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The West Glamorgan Flora website is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in the wild plants, fungi, bryophytes, and lichens of West Glamorgan (covering Neath Port Talbot and Swansea). Created by the Chair of NPT LNP Dr Charles Hipkin alongside Barry Stewart of Celtic Wildflowers , the site brings together detailed species information, photographs, and distribution maps, making it easy to explore the rich biodiversity of the area. Visitors can search by species name or habitat, view the distributions of the species in the region, browse recent sightings in the photo gallery, and learn from a wealth of knowledge about the flora of the region. It’s a practical, well-organised tool for naturalists, researchers, and anyone curious about local wildlife. It's a mammoth task populating each species with information, so the site is still in development, but there is already a tremendous amount of information available to browse. A big thank you and congratulations to Barry and Charles for their hard work and dedication in building this resource. It’s a valuable contribution to understanding and protecting the natural heritage of West Glamorgan.

We’re excited to unveil the new logo for the Neath Port Talbot Local Nature Partnership ! This design reflects the unique character of our county—where industrial heritage meets natural beauty. The logo brings together elements of our rich history and the vibrant landscapes we work to protect, symbolizing the harmony between people, wildlife, and place. Our aim was to create a visual identity that celebrates both the resilience of nature and the community’s commitment to conservation. You’ll start seeing this logo on our projects, events, and communications as we continue working to enhance biodiversity across Neath Port Talbot. How many species and habitats can you identify in our logo? Comment below!

We had a fantastic time at the Nature Unearthed event on Sunday 13 July 2025 , at the stunning Margam Country Park . The weather couldn’t have been better—blue skies and sunshine set the perfect scene for a day of celebrating nature. This special event was part of Wales Nature Week and was proudly supported by the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature fund . It was a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to connect with the natural world through a variety of engaging activities. A huge thank you goes out to all our amazing partners who hosted stalls and ran activities throughout the day. From wild yoga and bug hunts to fungi walks and river discoveries, your enthusiasm and dedication made the event truly memorable. If you’d like to get involved and be part of future events like this, why not join the NPT Local Nature Partnership ? You can also visit our What's On page to see what other events we have coming up.

The sound of screaming swifts has long signalled the arrival of summer in the UK. Migrating to our towns and cities in May, these stunning and agile birds are an iconic summer visitor. Unfortunately, like many of our other species, our swifts are struggling. Help us to help swifts in NPT. Swift sightings in NPT Help us record swifts in Neath Port Talbot! These charismatic birds visit our towns in the summer, migrating all the way from Africa. They rely on us for nesting sites, squeezing through tiny gaps in roofs to raise their chicks. But building renovation is causing nest sites to disappear. This, as well as declining insect numbers, has caused swifts in the UK to decline by 60% between 1995 and 2020. Submitting your swift sighting helps us monitor the local population, identify nest sites and locate where nest boxes could be fitted. Swift sightings 2024 Swift sightings in 2024 Swift sightings 2025_2 Swift sightings in 2025 Swift sightings 2024 Swift sightings in 2024 1/2 Swifts can sometimes be confused with other similar-looking birds, namely swallows, house martins and sand martins. Here are some key features to look out for to help you tell them apart: Submit swift records Name Email What3Words for sighting* Number of swifts What was the swift(s) doing?* If entering or leaving a building, please let us know the exact location of the building (What3Words) and if there is any building work taking place there. Any other comments? By checking this box you agree that NPT LNP can forward this information to the NPT Swift group. Your data will be handled in line with our privacy policy * Are you happy for us to contact you about your sighting if we need further information? * Submit MAKE A SWIFT! Help raise awareness about swifts by making your very own Selwyn To download the knitting pattern click on Selwyn It could be as simple as making Selwyn and telling your friends and family what you've learnt about swifts. Or your community group could create a whole screaming part of swifts for a display! Tag us on social media to show us your makes @NPTwildlife or @Neath Port Talbot Local Nature Partnership and use the hashtag #selwyntheswift How you can help swifts Put up a swift box If you are able to, putting a swift box or two up on your property can be a great practical way to help your local swifts. Record your sightings If you see a swift, let us know where it was so we can keep an eye on the populations in NPT. Use the form above to do so. Raise community awareness Tell your friends and family about the plight of our swifts and how they can help. Why not encourage your neighbours to put up boxes and create a swift street?

