Search Results

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

Special Species PINE LONG-HORNED HOVERFLY This gorgeous hoverfly, with fiery red hairs that make it look like a burning ember, is only found at one location in Wales – among the tall pine trees of Margam Park. It was first recorded there in 2019. It’s larvae inhabit water-filled rot holes of conifers and adults can be found basking in the spring sunshine on pine tree trunks. WOODLAND FUNGI Woodlands are important habitats for fungi and local conifer forests support a large diversity of these fascinating organisms. More than 130 species of macrofungi have been found in Sitka Spruce forests in NPT and Beech woods, such as those in Briton Ferry Woods and Glyncastle Forest, often contain diverse communities. BLUE GROUND BEETLE The Blue Ground Beetle has declined dramatically in Britain over the last 100 years, but it seems to have a stronghold in South Wales. The recent discovery of this striking beetle in Maesmelin Woods and a few other oak woodlands in the Neath Valley is a significant success story for biodiversity in NPT. It seems likely that more populations of this beetle will be discovered in the county. 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. © 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. © Mark Hipkin © Barry Stewart © Charles Hipkin SHRILL CARDER BEE This very rare bee is only found in a handful of places in the UK with NPT being a stronghold in South Wales. It’s a bit tricky to identify but with a good look you may see the main features: pale blond in colour, with a dark brown band between the wing bases and a ginger tail. The queens fly very fast creating a high-pitched buzz. The coastal grasslands of NPT are an important area for the species. They favour wildflower habitats such as sand dunes, with plants with long corolla such as Red Bartsia. LAPWING Lapwings are a scarce and declining breeding species in the County and are more common on passage and in winter. There have been no recent breeding records in the uplands with breeding sites confined to coastal areas, particularly open mosaic habitats on previously industrialised land, which is often ephemeral. There were a minimum of 8 pairs breeding in the old BP site at Baglan Bay in 2019 and probable breeding at Llandarcy. However, numbers have declined significantly in these sites in recent years. The general decline in lapwing breeding numbers across Wales has been linked to changes in farming policy and practice. BASIL THYME A beautiful, small, violet-flowered member of the Sage family that is now very scarce in Britain and considered to be vulnerable in Wales. It is largely a southern species, usually associated with calcareous grassland but it has undergone a significant decline in this habitat in Britain in recent decades as a result of grassland improvements and intensive grazing. It is exclusively coastal in its distribution in NPT where it is a rare species of dune grassland. However, large populations of this species occur in open mosaic habitats on previously industrialised land near Baglan Dunes and these may be the largest populations of this species in Wales. Development of these sites in the future poses a significant challenge to the conservation of this species in NPT and Wales. © Vaughn Matthews © Vaughn Matthews HEDGEHOG The Hedgehog is well recorded in most of the urban areas of NPT, although many of these records are from road deaths. The perils of crossing roads, along with other pressures such as barriers between gardens and the use of toxic slug pellets are contributing to the decline of this iconic species. A trend for 'tidy', low maintenance gardens is leading to additional habitat loss for the 'gardeners' friend'. SWIFT This summer visitor breeds in mainly urban areas in NPT however numbers recorded as confirmed breeders have declined in recent years. This decline is thought to be due in part to a loss of nesting opportunities as buildings are renovated to modern standards. The provision of nest boxes or integral swift bricks in suitable buildings may help to increase available nesting sites. COMMON TOAD The Common Toad is another species susceptible to road deaths in NPT, when in spring, they migrate across urban areas in their hundreds to their breeding ponds. The case study below provides an account of how members of the LNP are working to ameliorate this. Although Toads are likely to be well distributed in NPT, they are under- recorded. OTTER Increases in the national Otter population in recent decades are viewed by most people as a welcome indicator of the renewed natural health and vigour of our riparian habitats. The widespread occurrence of Otter spraint on riverside rocks and other stone structures reveal the widespread occurrence of Otter on NPT's rivers and canals. Nevertheless, there is some evidence that numbers have decreased in recent years and there are indications of occasional persecution. SALMON All the major river systems in NPT have Salmon in them. It is becoming more obvious that Salmon are in crisis throughout the UK as well as Wales with suggested figures of a decline of 70% in 25 years (Atlantic Salmon Trust). Read more in the case study below. The video above shows a salmon migrating through the Green Park Weir fish pass in 2015. DIPPER Dippers occur on fast-flowing, unpolluted streams and are seen regularly on most river catchments in the county all year round. In 2019 there were a minimum