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This large park in the Afan Valley, 48 square miles in area, has lots of tracks and trails that allow visitors to experience nature at any time of year. A Visitor Centre is situated on the A4107 near Cynonville where there is a car park and other facilities including visitor information and refreshments. From here you can take a number of walks, many of which are suitable for families. < Back Afan Forest Park Parc Coedwig Afan This large park in the Afan Valley, 48 square miles in area, has lots of tracks and trails that allow visitors to experience nature at any time of year. A Visitor Centre is situated on the A4107 near Cynonville where there is a car park and other facilities including visitor information and refreshments. From here you can take a number of walks, many of which are suitable for families. Mae’r parc mawr hwn yng Nghwm Afan, sy’n 48 milltir sgwâr o ran ei arwynebedd, yn cynnwys nifer o lwybrau a thrywyddau gwahanol sy’n caniatáu i ymwelwyr fwynhau natur ar bob adeg o’r flwyddyn. Lleolir Canolfan Ymwelwyr ar ffordd yr A4107 ger Cynonville lle mae maes parcio a chyfleusterau eraill gan gynnwys lluniaeth a gwybodaeth i ymwelwyr. O’r fan hon, gallwch ddilyn sawl llwybr, llawer ohonynt yn addas i deuluoedd. One of the best and easiest will take you from the centre along a disused railway track, past the old Cynonville Halt towards Dyffryn Rhondda and Cymmer. Here, in spring and early summer, you can experience a chorus of birdsong from summer migrants like Willow Warbler, Chiff Chaff, Blackcap and Garden Warbler, as well as all the common resident species such as Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Song Thrush, Blackbird and Robin. House Martins are frequently seen buzzing around in the mid-summer sky above Cynonville in the evenings. The banks and ditches along this track are full of mosses and liverworts, with carpets of beautiful Shining Hookeria in places and tufts of Fingered Cowlwort, a tiny hyperoceanic liverwort, on the bark of willow trees. Between Cynonville and Dyffryn Rhondda there are some biodiverse grassy areas on the coaly spoil of the levelled Dyffryn Tip; these are the Dyffryn Rhondda Railway Meadows. Devil’s-bit Scabious is common in the large meadow, its flowers often visited by the handsome wasp mimic hoverfly, Sericomyia silentis . Other conspicuous flowering plants to note here are Southern Marsh-orchid, Chicory and Pearly Everlasting. Look out for Adder that are sometimes found basking on the woodpiles. They are shy creatures, not aggressive and will always seek to move quickly away from you if they are disturbed. On sunny days you will see lots of butterflies, including Dark Green Fritillary which are on the wing in late spring and early summer. Other things to note in the vicinity include a large population of Round-leaved Wintergreen and further along towards Cymmer there is an established heronry. Goosander are often seen flying along the river in this part of the Afan Valley. Other areas of the forest park can be accessed from Rhyslyn, Gyfylchi, Abercregan, Glyncorrwg and Blaengwynfi. The Rhyslyn entrance in Pontrhydyfen has a large, free car parking area. Ash trees along the banks of the River Afan here have notable colonies of the Atlantic lichen, Sticta limbata, and little pools in the ditches along the tracks often have tadpoles and small numbers of Palmate Newts that usually predate them. Grey Wagtail and Dipper frequent the river hereabouts, where foamy water bounces off rocks covered in dark mossy cushions of River and Broadleaf Grimmia. In many parts of the park large amounts of Japanese Larch became infected with Ramorum disease and have been removed. The clear-felled areas that have resulted from this have become occupied by Nightjar and Tree Pipits, and on balmy summer evenings the churring sound of male Nightjars can often be heard in the Pelenna Valley. The River Afan has recovered significantly from the mine water pollution that turned its waters black and orange in the past. Now in much better condition, it is able to support populations of Brown Trout, Sea Trout and a run of Atlantic Salmon, although there are still issues with mine water pollution and eutrophication in some places. Most of the park is dominated by large stands of Sitka Spruce where Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Crossbill and Goshawk are found. These forests are often dark and sometimes impenetrable, but they have a large diversity of fungi which includes colourful species such as Fly Agaric and an assortment of Brittlegills like Ochre Brittlegill and the much rarer Russula fuscorubroides , one of NPT’s Priority Species. Bydd un o’r llwybrau gorau a hawsaf yn eich tywys o’r ganolfan ar hyd yr hen reilffordd, heibio i Arhosfan Cynonville tuag at Ddyffryn Rhondda a’r Cymer. Yma, gallwch fwynhau côr yr adar yn ystod y gwanwyn a’r haf, sy’n cynnwys mudwyr haf fel Telor yr Helyg, y Siff Siaff, y Telor Penddu a Thelor yr Ardd, yn ogystal â’r holl rywogaethau preswyl cyffredin megis y Titw Mawr, Titw Tomos Las, y Titw Penddu, Telor y Cnau, y Fronfraith, yr Aderyn Du a’r Robin. Ganol haf, mae Gwenoliaid y Bondo i'w gweld yn hedfan yn brysur gyda’r nos. Mae’r cloddiau a’r ffosydd ar hyd y llwybr hwn yn llawn mwsoglau a llysiau’r afu, gyda charpedi hardd o Hookeria Lucens mewn mannau a thuswau o’r Cwfl-lys Byseddog, sef math o lys yr afu pitw, hypergefnforol, ar risgl rhai o’r coed helyg. Rhwng Cynonville a Dyffryn Rhondda, mae Dolydd Rheilffordd Dyffryn Rhondda, sef llecynnau glaswelltog bioamrywiol ar rwbel glo Tomen y Dyffryn sydd wedi’i lefelu. Mae Tamaid y Cythraul yn gyffredin ar y ddôl fawr, lle mae’r pryfed hofran tebyg i wenyn meirch deniadol, Sericomyia silentis, yn ymwelwyr mynych. Mae planhigion blodeuol eraill sy’n werth eu nodi yn cynnwys Tegeirian-y-gors Deheuol, yr Ysgellog a’r Edafeddog Hirhoedlog. Cofiwch sylwi ar y Gwiberod sydd i’w gweld yn torheulo ar domenni coed o bryd i’w gilydd. Nid yw’r creaduriaid swil hyn yn ymosodol a byddant bob amser yn ceisio symud i ffwrdd yn gyflym os bydd rhywbeth yn tarfu arnyn nhw. Ar ddiwrnodau heulog, gallwch weld nifer o loÿnnod byw, gan gynnwys y Fritheg Werdd, sydd yn yr awyr ar ddiwedd y gwanwyn a dechrau’r haf. Ymhlith nodweddion eraill gwerth eu nodi yn y cyffiniau, mae poblogaeth fawr o Lesyn-y-gaeaf Deilgrwn ac ymhellach ar hyd y llwybr tuag at y Cymer, mae crëyrfa wedi’i sefydlu. Yn aml, gellir gweld Hwyaid Danheddog yn hedfan ar hyd yr afon yn y rhan hon o Gwm Afan. Gellir cael mynediad i rannau eraill o’r parc coedwig o Ryslyn, Gyfylchi, Abercregan, Glyncorrwg a Blaengwynfi. Mae maes parcio mawr di-dâl ger mynedfa Rhyslyn ym Mhontrhydyfen. Ceir cytrefi hynod o gen Iwerydd, Sticta limbata , ar goed ynn ar hyd glannau afon Afan yma, ac mae’r pyllau bach yn y ffosydd wrth ymyl y llwybrau yn aml yn cynnwys penbyliaid a niferoedd bach o’r Madfallod Dŵr Palfog sydd fel arfer yn eu bwyta. Mae’r Siglen Lwyd a Bronwen y Dŵr yn ymweld â’r afon yn yr ardal hon, lle mae dŵr ewynnog yn tasgu oddi ar greigiau lle ceir clustogau mwsoglyd o schistidium rivulare a schistidium platyphyllum . Mewn sawl rhan o’r parc, mae nifer mawr o Larwydd Japan a gafodd eu heintio ag afiechyd Ramorwm wedi cael eu clirio. Mae’r ardaloedd sydd wedi’u llwyrgwympo o ganlyniad i’r gwaith hwn bellach yn gartref i’r Troellwr Mawr a Chorhedyddion y Coed ac yn aml ar nosweithiau braf o haf mae’r Troellwyr Mawr gwryw i’w glywed yn troelli yng Nghwm Pelenna. Mae cyflwr afon Afan wedi gwella’n sylweddol ers y dyddiau pan fyddai llygredd dŵr o’r pyllau glo a’r mwyngloddiau yn troi ei dyfroedd yn ddu ac yn oren yn y gorffennol. Bellach, mae’r afon mewn cyflwr llawer gwell ac yn gallu cynnal poblogaethau o Frithyll, Sewin a rhediad Eog Iwerydd, er bod llygredd dŵr o’r pyllau glo a’r mwyngloddiau ac ewtroffigedd yn dal i achosi problemau mewn rhai mannau. Mae clystyrau o goed Sbriws Sitka yn nodwedd amlwg iawn yn y rhan fwyaf o’r parc lle mae’r Pila Gwyrdd, y Llinos Bengoch Fechan, y Gylfingroes a Gwalch Martin i’w canfod. Mae’r coedwigoedd hyn yn aml yn dywyll ac weithiau’n ddyrys, ond mae amrywiaeth mawr o ffyngau yn tyfu ynddynt, gan gynnwys rhywogaethau lliwgar megis Amanita’r Gwybed a chasgliad o Degyll fel y Tegyll Brau Melyn a’r Russula fuscorubroides llawer prinnach, sy’n un o’r Rhywogaethau â Blaenoriaeth yn CNPT. Gallery Previous Next