This site is the place to find out information about the Neath Port Talbot (NPT) Local Nature Partnership, the state of nature in NPT and our Nature Recovery Action Plan (NRAP). Conserving, protecting and enhancing the nature of Neath Port Talbot in South Wales Read a pdf of the State of Nature of NPT NPT Local Nature Partnership Conserving, protecting and enhancing the nature of Neath Port Talbot We achieve our aims by creating partnerships between people that protect and care for nature in NPT, gathering information on the conservation of species and habitats in NPT, supporting the development of projects that are contributing to the aims of the Partnership, developing new projects to address local priorities and providing an advisory function on the subject of the state of nature and nature recovery in NPT. Read more THE STATE OF NATURE IN NPT An assessment of the State of Nature of our county has revealed that nature in NPT is in trouble and at risk from threats such as climate change and development. Urgent actions are required to improve the resilience of NPT’s biodiversity, in particular the coastal, heathland and moorland and semi-natural grassland habitats. Read More HOW CAN YOU HELP? Nature conservation begins at home and there are steps we can all take, wherever or whoever we are, to help preserve the natural heritage of NPT. Read More Our Nature Recovery Action Plan An assessment of the state of nature in NPT is the first step towards achieving a sustainable, healthy environment, which will provide all of us and future generations of NPT with an inspiring place to live. The actions that are suggested on this website are our road map to this; our Nature Recovery Action Plan. Read More NPT nature in numbers 21 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) 950 Hectares of protected land 70 Section 7 Species 21 UK Red Listed breeding birds Follow us Upcoming Events Wed 24 Jun In Flight at Night: Bat Walk & Moth Trapping at Tonna Woodland / Tonna Woodland RSVP 24 Jun 2026, 21:00 – 23:00 Tonna Woodland, 5 Brunel Cl, Tonna, Neath SA11 3JY, UK Join ecologists Di Clark and Vaughn Matthews for a fascinating evening exploring Tonna Woodland after dark. +7 more Sun 28 Jun Life Along the Canal: Discover Swansea Canal's Invertebrates / Swansea Canal Local Nature Reserve RSVP 28 Jun 2026, 11:00 – 13:00 Swansea Canal Local Nature Reserve, 122 Cilmaengwyn, Ystalyfera, Swansea SA8 4QN, UK Join entomologist Liam Olds for a guided walk along the Swansea Canal, exploring the fascinating world of insects and other invertebrates that thrive in and around this historic waterway. Mon 29 Jun Echoes in the Dark: Bats of Swansea Canal / Swansea Canal Local Nature Reserve Details 29 Jun 2026, 21:00 – 22:30 Swansea Canal Local Nature Reserve, 122 Cilmaengwyn, Ystalyfera, Swansea SA8 4QN, UK Experience Swansea Canal after dark and discover its nocturnal wildlife. Led by ecologist Di Clark, this guided walk will use bat detectors to reveal the hidden sounds of bats and explore the species that live along the canal. +7 more Wed 01 Jul Life in the Meadow: Invertebrate Training Day / Tegeirian Community Meadow RSVP 01 Jul 2026, 10:00 – 14:00 Tegeirian Community Meadow, 15 Heol Glynderwen, Neath SA10 7RR, UK Join entomologist Liam Olds for a hands-on training day exploring the rich invertebrate life of Tegeirian Community Meadow. Wed 01 Jul Pontardawe Swift Walk / Pontardawe Library RSVP 01 Jul 2026, 19:30 – 21:30 Pontardawe Library, Holly St, Pontardawe, Swansea SA8 4ET, UK Join us in Pontardawe to walk and talk about all things swift for Swift Awareness Week! Booking required. -------------------------------------------- Ymunwch â ni ym Mhontardawe