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. < Back 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. Mae arfordir CNPT yn ymestyn ar hyd Bae Abertawe, o Gampws y Bae Prifysgol Abertawe ger Jersey Marine i Draeth y Morfa wrth geg afon Cynffig. Ddau gan mlynedd yn ôl, roedd y llain arfordirol hon yn dwyni tywod dilychwin, ond collwyd llawer o’r rhain o ganlyniad i ddatblygu diwydiannol. Heddiw, Twyni Crymlyn a Thwyni Baglan, ar bob ochr i geg afon Nedd yw’r unig ardaloedd sylweddol o ecosystemau twyni tywod sydd wedi goroesi yn CNPT, er bod darnau llai o dwyni hefyd yng nghyffiniau Aberafan a’r Morfa. Access to Crymlyn Burrows is easy from the Bay Campus, where there is a Pay and Display car park. Baglan Burrows can be accessed from the coast path near Brunel Dock in Briton Ferry or from the northern end of Aberavon Beach. Both are distinguished by their dynamic, accreting sand dune systems, which sets them apart from many other dunes in Glamorgan and allows them to support diverse mobile sand communities of plants and animals. Strand line and foredune areas are well developed at both sites, where there are large amounts of Sea Rocket, Prickly Saltwort and Sea Sandwort and occasionally, scattered plants of Frosted Orache. Moving inland, the mobile foredunes have conspicuous populations of Sea Holly, Sea Bindweed, Dune Pansy and Sea Spurge. Dune Fescue, an uncommon grass in Britain, is also found here with Sand Cat’s-tail in amongst the Marram Grass. Sea Stock, which is now a rare plant on Crymlyn Burrows, can still be found in large numbers on Baglan Burrows. This Red Data species, which in the UK is found only in south Wales and the south west of England, is a very significant feature of our dune systems. Further inland the more fixed areas of dune have a very diverse collection of colourful grassland species, which include Pyramidal Orchid, Heath Violet and Kidney Vetch, which is particularly abundant on Crymlyn Burrows. Butterflies such as Small Blue, Brown Argus and the much larger Dark-green Fritillary fly in these biodiverse grasslands in summer. Unfortunately, many of the diverse dune slack systems that were found on these dunes 50 years ago have been lost. In the 1970s, Fen Orchid, Early Marsh-orchid, Marsh Helleborine, Marsh Lousewort, Marsh Arrowgrass and Round-leaved Wintergreen featured in slack systems on Crymlyn Burrows, but none of these occur there now. However Early Marsh-orchid and Marsh Helleborine can still be found on Baglan Burrows, where there are also significant populations of Yellow Bartsia, Cyperus Sedge, Distant Sedge and Dotted Sedge. Plans and tentative preparations have been made to recreate new dune slacks on Crymlyn Burrows. Of the birds you are likely to see on the dunes, Stonechat, Linnet and Skylark are particularly conspicuous and, in late spring, Cuckoo are often seen and heard. Winter sometimes brings a Short-eared Owl or Hen Harrier hunting over the dunes, while the strand line areas are good places to look for Snow Bunting at that time of year. Wading birds such as Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher and Curlew occur in varying numbers along the shore line, but the large winter feeding flocks of Sanderling that used to congregate on Crymlyn Burrows until recently have disappeared, probably as a result of relentless disturbance. In spring, small groups of Terns, including Little Tern, can usually be seen flying over the sea close to the shore, and Whimbrel are also seen on passage in spring and early autumn in most years. Space does not permit a detailed description of the invertebrate fauna of these dunes but you can expect to see the carabid beetle, Broscus cephalotes , hiding under washed-up debris along the strand line, as well as Sand Digger Wasps and sometimes hundreds of Snake Millipedes. Dune Villa flies are also seen commonly resting on the sand on warm summer afternoons. People are often surprised by the diversity of fungi that occur on our dunes. You might find the Common Bird’s-nest fungus after a careful search of woody debris on the strand line where Dune Brittlestem is common. Less common is the little Dune Inkcap which grows in close association with Marram Grass. Among many other species that occur in the more fixed grassy areas are the beautiful lilac coloured Sordid Blewit and the white Dune Dapperling. Ceir mynediad hwylus i Dwyni Crymlyn o Gampws y Bae, lle mae maes parcio Talu ac Arddangos. Gellir cael mynediad i Dwyni Baglan o lwybr yr arfordir ger Doc Brunel yn Llansawel neu o ben gogleddol Traeth Aberafan. Nodweddir y ddau safle gan systemau twyni tywod cronnus, dynamig, sy’n golygu eu bod yn wahanol i nifer o dwyni eraill ym Morgannwg ac mae hyn yn caniatáu iddynt gynnal planhigion ac anifeiliaid mewn cymunedau tywod symudol amrywiol. Ceir ardaloedd traethlin a chyn-dwyni datblygedig ar y ddau safle, lle mae nifer mawr o Hegydd Arfor, Helys Pigog a Thywodlys Arfor i’w gweld ynghyd ag ambell enghraifft wasgaredig o’r Llygwyn Ariannaid. Yn nes at y tir, mae’r cyn-dwyni symudol yn gartref i boblogaethau amlwg o Gelynnen y Môr, y Taglys Arfor, Trilliw’r Twyni a Llaethlys y Môr. Yn ogystal, mae Peisgwellt y Twyni, sy’n fath anghyffredin o laswellt ym Mhrydain, yn tyfu yma ynghyd â Rhonwellt y Tywyn ynghanol y Moresg. Mae’r Murwyll Arfor, sydd bellach yn blanhigyn prin yn Nhwyni Crymlyn, yn dal i fod yn niferus yn Nhwyni Baglan. Mae’r rhywogaeth Data Coch hon, sydd i’w chanfod yn ne Cymru a de-orllewin Lloegr yn unig yn y Deyrnas Unedig, yn nodwedd bwysig o’n systemau twyni. Yn nes at y tir, mae ardaloedd o dwyni mwy sefydlog yn cynnwys casgliad amrywiol iawn o rywogaethau glaswelltir lliwgar, sy’n cynnwys y Tegeirian Bera, Fioled y Rhos a’r Blucen Felen, sy’n arbennig o doreithiog yn Nhwyni Crymlyn. Yn ystod yr haf, gwelir gloÿnnod byw megis y Glesyn Bach, yr Argws Brown a’r Fritheg Werdd, sy’n llawer mwy o