Hafod Elwy Moor National Nature Reserve facts for kids
The Hafod Elwy Moor National Nature Reserve is a special wild area in North Wales. It is located on the moorland above the town of Denbigh in Denbighshire. This reserve is part of the larger Mynydd Hiraethog area.
It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means the area has important plants, animals, or geology. The reserve was created in 1999. It covers about 82 hectares (203 acres) of upland moor. This moorland sits between two lakes, Llyn Brenig and Llyn Alwen. A conifer forest, planted by the Forestry Commission, borders the reserve to the south and east.
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Wildlife at Hafod Elwy Moor
The reserve is a fantastic home for many different animals and plants. The main plants you will see here are heather and bilberry. These plants are very important for the wildlife.
Birds of the Moor
Hafod Elwy Moor is especially important for birds that nest on the ground. You might spot the Northern wheatear here. It is also a key place for the black grouse. These birds are a special focus for conservation efforts.
The reserve is also home to birds of prey. These powerful hunters include merlins, peregrine falcons, kestrels, and hen harriers. They help keep the ecosystem balanced.
Protecting the Wildlife
The Hafod Elwy Moor National Nature Reserve is managed by Natural Resources Wales. This organization works to protect and improve the natural environment. The reserve is known as a Category IV site by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. This means that people actively work here to help specific animal species. A big goal is to increase the number of black grouse living in the area.
Visiting Hafod Elwy Moor
The reserve is open for everyone to visit. However, it does not have any special facilities like restrooms or visitor centers. Walking around the moor can be tricky because the ground is uneven. There is one bridle path that makes it easier to explore.
The closest main roads are the A543 and the B4501. You can get to the reserve through the Brenig Visitor Centre. This center is located off the B4501 road.
The Story Behind the Name
The name "Hafod Elwy" has a special meaning. A "hafod" was a traditional Welsh summer farmhouse. Farmers would move their animals to these higher pastures in the summer.
There is an old local folktale about Hafod Elwy. It tells the story of a man named Ffowc Owen. He lived here in the 1770s. The story says he could not marry the person he loved. Sadly, he froze to death on the moor. People say there is a memorial cairn (a pile of stones) on the moor for him.