of 12 confirmed breeding locations in NPT. Current studies of this amber-listed species include a ringing program being conducted on the River Afan and its tributaries, aimed at increasing our knowledge of local breeding success and survival rates over time. WATER VOLE Water Voles were not an uncommon feature of wetland and aquatic habitats in NPT 60 years ago, but they have undergone a catastrophic decline in recent decades. Loss of habitat and predation by American Mink have probably played important roles in this. However, a significant Water Vole population has been discovered recently in wetland areas inside upland conifer plantations in the county. Peat bog habitat restoration projects are now incorporating management for water voles and monitoring the populations here. The video above shows a Water Vole caught on camera at Llyn Fach by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. SPHAGNUM Sphagnum (also known as bog moss or peat moss) is a bryophyte genus which contains a number of species that are characteristic of wet areas including peatlands and flushes. The typical growth form of these important plants consist of branches, called fascicles, which are held in groups along the stem, and an active growing centre, called the capitulum, at the top. Sphagnum can absorb and hold many times its own dry weight in water and is the ecosystem engineer for peatland habitats. FEN RAFT SPIDER This is the UK's largest spider and one of the rarest. This striking species reaches up to 23mm in body size and has a distinctive pale stripe along its flanks. These ferocious predators, which are capable of catching and eating stickleback fish, are found at very few sites in the UK, including the Tennant Canal near Jersey Marine. They are usually seen in summer, characteristically basking on floating and emergent vegetation. In some years they occur in relatively large numbers. ©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. SANDERLING Sanderling are small wading birds that breed in coastal tundra in the High Arctic. In winter they migrate southwards and significant numbers of them spend the winter in Britain, particularly where there are coastal beaches with long sandy shore lines. They rely on the availability of coastlines where they roost and feed on crustaceans, molluscs and marine worms. Recently, wintering numbers of sanderling have declined in the UK where this species is now amber-listed. Nationally important numbers have occurred in Swansea Bay between late summer and spring and they have been a notable feature of undisturbed sections of Crymlyn Burrows until recently. Unfortunately uncontrolled and sustained disturbance of winter populations are having a catastrophic effect on roosting and feeding flocks in NPT. SEA STOCK Sea Stock is one of a small number of Mediterranean plants that are found in Wales and has been known from coastal sand dunes in NPT for about 150 years. It is a nationally rare, Section 7 species and a European endemic that is growing at its global northern limit in the coastal sand dunes of NPT. It is found in mobile sand communities and is restricted to and specifically requires this specialised habitat in our area. For reasons that are not understood properly, population sizes of this attractive plant have varied greatly over the decades. Burial in sand after storm events and grazing by rabbits may play a part in this. The enormous population of Sea Stock that occurred on Crymlyn Burrows in the 1980s has dwindled to a handful of individuals in recent years. Larger populations are currently known from the remnant dune systems between Baglan and Morfa Tip. SMALL BLUE This is the smallest UK butterfly but can be seen in numbers where it occurs. The upper wing is a dusky colour with a hint of blue and the underwing is a very light brown-blue with obvious black spots, no orange as in the Common Blue. They rely solely on Kidney Vetch for their caterpillar food plant. Small Blues can be found all along the NPT coastal belt and at some inland sites, particularly where there is an abundance of Kidney Vetch. © Jacob Bøtter HARBOUR PORPOISE Swansea Bay has year-round Harbour Porpoise presence, with annual mother-calf sightings in late summer-autumn. Regular near-shore foraging is also reported along the NPT Coastline. They are much smaller than native dolphin species and more difficult to spot. They do not often leave the water like dolphins but ‘breach’ with their back in a smooth arc. Porpoise have a very short beak making their head look blunt compared to a dolphin. 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. GREAT CRESTED GREBE Large numbers of these beautiful birds gather in winter feeding flocks in Swansea Bay where they often occur in 3 separate groups of birds spread across the bay from Blackpill (Swansea) to Aberavon (NPT). Two of these groups are usually located in NPT, one off Crymlyn Burrows and the other off Aberavon Beach. The numbers of wintering birds in these flocks has been counted at regular intervals for over 10 years by local enthusiasts (British Trust for Ornithology, Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) Counts) and it is clear from these records that the bay is a very important winter feeding site with >700 individuals counted in some months. Often, the greater proportion of the bay's grebes occur in waters off NPT and those off Crymlyn Burrows, where numbers >400 have been recorded, appears to be very significant.

