Allt y Gaer facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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Allt y Gaer woodland above the farm of the same name
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| Area of Search | Carmarthen & Dinefwr |
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| Coordinates | 51°52′13″N 4°04′32″W / 51.870143°N 4.07556°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 3.5 hectares (8.6 acres) |
| Notification | 1980 |
Allt y Gaer is a special woodland in Carmarthenshire, Wales. Its name means 'hill of the fort' in Welsh. This area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it is a protected place because of its unique nature.
Allt y Gaer is a 3.5 hectare (about 8.6 acres) forest. It sits on the northern side of the Tywi Valley. This woodland is very important because it has the largest heronry in West Wales. A heronry is a place where many herons gather to build their nests and raise their young.
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Why Allt y Gaer is Special
Allt y Gaer is protected because it is home to many herons. These large, grey birds build their nests high in the trees. Protecting this area helps ensure the herons have a safe place to live and breed.
The Heron Home
The number of herons in these woods grew a lot over time. By 1980, there were more than 40 pairs of herons nesting here. This was a big part of all the herons in West Wales. Before Allt y Gaer, herons used to nest in other nearby places. One old heronry was at Allt y wern. Another was in Dinefwr Park National Nature Reserve.
Why Herons Move Nests
It's a bit of a mystery why herons sometimes leave one nesting site for another. One idea is that they might move if their home is disturbed. For example, if trees are cut down, it could make them leave. The SSSI protection helps keep the area quiet. This is especially important from February to June. That's when the herons are busy nesting and raising their chicks. The goal is to make sure they have plenty of nesting spots and food.
The Conifer Forest
The woodland at Allt y Gaer is mostly made up of one type of tree. These are mature conifer trees, especially larch. Because the trees are so dense, not many other plants can grow on the forest floor. The thick layer of needles and branches also makes it hard for plants to grow.
Fungi in the Woods
Even though other plants don't grow much, the mature trees are great for fungi. Many different types of fungi can be found here. Some examples include Spotted Toughshank, Plums and Custard, and Clouded Agaric. These fungi play an important role in the forest's ecosystem.
The Hill of the Fortress
Higher up the hill, about 350 meters (1,150 feet) to the north, there's an ancient hillfort. This hillfort is from the Iron Age. It is called Grongaer. This old fort is actually where the name Allt y Gaer comes from. It gave its name to the hillside, the woodland, and even a nearby farm.
Images for kids
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Towy Valley Farmland. Allt y Gaer woods are in the upper center.