A short walk from the village of Melincwrt, near Resolven, will take you along the Melincwrt Brook into a little nature reserve managed by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. It is an easy walk that takes you into the lower Melincwrt Valley as far as the photogenic waterfall, Sgwd Rhyd yr Hesg, which falls spectacularly into a jumble of sandstone boulders at its base. < Back Melincwrt Valley and Cwm Caca Dyffryn Melin-cwrt a Chwm Caca A short walk from the village of Melincwrt, near Resolven, will take you along the Melincwrt Brook into a little nature reserve managed by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. It is an easy walk that takes you into the lower Melincwrt Valley as far as the photogenic waterfall, Sgwd Rhyd yr Hesg, which falls spectacularly into a jumble of sandstone boulders at its base. Bydd taith fer ar droed o bentref Melin-cwrt, ger Resolfen, yn eich arwain ar hyd glan Nant Melin-cwrt i warchodfa natur fach sy’n cael ei rheoli gan Ymddiriedolaeth Bywyd Gwyllt De a Gorllewin Cymru. Mae’n dro hawdd sy’n eich arwain i mewn i ran isaf Dyffryn Melin-cwrt mor bell â rhaeadr ffotogenig Sgwd Rhyd yr Hesg sy’n disgyn yn drawiadol dros y casgliad o greigiau tywodfaen oddi tani. In places, the perpendicular walls of the valley are covered in mosses and liverworts, with sheets of Straggling Pouchwort draped over the wet rocks which are splashed by the cascading water, while Royal Fern clings on to the rock behind the waterfall. The path-side river bank is wooded with Wych Elm and Small-leaved Lime in places, and a rather inaccessible, north-facing vertical slab of rock here is covered with Tunbridge Filmy-fern in its only known location in NPT. The steep wooded sides of the valley are dominated by Sessile Oak, with a ground flora that includes Common Cow-wheat, Bluebell and Wood Sorrel. In previous decades, Pied Flycatcher bred in this woodland but they haven’t been recorded here in recent years. However, Grey Wagtail and Dipper are commonly found along the brook, and further upstream, above the waterfall, Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart are often seen. The steep, gorge-like upper Melincwrt Valley, above the waterfall, is little explored, but wet rocks and splash zones there support interesting liverworts such as Compressed Flapwort and the exquisite Handsome Woolywort. Where the brook meanders through Cwm Caca there are banks of Ivy-leaved Bellflower and a large area of marshy grassland filled with rushes and bog mosses. Base-rich flushes in this vicinity have attractive swards of Thick-nerved Apple-moss, and small amounts of Beech Fern reside in the shade of rocky outcrops. Mewn mannau, gorchuddir waliau unionsyth y dyffryn gan fwsoglau a llysiau’r afu, gyda haenau o Godlys Traphlith wedi’u taenu dros y creigiau gwlyb lle mae’r rhaeadr yn tasgu a Rhedyn Cyfrdwy yn glynu at y graig y tu ôl i’r rhaeadr. Mae glan yr afon ar ochr y llwybr yn goediog gyda Llwyfenni Llydanddail a Phisgwydd Dail Bach mewn mannau, ac mae darn o graig fertigol sy’n wynebu’r gogledd ac sy’n anodd iawn ei gyrraedd wedi’i orchuddio gan Redynach Teneuwe Tunbridge, unig leoliad hysbys y rhywogaeth yn CNPT. Derw Mes Di-goes yw’r nodwedd amlycaf ar ochrau coediog serth y dyffryn, gyda fflora daear sy’n cynnwys Gliniogai, Clychau’r Gog a Suran y Coed. Mewn degawdau blaenorol, roedd Gwybedogion Brith yn bridio yn y coetir hwn ond nid ydynt wedi’u cofnodi yma yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Fodd bynnag mae Siglennod Llwyd a Throchyddion i’w canfod yn gyffredin ar hyd y nant ac ymhellach i fyny’r nant, uwchben y rhaeadr, mae Gwybedogion Mannog a Thingochion i’w gweld yn aml. Nid yw rhan uchaf Dyffryn Melin-cwrt a’i hochrau serth, fel ceunant, uwchben y rhaeadr wedi cael ei harchwilio’n fanwl, ond mae’r creigiau gwlyb a’r parthau lle mae’r dŵr yn tasgu yn cynnal mathau diddorol o lysiau’r afu megis yr Ysgol-lys Cywasg a’r Gwlanlys Hardd. Lle mae’r nant yn ymdroelli trwy Gwm Caca, ceir llethrau o Glychlys Dail Eiddew ac ardal helaeth o laswelltir corsiog llawn cyrs a migwynau. Mae’r llaciau tra-fasig yn y cyffiniau hyn wedi denu clystyrau o afal-fwsogl Philonotis calcarea ac mae ychydig o Redyn Corniog i’w canfod yng nghysgod y creigiau bargodol. Gallery Previous Next

The most diverse woodland flora in NPT is found in the ribbons of woodland that occur along the banks of the River Neath between Tonna and Glynneath. Wych Elm is a common component of these riparian woodlands, with Ash, Sycamore, Alder, Hazel and Small-leaved Lime. < Back The Vale of Neath Riparian Woodland Corridor Coridor Coetir Glannau Afon Bro Nedd The most diverse woodland flora in NPT is found in the ribbons of woodland that occur along the banks of the River Neath between Tonna and Glynneath. Wych Elm is a common component of these riparian woodlands, with Ash, Sycamore, Alder, Hazel and Small-leaved Lime. Mae’r fflora coetir mwyaf amrywiol yn CNPT i’w canfod yn y rhubanau o goetir ar hyd glannau afon Nedd rhwng Tonna a Glyn-nedd. Mae’r Llwyfen Lydanddail yn gyffredin yn y coetiroedd hyn ar lannau’r afon, ynghyd â choed Ynn, Sycamorwydd, Gwern, Cyll a Phisgwydd Dail Bach. The ground flora is made up of numerous ancient woodland indicator species such as Bluebell, Woodruff, Ramsons, Wood Anemone, Yellow Archangel, Pignut, Sanicle, Wood Speedwell and Toothwort, a diverse assemblage not seen in other types of woodlands in the county. Primroses are particularly common in some parts, and Great Wood-rush, Soft Shield-fern and Hard Shield-fern are often conspicuous. Common Twayblade is also seen occasionally. There are numerous mosses and liverworts in these woodlands; Greater Featherwort, Lesser Featherwort, Hair pointed Feather-moss and Big shaggy-moss are characteristic species of the woodland floor, while Micheli’s Least Pouncewort, Western Pouncewort, Many-fruited Leskea and Blunt Feather-moss are the characteristic epiphytes on the trees along the riverside. A significant population of Meadow Saxifrage occurs all along the banks of the river in the riparian corridor, and near Resolven, Marsh Hawk’s- beard occurs in one of its most southerly locations in Britain. The sandy, alluvial soils that accumulate on the banks of the river also support attractive tufts of Bordered Thyme-moss, which is generally uncommon elsewhere. Dipper and Grey Wagtail are two of the most characteristic river birds in the Vale, but Common Sandpiper may also be seen bobbing in the shingle banks, where they make their nests. Kingfisher also breed here as do Spotted Flycatcher, which sit on riverside trees and dart out every now and then to catch insects. On fine evenings in summer you can watch Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin and Swifts feeding over the river and if you are very lucky you may even spot an Otter. Goosander and Mandarin Duck are among other river birds that you might see. Mae’r fflora daear yn cynnwys nifer o rywogaethau dangosol coetir hynafol megis Clychau’r Gog, Briwydd, Craf y Geifr, Blodau’r Gwynt, y Farddanhadlen Felen, Cneuen y Ddaear, Clust yr Arth, Rhwyddlwyn y Coed a’r Deintlys, casgliad amrywiol nas gwelir mewn mathau eraill o goetiroedd yn y sir. Mae Briallu yn arbennig o gyffredin mewn rhai mannau ac mae’r Goedfrwynen Fawr, y Wrychredynen Feddal a’r Wrychredynen Galed yn aml yn amlwg iawn. Gwelir y Caineirian o dro i dro hefyd. Mae nifer o fwsoglau a llysiau’r afu yn y coetiroedd hyn; mae’r Dueglys Mawr, y Dueglys Bychan, Cirriphyllum piliferum a’r Hylocomiadelphus triquertrus yn rhywogaethau nodweddiadol ar lawr y coetiroedd, tra bo’r Llychlys Cyffredin, Llychlys y Gorllewin, Leskea polycarpa a Homalia trichomanoides yn epiffytau nodweddiadol ar goed ar lannau’r afon. Ceir poblogaeth sylweddol o Dormaen y Gweunydd ar hyd glannau’r afon yn y coridor hwn, a ger Resolfen mae Gwalchlys y Gors yn tyfu yn un o’i leoliadau mwyaf deheuol ym Mhrydain. Mae’r pridd tywodlyd, llifwaddodol sy’n cronni ar lannau’r afon hefyd yn cynnal tuswau o’r Mnium marginatu m deniadol sy’n anghyffredin ym mhobman arall. Dau o’r adar afon mwyaf nodweddiadol yn y Dyffryn yw Bronwen y Dŵr a’r Siglen Lwyd, ond gellir gweld Pibyddion y Dorlan hefyd ar y cerrig mân ar ochrau’r afon lle maent yn nythu. Yn ogystal, mae Glas y Dorlan yn bridio yma, ynghyd â’r Gwybedog Mannog, sy’n eistedd yn y coed uwchlaw’r afon ac yn saethu allan bob hyn a hyn i ddal pryfed. Ar nosweithiau braf o haf gallwch wylio’r Wennol, Gwennol y Bondo, Gwennol y Glennydd a’r Wennol Ddu yn bwydo uwchben yr afon ac os byddwch yn lwcus iawn, fe allech chi weld Dyfrgi. Mae’r Hwyaden Ddanheddog a’r Hwyaden Fandarin ymhlith yr adar afon eraill y gallech eu gweld. Gallery Previous Next