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. < Back 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. Darn o wlyptir llawn corsydd yw Ffen Pant y Sais sydd, o ran cysylltedd, bron yn cydgyffwrdd â Chors Crymlyn, sef y ffen iseldir mwyaf yng Nghymru. Gyda’i gilydd mae’r ddau yn ffurfio un o’r cynefinoedd gwlyptir pwysicaf yn ne Cymru. Crymlyn Bog has been designated as an internationally important Ramsar and SAC site. Access to Pant y Sais is easy from the village of Jersey Marine, where a boardwalk circuit allows you to view some of its typical wildlife. In late spring and early summer you can view and listen to a variety of fenland birds such as Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler and Reed Bunting. Water Rail are sometimes heard squealing in the reeds and even venture out on to the boardwalk now and then during quiet periods in the morning and evening. Common Lizards are occasionally seen basking on the boardwalk and Grass Snakes are sometimes spotted moving through the vegetation. Pant y Sais is also a good place to look for dragonflies and damselflies, including uncommon species such Hairy Dragonfly, Variable Damselfly, Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly, Ruddy Darter and Black Darter. Lots of colourful wetland plants inhabit the fen such as Bog Bean, Marsh Lousewort, Cross-leaved Heath and Ragged Robin. Insectivorous Sundew grows on the Bog Moss that occurs along the boardwalk and Blunt-flowered Rush is common in many places. Spectacular displays of Royal Fern and occasional clumps of Narrow Buckler-fern are very conspicuous in summer, and Pant y Sais is also one of the few wetland sites in Britain where the very rare Red Data Book species, Slender Cotton-grass, can be found. Running along the side of Pant y Sais Fen and Crymlyn Bog, the Tennant Canal is an important wetland connectivity channel in NPT and is one of its most biodiverse freshwater habitats. Pike are common in the canal and aquatic plants like Mare’s-tail, Fan-leaved Crowfoot, Unbranched Bur-reed and water lilies are conspicuous here. The diverse emergent vegetation along its banks supports a colourful flora with Flowering Rush, Marsh Cinquefoil, Greater Spearwort, Yellow Iris, Purple Loosestrife, Yellow Loosestrife, and Great Willowherb. Also conspicuous along the banks of the canal are the huge leaves of Water Dock and large clumps of Greater Tussock-sedge, Greater Pond-sedge and Tufted Sedge. One of the most important members of the Tennant Canal fauna is the large, semi-aquatic Fen Raft Spider, which hunts on the surface of the water. Fen Raft Spiders are rare in Britain and the Tennant Canal population is the only one in Wales. Dynodwyd Cors Crymlyn yn safle Ramsar o bwys rhyngwladol ac yn Ardal Cadwraeth Arbennig. Ceir mynediad hwylus i Bant y Sais o bentref Jersey Marine, lle mae llwybr pren cylchol yn caniatáu i ymwelwyr weld peth o fywyd gwyllt nodweddiadol y safle. Ar ddiwedd y gwanwyn a dechrau’r haf gellir gweld a chlywed amrywiaeth o adar y ffen megis Telor y Cyrs, Telor yr Hesg, y Troellwr Bach, Telor Cetti a Bras y Cyrs. Weithiau mae Rhegennod Dŵr i’w clywed yn gwichian yn y cyrs a hyd yn oed yn mentro allan ar y llwybr pren bob nawr ac yn y man ar adegau tawel yn y bore a chyda’r nos. Ambell waith, gwelir Madfallod Cyffredin yn torheulo ar y llwybr pren ac weithiau gwelir Nadroedd y Gwair yn symud trwy’r llystyfiant. Mae Pant y Sais hefyd yn lle da i chwilio am weision y neidr a mursennod, gan gynnwys rhywogaethau anghyffredin fel Gwas y Neidr Blewog, y Fursen Las Amrywiol, y Fursen Dinlas Fach, y Wäell Rudd a’r Wäell Ddu. Mae llawer o blanhigion gwlyptir lliwgar yn tyfu yn y ffen megis Ffa’r Gors, Melog y Waun, Grug Croesddail a Charpiog y Gors. Mae Gwlithlys Pryfysol yn tyfu ar y Migwyn a geir ar hyd y llwybr pren ac mae Brwyn Blaendon yn gyffredin mewn sawl man. Mae arddangosfeydd trawiadol o Redyn Cyfrdwy ac ambell glwstwr o Farchredyn Cul yn amlwg iawn yn yr haf a Phant y Sais yw un o’r ychydig safleoedd gwlyptir ym Mhrydain lle gwelir Plu’r Gweunydd Eiddil, sy’n rhywogaeth brin iawn yn y Llyfr Data Coch. Mae Camlas Tenant wrth ochr Ffen Pant y Sais a Chors Crymlyn yn sianel bwysig o ran cysylltu gwlyptiroedd yn CNPT ac mae’n un o’r cynefinoedd dŵr croyw mwyaf bioamrywiol yn y sir. Mae penhwyaid yn gyffredin yn y gamlas ac mae planhigion dyfrol fel Rhawn y Gaseg, Crafanc-y-frân Gwyntyllog, y