faint, yn hedfan trwy’r glaswelltiroedd bioamrywiol hyn. Gwaetha’r modd, mae llawer o’r systemau llaciau tywod amrywiol a oedd yn rhan o’r twyni hyn 50 mlynedd yn ôl wedi cael eu colli. Yn y 1970au, roedd Tegeirian y Fign Galchog, Tegeirian-y-gors Cynnar, Caldrist y Gors, Melog y Waun, Saethbennig y Gors a Glesyn-y-gaeaf Deilgrwn i’w canfod yn systemau llaciau Twyni Crymlyn, ond nid oes dim o’r rhain yn tyfu yno bellach. Fodd bynnag, mae modd gweld Tegeirian-y-gors Cynnar a Chaldrist y Gors o hyd yn Nhwyni Baglan, lle ceir hefyd boblogaethau sylweddol o’r Gorudd Melyn, yr Hesgen Gynffonnog, yr Hesgen Blodau Pell a’r Hesgen Fannog. Lluniwyd cynlluniau a pharatoadau petrus i ail-greu llaciau tywod newydd yn Nhwyni Crymlyn. O ran yr adar sy’n debygol o gael eu gweld yn y twyni, mae Clochdar y Cerrig, y Llinos a’r Ehedydd yn amlwg iawn a thuag at ddiwedd y gwanwyn, mae’r Gog i’w gweld a’i chlywed yn aml. Weithiau, daw ambell Dylluan Glustiog neu Foda Tinwyn i hela uwchben y twyni yn y gaeaf, ac mae ardaloedd y traethlin yn fannau da i chwilio am Freision yr Eira ar yr adeg honno o’r flwyddyn. Mae adar hirgoes megis Pibydd y Mawn, y Cwtiad Torchog, y Rhostog Gynffonfraith, y Bioden Fôr a’r Gylfinir i’w canfod i raddau gwahanol ar hyd ymyl y traeth, ond mae’r heidiau mawr o Bibyddion y Tywod a arferai ymgasglu i fwydo yn Nhwyni Crymlyn tan yn gymharol ddiweddar wedi diflannu, fwy na thebyg o ganlyniad i aflonyddu di-baid. Yn ystod y gwanwyn, mae grwpiau bach o Fôr-wenoliaid, gan gynnwys y Fôr-wennol Fach, i’w gweld yn aml yn hedfan dros y môr yn agos at y lan, a gwelir Coelgylfinirod hefyd ar eu taith yn y gwanwyn a dechrau’r hydref bob blwyddyn bron. Nid oes digon o le yma i gynnwys disgrifiad manwl o ffawna infertebratau’r twyni hyn ond gellir disgwyl gweld y carabid, Broscus cephalotes , yn cuddio o dan weddillion sy’n dod i’r lan ar hyd y traethlin, yn ogystal â Gwenyn Meirch sy’n tyrchu yn y tywod a channoedd o Nadroedd Miltroed weithiau. Mae’n gyffredin gweld clêr Villa modesta yn gorffwys ar y tywod ar brynhawniau twym yn yr haf. Mae pobl yn aml yn rhyfeddu at yr amrywiaeth o ffyngau sydd i’w canfod yn ein twyni. Gallech weld ffwng Nyth Aderyn o chwilio’n ofalus trwy’r gweddillion pren ar y traethlin lle mae Coesynnau Brau Moresg yn gyffredin. Mae’r Cap Inc Twyni Bach, sy’n tyfu’n agos at y Moresg, yn llai cyffredin. Mae sawl rhywogaeth arall i’w canfod yn yr ardaloedd glaswelltog mwy sefydlog, gan gynnwys lliw lelog hyfryd Lepista sordida a ffwng gwyn Pertyn y Twyni ( Lepiota erminea ). Gallery Previous Next

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. < Back 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. Mae Ystâd y Gnoll, a fu’n gartref i deulu entrepreneuraidd Mackworth yn y ddeunawfed ganrif, ar safle amlwg sy’n edrych dros ganol tref Castell-nedd. Gyda thirwedd goediog, 4 llyn a glaswelltir eang, mae’r parc heddiw yn fan gwyrdd trefol sy’n adnodd pwysig ac yn gyrchfan poblogaidd i breswylwyr ac ymwelwyr â’r dref. Mae digonedd o fywyd gwyllt i’w gweld yma ar bob adeg o’r flwyddyn. Vehicle access to the Gnoll is easiest from the Fairyland entrance which takes you to a large pay and display car park and the nearby Visitor Centre. Alternatively, it can also be walked from Neath Town Centre, walking through the memorial gate and past the lower pond. From the Visitor Centre you can take a leisurely walk around the large lake (the second pond) and a number of paths and trails from there will take you into the heart of the impressive Beech woods. There is plenty to keep young families interested, with the avenue of Horse Chestnut providing a plentiful supply of ‘conkers’ along the route to the old Mackworth House; the hollow Oak, surviving decades of children clambering around its hollow trunk and the plentiful clumps of frogspawn and tadpoles found throughout the many ponds and ditches in the Park. The lake always has lots of wildfowl, including Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Mallard, Tufted Duck and Goosander. On quiet mornings you may also see a Water Rail, a Heron or a Kingfisher and in spring there are usually occasional sightings of Common Sandpiper along the edges of the lake. A grassy bank on the southern perimeter of the lake usually has a spectacular display of Southern Marsh-orchids in early summer. At any time of year you may see Red Kite soaring above your head. There are several magnificent specimen trees in the Beech woods, many of which must have been planted as part of the original Mackworth Estate. There is also lots of Hornbeam and smaller amounts of Norway Maple here and although none of these are native trees in this part of Wales, they provide an impressive woodland environment nonetheless. In autumn, woodland fungi such as the Wood Hedgehog, the Miller and the beautiful Orange Grisette can be found on the woodland floor, and in winter, flocks of Chaffinch with small groups of Brambling forage there for beech mast. Later in spring, Nuthatch can be heard whistling in the canopy while Greater Spotted Woodpecker drum on resonant tree trunks. Chiffchaff and Wood Warbler are among the summer migrants that breed here. Fragments of ancient oak woodland still survive in the Dingle along Preswylfa Brook and in Mosshouse Wood, where Silver-washed Fritillary butterflies are occasional in summer and Purple Hairstreaks fly high in the woodland canopy. Spring displays of Bluebell can be impressive in these places, and you may also find other ancient woodland indicators such as Wood Anemone, Woodruff and Yellow Archangel. The little brooks and streams in these valleys are good places to look out for Grey Wagtail and Dipper. From the Visitor Centre, there is an enjoyable walk to the upper Mosshouse lake, a disused reservoir surrounded by a quiet woodland bisected by an impressive, man-made cascade. Look out for Spotted Flycatcher hereabouts and listen out for