i gerdded a siarad am wenoliaid duon ar gyfer Wythnos Ymwybyddiaeth o Wenoliaid Duon! Rhaid cadw lle. +2 more Sat 04 Jul Nature Unearthed at Gnoll Country Park / Gnoll Country Park Learn more 04 Jul 2026, 11:00 – 16:00 Gnoll Country Park, 134 Fairyland, Cimla, Neath SA11 3EF, UK Discover the wild side of Neath Port Talbot at Nature Unearthed, a celebration of local wildlife and natural wonders, brought to you by the Neath Port Talbot Local Nature Partnership. Multiple Dates Wed 08 Jul Mini-Beasts of the Meadow: A Guided Invertebrate Walk / Tegeirian Community Meadow RSVP 08 Jul 2026, 10:00 – 12:00 Tegeirian Community Meadow, 15 Heol Glynderwen, Neath SA10 7RR, UK Join entomologist Liam Olds for a guided walk at Tegeirian Community Meadow and explore the rich diversity of insects and other invertebrates that inhabit this species-rich meadow. Multiple Dates Wed 08 Jul Nant Clais Himalayan Balsam Clearance / Trefelin Boys and Girls Club Learn more 08 Jul 2026, 18:00 – 20:00 Trefelin Boys and Girls Club, Ynys Park, Cwmavon Rd, Cwmafan, Port Talbot SA12 8RB, UK Multiple Dates Sat 11 Jul Wildlife of the Tip: Discover Bryn’s Hidden Nature / Bryn Tip Local Nature Reserve RSVP 11 Jul 2026, 10:00 – 12:00 Bryn Tip Local Nature Reserve, Bryn, Port Talbot SA13 2RP, UK Join Glo i Natur CIC for a guided walk around Bryn Tip Local Nature Reserve and discover the surprising wildlife that thrives on this former coal tip. Mon 13 Jul Wings in the Woods: Bats of Cwm Du Glen & Glanrhyd Plantation / Cwm Du Glen & Glanrhyd Plantation LNR RSVP 13 Jul 2026, 21:15 – 22:45 Cwm Du Glen & Glanrhyd Plantation LNR, James St, Pontardawe, Swansea SA8 4LR, UK Join ecologist Di Clark for a guided evening bat walk through Cwm Du Glen and Glanrhyd Plantation, exploring the hidden world of woodland nocturnal wildlife. See All Wed 15 Jul Secrets of the Sands: A Coastal Invertebrate Training Day / Scarlet Avenue Car Park RSVP 15 Jul 2026, 10:00 – 15:00 Scarlet Avenue Car Park, Scarlet Ave, Port Talbot SA12 7PH, UK Join entomologist Liam Olds for a hands-on training day exploring the fascinating world of sand dune invertebrates at Aberavon Beach. Wed 15 Jul Pontardawe Swift Walk / Pontardawe Library RSVP 15 Jul 2026, 19:30 – 21:30 Pontardawe Library, Holly St, Pontardawe, Swansea SA8 4ET, UK Join us in Pontardawe for an evening stroll to learn all about swifts! Booking required. -------------------------------------------- Ymunwch â ni ym Mhontardawe ar gyfer tro bach gyda’r hwyr i ddysgu am wenoliaid duon! Rhaid cadw lle. See All Fri 17 Jul Bryn Tip Biodiversity Discovery Day / Bryn Tip Local Nature Reserve RSVP 17 Jul 2026, 10:00 – 15:00 Bryn Tip Local Nature Reserve, Bryn, Port Talbot SA13 2RP, UK Join Glo i Natur CIC at Bryn Tip Local Nature Reserve for a Biodiversity Discovery Day! Mon 27 Jul Porpoise Picnic / Aberavon Beach RSVP 27 Jul 2026, 11:00 – 14:00 Aberavon Beach, Aberavon Beach SA12, UK Celebrate National Whale and Dolphin Watch with Beach Academy! Bring a blanket and come and find out more about the gentle porpoise and other cetaceans. Thu 30 Jul Starfish Rescue / Aberavon Beach RSVP 30 Jul 2026, 11:00 – 12:30 Aberavon Beach, Aberavon Beach SA12, UK Join Beach Academy for this lesson on the beach all about starfish! Learn about these amazing marine animals and their close relatives, the brittlestars, and discover what to do if you come across one along the shore. Fri 31 Jul Big Butterfly Count at Gnoll Country Park / Gnoll Country Park RSVP 31 Jul 2026, 14:00 – 16:00 Gnoll Country Park, 134 Fairyland, Cimla, Neath SA11 3EF, UK Join the NPT for Nature Group for a guided Big Butterfly Count in the meadows at Gnoll Country Park! Sat 29 Aug Ty Banc Canal