Cleddlys Di-gainc a Lilïau’r Dŵr yn amlwg iawn yma. Mae’r llystyfiant amrywiol sy’n codi o’r dŵr ar hyd glannau’r gamlas yn cynnal fflora lliwgar gan gynnwys Brwyn Blodeuog, Pumnalen y Gors, y Llafnlys Mawr, Gellesg, Llysiau’r-milwr Coch, y Trewyn, a’r Helyglys Pêr. Yn ogystal, mae dail enfawr Tafol y Dŵr a chlystyrau mawr o’r Hesgen Rafunog Fawr, Hesgen y Dŵr Fawr a’r Hesgen Duswog i’w gweld yn amlwg ar lannau’r gamlas. Un enghraifft bwysig o ffawna Camlas Tenant yw Corryn Rafft y Ffen, sef corryn mawr, lled-ddyfrol sy’n hela ar wyneb y dŵr. Mae Corynnod Rafft y Ffen yn brin ym Mhrydain a’r boblogaeth ar Gamlas Tenant yw’r unig un yng Nghymru. Gallery Previous Next

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. < Back 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. Camlas Nedd yw’r gamlas hiraf yn CNPT ac mae’n ymestyn o Lansawel i Lyn-nedd ym Mro Nedd, gan ddilyn cyfeiriad afon Nedd i bob pwrpas, a’i chroesi ar hyd dyfrbont fach ger y Clun. It can be accessed easily from many points in the valley, such as Giant’s Grave, Melyn, Bridge Street (Neath), Cadoxton, Aberdulais, Resolven and Aberpergwm. In most places the tow paths allow easy walking, and for much of its length the canal supports a diverse flora and fauna which are easy to observe. However, some parts of the canal between Aberdulais and Resolven are in poor condition and the towpath is less accessible. A walk along the Neath Canal is rewarding at any time of year but it is particularly good for wildlife viewing in spring and summer. The stretch between Giants Grave and Neath is particularly good with colourful flowering plants such as Greater Spearwort, Common Valerian, Great Willowherb, Water Forget-me-not, Yellow Loosestrife, Purple Loosestrife and Meadowsweet. Otter are sometimes seen here early in the morning and Heron and Kingfisher are frequently encountered. Where there are banks of reeds the metronomic song of the Reed Warbler or the sudden burst of song from a Cetti’s Warbler is a common sound in spring and summer. Virtually all the common British damselflies and dragonflies are found along the canal, with spectacular displays in summer from the large and handsome Emperor Dragonflies patrolling their territories. Where the canal is shaded by trees, particularly between Tonna and Resolven, you may come across small groups of Beautiful Demoiselles. Dipper and Grey Wagtail are occasionally seen along the stretch between Tonna and Clyne, where you may also be lucky to see a pair of Mandarin Duck. Moorhen are common everywhere and are often seen scuttling across the large floating leaves of Yellow Waterlily which dominate much of surface water between Briton Ferry and Neath. Other aquatics such as Broad-leaved Pondweed, Curled Pondweed, Water Starworts, Spiked Water-milfoil, Rigid and Soft Hornwort, Ivy-leaved Duckweed and Unbranched Bur-reed are also common. Quiet observation of the water usually reveals the presence of fish such as Perch, Roach, Tench and Pike. In recent years, non-native terrapins have increased significantly and they can sometimes be seen basking out of the water in the canal near Giant’s Grave. Mae modd cyrraedd y gamlas yn hwylus o sawl man yn y cwm, megis Bedd y Cawr, Melyn, Stryd y Bont (Castell-nedd), Llangatwg, Aberdulais, Resolfen ac Aberpergwm. Yn y rhan fwyaf o fannau, mae’r llwybrau halio yn cynnig llwybr hawdd i gerddwyr ac mae’r gamlas, bron ar hyd-ddi, yn cynnal fflora a ffawna amrywiol sy’n hawdd eu gweld. Fodd bynnag, mae rhannau o’r gamlas rhwng Aberdulais a Resolfen mewn cyflwr gwael ac nid yw’r llwybr halio mor hawdd ei ddefnyddio. Mae’n werth cerdded ar hyd Camlas Nedd ar unrhyw adeg o’r flwyddyn ond mae cyfleoedd arbennig o dda i wylio bywyd gwyllt yn ystod y gwanwyn a’r haf. Mae’r rhan o’r gamlas rhwng Bedd y Cawr a Chastell-nedd yn arbennig o dda gyda phlanhigion blodeuol lliwgar megis y Llafnlys Mawr, Triaglog, Helyglys Pêr, Sgorpionllys y Gors, Trewyn, Llysiau’r-milwr Coch a’r Erwain. Gwelir dyfrgwn yma weithiau yn gynnar yn y bore ac mae’r Crëyr Glas a Glas y Dorlan i’w gweld yn aml. Yn y gwanwyn a’r haf, mae’n gyffredin clywed Telor y Cyrs neu Delor Cetti yn taro cân sydyn o’r gwelyau cyrs. Mae bron pob un o fursennod a gweision neidr cyffredin Prydain i’w canfod ar hyd y gamlas ac yn yr haf, gwelir gweision neidr hardd yr Ymerawdwr yn creu arddangosfeydd trawiadol wrth batrolio’u tiriogaeth. Yng nghysgod