trilling Wood Warbler. Pied Flycatcher have bred here in past years but have not been seen recently. En route to the old reservoir you will pass an area thick with birch and willow that has replaced a small plantation of Western Hemlock which was clear-felled not so long ago. The plot is quickly reverting back to deciduous woodland and is usually alive with birdsong from Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Garden Warbler in late spring. Bats are particularly active on warm summer nights around the second pond where there are roosts of Noctule and Daubenton’s bats. They are undoubtedly attracted by the large numbers of moths that fly at these times. Moth traps usually pick up a diversity of species in the park, which have included the uncommon Alder Kitten and Chocolate Tip, as well as larger, spectacular, hawkmoth species. Y ffordd fwyaf hwylus i gerbydau gyrraedd y Gnoll yw trwy fynedfa Fairyland sy’n mynd â chi i faes parcio talu ac arddangos helaeth a’r Ganolfan Ymwelwyr gerllaw. Fel arall, mae modd cerdded yno o ganol tref Castell-nedd, gan fynd trwy’r porth coffa a heibio i’r pwll isaf. O’r Ganolfan Ymwelwyr, gallwch gerdded yn hamddenol o amgylch y llyn mawr (yr ail bwll) lle bydd nifer o lwybrau yn eich arwain oddi yno i ganol y goedwig Ffawydd drawiadol. Mae digon o bethau i gynnal diddordeb teuluoedd ifanc, gyda rhodfa Castanwydd y Meirch sy’n darparu digonedd o ‘goncyrs’ ar hyd y ffordd at hen Dŷ Mackworth; y Dderwen geubren, sydd wedi goroesi degawdau o blant yn dringo drosti a’r clympiau helaeth o grifft broga a phenbyliaid sydd yn y pyllau a’r ffosydd niferus yn y Parc. Mae llawer o adar gwyllt ar y llyn bob amser, gan gynnwys Elyrch Dof, Cwtieir, Ieir Dŵr, Gwyachod Bach, Hwyaid Gwyllt, Hwyaid Copog a Hwyaid Danheddog. Ar foreau tawel fe allech chi hefyd weld Rhegen Ddŵr, Crëyr Glas neu Las y Dorlan ac yn y gwanwyn fel arfer, mae’n gyffredin gweld ambell Bibydd y Dorlan ar lan y llyn. Fel arfer, mae arddangosfa ysblennydd o Degeiriannau’r-gors Deheuol i’w gweld ar fancyn glas ar berimedr deheuol y llyn ar ddechrau’r haf. Gallech weld Barcud Coch yn hedfan uwch eich pen ar unrhyw adeg o’r flwyddyn. Mae nifer o goed enghreifftiol ardderchog yn y goedwig Ffawydd, a gafodd eu plannu, mae’n siŵr, fel rhan o Ystâd wreiddiol Mackworth. Hefyd, mae llawer o Oestrwydd a nifer llai o Fasarn Norwy yma ac er nad yw’r rhain yn goed brodorol yn y rhan hon o Gymru, maen nhw’n darparu amgylchedd coetir trawiadol serch hynny. Yn yr hydref, mae ffyngau coetir megis Pigau Draenog y Coed, Cap y Melinydd a’r Amanita Benfelen hardd ar lawr y coetir ac yn y gaeaf, mae heidiau o Ji-bincod ynghyd â grwpiau llai o Bincod y Mynydd yn fforio am gnau ffawydd yno. Yn hwyrach yn y gwanwyn, clywir Telor y Cnau yn chwibanu yn y canopi wrth i’r Gnocell Fraith Fawr guro ar foncyffion coed atseiniol. Mae’r Siff Siaff a Thelor y Coed ymhlith y mudwyr haf sy’n bridio yma. Mae darnau o goetir derw hynafol yn dal i oroesi yn y Ceunant (Dingle) ar lan Nant Preswylfa ac yng Nghoed Mosshouse, lle gwelir ambell Frith Arian yn yr haf a lle mae Brithribiniau Porffor yn hedfan fry yng nghanopi’r coetir. Mae Clychau’r Gog yn drawiadol yn y mannau hyn a gallech hefyd weld rhai dangosyddion coetir hynafol eraill megis Blodyn y Gwynt, y Friwydd Bêr a’r Farddanhadlen Felen. Mae’r nentydd bach yn y dyffrynnoedd hyn yn fannau da i weld y Siglen Lwyd a Bronwen y Dŵr. O’r Ganolfan Ymwelwyr, mae’n braf mynd am dro at lyn uchaf Mosshouse, sef hen gronfa ddŵr nas defnyddir sydd wedi’i hamgylchynu gan goetir tawel sydd wedi’i hollti gan raeadr ffug sylweddol ei maint. Edrychwch am Wybedog Mannog yma a gwrandewch ar drydar Telor y Coed. Bu’r Gwybedog Brith yn bridio yma yn y gorffennol ond nis gwelwyd yn ddiweddar. Ar eich ffordd at yr hen gronfa ddŵr, byddwch yn mynd heibio i ardal lle mae trwch o goed bedw a helyg wedi cymryd lle planhigfa fach o Hemlog y Gorllewin a gafodd ei llwyrgwympo yn weddol ddiweddar. Mae coetir collddail yn ailddatblygu’n gyflym ar y llain lle mae cân Telor yr Helyg, y Llwydfron, y Telor Penddu a Thelor yr Ardd yn llenwi’r lle tuag at ddiwedd y gwanwyn. Ar nosweithiau cynnes o haf, bydd ystlumod yn arbennig o brysur o gwmpas yr ail bwll lle mae Ystlumod Mawr ac Ystlumod y Dŵr yn clwydo. Mae’n siŵr eu bod nhw’n cael eu denu gan y niferoedd mawr o wyfynod sy’n hedfan ar yr adegau hyn. Mae trapiau gwyfynod fel arfer yn dal amrywiaeth o rywogaethau yn y parc, sydd wedi cynnwys rhywogaethau anghyffredin Cathan y Gwernos a’r Blaen Brown, yn ogystal â rhywogaethau o walchwyfynod trawiadol a mwy o faint. Gallery Previous Next

Enclosed Farmland only includes categories such as arable land, improved pasture, drystone walls and field boundaries, which provide habitats for 10% of NPT’s Priority Species and play a significant role in connectivity with other broad habitats such as Heathland and Moorland. Enclosed Farmland Arable land, improved grassland, drystone walls and boundaries The State of Nature in Enclosed Farmland in Neath Port Talbot Our knowledge of Enclosed Farmland in NPT is limited and more survey data is required to increase our understanding of this important habitat. At present, we are unable to make a reasonable assessment of the resilience and state of nature in this habitat category. OVERVIEW While enclosed areas of farmland might include a variety of biodiverse habitats such as Marshy and Mesotrophic Grasslands, those specific habitats are discussed elsewhere in this document under other broad habitat headings. In this document Enclosed Farmland only includes categories such as arable land, improved pasture, drystone walls and field boundaries, which provide habitats for 10% of NPT’s Priority Species and play a significant role in connectivity with other broad habitats such as Heathland and Moorland , Semi-improved Grassland and Woodland . In suitable places notable species such as Barn