This site outlines how we can all take action for nature in NPT. NPT LNP members work hard to help nature recover but it doesn't have to stop there. 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. How can you help? This site outlines how we can all take action for nature in NPT. NPT Local Nature Partnership members work hard to help nature recover in NPT but it doesn't have to stop there. 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. In addition to the habitat actions, we have suggested actions here that we, as individuals, could take to help improve the State of Nature in NPT. Take a look at the action plans and see what you could do to help. If you'd like any further information or have any questions about any of the actions, get in touch . Join the Local Nature Partnership Anyone is welcome to join the NPT Local Nature Partnership to become part of our network working to help nature to recover in NPT. There are two options: Join NPT for Nature for community action for nature ideas, training and informal meetings where you can ask your nature questions and share your experiences. Join the full LNP to come along to our bimonthly meetings. These meetings are suitable for those who would like to contribute to the production of the Nature Recovery Action Plan. You are welcome to join both, in order to do so, simply subscribe to the relevant mailing list here . Volunteer with an LNP Partner Many of the partners of the NPT Local Nature Partnership offer volunteering opportunities. These can be varied, from peatbog surveys with the Lost Peatlands Project to balsam bashing with Afan Environment Volunteers. If you'd like to explore the volunteering activities currently available, click here. Be a voice for nature in your area If you have spotted somewhere in your local area that needs some care and attention, let someone know about it! Seen a mown area that could be managed as a meadow? Let NPT Council know by email and it could be added to the NPT Bee Friendly scheme. Let your local Councillors know that you are enjoying seeing nature in your area / would like to see more nature in your area. They are your voice in the local council and can help to improve management for nature in your area. Seen something damaging to nature in your local area? If it counts as a wildlife crime, report it to the police . If you are not sure, report it to the council . Species records for NPT are one of the most useful tools we have to assess how nature is faring in the county. Species recording is also a really enjoyable activity, getting you out exploring and observing nature when you have some free time. The best place to start is to watch this 'Introduction to Wildlife Recording ' webinar and do some species identification courses. Look out for upcoming courses on our calendar or you can do them in your own time online - one of our partners, the South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre, has a great array of training videos to help you. Record Nature in NPT Garden for Wildlife Making space for wildlife in your garden is an amazing way of helping nature in NPT. We have some large urban areas in the county and every little helps when it comes to helping our urban wildlife. These are some of our top tips below: Manage part of your lawn as a meadow or a short-flowering lawn Install a pond Install bird and bat boxes Plant pollinator-friendly plants Avoid peat compost and chemicals Avoid planting species which are invasive in the wild Remove Invasive Non-Native species such as Himalayan Balsam and Bamboo Put in a 'Hedgehog Highway' between yours and neighbours gardens There is much more information and guidance on the Wildlife Trusts website . Alongside your garden, you can make space for nature on your house too: Install bat and/or bird boxes. Swifts are in trouble in Neath Port Talbot due to loss of nest sites, a row of swift boxes on your house could make a real difference in your local area. Aim for higher energy efficiency by installing double glazing, solar panels, air source heat pumps etc. You can even look at installing 'green infrastructure' on your home, such as rain garden planters, a green roof or a living wall. Find out more about how you could achieve this here. 'Green up' your house Inspire Children to Love Nature Getting children out into nature is great for their wellbeing and great for nature; the more people who care about it from a young age, the more people will try to protect it. We have a few different NPT-based resources that you could use to help you learn all about...: Meadows The Marsh Fritillary Butterfly Peatlands Sand Snails Pollinators You can find these on our 'Resources for Educators' page . There are a few 'quick fixes for nature' that people often want to dive into to try and help nature, without realising that some of these can be very damaging in the wrong context. Learn more about these before taking action to ensure that your hard work will have the desired effect! Honeybee hives - honeybee hives can put a huge amount of pressure on wild bees through competition for food and disease. They should only be installed for food production with associated habitat creation and never as part of a nature conservation project. Read more about this here. Tree planting - tree planting can be very beneficial in the right place, but in the wrong place it could be very damaging to nature. For example, planting on meadows could lead to the loss of the meadow. Always look to plant the right tree in the right place . 'Wildflower' mixes - if you want to create a wildflower meadow, you should be very cautious with wildflower mixes that you can pick up in supermarkets. These are often non-native mixes with little benefit to native biodiversity. Instead you should look to create a meadow through management and if seeding is required, source native, local provenance seeds. Find out more here . Be 'in the know' about nature Volunteer Opportunities in NPT Below are some of the current volunteer opportunities in NPT - if you like the sound of one, click the link to find out more. Afan Environment Volunteers Work days on 1st Wednesday of the month in the Afan Valley, including habitat management and wildlife surveys. Learn more. Bryncoch Environment Group Nature activities in the locality of Bryncoch, including toad patrols and litter picks. Learn more. Crymlyn Burrows Rare plant monitoring, beach cleans, invasive species control. Keep an eye out for upcoming events here . Learn more. Friends of Craig Gwladus Volunteer work parties and events at Craig Gwladus Country Park. Learn more. Friends of the Earth NPT A small friendly local group who campaign on issues which affect the environment in NPT Learn more. Upland Water Vole Project 2025-2028 Help to find water voles in the uplands of Glamorgan. Learn more. South Wales Miners Museum Help required to help visitors discover the nature of Afan Forest Park. Contact Jeff Lewis-Jones. Learn more. Afan Angling and Conservation Club Management of the River Afan, including works to remove barriers to fish migration. Learn more. Bryn Residents Action Group (BRAG) Work parties in and around the village of Bryn, including Bryn Tip LNR. Learn more. Coed Cadw Woodland management activities at Woodland Trust woodlands in the county. Learn more. Friends of Gnoll Country Park Volunteer work parties and events at Gnoll Country Park. Learn more. Glamorgan Bat Group Bat surveys and research, affiliated with Bat Conservation Trust. Learn more. NPT Wildlife A place to find out about wildlife and nature in Neath Port Talbot. Learn more. Ty Banc Canal Group Volunteering and events on the Neath Canal, including biodiversity sessions. Learn more. Buglife Natur am Byth Buglife Cymru is working with partners and communities across Swansea Bay to undertake timely and specific conservation interventions for 13 rare species identified as being at risk of local, and regional extinction. Learn more. Butterfly Conservation Marsh Fritillary surveys and habitat management in locality of the Dulais valley. Learn more. Coed Lleol Workshops and volunteering at sites across NPT Learn more. Friends of Jersey Park Volunteer work parties and events at Jersey Park. Learn more. Gower Ornithological Society Bird-focussed walks, talks and surveys in Swansea and NPT. Learn more. Lost Peatlands Wildlife surveys, assisting with conservation tasks and supporting at events. Learn more. Working with Nature NPT Nature activities and volunteering across NPT. Learn more.

