Cwm Clydach National Nature Reserve facts for kids

If you're looking for the Cwm Clydach reserve near Swansea, which is looked after by the RSPB, please see Cwm Clydach RSPB Reserve.

The Cwm Clydach National Nature Reserve is a special place in southeast Wales. It covers about 24.8 hectares (that's like 61 football fields!) of a steep valley side. You can find it in the Clydach Gorge, about 2 miles east of Brynmawr. This reserve is protected because it has very old, natural beech woods. These woods are important for nature. They were first protected by the Nature Conservancy Council, and now Natural Resources Wales looks after them.

This nature reserve is also part of a larger protected area. It's included in the Cwm Clydach Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a place recognized for its important plants, animals, or geology. It's also part of the Cwm Clydach Woodlands/Coedydd Cwm Clydach special area of conservation (SAC). This is another important way the area is protected for its special habitats and species across Europe.

You can easily visit much of the reserve. There are many public footpaths to explore. A section of the national cycleway also runs through it. You can even get there by public roads. At the entrances, you'll find helpful signs. These signs have maps of the reserve and interesting facts about the area.

Plants of Cwm Clydach

The many beech trees in the reserve create a thick roof of leaves. This means not many plants grow on the ground below. However, you might find special plants like the bird's nest orchid among the fallen leaves.

The valley is often very humid, especially in sheltered spots. This damp air helps many ferns, mosses, and other lower plants to grow. You can spot interesting types of lichen, like Stricta sylvatica. There's also a unique fern called the hay-scented buckler fern.

Animals of Cwm Clydach

The woodlands at Cwm Clydach are home to many birds. You might see a nuthatch climbing up tree trunks. Both the green woodpecker and the greater spotted woodpecker live here too. They use their strong beaks to find insects in the wood.

Birds of prey also hunt in the reserve. Look out for the quick sparrowhawk. You might also spot a kestrel hovering in the sky, looking for its next meal. At night, the tawny owl can be heard hooting through the trees.