Festival / SA11 4DP Learn more 29 Aug 2026, 12:00 – 30 Aug 2026, 20:00 SA11 4DP, Glyn Neath Rd, Resolven, Neath SA11 4DP, UK Ty Banc Canal Festival is a free, family-friendly community event held along the Neath Canal at Resolven during the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Cwm Du Glen is close to Pontardawe Town Centre and may be accessed from a number of points, but most people use the main (signposted) trail which starts near Pontardawe Cross. The site is well known as an area of high aesthetic and biodiversity value with its steep-sided riparian woodland that dresses the lower section of the Upper Clydach Valley. < Back Cwm Du Glen Dyffryn Cwm Du Cwm Du Glen is close to Pontardawe Town Centre and may be accessed from a number of points, but most people use the main (signposted) trail which starts near Pontardawe Cross. The site is well known as an area of high aesthetic and biodiversity value with its steep-sided riparian woodland that dresses the lower section of the Upper Clydach Valley. Mae Dyffryn Cwm Du yn agos at Ganol Tref Pontardawe a cheir mynediad iddo o sawl man ond mae’r rhan fwyaf o bobl yn defnyddio’r prif lwybr (ag arwyddion) sy’n dechrau ger y Groes. Mae’r safle’n adnabyddus fel ardal werthfawr o safbwynt estheteg a bioamrywiaeth gyda’i choetir serth ar lannau’r afon sy’n gorchuddio rhan isaf pen Uchaf Cwm Clydach. Both sides of the Glen support semi-natural ancient deciduous woodland with a rich flora. Glanrhyd Plantation, which occurs above the Glen on the western side, is dominated by a mixture of native and non-native trees. More than 230 species of plants have been recorded in the Glen, which includes vascular plants (flowering plants and ferns) and a rich assemblage of bryophytes (approximately 90 species). The river is an important habitat for Dipper and Grey Wagtail and the occasional Kingfisher, which are commonly seen from the main access path. The occurrence of spraint on the riverside rocks indicates that the site is also used by Otter. Wet rocks on the banks support a diverse bryophyte flora which includes common, conspicuous species such as Overleaf Pellia, Great Scented Liverwort, Greater Water-moss and Flagellate Feather-moss, as well as nationally scarce species such as Beck Pocket-moss, Broad-leaf Grimmia and Yellowish Fork-moss. The riparian woodland that occurs along the banks of the river is dominated by Alder, with Ash and Wych Elm prominent in places. A number of notable ancient woodland indicator species such as Bluebell, Sanicle, Yellow Archangel and Wood Anemone are conspicuous here. Other conspicuous species include Remote Sedge, Pendulous Sedge, Great Wood-rush and Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage. The steep-sided valley woodland is dominated by Sessile Oak but also includes Birch, Ash, Sycamore, Holly, Rowan, Beech and small amounts of Hazel. Neither Sycamore nor Beech are native in the glen, but both are represented by some large mature trees. Plant species in the herb layer here include Wood Sorrel, Enchanter’s Nightshade, Bluebell and various species of ferns. Palmate Germanderwort, an uncommon liverwort in South Wales, occurs on decorticated logs in the valley. Woodland on the east side, in the vicinity of Gelligron waterfall (and above), supports abundant Hard Fern and attractive patches of Wood Horsetail. A large sward of Great Horsetail occurs in the section above the waterfall where there is also a population of Common Cow-wheat. A good time to visit Cwm Du Glen is late spring and early summer when all our common woodland birds can be seen and heard, plus some notable migrants such as Wood Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher. Cwm