunllo, find the lane running up

to the common (gated at top) by taking the

second road on the left after the railway station.

Alternatively the second road on the right coming

from Knucklas.

Wildlife Upland birds including red grouse, curlew and

golden plover. Occasionally hobby.

Heather moorland. 16 species of dragonflies and

damselflies including keeled skimmer and

golden-ringed. Plenty of pools and wet flushes.

Lugg pool banks show a calcareous influence

with carline thistle and quaking grass. Waxcap

fungi.

Common lizards. No records for adders or grass

snakes but please let us know if you see one.

Please send your records to the county recorder

or

http://record.b-i-s.org/

Parking on the edge of the common.

Tributary of the Lugg in a gully

This walk on Beacon Hill Common takes you across heather moorland, past big and small pools and to

the source of the River Lugg SSSI, an important tributary of the River Wye. RWT owns the Cnwch Bank

part of the common (marked on the OS map).




Route difficulty

Best visited in clear weather with good visibility. This is access land so wander at will. Although there

are no big hills to climb, the route uses tracks, sheep paths and open moorland so it can be rough

underfoot. You can clamber down into the Lugg stream gully which is quite steep but there are

various paths where the sheep go down to follow. It is generally boggy around the pools.

1. Walk out along the track running next to the forestry plantation and then field. When the fence veers downhill, follow it down to find Beacon Lodge pool, formerly a fish pond but now good for dragonfly spotting.

2. Continue along the forest boundary upstream until it turns the corner. This part of the common is Cnwch Bank. Either follow the track next to the forestry fence or amble along a sheep track towards the brow of the hill. Fantastic views of Radnor Forest with its mast near Black Mixen, the highest point in Radnorshire.

3. Over the brow of the hill drop into the dip and turn right, heading for the gullies in the distance. You will also probably see the stripes of heather management for grouse ahead of you.

4. Linger at the first stream you cross with its shallow-water plants. You might like to deviate downstream a little to admire the view.

5. Cross the stream and head straight across on any sheep path towards the next gully. This is the River Lugg and part of the River Wye Special Area of Conservation.

6. The nicest place to walk is at the bottom of the sheltered gully, so clamber down carefully somewhere and wander upstream to the source of the Lugg, some of the most important habitat on Beacon Hill because of the base-rich rocks which the stream has eroded. You will come to the Lugg’s headwater pool.

7. Find the track which crosses the Lugg headwaters and walk towards the top of the hill to the right, roughly back the way you have come. (If you wish to lengthen your walk, head up another path more ahead of you.) Any path will do that is heading generally up and parallel to the rush flush in the hollow. You might find yourself walking in a fire break cut through the heather as part of the controlled burning management. Grouse chicks like the young shoots of heather and burning helps keep a variety of heather ages. You might also see grit put out for the grouse.

8. To your right you will see a large pool, good for dragonflies (though wet round the edges). This area of the common is known as Pool Hill.

9. Cross the inflow to the pool and head up the hill in front of you, enjoying fine views across Shropshire and Radnorshire as you do so. You can also see the extent of the common and understand its importance as an extensive area of heather moorland. You will also spot the Beacon on top the hill that gives the common its name. At the top, bear right towards a vantage point, showing a vista that includes Cnwch Bank and the conifer plantation where the walk began.

10. Head down any path to find the well-used track that snakes across the common. Turn right and follow it back to the start of your walk.



Wildlife Walks in Radnorshire

Gors Lydan and Tyclau Hill Nature Reserve

Walk information Time: 4 hours

Distance: 6 miles

Difficulty: uphill stretches but mostly old

tracks so not too steep

Parking: Tylcau nature reserve

Grid Ref: SO133 765

OS Explorer map 214

NB: No dogs allowed on Tyclau nature

reserve but you can take the footpath past

Newhouse Farm rather than walk through

the reserve (number.

From the A483 (T) at Llanbister, take the

B4356 Llanbister to Llangunllo road. Drive

over the common for approx 2 miles and take

a sharp left turn signposted Llanbadarn

Fynydd. Continue for just over a mile, then

turn right at the red telephone box, going

around the cattle grid and drive to the end of

the tarmac lane. You will see the car park on

the right.

Wildlife The mountain pansies at Tylcau on the hilltop

number in their hundreds, together with eyebright

and wild thyme in the pasture.

Cuckoos are frequently seen and heard in the

valley, sometimes sitting on the wires.

Great heather moorland on Gors Lydan. Look out

for grouse.

At Tylcau look out for:

Small pearl bordered fritillary

Green hairstreak butterfly

Scarlet tiger moth

Redstart

Otter spraint near track bridge

Please send your records to the county recorder or


Tylcau Hill nature reserve car park (above) and a

view of Tylcau from Gors Lydon.

General information Tylcau Hill Nature Reserve is set at the head of a remote valley surrounded by open hills (common

land) which give panoramic views and easy hill walking. As well as wildlife, this area is full of

archaeology like bronze age mounds and post-medieval settlements. The Clwyd Powys




Archaeology Trust write about these historic features on the ‘Gors Lydan’ walk: see

http://www.cpat.org.uk/walks/index.htm

This circular walk takes you up onto the Gors Lydon ridge with its heather moorland, around the

head of the valley, bringing you back down through Tylcau nature reserve to finish.