y coed, yn enwedig rhwng Tonna a Resolfen, fe allech ddod ar draws grwpiau bach o Forwynion Tywyll ar y gamlas. Gwelir Bronwen y Dŵr a’r Siglen Lwyd o bryd i’w gilydd ar y darn o’r gamlas rhwng Tonna a’r Clun, lle gallech fod yn ddigon ffodus o weld pâr o Hwyaid Mandarin. Mae Ieir Dŵr yn gyffredin ym mhobman ac i’w gweld yn aml yn sgrialu dros ddail mawr Lili’r-dŵr Felen sy’n nodwedd amlwg ar wyneb y dŵr rhwng Llansawel a Chastell-nedd. Mae rhywogaethau dyfrol eraill, megis y Dyfrllys Llydanddail, y Dyfrllys Crych, y Briglwydd, Myrdd-ddail Ysbigog, Cyrnddail Caled a Chyrnddail Meddal, Llinad Dail Eiddew a’r Cleddlys Di-gainc hefyd yn gyffredin. Fel arfer, mae modd gweld pysgod fel Draenogiaid, Rhufellod, Ysgretennod a Phenhwyaid trwy syllu’n dawel ar y dŵr. Yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf, mae nifer y terapiniaid anfrodorol wedi cynyddu’n sylweddol ac weithiau gellir eu gweld yn torheulo allan o’r dŵr ar y gamlas ger Bedd y Cawr. Gallery Previous Next

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. < Back 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. O ganlyniad i newidiadau mewn arferion amaethu, moderneiddio a datblygu, mae glaswelltiroedd mesotroffig cyfoethog eu rhywogaethau, megis gweirgloddiau traddodiadol, bellach yn brin iawn yn CNPT ac yn adnodd sy’n prinhau yng Nghymru yn gyffredinol. O’u rheoli’n gywir, gall lleiniau ymyl ffordd gyflawni rôl debyg o ran bioamrywiaeth ac er nad ydynt yn ateb perffaith, maen nhw’n dod yn noddfa bwysig i blanhigion glaswelltir a’r pryfed sy’n byw ynddynt. Good examples in NPT include the verges along the A483 near Jersey Marine and Earlswood, the verges along Central Avenue near the Quays, the verges along Harbour Way near Margam and the Saltings Roundabout near Neath Abbey. In all these places, species like Ox-eye Daisy, Common Knapweed, Common Vetch, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Red Clover and Meadow Buttercup make up colourful communities that are important resources for pollinators like bees, butterflies and hoverflies, as well as hosts of other insects such as beetles and grasshoppers. Of interest too is the increasing occurrence of salt-tolerant species like Danish Scurvey-grass, Lesser Sea-spurrey and Stag’s-horn Plantain along the edges of these verges. These species are typical of saltmarsh grasslands, but they have colonised roadside verge edges that have become enriched with salt from gritting in winter. Huge amounts of Danish Scurvy-grass appear along the A465 near Jersey Marine where the white and pale lilac flowers provide spectacular displays of spring colour. Other notable features of our verges include the outstanding display of Cowslips which occur on the Saltings Roundabout. More than 100 species of grassland plants grow here and include small amounts of the attractive Pyramidal Orchid. The species-rich verge along the A483 near Jersey Marine has very conspicuous populations of Ox-eye Daisy and Bulbous Buttercup as well as occasional stands of Bee Orchid and Greater Burnet. Downy Oat-grass and Yellow Oat-grass occur among the more common False Oat-grass, Yorkshire Fog and Cock’s-foot. Both are comparatively uncommon in NPT but benefit from the calcareous sand that is found in the soils of our coastal verges. Mae’r enghreifftiau da yn CNPT yn cynnwys y lleiniau ar ymyl yr A483 ger Jersey Marine ac Earlswood, y lleiniau ar hyd y Rhodfa Ganolog ger y Ceiau, ymylon Ffordd yr Harbwr ger Margam a Chylchfan Saltings ger Mynachlog Nedd Yn yr holl fannau hyn, mae rhywogaethau megis y Llygad-llo Mawr, y Bengaled, y Ffacbysen, Pysen-y-ceirw, y Feillionnen Goch a Chrafanc Brân y Gweunydd yn ffurfio cymunedau lliwgar sy’n adnoddau pwysig ar gyfer pryfed peillio fel gwenyn, gloÿnnod byw a phryfed hofran, yn ogystal â llawer o bryfed eraill, megis chwilod a cheiliogod y rhedyn. Mae’n ddiddorol nodi hefyd bod rhywogaethau sy’n gallu goddef halen, fel Llwylys Denmarc, y Troellig Arfor Bach a Llyriad Corn y Carw i’w gweld fwyfwy ar ymylon y lleiniau hyn. Mae’r rhywogaethau hyn yn nodweddiadol o laswelltiroedd morfa heli, ond maen nhw wedi cytrefu ochrau’r lleiniau ymyl ffordd sydd wedi cael eu cyfoethogi gan halen yn sgîl gwaith graeanu dros y gaeaf. Mae niferoedd mawr iawn o Lwylys Denmarc yn ymddangos ar hyd yr A465 ger Jersey Marine lle mae’r blodau gwyn a lliw lelog gwan yn ffurfio sioe drawiadol o liwgar yn y