These are some some of the interesting sites for nature that you can visit around NPT. There are many other sites to discover! Special Sites in NPT Afan Forest Park Parc Coedwig Afan This large park in the Afan Valley, 48 square miles in area, has lots of tracks and trails that allow visitors to experience nature at any time of year. A Visitor Centre is situated on the A4107 near Cynonville where there is a car park and other facilities including visitor information and refreshments. From here you can take a number of walks, many of which are suitable for families. Read More Bryn Tip Tomen y Bryn Bryn Tip is an area of grassland on the edge of the village of Bryn. In the early 20th century it was the site of the Bryn Navigation Colliery, once a busy and prosperous coal mine which provided employment for hundreds of people. Like many local mines, the colliery ceased operation in the 1960s, leaving behind an imposing, sharply pointed, pyramid-like tip of coal spoil. To stabilise it and render it safe from landslip, the tip was eventually landscaped into a lower mound shape, capped and seeded with a remedial grass and legume mixture. Since then, over the decades, Bryn Tip has developed into a species rich open mosaic site that is now designated a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). Read More Conifer Plantations Planigfeydd Conifferau Woodland and scrub occupies about 40% of the land area of NPT and the greatest part of that is conifer plantation. Large blocks of conifer forest occur in Crynant, Rheola, Glyncastle, Margam and Afan Forest Park (which includes the Michaelston and Pelenna forests). Read More 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. Read More Gnoll Estate Country Park Parc Gwledig Ystâd y Gnoll The Gnoll Estate, once the 18th century seat of the entrepreneurial Mackworth family, sits prominently on a low hill overlooking Neath town centre. With its wooded landscape, 4 lakes and spacious grassland, it is today an important resource of urban greenspace and a popular venue for the town’s residents and visitors. There is plenty of wildlife to see here at any time of year. Read More Melincwrt Valley and Cwm Caca Dyffryn Melin-cwrt a Chwm Caca A short walk from the village of Melincwrt, near Resolven, will take you along the Melincwrt Brook into a little nature reserve managed by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. It is an easy walk that takes you into the lower Melincwrt Valley as far as the photogenic waterfall, Sgwd Rhyd yr Hesg, which falls spectacularly into a jumble of sandstone boulders at its base. Read More Pant y Sais Fen and the Tennant Canal Ffen Pant y Sais a Chamlas Tenant Pant y Sais Fen is an area of reed-dominated wetland which has almost contiguous connectivity with Crymlyn Bog, the largest lowland fen in Wales. Combined, they make up one of the most important wetland habitats in south Wales. Read More Roadside Verges and Roundabouts Lleiniau Ymyl Ffordd a Chylchfannau As a result of changes in farming practises, modernisation and development, species-rich mesotrophic grasslands, such as traditional hay meadows, have become very rare in NPT and are a dwindling resource in Wales in general. Roadside verges can fulfil a similar role for biodiversity if they are managed properly and although they are not a perfect solution they are becoming important refuges for grassland floras and the insects that live in them. Read More Sand Dune Systems of Baglan Burrows and Crymlyn Burrows Systemau twyni tywod Twyni Baglan a Thwyni Crymlyn The coastal edge of NPT sweeps around Swansea Bay, from Swansea University Bay Campus near Jersey Marine, to Morfa Beach at the mouth of the River Kenfig. Two hundred years ago this coastal strip was composed of pristine sand dunes, but much of that has since been lost to industrial development. Only Crymlyn Burrows and Baglan Burrows, which are situated on either side of the Neath river mouth, survive as significant areas of sand dune ecosystems in NPT today, although smaller areas of dunes also occur in the vicinity of Aberavon and Morfa. Read More Some notable ancient deciduous woodlands in the vicinity of Neath and Briton Ferry Rhai coetiroedd collddail hynafol nodedig yn ardal Castell-nedd a Llansawel Woodland occupies about 40% of the land area of NPT and although most of this is conifer plantation there is also a substantial amount of ancient, semi-natural Oak woodland. In most there are good paths and trails, and many of these woodlands can be accessed easily. Read More The Dulais Valley Marshy Grasslands Glaswelltiroedd Corsiog Cwm Dulais Species-rich marshy grasslands have suffered badly in Wales as a result of agricultural improvements, conifer afforestation, development, inappropriate management and neglect and, unfortunately, there are now few good examples of this extremely important habitat in NPT. However, some parts of the northern sector of the county, particularly in the Dulais and Aman Valleys, still retain marshy grasslands that support significant, biodiverse communities. Read More The Neath Canal Camlas Nedd The Neath Canal is the longest canal in NPT, stretching for Briton Ferry to Glyn Neath in the Vale of Neath, more or less following the direction of the Neath River, which it crosses in a small aqueduct near Clyne. Read More The Nedd Fechan and Pyrddin Valleys Dyffrynnoedd Nedd Fechan a Phyrddin From the little village of Pontneddfechan in the north-east corner of NPT, there is a very popular riverside walk that will take you into a temperate rainforest environment that is renowned for its biodiversity and scenic beauty. Parking is available along Pontneathvaughan Road and from there you can access the trail behind the Angel Inn which takes you into the lower Nedd Fechan Valley. Read More The Vale of Neath Riparian Woodland Corridor Coridor Coetir Glannau Afon Bro Nedd The most diverse woodland flora in NPT is found in the ribbons of woodland that occur along the banks of the River Neath between Tonna and Glynneath. Wych Elm is a common component of these riparian woodlands, with Ash, Sycamore, Alder, Hazel and Small-leaved Lime. Read More

Bryn Tip is an area of grassland on the edge of the village of Bryn. In the early 20th century it was the site of the Bryn Navigation Colliery, once a busy and prosperous coal mine which provided employment for hundreds of people. Like many local mines, the colliery ceased operation in the 1960s, leaving behind an imposing, sharply pointed, pyramid-like tip of coal spoil. To stabilise it and render it safe from landslip, the tip was eventually landscaped into a lower mound shape, capped and seeded with a remedial grass and legume mixture. Since then, over the decades, Bryn Tip has developed into a species rich open mosaic site that is now designated a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). < Back Bryn Tip Tomen y Bryn Bryn Tip is an area of grassland on the edge of the village of Bryn. In the early 20th century it was the site of the Bryn Navigation Colliery, once a busy and prosperous coal mine which provided employment for hundreds of people. Like many local mines, the colliery ceased operation in the 1960s, leaving behind an imposing, sharply pointed, pyramid-like tip of coal spoil. To stabilise it and render it safe from landslip, the tip was eventually landscaped into a lower mound shape, capped and seeded with a remedial grass and legume mixture. Since then, over the decades, Bryn Tip has developed into a species rich open mosaic site that is now designated a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). Ardal o laswelltir ar gyrion pentref y Bryn yw Tomen y Bryn. Ar ddechrau’r ugeinfed ganrif, hwn oedd safle Pwll Glo Bryn Navigation, sef pwll glo prysur a ffyniannus a oedd yn cyflogi cannoedd o bobl. Fel llawer o byllau glo lleol, fe’i caewyd yn y 1960au, gan adael ar ei ôl domen sylweddol ar ffurf pyramid â chopa bigog. Er mwyn sefydlogi’r domen ac atal tirlithriadau, gwnaed gwaith tirweddu i greu ffurf is a mwy crwn cyn capio’r domen a hau cymysgedd o wair a chiblys i’w hadfer. Yn ystod y degawdau ers hynny mae Tomen y Bryn wedi datblygu’n safle mosaig agored cyfoethog ei rywogaethau sydd bellach wedi’i ddynodi’n Safle o Bwysigrwydd er Cadwraeth Natur (SINC). There is a surprising habitat diversity here which includes mesotrophic grassland, heathland, wet flushed areas and gorse scrub. Skylark and Meadow Pipit are common species on the upper grass-dominated slopes while Slow-worm and Common (Viviparous) Lizard are frequently observed basking on the edges of the gorse scrub, where there are breeding Linnet. Bryn Tip is probably the best site in NPT to see Dark-green Fritillary butterflies. In their larval stage, they feed on Common Dog-violet, which is abundant on the site, while the adults, which fly in late spring and early summer, feed on nectar of various plants but seem to like Marsh Thistle, which is also common on the tip. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Grayling also fly here as do more common butterflies such as Small Heath, Common Blue, Small Skipper, Ringlet and others. One of the most remarkable features of Bryn Tip is its huge population of Bee Orchids which numbered almost one thousand there in 2021. Southern Marsh-orchid also occurs in large numbers but Common Spotted-orchid is much less common. Carline Thistle, a characteristic thistle on coal spoil, is a conspicuous member of the dry, free-draining soils along the main track. Bryn Tip hosts a number of Sedge species, including Common Sedge, Grey Sedge, Pale Sedge, Pill Sedge, Spiked Sedge, Yellow Sedge, Glaucous Sedge and Green-ribbed Sedge. Yellow Sedge is particularly common in the flushed areas, where you will also find the beautiful Bog Pimpernel. Some of the more conspicuous, colourful tall herbs on the site are both Common and Fragrant Agrimony, Meadowsweet and Great Willowherb. The main conservation challenge on Bryn Tip is preserving its current grassland condition. Management includes the removal of invasive non-native plant species such as Cotoneasters and Himalayan Balsam and the employment of a sympathetic grazing regime. A wildlife tower has been recently added to the site in order to provide homes and roosts for various species, including bats. Mae amrywiaeth rhyfeddol o gynefinoedd yma, gan gynnwys glaswelltir mesotroffig, rhostir, llaciau gwlyb a phrysgwydd eithin. Mae’r Ehedydd a Chorhedydd y Waun yn rhywogaethau cyffredin yn y glaswellt ar y llethrau uwch tra bod Nadroedd Defaid a Madfallod (Bywesgorol) yn aml i’w gweld yn torheulo ar ymyl y prysgwydd eithin, lle mae’r Llinos yn bridio. Mae’n fwy na thebyg mai Tomen y Bryn yw’r lle gorau yn CNPT i weld y Frithog Werdd. Mae’r larfâu yn bwyta’r Fioled Gyffredin, sy’n doreithiog ar y safle, tra bo’r oedolion, sy’n hedfan ar ddiwedd y gwanwyn a dechrau’r haf, yn bwydo ar neithdar gwahanol blanhigion ond maen nhw’n hoff iawn, yn ôl pob golwg, o Ysgall y Gors, sydd hefyd yn gyffredin ar y domen. Gwelir y Fritheg Berlog Fach a’r Gweirlöyn Llwyd yn hedfan yma hefyd ynghyd â gloÿnnod byw mwy cyffredin megis Gweirlöyn Bach y Waun, y Glesyn Cyffredin, y Gwibiwr Bach, Gweirlöyn y Glaw ac eraill. Un o nodweddion mwyaf trawiadol Tomen y Bryn yw ei phoblogaeth enfawr o Degeiriannau’r Gwenyn, y cyfrifwyd bron mil ohonynt yno yn 2021. Mae Tegeirian-y-gors Deheuol yn niferus iawn yma ond mae’r Tegeirian Brych yn llawer llai cyffredin. Gwelir bod Ysgall Siarl, sy’n fath nodweddiadol o ysgall ar domenni glo yn tyfu’n amlwg yn y pridd sych, sy’n draenio’n dda, ar hyd ymyl y prif lwybr. Mae Tomen y Bryn yn gartref i nifer o rywogaethau o Hesg, gan gynnwys yr Hesgen Gyffredin, yr Hesgen Lwyd, yr Hesgen Welw, yr Hesgen Bengron, yr Hesgen Ysbigog Borffor, yr Hesgen Felen, Hesgen Lwydlas y Calch a’r Hesgen Ddeulasnod. Mae’r Hesgen Felen yn arbennig o gyffredin yn y llaciau lle mae planhigyn hardd Gwlyddyn-Mair y Gors i’w weld hefyd. Ymysg y llysiau tal, lliwgar ac amlycaf ar y safle, mae Llysiau’r Dryw a Llysiau’r Dryw Peraroglus, Erwain a’r Helyglys Pêr. Y brif her o ran cadwraeth Tomen y Bryn yw diogelu cyflwr y glaswelltir presennol. Mae’r gwaith rheoli yn cynnwys gwaredu rhywogaethau anfrodorol ymledol megis Cotoneaster a Jac y Neidiwr a defnyddio cyfundrefn bori sensitif. Ychwanegwyd tŵr bywyd gwyllt ar y safle yn ddiweddar er mwyn darparu cartrefi a mannau clwydo ar gyfer gwahanol rywogaethau, gan gynnwys ystlumod. Gallery Previous Next

The extent and connectivity of Inland Rock and Cliff in NPT has hardly changed for hundreds of years. However, there has been some deterioration in the condition of Craig y Llyn in recent decades. Inland Rock and Cliff Exposed crags, scree The State of Nature in Inland Rock and Cliff in Neath Port Talbot The extent and connectivity of Inland Rock and Cliff in NPT has hardly changed for hundreds of years. However, there has been some deterioration in the condition of Craig y Llyn in recent decades. Invasion of scree and cliff by Sitka Spruce regenerating from seed that has rained in from surrounding plantations has become a significant problem and traffic pollution originating from the nearby Rhigos Mountain Road may also be a problem. The construction of a zipline above nearby Llyn Fawr is a reminder that many upland cliff habitats in South Wales are under pressure from tourist developments. Overall, we have assessed the resilience and state of nature in Inland Rock and Cliff in Neath Port Talbot as fair. OVERVIEW The north-facing sandstone cliffs of Craig y Llyn above Llyn Fach are the most important example of this type of habitat in Glamorgan and although this habitat only supports a small proportion of NPT’s priority species, there is a community of northern boreal and arctic-montane plants here which has a unique place in the county. For example, species such as Cowberry, Crowberry, Lesser Meadow-rue, Stone Bramble, Fir Clubmoss, Wilson’s Filmy-fern, Oak Fern, Brittle Bladder-fern, Beech Fern, Parsley Fern, Mountain Male-fern, Black Rock-moss and Stiff Apple-moss are either only found here or are very uncommon elsewhere in NPT. Smaller north-facing outcrops such as those at Craig y Pant in the Neath Valley and above Cymmer in the upper Afan Valley also support interesting bryophyte assemblages with Hill Notchwort, Trunk Paw-wort and Neat Silk-moss and the only occurrence of Lanceolate Spleenwort in NPT. In the past these habitats have provided breeding grounds for Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Whinchat and Ring Ouzel, although the latter has not bred in the county for over 50 years. Actions for the recovery of Inland Rock and Cliff habitats in NPT Responsibility for these actions lie with all of us and as such, we have not sought to assign actions to particular organisations or groups. Instead, it is our hope that this document will provide the guidance and inspiration for anybody, or any group or organisation, to undertake the actions that are within their capability to deliver. The Secretariat of NPT LNP (NPT Council) are providing a facilitation role to support, collate and monitor work towards these actions. If you would like to discuss your potential involvement in delivery of these actions, please get in touch with biodiversity@npt.gov.uk . Remove invasive tree species Remove any conifers which have self-seeded onto the cliff features e.g. at Craig y Llyn SSSI Monitor breeding birds Monitor breeding birds on this habitat Monitor important plant species Monitor the important plant species (as detailed in the overview) that can be found in this habitat. ©Richard Pryce ©Vaughn Matthews FERNS The crags of Craig y Llyn are home to a number of fern species that are scarce or rare in south Wales and of conservation concern. One of them is Wilson’s Filmy-fern, a small plant with thin, translucent fronds that form a mat on shady, vertical rocks. This Atlantic species is confined to humid ravines and north-facing cliffs in south Wales and is only known from Craig y Llyn in NPT. That is also true of Mountain Male-fern, a northern montane species at the southern limit of its British range in Glamorgan. Other ferns worthy of note here are Oak Fern and Beech Fern. These two Boreo-temperate species make attractive displays in the hardy plant communities of Craig y Llyn and have few other locations in the county. KESTREL The Kestrel is now Red Listed in Wales following a widespread decline across the country. The reasons for this decline are thought to be related to increased mortality with juvenile birds unable to find sufficient insect food, predation by Goshawks and also poisoning by rodenticides. The Kestrel was once a fairly common breeding resident in NPT, its main habitat being rough grassland, where it preys on voles, and also coastal areas. For many years they bred in the roof of the Fords factory near Jersey Marine (now Bay Studios) and on some inland cliffs but the species has declined dramatically in recent years with few breeding records. CLUBMOSSES NPT has 3 species of clubmosses; Alpine, Fir and Stag‘s-horn. They are integral and iconic features of the county’s upland biodiversity. Contrary to their misleading name, they are not mosses at all but vascular plants which are related closely to ferns. In the past, when the high ground of NPT was dominated by moderately-grazed, unimproved moorland and dwarf-shrub heath, Fir and Stag’s-horn Clubmoss species would have been relatively widespread. Today, they are uncommon in the intensively grazed uplands of NPT. Fir Clubmoss is