1. Walk back along the lane from the Tylcau car park until you reach the junction. Look left across the valley to see the bluebell woodland and unimproved steep grassland banks of Tylcau Hill nature reserve and its recent extension, Cefn Cledren. At the road junction, turn right and shortly bear right again up the track towards Little Moelfre Farm, going through a waymarked gate on the left out onto the open hill (access land).

2. Take the left hand track here, contouring round the hill past the old quarry, then pick up the ancient track climbing that climbs gently up the ridge to the saddle. Topiary gorse bushes give way to bilberry and then heather moorland as the pressure from intensive sheep grazing reduces. Look out for yellowhammers and meadow pipits.

3. Continue along the track (formerly a byway open to vehicles) as it wends its way over the open hill. Detour to the tops if you wish to visit the bronze-age burial mounds or get expansive views over eastern Wales and the English borders.

4. Bearing in mind that the walk will continue around the head of the Tylcau valley on the open hill, as the main track drops down and bears left, take a fainter track going right, heading towards the conifer-lined boundary. These Japanese larches mark the enclosed edge of the common. Though non-native, Japanese larches are favoured nesting sites for red kites.

5. Walk along the conifer boundary, onwards and upwards on the track over Warren Hill (another opportunity for a detour to the cairn) and down onto another saddle and crossing point of various tracks and a stream.

6. Take the track which takes you up and on, round the ridge and down to a pond. This is an important sheep watering spot and marks another crossing point for paths. Ahead on the skyline you will see the Tylcau nature reserve boundary fence where you are heading next.

7. The gully dropping to the right is a footpath which goes to the nature reserve car park without going through the reserve, the route to take if you have a dog.

8. Walk uphill to the fence line where you will shortly see a stile and gate into the reserve. This upper grassland is where you will find an expansive array of mountain pansies in the summer.

9. You can walk anywhere on the reserve but you may want to pick up the waymarkers of the footpath which goes down the righthand side of the reserve , passing the new orchard and crossing the streams, taking you (muddily) back up to the car park.

http://www.cpat.org.uk/walks/index.htm



Wild Walks in Radnorshire

Dragonfly spotting on Maelienydd Common

The Maelienydd Common (open access) lies

between the Crossgates/Penybont A44 road to

the south and the Llanbister/Llangullo B4356

road to the north.

A roadmap is essential to help navigate the

network of lanes. Approach from Heartsease

from the south, or Crossways from the north.

Black Pool - 250 metres from road. Park where

you can in small layby at SO135 711.

Caergynan Pool - 360 metres from road. Park on

edge of common at SO135 711 (dead end road).

Both pools are named on the 1:25,000 OS map.

Although it is possible to walk between the

lakes the ground is very boggy, so it is

recommended to drive around. There are other

pools nearby as well.

OS Map:Explorer 214

Wildlife 17 species of dragonflies and damselflies

recorded here.

Southern, brown, and common hawker.

Emperor, golden-ringed, broad-bodied chaser,

four-spotted chaser, black darter, common

darter.

Black –tailed skimmer, keeled skimmer (at the

eastern edge of its Welsh stronghold).

Azure, common blue, emerald, large red, scarce

blue-tailed damselflies.

Nice examples of wet heath habitats including

cross leaved heath and cranberry Pillwort has

been recorded on Maelienydd in the past (pool

edges that dry out in summer).

Reed bunting, snipe, stonechat. Meadow

grasshoppers.

Please send your records to the county recorder

or


Broad-bodied Chaser – PA Ward

Caergynan Pool- Darylle Hardy




Route difficulty

Quite boggy underfoot (wellies recommended) in places but short distances to walk. Once you

leave defined tracks the ground is uneven.

Walk instructions

Black Pool SO121705. From the road walk out SW along the open common. Good quality wet

heathland and boggy transition to the pool.

Caergynan Pool SO134 708. Approached over a small hill, this pool is not immediately obvious

from the road. Park on the edge of the common before the farm) and walk right (west) out easily

along a grassy path and over the hill, from where you will look down over the wetland and see your

destination pool.

Scarce blue-tailed damselfly- Ian Standen. This shows blue coloration extending across the two abdominal

segments at the tip of the tail (one segment only is blue in the Common Blue-tailed Damselfly)



Appendix 10: Spreadsheet list of Water Framework Directive actions

(Attached as separate document)

Appendix 11: Site Photographs

Photograph 1: Looking north over Fron Rocks Photograph 2: Ponies on Beacon Hill Common

Photograph 3: Beacon Lodge Pool, Beacon Hill Common Photograph 4: Bracken management on Beacon Hill

Photograph 5: Upper River Lugg looking downstream Photograph 6: Caergynan Pool, Maelienydd



Photograph 7: Gors Lydan looking towards Tylcau Photograph 8: Tylcau Hill

Photograph 9: View of Tylcau Hill looking east