gwanwyn. Nodweddion eraill y lleiniau ymyl ffordd sy’n werth eu nodi yw’r arddangosfa wych o Friallu Mair a geir ar Gylchfan Saltings. Mae mwy na 100 o rywogaethau o blanhigion glaswelltir yn tyfu yma, gan gynnwys nifer bach o’r Tegeirian Bera sydd mor ddeniadol. Mae gan y llain gyfoethog ei rhywogaethau ar ymyl yr A483 ger Jersey Marine boblogaethau amlwg iawn o Lygaid-llo Mawr a Blodyn Ymenyn Bondew ynghyd ag ambell stribyn o Degeirian y Wenynen a’r Bwrned Mawr. Gwelir y Ceirchwellt Blewog a’r Ceirchwellt Melyn yn tyfu ymysg y Ceirchwellt Tal, y Maswellt Penwyn a Throed y Ceiliog sy’n fwy cyffredin. Mae’r ddwy rywogaeth hyn sy’n gymharol anghyffredin yn CNPT yn manteisio ar y tywod calchaidd sydd ym mhriddoedd ein lleiniau ymyl ffordd arfordirol. Mae banciau o ymylon llawn blodau ar hyd y Rhodfa Ganolog, yn enwedig yn ymyl y draphont ger y rheilffordd. Mae llawer iawn o blanhigion Plucen Felen, sef bwyd y Glesyn Bach, yma gyda Phig-yr-aran y Gwrych, y Friwydd Felen, Briwydd y Clawdd, Arian y Gwair, Tafod y Llew, y Llygad Doli, yr Ytbysen Feinddail a nifer o rai eraill. Gwelir sioe debyg ar hyd ymylon Ffordd yr Harbwr yn yr haf, lle ceir hefyd boblogaeth hynod o’r Gorfanhadlen Walchlys sy’n parasiteiddio ar Dafod y Llew yno. Mae hon yn rhywogaeth brin iawn ym Mhrydain a’r poblogaethau yn CNPT yw’r unig rai yng Nghymru. Caiff lleiniau ymyl ffordd CNPT eu rheoli fwyfwy er mwyn gwella eu hamrywiaeth o flodau gwyllt a phryfed peillio yn unol â chynllun Caru Gwenyn CNPT (gweler Caru Gwenyn CNPT). Gallery Previous Next

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

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). < Back 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). Coetir a phrysgwydd yw tua 40% o arwynebedd tir CNPT a phlanigfeydd conifferau yw’r rhan helaethaf o hynny. Ceir blociau mawr o goedwig gonwydd yn y Creunant, Rheola, Glyncastell, Margam a Pharc Coedwig Afan (sy’n cynnwys coedwigoedd Michaelston a Phelena). There is free public access via forest gates to all these places, although parking may be limited and access may be restricted to some places at certain times of year when forestry operations are taking place. For those who like walking or cycling, there is lots of interesting wildlife which can be looked for along forest roads and old railway tracks. From the Afan Forest Park visitors centre near Cynonville, where there is a large pay and display car park, there are numerous tracks and trails that will allow you to experience the plantation environment. Nearby, at Rhyslyn (Pontrhydyfen), parking is free. The mature forests in our plantations are mostly dominated by Sitka Spruce. They provide breeding habitat for birds like Crossbill, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Honey Buzzard, Common Buzzard and Goshawk, while conifer thickets and scrub areas have diverse bird assemblages that include Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler and Whitethroat. Clear-felled areas are important for their breeding populations of Nightjar and Tree Pipit in summer and the occasional Great Grey Shrike in winter. This habitat is also important for small mammals (e.g. voles) and reptiles. A leisurely, early morning walk along the forest roads in any of our plantations, will allow you opportunities to see and hear lots of birds and maybe spot a Fallow Deer. Miles of forest roads and tracks cut through these plantations and the banks, ditches and verges along them provide habitats for a huge diversity of wildlife. Roadside verges are often rich in flowering plants, best walked on calm days in late spring and summer when you may see Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Brown Argus, Dingy Skipper and Small Heath butterflies, all of which are priority species in NPT. More commonly you will encounter large numbers of Common Blue, Ringlet and Meadow Brown. Later in summer, the Wild Angelica, Great Willowherb, Rosebay and Hemp Agrimony, which fill the tall herb layers, attract large numbers of hoverflies and bees, and large hawker dragonflies, particularly the Golden Ringed Dragonfly and the Southern Hawker, can often be seen patrolling their territories along the roadside edges. In high summer, Keeled Skimmer and Common Darter dragonflies are encountered commonly along forest roads. Lots of priority plant species are found in our plantations, such as Ivy-leaved Bellflower which is usually