only found on north-facing sandstone ledges and scree and in banks of un-grazed dwarf-shrub heath in conifer plantations. Alpine and Stag’s-horn Clubmoss are confined to these banks of heather and bilberry in plantations. Alpine Clubmoss, which is our rarest clubmoss, occurs at its UK southern limit in NPT. All our clubmoss species are vulnerable and endangered. CASE STUDY CRAIG Y LLYN Craig y Llyn SSSI consists of two north-east-facing hollows that were cut by Pleistocene ice or snow into the edge of the Pennant Sandstone Plateau and also includes the lake below, Llyn Fach. Here, the high cliffs, ravines and flushes support many montane species such as Wilson's Filmy Fern, Fir Clubmoss, Oak-fern, Mountain Male-fern and a number of upland bryophytes which are otherwise uncommon in south Wales. Llyn Fach has a suite of uncommon aquatic species that are associated with upland oligotrophic lakes such as Water Lobelia, Quillwort and Floating Bur-reed. Many of these species are near or at their southern distribution limit in Britain in this site. Analysis of the pollen preserved in Ffos Cenglau has yielded data on the post-glacial sequence of woodland types in South Wales. Llyn Fach and its surrounds are managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) who organise surveys and monitoring of the lake and grassland habitats which inform management decisions. For example, survey rafts are used to monitor the population of Water Vole that has recently been discovered here and occasional, humane trapping is carried out to remove predatory American Mink. Other management practices include the introduction of cattle in summer for conservation grazing, scrub clearance and the removal of encroaching conifers (mostly Sitka Spruce) which are regenerating onsite. WTSWW is also working towards increasing the public understanding of the importance of the species at this reserve and reducing anti-social behaviour.

Invasive non-native species (INNS) are regarded as a significant threat to biodiversity. There are a group of 14 invasive neophyte species and groups that we believe are of particular concern in NPT. Invasive Non-Native Species in NPT Invasive non-native species (INNS) are regarded as a significant threat to biodiversity. In the UK, all INNS are neophytes, i.e. non-native species that have been introduced into the British flora since 1600AD. Currently, the number of naturalised neophytes in Britain outnumbers the number of native species, but most neophytes have little impact on biodiversity and many may actually add something to it on a local scale. However, there are a group of 14 invasive neophyte species and groups that we believe are of particular concern in NPT. Of these, Himalayan Balsam (or Indian Balsam), Japanese Knotweed and Rhododendron are notorious, but each species in this list has a significant impact on one or more of our principal habitats (see Table 2). Other potentially invasive species in the county such as Lupin, Chinese Bramble, American Skunk Cabbage and Henry’s Honeysuckle could pose a threat in the future. Several other neophyte species which are abundant and aggressive competitors, particularly in early successional or ruderal environments, include some Stonecrop species, Bilbao Fleabane and Hoary Mustard, but none of these have significant effects on local biodiversity. Similarly, there are a number of garden throw-out species which are widespread and persistent in the county, notably Dotted Loosestrife and Montbretia, which we believe are not having significant effects on biodiversity at present. Interesting problems are posed by some garden plants that have become established and/or naturalised in some habitats where they might cross fertilise and hybridise with native species. Two significant examples are given by Spanish (and Hybrid) Bluebell and the silver-blotched leaf form of Garden Yellow Archangel. The extent to which Spanish/Hybrid Bluebell has hybridised with native Bluebells and the effect that this may have on the genetic purity of local native Bluebell populations is largely unknown. At the moment there is little evidence that there is cause for concern but it seems prudent to eradicate naturalised Spanish/Hybrid Bluebells from areas where they could hybridise with native Bluebells e.g. in ancient woodland and hedgerow. Similarly, it would be wise to control naturalised populations of Garden Yellow Archangel, which is much more vigorous and competitive than our native Yellow Archangel. With regards to invasive non-native fauna in NPT, we have records for a number of species, including: American Mink Grey Squirrel Red-eared Terrapin Egyptian Goose Of these, perhaps the most common is the Grey Squirrel, which is ubiquitous across NPT and commonly seen across our parks, gardens and woodlands. The Grey Squirrel is a North American species, which is highly competitive with the native Red Squirrel, as well as transmitting a disease (Parapoxvirus) which has decimated the Red Squirrel populations in Wales. Red Squirrels were once found across the whole of NPT but by 1999 they had disappeared from the county and from much of Wales as a whole. This decline in the Red Squirrel has been attributed to the Grey Squirrel, though habitat loss, road traffic and other predators are also likely to have had an impact. Likewise, a similar correlation can be seen between the decline of the Water Vole and the spread of the American Mink, which has been blamed for the decline of Water Vole in other areas across the UK. We do not have substantial evidence of other non-native fauna causing significant problems in NPT, though this is not to say it is not occurring. Brief descriptions of the INNS of most concern in NPT and a summary of their main impacts is given below. A wider list of INNS problematic across the whole of Wales has been collated and details of this list can be found on the Wales Biodiversity Partnership website. The Distribution of INNS (of particular concern) in NPT habitats The table below shows the occurrence of 18 INNS in the NPT’s major terrestrial and freshwater habitat categories. Note that waterweeds are listed as separate species except for Nuttall’s and Canadian Pondweed which are included together. A number of significant issues are clear from this analysis: (i)All the major terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems in NPT have INNS in them. (ii)Cotoneaster, Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed are represented in more than half of these habitats while Buddleia and Rhododendron are also widely distributed. (iii)Urban habitats contain the most INNS and are likely to be the source of INNS in other habitats. For example a number of Cotoneaster species have spread from amenity planting on industrial estates, parks and gardens. Rhododendron has also spread uncontrollably in areas like Margam Park. (iv)Of the remaining habitats, coastal ecosystems supports the most INNS, e.g. Crymlyn Burrows. Species Woodland Heathland and Moorland Semi-Natural Grassland Open Mosaic Enclosed Farmland Urban Freshwater Wetland Inland Rock and Cliff Coastal Sitka Spruce x x Sea Buckthorn x x Rhododendron x x x x x Parrot's Feathers x x Nuttal's/ Canadian Pondweed x x New Zealand Pigmyweed x x Michaelmas Daisy x x Japanese Rose x x x Japanese Knotweed x x x x x Holm Oak x x Himalayan Honeysuckle x x x Himalayan Balsam x x x x x x Garden Lady's-Mantle x x Curly Waterweed x x Cotoneaster x x x x x x Canadian Goldenrod x x Buddleia x x x x

Contact the Neath Port Talbot Local Nature Partnership about all things nature in the county. Contact NPT LNP