Owl, Linnet, Skylark, Brown Hare and Small Heath butterfly may be found in Enclosed Farmland but none of these are restricted to Enclosed Farmland in the county. Much of the Enclosed Farmland in NPT is dominated by low-diversity improved pasture while arable land is restricted largely to small areas between Margam and the Kenfig River in the southern sector of the county. There have been no detailed surveys of these habitats. Preliminary surveys suggest that arable fields support characteristic bryophyte communities but little is known about their arable weed flora. They provide important feeding opportunities for Linnet and Starling, and occasionally Stock Dove and Lapwing. Hedge boundaries within enclosed farmland are generally poor while dry stone walls, such as they still exist in reasonable condition near the upper enclosure line, provide breeding opportunities for Wheatear and habitats for Weasel, other small mammals, bryophytes and lichens. In recent decades Enclosed Farmland has provided an important habitat for Red Kite and Buzzard but there have been some significant decreases in wildlife in farmland in NPT in the last 50 years, notably the loss of Yellowhammer and large decreases in other birds associated with farmland, e.g. Starling and Linnet. However, the provision of nest boxes in farm buildings for Barn Owl has resulted in some success recently. Beyond this, we are limited in our knowledge of the state of nature of enclosed farmland in NPT since a large proportion has never been surveyed and we have few records for these habitats at present. Actions for the recovery of Enclosed Farmland 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 . Barn Owl Project Support the continuation of the barn owl nest box and monitoring project Arable Wildflower Recording Undertake arable weed surveys where possible to determine the importance of arable land in NPT Working with Farmers Engage with and support farmers and landowners undertaking action for nature as the LNP, for example, through the Nature Friendly Farming Network VOG, Bridgend and NPT Meadows Group Encourage membership amongst farmers and landowners Sustainable Farming Scheme Engage with the new sustainable farming scheme and provide support where possible for nature-related action Farmland species recording Increase recording on farmland, including for farmland birds, mammals and plants. BROWN HARE Brown Hare are found throughout NPT in both coastal and moorland habitats and although they are not seriously threatened in the county, their numbers have decreased as a result of habitat loss, persecution and hunting. They are encountered most often on coastal dunes but their numbers there have decreased significantly in the last 50 years, particularly on Crymlyn Burrows where they were frequently encountered in past decades. However, their occurrence in the new and developing dune system on Morfa Tip is encouraging. Loss of habitat in upland areas, as a result of agricultural and forestry developments, has also resulted in decreases in hare populations. SKYLARK The Skylark is still a common breeding resident in NPT in suitable habitats such as sand dunes, salt marsh and rough pasture in the uplands. Significant numbers are also found in the reclaimed grassland that has developed on the Selar opencast site above Cwmgwrach. However, in many parts of the county they have been adversely affected by agricultural improvements and conifer afforestation. In winter, the upland populations move to lowland areas such as Crymlyn Burrows where local birds are often joined by migrants on passage, sometimes swelling flock numbers to more than 200 along the coast. CASE STUDY NPT BARN OWL PROJECT Although the Barn Owl is listed of “Least Concern” with respect to risk of extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there has been a decline in the number of this flagship farmland bird across the breadth of Wales and Europe as a whole. There are a number of reasons for this decline but loss of suitable roosting and nesting sites caused by the replacement of old agricultural barns with modern equivalents is one. Fortunately, Barn Owls readily accept man-made nest-boxes which, if positioned adjacent to suitable feeding habitat, can often lead to a successful breeding and fledging program. In 2009, the NPT LNP (the NPT Biodiversity Forum at that time) commissioned two surveys by professional Ecologists – the Barn Owl Habitat Survey and Breeding Barn Owl Survey. These demonstrated a breeding population of around 10 pairs but with scope for enhancing the population through the placement of nest-boxes. A local Ornithologist was then commissioned to erect these boxes at sites identified by the surveys. By 2015, 24 boxes had been erected but only two of these were successful to the fledgling stage. Since then, other suitable nest-box sites have been identified by members of the LNP, which has also provided funding for materials to build more nest-boxes. There are now 46 boxes in our catchment area and in 2021, 10 of these were successful to fledgling stage with a total of 34 chicks ringed. The current work of the group includes building and erecting nest-boxes, maintenance and cleaning of boxes, discussing and advising landowners on barn owl conservation, monitoring nesting success and ringing fledglings. Monitoring and ringing is carried out under licence as the Barn Owl is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

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. 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Amendments We may update this policy from time to time by publishing a new version here. Last edited 30/6/25