Du Glen supports habitats which are suitable for roosting bats, and the whole site provides exemplary opportunities for feeding. Some nationally scarce moths such as Blomer’s Rivulet and Double Line were recorded by the Glamorgan Moth Recording Group in Cwm Du Glen in 2002. The Double Line is a BAP priority species which depends on the occurrence of Wych Elm in the Glen. Other moths of local significance which have been recorded in Cwm Du Glen include the Sharp-angled Peacock, Scorched Wing, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Coronet and Beautiful Snout. Mae dwy ochr y Dyffryn yn cynnal coetir collddail hynafol lled-naturiol sy’n cynnwys cyfoeth o blanhigion. Cymysgedd o goed brodorol ac anfrodorol a geir yn bennaf ym Mhlanhigfa Glanrhyd, uwchben y Dyffryn ar yr ochr orllewinol. Cofnodwyd mwy na 230 o rywogaethau o blanhigion yn y Dyffryn, gan gynnwys planhigion fasgwlaidd (planhigion blodeuol a rhedyn) a chasgliad cyfoethog o fryoffytau (oddeutu 90 o rywogaethau). Mae’r afon yn gynefin pwysig ar gyfer Bronwen y Dŵr a’r Siglen Lwyd ac ambell Las y Dorlan, sydd i’w gweld yn gyffredin o’r prif lwybr mynediad. Mae’r baw dyfrgi a welir ar greigiau ar lan yr afon yn arwydd bod Dyfrgwn yn defnyddio’r safle hefyd. Mae’r creigiau gwlyb ar y glannau’n cynnal amrywiaeth o fryoffytau, gan gynnwys rhywogaethau cyffredin, amlwg fel y Ffrydlys Cyffredin, yr Afuad Mawr Pêr, y Dyfrfwsogl Mawr a’r plufwsogl Hyocomium armoricum , yn ogystal â rhywogaethau sydd i’w canfod yn anfynych ar lefel genedlaethol megis Fissidens rufulus , Schistidium platyphyllum a’r Fforchfwsogl Melynaidd . Prif nodwedd y coetir ar lannau’r afon yw coed Gwern, ynghyd â choed Ynn a Llwyfennau Llydanddail amlwg mewn mannau. Mae’n werth nodi bod nifer o rywogaethau dangosol coetir hynafol yn amlwg yma, megis Clychau’r Gog, Clust yr Arth, y Farddanhadlen Felen a Blodyn y Gwynt. Ymhlith y rhywogaethau eraill amlwg mae’r Hesgen Blodau Anghyfagos, yr Hesgen Bendrom, y Goedfrwynen Fawr a’r Eglyn Cyferbynddail. Derw Mes Di-goes yw nodwedd amlycaf y coetir ar lethrau serth y dyffryn, ond mae coed Bedw, Ynn, Sycamorwydd, Celyn, Criafol, Ffawydd ac ychydig o goed Cyll yma hefyd. Nid yw’r Sycamorwydd na’r Ffawydd yn frodorol i’r Dyffryn, ond cynrychiolir y ddwy rywogaeth gan rai coed llawn dwf mawr. Mae’r rhywogaethau yn yr haen lysiau yma yn cynnwys Suran y Coed, Llysiau Steffan, Clychau’r Gog ac amrywiaeth o rywogaethau o redyn. Mae’r Saetslys Palfog, sef math o lys yr afu sy’n anghyffredin yn ne Cymru, i’w ganfod ar foncyffion dirisgl yn y dyffryn. Mae’r coetir ar ochr ddwyreiniol y dyffryn, ger (ac uwchben) rhaeadr Gelligron yn cynnal Gwibredyn toreithiog a chlystyrau deniadol o Farchrawn y Coed. Ceir gweirdir helaeth o Farchrawn y Coed ar dir uwchben y rhaeadr lle ceir poblogaeth o’r Gliniogai hefyd. Mae diwedd y gwanwyn a dechrau’r haf yn amser da i ymweld â Dyffryn Cwm Du pan fydd modd gweld a chlywed ein holl adar coetir cyffredin, ynghyd â rhai adar mudol nodedig, megis Telor y Coed a’r Gwybedog Mannog. Mae Dyffryn Cwm Du yn cynnal cynefinoedd sy’n addas ar gyfer ystlumod sy’n clwydo ac mae’r safle cyfan yn cynnig cyfleoedd bwydo rhagorol. Cafodd rhai gwyfynod sy’n brin ar lefel genedlaethol, megis Crych Blomer a’r Wensgod Fawr, eu cofnodi gan Grŵp Cofnodi Gwyfynod Morgannwg yn Nyffryn Cwm Du yn 2002. Mae’r Wensgod Fawr, sy’n rhywogaeth â blaenoriaeth yn y Cynllun Gweithredu Bioamrywiaeth, yn dibynnu ar y Llwyfenni Llydanddail sy’n tyfu yn y Dyffryn. Mae gwyfynod eraill ag arwyddocâd lleol a gofnodwyd yn Nyffryn Cwm Du yn cynnwys y Seffyr Sgolpiog, yr Adain Ddeifiog, Gwalch-wyfyn Bach Helyglys, y Bidog Yswydd a Thrwynog y Rhos. Gallery Previous Next