found on banks above wet ditches with Bog Pimpernel and Lesser Skullcap, as well as Alpine, Fir and Stag’s-horn Clubmoss, which occur mainly in moorland and heathy habitats in the high plateaux areas. Amphibians such as Common Frog and Palmate Newt are frequently encountered in the small ponds that occur in plantations, along with Broad-bodied and Four-spotted Chaser dragonflies. Darperir mynediad am ddim i’r cyhoedd trwy gatiau’r goedwig, ond gall fod prinder lleoedd parcio a gellir cyfyngu ar fynediad i rai mannau ar adegau penodol o’r flwyddyn pan fydd gwaith coed ar waith. I’r sawl sy’n hoff o gerdded neu feicio, mae llawer o fywyd gwyllt diddorol i’w weld ar hyd y ffyrdd coedwig a hen lein y rheilffordd. O ganolfan ymwelwyr Parc Coedwig Afan ger Cynonville, lle ceir maes parcio talu ac arddangos mawr, mae nifer o lwybrau yn caniatáu i chi fwynhau amgylchedd y blanhigfa. Mae modd parcio am ddim yn Rhyslyn (Pontrhydyfen) gerllaw. Coed Sbriws Sitka yn bennaf sydd yn y fforestydd llawn dwf yn ein planigfeydd. Maen nhw’n gynefin bridio i adar megis y Gylfingroes, y Llinos Bengoch Fechan, y Pila Gwyrdd, Boda’r Mêl, y Bwncath a Gwalch Marthin, tra bod casgliadau o adar amrywiol yn y prysgwydd a’r dryslwyni conifferau, gan gynnwys Telor yr Helyg, Telor yr Ardd a’r Llwydfron. Mae ardaloedd wedi’u llwyrgympo yn bwysig ar gyfer poblogaethau o Droellwyr Mawr a Chorhedyddion y Coed sy’n bridio yno yn ystod yr haf ac ambell Gigydd Mawr yn ystod y gaeaf. Mae’r cynefin hwn yn bwysig hefyd ar gyfer mamaliaid bach (e.e. llygod pengrwn) ac ymlusgiaid. Drwy fynd am dro hamddenol yn gynnar yn y bore ar hyd ffyrdd coedwig mewn unrhyw rai o’n planigfeydd bydd cyfle i weld a chlywed nifer o adar a gweld ambell Ddanas o bosib. Mae milltiroedd o ffyrdd a llwybrau coedwig yn croesi’r planigfeydd hyn ac mae’r cloddiau, y ffosydd a’r lleiniau ymyl ar hyd-ddynt yn gynefin i amrywiaeth eang o fywyd gwyllt. Mae’r lleiniau ymyl ffordd yn aml yn gyforiog o blanhigion blodeuol a’r adeg orau i gerdded yno yw ar ddiwrnodau tawel rhwng diwedd y gwanwyn a’r haf pan allech chi weld y Fritheg Berlog Fach, yr Argws Brown, y Gwibiwr Llwyd a Gweirloÿnnod Bach y Waun, sydd i gyd yn rhywogaethau â blaenoriaeth yn CNPT. Yn fwy cyffredin, byddwch yn dod ar draws nifer mawr o’r Glesyn Cyffredin, Iâr Fach y Glaw a Llwyd y Ddôl. Yn nes ymlaen yn yr haf, mae Llysiau’r Angel, yr Helyglys Pêr, yr Helyglys Hardd a’r Byddon Chwerw, sy’n llenwi’r haenau llysiau tal, yn denu nifer mawr o bryfed hofran a gwenyn, ac yn aml gellir gweld hebogwyr mawr, yn enwedig Gwas y Neidr Eurdorchog a Gwas Neidr y De, yn patrolio’u tiriogaeth ar hyd ochrau’r ffyrdd. Pan fydd yr haf yn ei anterth, mae gweision neidr y Picellwr Cribog a’r Wäell Gyffredin i’w gweld yn aml ar hyd y ffyrdd coedwig. Mae llawer o blanhigion sy’n rhywogaethau â blaenoriaeth yn ein planigfeydd, megis y Clychlys Dail Eiddew, sydd i’w ganfod yn aml ar fanciau uwchlaw ffosydd gwlyb gyda Gwlyddyn-Mair y Gors a’r Cycyllog Bach, yn ogystal â’r Cnwp-fwsogl Alpinaidd, y Cnwp-fwsogl Mawr a’r Cnwp-fwsogl Corn Carw, a geir yn bennaf mewn cynefinoedd gweundir a rhostir iach ar y llwyfandiroedd uchel. Gwelir amffibiaid megis y Broga Cyffredin a’r Fadfall Ddŵr Balfog yn y pyllau bach sydd yn y planigfeydd, ynghyd â gweision neidr y Picellwr Praff a’r Picellwr Pedwar Nod. Gallery Previous Next

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. < Back 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. O’i fan cychwyn ym mhentref bach Pontneddfechan yng ngogledd-ddwyrain CNPT, bydd llwybr poblogaidd iawn yn eich arwain ar hyd ochr yr afon i amgylchedd fforest law dymherus sy’n enwog am ei fioamrywiaeth a’i olygfeydd hardd. Mae lleoedd parcio ar gael ar hyd Heol Pontneddfechan ac oddi yno gallwch gael mynediad i’r llwybr y tu ôl i Dafarn yr Angel a fydd yn eich arwain i ran isaf Bro Nedd Fechan. You are immediately transported into a Celtic landscape where the river forms the border between NPT and Powys. The thick bed of sandstone here, known as the ‘Farewell Rock', marks the end of the Coal Measures - it’s a farewell to coal. From here on you will see boulders of the Millstone Grit series in the river, one of the few places in NPT where this type of rock is exposed. Wych Elm, Small-leaved Lime, Ash and Alder line the river bank, which is rich in bryophytes and ferns. Ramsons, Bluebell, Wood Anemone, Wood Speedwell and Woodruff are