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. learn more about swifts There's a whole range of things you can do to discover more about these amazing birds! for everyone come on a swift walk Every year in July we run swift walks which are free to attend. Keep an eye on our events page in the Spring for dates: Events page WATCH SWIFTS RAISE THEIR CHICKS The tower of the Oxford Natural History Museum has special swift boxes within it, and during the summer you can watch a webcam showing the swifts raising their chicks: Watch the swifts for adults relax and have a read There are several nature writing books which focus on swifts. Copies of some of these are available to borrow in Neath Port Talbot Libraries. Swifts and Us by Sarah Gibson The Screaming Sky by Charles Foster Swifts in a Tower by David Lack One Midsummer's Day by Mark Cocker Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald NPT Libraries make a swift box You could have a go at making your very own swift box to put on your house. On the websites below there are details for multiple designs of swift box which you can choose from to best suit your home: Bristol Swifts Action for Swifts for kids relax and have a read There are a couple of kids books on swifts. Copies of some of these are available to borrow in Neath Port Talbot Libraries. Super Swifts by Justin Anderson Swift by Lorna Hill NPT Libraries kids swift activities Below are some of our swift activities which you can download to learn more about swifts! Swift Safari activity booklet Booklet with colouring page, facts, quiz, maze activity and wordsearch Activity Booklet English Activity Booklet Cymraeg Swift colouring page Colouring in sheet where you can also draw your own swift! Colouring Activity Make your own flapping swift! Activity where you can colour in, cut out and make your swift fly! Note: 2 split pins needed Flapping swift The Migration Game A perfect activity for school classes and community groups! Note: Cones and bean bags or similar needed Migration Game English Migration Game Welsh USEFUL LINKS There are many more useful websites full of swift resources and information. Some of these are listed below: www.swift-conservation.org www.actionforswifts.blogspot.com www.actionforswifts.com www.sheffieldswiftnetwork.org www.bristolswifts.co.uk

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.

Semi-natural grassland is one of the county’s most important biodiversity resources. Unfortunately, it is also the habitat that has suffered the greatest decreases in extent, condition and connectivity. Semi-Natural Grassland Mesotrophic grasslands, restored coal waste, amenity grassland and levels The State of Nature in Semi-Natural Grassland in Neath Port Talbot Semi-improved, mesotrophic grassland supports almost one fifth of NPT's priority species and is one of the county’s most important biodiversity resources. Unfortunately, it is also the habitat that has suffered the greatest decreases in extent, condition and connectivity. This is particularly true for species-rich hay meadows which are scarce, disconnected and often badly managed or neglected. Broken connectivity in these habitats has had a significant negative effect on the distribution of priority species such as Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth and numerous priority plant species such as Meadow Thistle, Wood Bitter-vetch, Petty Whin and Dyer’s Greenweed. In view of this we have assessed the resilience and state of nature in semi-improved grasslands in NPT as poor. OVERVIEW Semi-improved grasslands in NPT provide habitats for a fifth of the county’s priority species. Most of these habitats are neutral, mesotrophic grasslands such as hay meadows, roadside verges/roundabouts, alluvial meadows, levels and restored grassland on coal spoil. If marshy grassland (which is included in the Heathland and Moorland category) is added, then the proportion of priority species is greater than one quarter, which is very significant. Traditionally managed hay meadows are rare in NPT, but the biodiverse Hafod Wennol SSSI meadows (and neighbouring areas) north of Pontardawe are exemplary with key indicator/priority species such as Large-flowered Eyebright, Greater Butterfly-orchid, and Greater Burnet. The inventory of biodiverse neutral grassland in NPT is augmented to some extent by an extensive network of roadside verges and roundabouts, some of which support diverse, colourful mesotrophic grassland communities. Good examples are found along Fabian Way (A465) near Jersey Marine, along Central Avenue near Baglan Energy Park, on the Saltings Roundabout near Neath and on Harbour Way in Port Talbot (near the steelworks) where colonies of Small Blue Butterfly can be found. Large amounts of restored grassland on coal spoil occur in the county. Good examples can be seen on Bryn Tip, the restored Selar opencast grasslands near Blaengwrach and restored grasslands in the upper Dulais Valley. Some of these sites have complex habitat mosaics and a rich diversity of grassland species, often with key indicator species such as Bee Orchid, Common Spotted-orchid, Carline Thistle, Pignut and Rough Hawkbit. The plight of species-rich grasslands in NPT is a major concern. Land use changes, development, agricultural improvement and neglect have all played a role in the disappearance of these habitats in the county over the last 70 years. Reversing this trend will require a step change in attitudes, recognition of their intrinsic value and changes in management practices. Sympathetic stewardship, habitat creation, roadside verge management and restoration can all play a part in this. Actions for the recovery of Semi-Natural Grassland 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 . Semi-natural grassland status in NPT Survey areas where understanding of semi-natural grassland status is poor to establish a baseline of the resilience of this habitat for these areas Semi-natural grassland conservation strategy Establish a strategy for semi-natural grassland management and restoration in NPT NPT Bee Friendly Continue to increase the area and