We need to understand how nature is coping in NPT, so that we can protect our wild places. Assessing the state of nature in NPT is the first step towards a healthy environment. It will help us plan actions to provide future generations with an inspiring place to live. The State of Nature in NPT We need to understand how nature is coping in NPT, so that we can protect our wild places. Assessing the state of nature in NPT is the first step towards a healthy environment. It helps us plan actions to provide future generations with an inspiring place to live. The State of Nature 2019 (A Summary for Wales) report revealed some sobering statistics which included evidence for a decline of 41% in the abundance of species in the last 50 years, with 17% of Wales' species currently at risk of extinction. In order to understand local trends and pressures, and to guide action to aid recovery, Neath Port Talbot Local Nature Partnership (NPT LNP) has undertaken an assessment of the State of Nature in the county, linked with a Nature Recovery Action Plan. Using the evidence available to us, we have made an assessment of the state of nature of the habitats of NPT. We have grouped these habitats into 11 broad habitat categories. Sadly, of these 11 habitat categories, only two are in good state. It will require urgent action to improve the state of nature in NPT. Discover more about each habitat by clicking the links below. Habitats in NPT have been classified into 11 broad categories and each of these has been divided further into sub-categories or specific habitats. Some of these habitats support large numbers of priority species yet their biodiversity is threatened by pressures such as development and neglect. The collective resilience of these habitats is a good indicator of the state of nature in NPT. Of the 11 broad habitat categories, nine are assessed to be in less than good state and five are assessed as poor. Woodland and Open Mosaic Habitats in the county have been assessed as good, with the caveats that there are problems with invasive non-native species in both and many biodiverse Open Mosaic Habitats are threatened with development. Resilience of each habitat is colour-coded below; Red (Poor ecosystem resilience), Amber (Fair ecosystem resilience) or Green (Good ecosystem resilience) Heathland and Moorland Read More Marshy grassland, heathland, moorland and ffridd (coed cae) Semi-natural Grassland Read More Mesotrophic grasslands, restored coal waste, amenity grassland and levels Wetland Habitats Read More Fens, bogs, springs and seepages Coastal Habitats Read More Sand dunes, saltmarsh, estuary, intertidal sand and mud, man-made structures Marine Habitats Read More Inshore/ subtidal marine habitats Freshwater Read More Lakes, reservoirs and ponds, rivers and streams, canals Inland Rock and Cliff Read More Exposed crags, scree Urban Read More Gardens, hard engineering, parks, green infrastructure Enclosed Farmland Read More Arable land, improved grassland, drystone walls and boundaries Woodland Read More Oak woodland, wet alder/ willow woodland, riparian corridor woodland, plantation, scrub, hedgerow Open Mosaic Habitats Read More On previously developed land, on spoil, on industrial land Habitat Map This habitat map of NPT shows the distribution of different habitat types across the county. It is a Phase 1 map , constructed from 2021 aerial imagery. Priority Species We have put together a list of 237 priority species from a comprehensive dataset of field records provided by members of the NPT LNP over the last 20 years. In our database, we link each species in the list only with the habitat(s) in which it occurs in NPT. For example, as far as we can tell from our records, the Marsh Fritillary butterfly only breeds in marshy grasslands in NPT and can only be cross-referenced to this habitat in our database, even though it may breed in other habitats (e.g. sand dunes) elsewhere. This allows us to make an evidence-based assessment of priority species diversity for each habitat in NPT. Invertebrates (e.g. butterflies and moths) make up the largest proportion of our priority species. A full list of NPT’s priority species is given in Appendix 2 (Appendices). Numbers of priority species found in the various broad habitat types. The importance of woodlands, coastal habitats, grasslands, and open mosaic habitats for priority species in NPT is clear. Reviewing the State of Nature of NPT The State of Nature in NPT will be reviewed again in 2028. The actions and the priority species list will be reviewed each year in the first meeting of the New Year of the NPT Local Nature Partnership. If you would like to help deliver a particular action in the plan, recommend a new action, suggest a review or take part in the review process, please get in touch.

Data may be collected through this website to enable us to get in touch with you or return your message. As Secretariat of NPT LNP, Neath Port Talbot Council Countryside and Wildlife Team are the Data Controllers for this website. Privacy Policy About us This website is owned and operated by the Neath Port Talbot Local Nature Partnership (NPT LNP). The NPT Local Nature Partnership (NPT LNP) is made up of representatives from a wide range of organisations plus individuals with an interest in local wildlife and land management. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in biodiversity and wildlife conservation in NPT. The Steering Group for NPT LNP is drawn from the key organisational members to include representatives from Neath Port Talbot Council, Natural Resources Wales, SEWBReC, one non-governmental organisation and one community group/ unaffiliated member, plus the chair of the LNP. Neath Port Talbot Council provides the Secretariat for NPT LNP. Any references to ‘we’ or ‘us’ within this privacy policy refers to NPT Local Nature Partnership . Our principal place of business is Neath Port Talbot, Wales, UK. If you have queries or would like to request information about the data we hold about you, including requests that we delete your data, please contact us on our email . Your Privacy This policy explains how and why we use your personal data. Data Subject: This is you Data Controller: This is us, Neath Port Talbot Local Nature Partnership. We control how and why your personal data is used under UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA). Data Processor: This is a person or organisation which processes your data on our behalf, with your permission. These are Neath Port Talbot Council (Privacy Notice ). We hold data processing agreements with these processors. We will never sell your personal data. We will not collect, store or process your personal details if you are under 13 years of age; unless we have the express permission from your parent or guardian to do so. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of any other websites linked to our website. If you have followed a link from this website to another website you may be supplying information to a third party. You acknowledge that personal data that you may submit for publication through our website or services (e.g. in comments) may be available, via the internet, around the world. We cannot prevent the use (or misuse) of such personal data by others. What data do we collect We may collect, store and process the following personal data about you: Name Phone Number Email Address Website account data e.g. username, password, name and and email address. Information that allows you to register as a volunteer with us e.g. emergency contacts, relevant medical information Correspondence data e.g. communication content send via our email or website contact forms Please do not supply any other person’s personal data to us. As a Data Controller we are required under UK GDPR to inform you which of the Article 6 UK GDPR “Data Processing Conditions” it is relying upon to lawfully process your personal data. In this respect please be advised that in regard to the data provided by you we are relying on the following Article 6 condition(s); “The data subject has given consent to the processing of his/her personal data for one or more specific purposes.” (Article 6(1)(a) UK GDPR). Why we collect and process your data We will only collect, store and process your data when we have a purpose for doing so under Article 6 GDPR ‘Data Processing Conditions’; processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data, in particular where the data subject is a child. Opt-in consent when you have given us express permission to contact you. Your data may be processed for the following reasons: To send you emails about NPT LNP news, events and items of interest, To provide our services e.g. to manage your event bookings To send you emails to notify you about a new blog post on our website To respond to your queries To operate our website Where necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims Where such processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which we are subject, or in order to protect your vital interests or the vital interests of another natural person. How we process your data: We may disclose your personal data to any member of the partnership insofar as reasonably necessary for the purposes, and on the legal bases, set out in this policy. We may share your personal data securely with the following third parties (i.e. persons/bodies/entities outside the Council) in accordance with data sharing arrangements which we have in place with those third parties: Neath Port Talbot Council Countryside and Wildlife Team. You can view the NPT Council Privacy Notices here: Mailing Lists / General. Financial transactions relating to our website and services may be handled by payment services providers, e.g. PayPal, Stripe. We will share transaction data with our payment services providers only to the extent necessary for the purposes of processing