© Andy Karran
Still very much a work in progress, we’re restoring the meadows to support wildflowers, laying and repairing the hedgerows using traditional techniques to provide important wildlife corridors for animals like dormice, and managing the woodland to create a diverse habitat for more species.
Stepping into the fields of Wyeswood, you may be surprised to see livestock still roam the reserve, but their presence is crucial for managing grasslands like these and restoring their diversity and value for wildlife. The flocks of rare breed sheep and herd of Hereford cattle benefits wildlife by grazing, rolling and pushing vegetation, making space in the sward for diverse flora to flourish and creating habitat for pollinators, foraging birds and bats. Since introducing our first flock of sheep in 2009, we’ve slowly built up a trusty team of wildlife-boosting livestock, which Conservation Grazing Officer Joe Ryder looks after, supported by a fantastic flock of volunteer shepherds.
“This is my first summer at Gwent Wildlife Trust and I’ve been amazed by the rich biodiversity of the Pentwyn Farm meadows and the restorative hay meadows of Wyeswood, they are literally buzzing with life! In the past, the countryside would have been grazed by wild animals or through traditional farming and common land grazing practices.
“In conservation grazing we seek to replicate these kinds of grazing systems to maintain and increase biodiversity whilst ensuring animal welfare. Through this conservation project, we also have limited quantities of organic beef and hogget boxes available, drop me a line on
jryder@gwentwildlife.org to find out more or join the mailing list to hear about these.”
© Hepburn Photography
Making a day of it I could easily while away a day at Pentwyn and Wyeswood with a pair of binoculars and a picnic. But if you’ve travelled to the area, it’s worth trying to fit in a visit to nearby Prisk Wood Nature Reserve too, for a change of natural scene. Much smaller than Wyeswood and Pentwyn, and sitting high above the bank of the River Wye, this atmospheric woodland is the perfect spot for a tranquil walk, when you’ll be treated to lush green foliage, sprawling ferns, moss-clad stones, trickling streams and tree limbs draped in vines. The site has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its relict coppice and diverse woodlands of Ash and Wych Elm, accompanied by Lime, Beech and Alder in places.
There are rough paths leading through the woods and occasionally, the ground can be very uneven due to quarrying. The woodland is very steep in places, dropping down towards the River Wye along the eastern edge. If you’re lucky you will see some Spotted Flycatchers, which travel from African wintering grounds to breed in the insect-rich woods. These sharp-eyed birds like to hunt from lofty perches I the more open areas of the woods. Magnificent seed- cracking Hawfinch and Goshawk can also occasionally be seen and if you delay your visit until winter, you might catch sight or low quack-like sound of the elusive Woodcock.
I hope I’ve piqued your interest in exploring these natural havens. Visit our website at
www.gwentwildlife.org if you’d like to find out more about them and all our other Nature Reserves in Gwent: discover how to find them and what to see around the seasons and how to book a stay at Pentwyn Farm cottage. Please also consider joining us online as a member to receive your comprehensive guidebook.
We rely on the hands-on support of volunteers and donations from our members, charitable trusts, the
public and local organisations to manage our 30 nature reserves in Gwent as havens for wildlife and people. I’d love to hear from you if you would like to help us. Email
info@gwentwildlife.org or find us on
facebook.com/gwentwildlife and
twitter.com/gwentwildlife.
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GWENT WI LDL I F E TRUST NATURE RE S ER VE S
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