extent of land managed as wildflower grassland, including roadside verge, on land managed by members of the partnership. Encourage similar management to take place on others' land Hay meadow management Establish meadows at large sites such as Gnoll Country Park and Margam Country Park, as well as on private land. These will have the added benefit of raising awareness of the plight of hay meadows. Conservation grazing on special sites Continue to take steps to establish or maintain conservation grazing on special sites where appropriate e.g. Bryn Tip LNR and Resolven Floodplain Meadows. Investigate funding for a shared mobile handling system and fencing technologies Town and Community Councils Engage with Town and Community Councils to knowledge share and support change of management on their land, to encourage semi-natural grassland Burial grounds for nature Engage with churches and cemeteries to change mowing regimes to increase the extent and area of wildflower and waxcap grasslands VOG, Bridgend and NPT Meadows Group Continue to support the meadows group to take action in NPT to manage semi-natural grassland habitats © Charles Hipkin GREATER BURNET Greater Burnet is a species of mesotrophic grasslands, particularly on flood plains, but it is also found in roadside verges and dune grasslands. It is quite tall and very conspicuous when it is in flower with its almost black, wind-pollinated flowerheads. It is widely distributed in the Neath and upper Tawe Valleys where it is an important indicator of semi-improved, mesotrophic grassland. Its scattered distribution in the upper Neath Valley between Resolven and Glyn Neath suggest that the bottom-lands here were predominantly alluvial grasslands before they were drained and improved for grazing. ROESEL'S BUSH CRICKET This attractive cricket is a relatively new addition to the NPT fauna. It was reported by a member of the public in 2019 from the Skewen area. A medium sized cricket they are brown to yellow with a green shade with three pale spots on the thorax and a cream-coloured margin around the sides of the pronotum. Females are identified by their large ovipositor (which looks like a sting but is totally harmless). The males have a very distinct song (striadulation) which is continuous and very high pitched. The species is currently expanding its range from south-east England north and west, possibly due to climate change as they do best in hot summers. GREATER BUTTERFLY ORCHID This large, striking orchid is a key indicator of traditionally managed, neutral, mesotrophic grassland in south Wales. It is currently known from only two grassland sites in NPT, both in the northern sector of the county. The number of individuals that appear varies greatly from year to year, which is fairly typical of hay meadow orchids. The flowers emit a heavy scent, particularly at night when they attract the attention of large moths, such as hawkmoths, which feed on the nectar contained in the flower’s deep spur. The survival of this priority species in NPT is completely dependent on the continued management of the grasslands in which it is found as hay meadows. Where to explore semi-natural grassland in NPT Publicly accessible sites where you can see semi-natural grassland habitats in NPT Semi-Natural Grassland Projects in NPT VOG, Bridgend and NPT Meadows Group A cross-boundary Meadows group providing support to those wishing to create, restore or manage meadows through networking and peer support. BUGLIFE NPT B-Lines A three year project working along B-Lines Networks in NPT to create and manage habitat for pollinators with local communities. Wildflower verge management Management of roadside verges for biodiversity taking place at various sites throughout the county. MAGNIFICENT MEADOWS PROJECT The Plantlife Magnificent Meadows project has supported the formation of community meadows across the county, for example, at Glantawe Riverside Park. Rheola floodplain meadows Management through conservation grazing and hay cuts, and monitoring of the floodplain meadows near Rheola, where Greater Burnet can be found. SHRILL CARDER BEE STRATEGY A strategy for the conservation of the endangered Shrill Carder Bee was launched in 2020, covering the Kenfig- Port Talbot population. CASE STUDY NPT Bee Friendly In recent years, the loss of wildflower grassland habitat and the pollinating insects they support has become an issue of public concern. NPT Council has a responsibility to address nature and climate emergencies such as this and is also committed to protect, conserve and enhance our natural environment under the terms of the Corporate Plan , Biodiversity Duty Plan , NPT Nature Recovery Action Plan and The Action Plan for Pollinators in Wales . A new approach to managing the verges and grasslands of NPT has been approved by the County Council’s Regeneration and Sustainable Development Cabinet Board on 30th July 2021 and is being progressively implemented by NPT Council as resources allow. The aim of this scheme is to increase the area and extent of wildflower grassland (i.e. roadside verges and larger meadow areas which are managed to encourage wildflowers and pollinating insects) in NPT County Borough. Traditionally, local authority-managed roadside verges in NPT are all cut every 2-3 weeks during the growing season i.e. late March to end September and the arisings are mulched and dropped on top of the grass. This fertilises the soil, encouraging further grass growth. As of 2021, at certain locations with the Streetcare Services Section, NPT Council will be changing this management and instead encouraging the growth of wildflowers and reducing the frequency of required cuts through the use of ‘cut and collect’ machines. Road verges such as Harbour Way, Fabian Way and Saltings Roundabout are included in this scheme, along with many new areas around the county. Read more here.