your payments, refunding such payments and dealing with complaints and queries relating to such payments and refunds. You can find information about the payment services providers' privacy policies and practices on their websites. We process your data in the UK. However, for the purposes of IT hosting and maintenance your information may be situated outside of the European Economic Area (EEA). This will be done in accordance with guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office. The hosting facilities for our website (Wix.com Ltd.) are situated in Israel, which is considered by the European Commission to be offering an adequate level of protection for the personal information of EU Member State residents. You can view the full Wix Privacy Policy here . How we store your data: The personal information collected from you will be held by us and our Data Processor whilst you remain in the group. Personal data that we process for any purpose or purposes shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose or those purposes. We continually review what information we hold, and delete what is no longer required. Data is stored on registered secured computers and servers. Your Rights Your principal rights under data protection law are: i. The right of access to their personal data held by a data controller. ii. The right to have inaccurate data corrected by a data controller. iii. The right to have their data erased (in certain limited circumstances). iv. The right to restrict the processing of their data by a data controller (in certain limited circumstances). v. The right to object to their data being used for direct marketing. vi. The right to data portability (i.e. electronic transfer of data to another data controller). vii. The right to withdraw your consent to us processing your data at any time. Further information on all the above rights may be obtained from the Information Commissioner’s website: www.ico.org.uk . You may exercise any of your rights in relation to your personal data by email . Required actions will be completed within 1 month. Cookies A cookie is a file containing an identifier (a string of letters and numbers) that is sent by a web server to a web browser and is stored by the browser. The identifier is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server. Cookies do not typically contain any information that personally identifies a user, but personal information that we store about you may be linked to the information stored in and obtained from cookies. Cookies that we use; (a) authentication - we use cookies to identify you when you visit our website and as you navigate our website (b) status - we use cookies to help us to determine if you are logged into our website (c) personalisation - we use cookies to store information about your preferences and to personalise the website for you (d) security - we use cookies as an element of the security measures used to protect user accounts, including preventing fraudulent use of login credentials, and to protect our website and services generally (e) analysis - we use cookies to help us to analyse the use and performance of our website and services; and (f) cookie consent - we use cookies to store your preferences in relation to the use of cookies more generally. Our service providers use cookies and those cookies may be stored on your computer when you visit our website. We use Wix to host our website and may use other third-party providers to provide certain services on Wix. You can view the privacy policy of this service provider here . Most browsers allow you to refuse to accept cookies and to delete cookies. The methods for doing so vary from browser to browser, and from version to version. Blocking all cookies will have a negative impact upon the usability of many websites. If you block cookies, you will not be able to use all the features on our website. Complaining In the event that you have any queries regarding our use of your personal data, you wish to have access to the same or you wish to make any complaint regarding the processing of your personal data please contact us via email. Please be advised that in the event that you make a request or a complaint and you are dissatisfied with the Council’s response you are entitled to complain directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office. Details of the Commissioner’s Office contact details and further information on your rights may be obtained from the Information Commissioner’s website . Amendments We may update this policy from time to time by publishing a new version here. Last edited 30/6/25

Check out this page to find out about nature and wildlife events, volunteering and activities in Neath Port Talbot, South Wales. These events are run by the Local Nature Partnership and its members. What's On Upcoming Nature Events in NPT Multiple Dates 18 Feb 2026, 18:30 – 19:30 NPT for Nature Webinar Series Session 2: Frogs and Toads in the UK – ID and Ecology / Microsoft Teams Webinar RSVP 18 Feb 2026, 18:30 – 19:30 Microsoft Teams Webinar Discover the hidden world of the UK’s amphibians and reptiles in this seven‑part online series. From frogs, toads and newts to lizards and snakes, we’ll explore how to identify each species, understand their ecology, and learn the survey skills needed to find them in the wild. +5 more 11 Mar 2026, 19:10 – 21:00 To Antarctica and back with Arctic Terns - a Gower Ornithological Society event / See GOS website RSVP 11 Mar 2026, 19:10 – 21:00 See GOS website Dr Chris Redfern will talk to us about Arctic terns. Arctic terns are renowned for the global scale of their migration. The routes taken by individuals can be determined using small electronic ‘geolocators’ attached to a leg ring. These devices have been fitted to Arctic terns ... 15 Apr 2026, 19:10 – 21:00 Cudyll Cymru – a new dawn for monitoring raptors in Wales - a Gower Ornithological Society event / See GOS website RSVP 15 Apr 2026, 19:10 – 21:00 See GOS website Charlotte will talk to us about Cudyll Cymru, BTO’s Welsh Raptor Monitoring Project. Her role for the last couple of years has been to develop and co-ordinate raptor population monitoring efforts and obtain greater understanding of the populations of some of our commoner species in particular. Volunteer Opportunities in NPT Below are some of the current volunteer opportunities in NPT - if you like the sound of one, click the link to find out more. Afan Environment Volunteers Work days on 1st Wednesday of the month in the Afan Valley, including habitat management and wildlife surveys. Learn more. Bryncoch Environment Group Nature activities in the locality of Bryncoch, including toad patrols and litter picks. Learn more. Crymlyn Burrows Rare plant monitoring, beach cleans, invasive species control. Keep an eye out for upcoming events here . Learn more. Friends of Craig Gwladus Volunteer work parties and events at Craig Gwladus Country Park. Learn more. Friends of the Earth NPT A small friendly local group who campaign on issues which affect the environment in NPT Learn more. Upland Water Vole Project 2025-2028 Help to find water voles in the uplands of Glamorgan. Learn more. South Wales Miners Museum Help required to help visitors discover the nature of Afan Forest Park. Contact Jeff Lewis-Jones. Learn more. Afan Angling and Conservation Club Management of the River Afan, including works to remove barriers to fish migration. Learn more. Bryn Residents Action Group (BRAG) Work parties in and around the village of Bryn, including Bryn Tip LNR. Learn more. Coed Cadw Woodland management activities at Woodland Trust woodlands in the county. Learn more. Friends of Gnoll Country Park Volunteer work parties and events at Gnoll Country Park. Learn more. Glamorgan Bat Group Bat surveys and research, affiliated with Bat Conservation Trust. Learn more. NPT Wildlife A place to find out about wildlife and nature in Neath Port Talbot. Learn more. Working with Nature NPT Nature activities and volunteering across NPT. Learn more. Buglife Natur am Byth Buglife Cymru is working with partners and communities across Swansea Bay to undertake timely and specific conservation interventions for 13 rare species identified as being at risk of local, and regional extinction. Learn more. Butterfly Conservation Marsh Fritillary surveys and habitat management in locality of the Dulais valley. Learn more. Coed Lleol Workshops and volunteering at sites across NPT Learn more. Friends of Jersey Park Volunteer work parties and events at Jersey Park. Learn more. Gower Ornithological Society Bird-focussed walks, talks and surveys in Swansea and NPT. Learn more. Lost Peatlands Wildlife surveys, assisting with conservation tasks and supporting at events. Learn more.