Coed Tan-y-Bryn nature reserve
Coed Tan-Y-Bryn is a woodland nature reserve in the Cambrian uplands of Wales. The woodland was previously forestry commission land and more than 90% of the trees are non native Sitka Spruce.
We aim to convert the woods to mixed woodland with at least 70% native species. Initial surveys show that some areas of the land include good habitats for wildlife and that these habitats will vanish if the existing young non native spruce trees are allowed to grow further. Existing older blocks of Spruce do not allow light to penetrate and are poor for diversity.
We have discovered many grassland and heathland species such as the scarce "Lunar yellow underwing" which we hope to preserve. Other species such as the rare fungi "Cortinarius bicolour" are almost exclusively found in moist coniferous woodlands, so we really are looking to achieve a balanced management plan that doesn't simply look at non native trees as being lifeless habitats.
The management plan aims to provide as many possible habitats and therefore food sources for native wildlife. A pool and wetlands area have been created and we will be creating various new habitats over the coming years including wildlife hedges, south facing earth banks, dead wood piles, forest glades, reptile hibernation sites, dead hedges, grassland habitats and lots more.
A visit from the British Dragonfly society helped enormously with planning the pool and associated wetlands area and they have suggested that we may get as many as 20 or more visiting species on the site once the new habitat has matured.
The help of the following organisations has been invaluable in creating our management plan;
The Wildlife Trust, The British Dragonfly society, Ceredigion Council, The Forestry Commission, The environment agency, BTCV, RSPB.
Just a few of the species found at Coed Tan-y-Bryn
Sundew (carnivorous plant), Cortinarius bicolour (rare species of fungi), Bilberry, Rowan, Downy Birch, Sessile Oak, Hazel, Holly, Bell heather, Ling heather, Wild raspberries, Reindeer lichen, The Sickener, Red Kite, Viviparous lizard, Nightjar, Tawny Owl, Buzzard, Gold Finch, Grey Herron, Greater spotted woodpecker, Woodcock, Gold ringed dragonfly, Badger, Lunar yellow underwing (Moth with UK biodiversity action plan priority species status), Field vole, Elephant hawk moth, Horn tail (a saw fly), Great diving beetle, Green tiger beetle.
This work is partly funded by Forestry Commission Wales through the Better Woodlands for Wales grant scheme. Fe ariennir y gwaith yma'n rhannol gan Gomisiwn Coedwigaeth Cymru drwy gynllun grant Coedtiroedd Gwell i Gymru."
***NEWS*** Donations map download available
***NEWS*** Thinning Spruce underway
Thinning of "North Wood" is now underway, allowing light to penetrate and liberating native broadleaves. We are thinning a 1 1/2 block of Sitka spruce, selectively removing trees that will create the best environment for wildlife and broadleaves. The work should be completed in February 2010
Thinning of "Low Wood" is due to start in late December and should also be completed by February 2010. "Low wood" is a smaller block of Sitka Spruce of around 1/2 acre.
***NEWS*** Weather station - Nov 2009
Our small weather station has now been placed in the nature reserve and will monitor weather trends over the coming years.
***NEWS*** New ecological zone map - Nov 2009
***NEWS *** August work party 2009
Thanks to everyone who volunteered this summer at Coed Tan y bryn, it was a really successful work party and we had excellent weather throughout, a stark contrast with last years continuous rain!
Here are some of the achievements from August's gathering:
25 willows planted including some in our new "mulch basin"area for dealing with waste water.
Removed a few dozen young Spruce trees to liberate several native broadleaves
Recorded a further 19 species on our ongoing list. New species list download will be here soon.
Created log pile habitats around "Hawkers pool"
Floating logs and dragonfly perch in and around "Hawkers pool".
The beginnings of a lizard/reptile bank created
Steps leading up to "The Heathers"
Two sets of steps leading to "Hawkers pool"
All areas of woodland photographed to monitor changes
Marked 200+ Sitka spruce for felling in the winter
Brambles cleared along main access track
Rough tent pitches created
And last but not least special thanks to Naomi for mapping the whole nature reserve and dividing it into ecological zones. I will be adding a download for this map very soon for those of you who are interested.
* sorry to any work that has been missed out, it doesnt mean it wasnt inportant to us!!!
***NEWS*** June 2009
Lots of good news to share, the wildlife pool has dozens of dragon flies around it and the vegetation has really grown nice 'n' wild around the banks. Will be interesting in the future to see what dragon flies are visitors and which ones are breeding.
We now have an excellent four season access track through the woodland, made possible by a fantastic donation by neighbouring woodland owner, David Parmer-Phillips of "Coed can erw". David donated 250 tonnes of stone for the project and we had only then to pay for the machines and labour.
The earth banks alongside the track have been a success, with hundreds of foxgloves and various plants and grasses now established. Previously we had no foxgloves on the site and these free draining banks are providing a very usefull new habitat.
***NEWS*** October 2008
New species list available. Click here to download.
***NEWS*** September 2008
A successfull work party in July and August has moved the project forward in leaps and bounds. 600+ young spruce trees have been thinned letting in more light and allowing native trees to flourish.
Several small clearings have been made creating habitats for various native wildlife, such as birds, butterflies and small mammals.
The species list for Coed Tan-Y-Bryn has increased and the new list will be available for download within the next few days. A scarce species of moth, the Lunar yellow underwing (Noctua comes) is the key species to be discovered this year. The Lunar yellow underwing is a surprising find and a very welcome one, being a priority species on the
Thanks to everyone who helped out this summer and we look forward to the Christmas gathering.
Take a look at the updated photo gallery to see some images from the summer.
****NEWS**** (May 2008)
The pool filled with water very quickly and is starting to settle now. Will now be monitoring pool and wetlands to see how they develop. The first study has shown that several species of water beetle and water bugs have already colonised the pool and that newts are also present.
The main woodland ride (track) is starting to settle after getting various vehicles stuck in the mud over the winter and spring. The butterflies, lizards and beetles seem to be enjoying the space anyway! :)
****NEWS**** (October 2007)
The pool and internal track have now been created. More work to do on pool to make it more wildlife friendly. The speed at which the digger created both the track and pool was incredible! The track which is 500ft long took just 7 hours to complete & the pool which is a bout 1/5 of an acre only took 6 1/2 hours!!!
Now hoping that the track dries out and that the pool fills with water!
****NEWS*** (Summer 2007)
Coed Tan-Y-Bryn nature reserve has been approved for a "Better Woodlands for Wales" grant which will improve access for general management and help us with cost for wildlife habitat creation. We hope to have an internal track and pool dug by this winter (2007) . Coed Tan-Y-Bryn nature reserve species list year one (2006 extract from first year report)