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. homes for swifts Find out what you can do to reverse the decline in swift nesting sites below! Provide swifts with nesting spaces Provide swifts with nesting spaces You can help reverse the decline in nesting spaces for swifts by fitting swift boxes or swift bricks in your home. This section gives you information on how to tell if your home is suitable and the range of options out there. is my home suitable? Swifts need their boxes or bricks to be at least 5 metres high off the ground. The box needs to be placed on a north to north-easterly wall. South facing walls get too hot and west facing walls tend to be too exposed to weather. The box needs a clear flight path for swifts to swoop in and out Ideally it is good practise to tuck swift boxes under eaves, as this stops anything landing on top of them. However if the swift box has a sloped roof this isn't always necessary. Sheffield Swift Network has a really good webpage explaining everything you need to know about fitting a swift brick. swift bricks Swift bricks are the gold standard when providing breeding sites for swifts. They last the lifetime of the building, are cheap to buy and unobtrusive. Action for Swifts make swift bricks for different wall types, thicknesses and can even custom match brick colour. Action for Swifts Sheffield Swift Network If swift bricks are not an option, swift boxes are a good alternative. There are many options out there to suit different needs and budgets. Action for Swifts make a range of nest boxes including ones that can be fitted into external wall insulation. Action for Swifts Impeckable Nest Boxes make high quality fibreglass and hardwood nest boxes in lots of different configurations. Impeckable Peak Nest Boxes are 3D printed out of a blend of sawdust and cornstarch, and come with options to fit a camera onto the box. Peak Nest Boxes swift boxes swift callers When installing a swift brick or swift box, it is also a good idea to install a caller system. Swifts like to nest where there are other swifts, so a caller helps them find the boxes and move in! A swift caller is programmed to play swift calls at dawn and dusk during the months of May to August. Once swifts have moved in the calls no longer need to be played and the calling system can be moved to another location. Sheffield Swift Network has a useful page on the different callers available and how to install them. Sheffield Swift Network renovate mindfully If you have swifts in your property already and are planning to renovate, there are many ways that you can retain the nesting holes depending on where the swifts nest. Swifts are site faithful, so they return to the same nest site every year. Even if a box is placed next to where a hole used to be, swifts often try and get into where they've previously nested, and can hurt themselves in the process. It is always better to retain a nest site than retrofit a box. REMEMBER! Nesting swifts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. It is illegal to disturb, obstruct, damage, destroy or prevent entry to any active swift nest. Follow these rules when doing building works: Do not work on the roof during the May-August nesting season Do not block their access with scaffolding - swifts need a clear flight path Adapt your building works to allow swifts to access their nest sites in future years, see below for guidance swift conservation renovation guides Swift Conservation has helpful guides on retaining swift nesting spaces while you're renovating: Roof Repairs and Reroofing Soffits and Eaves Thermal Wall Insulation

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.

Do you, your group or organisation have an idea that could positively impact nature and the local community in your area? If the answer is yes, we’d love to hear from you! We have grant funding available for projects that contribute to long-term nature recovery in Neath Port Talbot. This has been funded by the Welsh Government Local Places for Nature Fund. Continue reading below to find out more. NPT LNP Grant Fund 2026/2027 Do you, your group or organisation have an idea that could positively impact nature and the local community in your area? If the answer is yes, we’d love to hear from you! We have grant funding available for projects that contribute to long-term nature recovery in Neath Port Talbot. This has been funded by the Welsh Government Local Places for Nature Fund. This fund will be reopening in Spring 2026 ready for the new financial year starting 1st April 2026. Continue reading below to find out more. Key Grant Criteria: The grant scheme funds capital costs only – this means no revenue costs can be included such as staff/volunteer time and venue hire Applications can be for up to £10,000 The project location must be accessible to members of the public in order to receive grant funding. This can be for part of the year, or all year round, including only open for events Applicants should indicate how their project will deliver lasting benefits for biodiversity and how it improves local’s access to nature, especially if ongoing management will be required after grant funding is spent Recipients must agree to maintain the project outcomes for a minimum period of 5 years at their own cost, as a criteria of funding from the Welsh Government Items that do not qualify for funding include: Non-native planting Signage Landscaping, including gravel Patio slabs Fencing Benches and seating Revenue costs including staff/volunteer time and venue hire If you have any questions or would like to submit an Expression of Interest, please email us.

Heathland and Moorland provides habitats for almost 1/5 of NPT's Priority Species, but only a small proportion of it is in good condition. Large amounts of habitat have been lost due to land use changes and neglect and, apart from the northern sector of the county, overall connectivity is poor. Heathland and Moorland Marshy grassland, heathland, moorland and ffridd (coed cae) The State of Nature in Heathland and Moorland in Neath Port Talbot Heathland and Moorland provides habitats for almost one fifth of NPT's Priority Species, but only a small proportion of it is in good condition. Large amounts of habitat have been lost due to land use changes and neglect and, apart from the northern sector of the county, overall connectivity is poor. Marshy grassland and rhos pasture in particular have suffered badly and many species that were once widespread are now very scarce. In some places invasive non-native species are a significant problem. There is insufficient data available at this time to assess the health of our surviving ffridd habitats, but much has been lost to forestry plantation. In view of these issues the resilience and state of nature of heathland and moorland in NPT has been assessed as poor. OVERVIEW This broad habitat category consists of marshy grassland, acid grassland/ heathland and moorland and ffridd (coed cae). The upland landscape of NPT has changed significantly over the last 70 years. Much of the moorland and heath that was once extensive there has been planted with conifers and other parts have been converted to improved grazing land. However, some significant areas of moorland remain, particularly in the northern sector of the county, e.g. Gwrhyd, Sarn Helen. These habitats are often dominated by Purple Moor-grass, Sheep’s Fescue and other calcifuge grasses/ sedges with areas of dwarf shrub heath containing Heather and Bilberry. Petty Whin and Dyer’s Greenweed still survive in a few places and wetter areas often contain colourful swards of Bog Asphodel. Marshy grassland (including rhos pasture) is an important specific habitat in this category which can support unique and diverse communities of plants with Devil’s-bit Scabious, Saw-wort, Meadow Thistle, Heath Spotted-orchid, Whorled Caraway, Ivy-leaved Bellflower and Bog Pimpernel. A few marshy grasslands in the northern sector have Marsh Fritillary meta-populations. Where there is base-rich flushing, these habitats may also contain Butterwort, Marsh Valerian and Fen Bedstraw, which are all scarce species in NPT. Ffridd habitats have largely been planted with conifer plantations. They are important for bird species such as Cuckoo where they exist and invertebrates such as Dark Green Fritillary. Heathland and moorland fauna of conservation importance in NPT include Brown Hare, Skylark, Linnet, Cuckoo, Adder, Grass Snake, Hornet Robber-fly and a number of bees such as the Moss Carder Bee. The resilience of heathland and moorland in NPT is under pressure from lack of appropriate management, broken connectivity and invasive non-native species, e.g. Rhododendron, Sitka Spruce. Actions for the recovery of Heathland and Moorland 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 . Management for Marsh Fritillary Maintain and enhance current management and monitoring of sites in the Dulais Valley and extend into additional sites where possible to continue to support the Marsh Fritillary meta-population Inventory of marshy grasslands Undertake an inventory of grasslands and assess their condition where possible. Identify opportunities for restoring sites Respect for Reptiles Raise awareness to prevent persecution of adders in areas where human/ adder interaction is more likely. Adder Recording Increase adder recording in the north of the county where understanding of populations and their distributions is low Prevent damage from tree planting Prevent tree planting on heathland and moorland habitats in NPT and raise awareness of the value of these habitats Restore heathland and moorland habitats Where possible, habitat creation and restoration should be considered. For example, clear-felled conifer coupes should be assessed for their potential in marshy grassland (or peatbog) restoration. Removal of invasive non-native species (e.g. Rhododendron, Sitka Spruce) from some sites is a matter of urgency Heathland and Moorland Highways Maintain the strips of heathland and moorland habitat which can be found in the coniferised uplands along forest road verges and banks. These remnant habitats need to be maintained with the appropriate management to maintain the species which can be found here e.g. clubmosses. Rare and important plant species Promote the recovery of key axiophytes including Globe Flower, Meadow Thistle and Dyer’s Greenweed. Re-introductions may be necessary if appropriate. Promote Connectivity of Marshy Grassland Work with partners to promote better connectivity between marshy grassland, to benefit species such as the Marsh Fritillary butterfly Ffridd / Coedcae Increase our understanding of the extent and condition of ffridd habitats in Neath Port Talbot. Work with partners to retore and protect it. MARSH FRITILLARY The Marsh Fritillary butterfly has undergone a significant decline in numbers in Wales and this picture is reflected in the dramatic loss of populations from NPT over the last 50 years. Its favoured habitat in the county is marshy grassland or rhos pasture with Devil's-bit Scabious, which the caterpillars feed on, and plants that provide nectar for flying adults, e.g. Meadow Thistle. Loss of appropriate habitat followed by broken meta-population connectivity have probably played a major role in the decline. IVY LEAVED BELLFLOWER Due to the large losses of its native habitats which have occurred in the last 100 years, Ivy-Leaved Bellflower is an endangered species of some concern. In NPT, it is found in a few unimproved marshy grassland and heathland habitats but also in humid banks above streams and ditches in conifer plantations where it is protected from intense grazing. The plight and conservation of this charming species has been ignored in Wales while it has continued to shrink in its abundance due to habitat loss. Populations in NPT require careful consideration and management. ADDER The Adder is the only venomous snake in the UK but is not an aggressive species. Adders are mostly found in areas of rough countryside with edge habitats. They are variable in colour but always have a distinctive dark zig-zag down the spine. The best way to find them is to move slowly along the edge of a path through bracken but even then you will need to be very quiet and have a keen eye to spot them. Adders unfortunately still suffer from some persecution in NPT. Where to explore heathland and moorland in NPT Publicly accessible sites where you can see heathland and moorland habitats in NPT Heathland and Moorland Projects in NPT HABITAT MANAGEMENT FOR MARSH FRITILLARY Habitat management projects such as the large-scale conservation grazing programme taking place in the Dulais Valley are helping to restore marshy grasslands suitable for supporting Marsh Fritillary meta-populations. WIND FARM HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLANS Habitat management plans covering these habitats are in place as part of mitigation for the Llynfi Afan and Pen y Cymoedd Windfarms. gwrhyd MEADOWS Habitat management agreement is in place for management of acid grasslands and marshy grasslands at Gwrhyd Meadows SSSI. Notable plant species recorded here include Ivy-leaved Bellflower. payment for results on common land This Project is investigating a potential payment system which aims to encourage positive action to conserve and enhance habitat on common land. CILYBEBYLL SSSI Discussions taking place to determine habitat management plan for Cilybebyll SSSI. Cilybebyll is of special interest for its species-rich grasslands and wet pastures, which are host to several uncommon plant species. CASE STUDY Monitoring and conservation management of Marsh Fritillary in NPT Historical records indicate that the Marsh Fritillary was widespread in NPT 50 years ago, with colonies scattered in both the northern and southern sectors of the county. At that time, species-rich marshy grasslands with Devil's-bit Scabious, Meadow Thistle, Heath Spotted-orchid and other significant species were more common in our landscape than today. The Marsh Fritillary has a limited dispersal ability and requires a network of connected habitats and colonies that allow some interchange between otherwise discrete colonies. At any one time within this meta-population network some habitats may not be occupied, but their presence and potential for colonisation is nevertheless a major factor in Marsh Fritillary meta-population dynamics. The significant losses of marshy grassland habitat that have occurred in Neath Port Talbot in the last 50 years have not only removed breeding grounds for this colourful butterfly but have also broken the habitat connectivity that is crucial for dispersal and meta-population maintenance. The availability of suitable marshy grasslands in an appropriately connected landscape is key to the success and conservation of the Marsh Fritillary in NPT. Under the leadership of Butterfly Conservation and a dedicated group of organised volunteers, a large amount of effort has been put into finding, surveying and monitoring Marsh Fritillary sites in NPT and neighbouring areas of Carmarthenshire. It has become clear that the Marsh Fritillary is largely, if not entirely, confined to the Dulais and Amman Valleys, in the northern sector of the county. Each year known and potential breeding sites in these areas are monitored for the presence of larval webs and their condition is assessed. Butterfly Conservation have also worked in partnership with Natural Resources Wales to reclaim and manage marshy grassland suitable for Marsh Fritillary in the Dulais Valley, on NRW owned land previously planted with Sitka Spruce or intensively grazed. An important part of the conservation management strategy throughout has been the organisation of sympathetic grazing regimes to keep habitats in a condition favourable for Marsh Fritillary. At present we have 7 occupied Marsh Fritillary sites in NPT as well as a number of suitable sites that have not been colonised. There are strong populations in the Dulais Valley in the vicinity of Blaendulais but the largest populations are found in the Amman Valley and particularly near Tairgwaith and Cwmgors. Connectivity analysis reveals that these habitats are parts of larger, complex meta-population networks that reside mainly in Dyfed and Powys.

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