conspicuous members of the riparian woodland flora, while Grey Wagtail, Dipper and Goosander are some of the birds you might encounter on the river. The mossy valley woodlands here are typical of the humid, upland Sessile-oak woodlands sometimes described as temperate rainforests. Pied Flycatcher are found here in spring and summer, one of their few remaining breeding sites in the county. The riverside trail eventually reaches a bridge which will take you across the river and allow you to follow the Nedd Fechan River into Powys. If you stay on the western, NPT, side, the trail now follows the Pyrddin River and quickly takes you to a point where you can view Sgwd Gwladys, one of the famous waterfalls in these headwater valleys. The cool, humid climate here creates perfect conditions for assemblages of Atlantic and hyperoceanic liverworts, such as Prickly Featherwort, Killarney Featherwort, Pearl Pouncewort and Toothed Pouncewort, and the steep, wooded slopes support a Celtic rainforest ground flora dominated by mosses such as Five-ranked Bog-moss which is found nowhere else in NPT. The flora in the vicinity of the waterfall is remarkable and includes a number of boreal species such as Marsh Hawk’s-beard, Beech Fern, Sharp-leaved Blindia, and Summer-moss. Below the dripping rock face there is a large colony of the beautiful Golden-head Moss and a small population of Welsh Poppy which has been known from this spot for many years and is probably in its only native location in the county. The Pyrddin Valley becomes difficult to follow above Sgwd Gwladys, and to reach the upper waterfall, Sgwd Einion Gam, you have to cross the river on foot, which is dangerous in places. This spectacular waterfall pours down into a dimly lit amphitheatre where the atmosphere is saturated with mist and spray and where Oak Fern and Stone Bramble, two more boreal species, grow in sheltered crannies. Byddwch yn camu ar unwaith i dirwedd Geltaidd lle mae’r afon yn ffurfio’r ffin rhwng CNPT a Phowys. Mae’r gwely tywodfaen trwchus yma, o’r enw ‘Craig Ffarwel’ yn nodi diwedd yr Haen Lo – yn ffarwelio â’r glo. O’r fan hon ymlaen fe welwch feini mawr cyfres Grut Melinfaen yn yr afon, un o’r ychydig leoedd yn CNPT lle mae’r math hwn o graig wedi dod i’r golwg. Mae Llwyfenni Llydanddail, Pisgwydd Dail Bach, coed Ynn a Gwern i’w gweld ar hyd y dorlan gyfoethog ei bryoffytau a’i rhedyn. Mae Craf y Geifr, Clychau’r Gog, Blodau’r Gwynt, Rhwyddlwyn y Coed a’r Friwydd Bêr yn aelodau amlwg o blanhigion y coetir ar lannau’r afon, ac mae’r Siglen Lwyd, Bronwen y Dŵr a’r Hwyaden Ddanheddog yn rhai o’r adar y gallech eu gweld ar yr afon. Mae coetiroedd mwsoglyd y dyffrynnoedd hyn yn nodweddiadol o goetiroedd Derw Mes Di-goes llaith yr ucheldir a ddisgrifir weithiau fel fforestydd glaw tymherus. Gwelir y Gwybedog Brith yma yn y gwanwyn a’r haf ac mae hwn yn un o’r ychydig safleoedd lle mae’r aderyn hwn yn dal i fridio yn y sir. Ymhen amser, bydd llwybr glan yr afon yn cyrraedd pont sy’n croesi’r afon ac yn caniatáu i chi ddilyn afon Nedd Fechan i mewn i Bowys. Drwy aros ar yr ochr orllewinol, sef ochr CNPT, mae’r llwybr bellach yn dilyn Afon Pyrddin ac yn eich arwain yn gyflym at fan lle gallwch weld Sgwd Gwladus, un o raeadrau enwog y dyffrynnoedd blaenddwr hyn. Yma, mae’r hinsawdd oer a llaith yn creu’r amodau perffaith ar gyfer casgliadau o lysiau afu Iwerydd a hypergefnforol, megis y Dueglys Pigog, Dueglys Iwerydd, y Llychlys Perlog a’r Llychlys Danheddog, ac mae’r llethrau coediog serth yn cynnal fflora daear y fforest law Geltaidd lle mae mwsoglau yn nodwedd amlwg, fel mwsogl migwyn Sphagnum quinquefarium, nad yw’n tyfu yn unman arall yn CNPT. Mae’r fflora ger y rhaeadr yn rhyfeddol ac yn cynnwys nifer o rywogaethau boreal megis Gwalchlys y Gors, y Rhedynen Gorniog, Blindia acuta , a Mwsogl yr Haf. O dan wyneb gwlyb y graig mae cytref fawr o fwsogl euraid hardd Breutelia chrysocoma a phoblogaeth fach o’r Pabi Cymreig sy’n hysbys yn y fan hon ers blynyddoedd, fwy na thebyg yn ei unig leoliad brodorol yn y sir. Mae’n mynd yn anodd dilyn Dyffryn Pyrddin uwchben Sgwd Gwladus, ac er mwyn cyrraedd y rhaeadr uwch, sef Sgwd Einion Gam, mae’n rhaid croesi’r afon ar droed, sy’n beryglus mewn mannau. Mae’r rhaeadr drawiadol hon yn gollwng i mewn i amffitheatr led-dywyll, laith a niwlog lle mae’r Rhedynen Dridarn a’r Gorfiaren, sef dwy rywogaeth foreal arall, yn tyfu mewn corneli cysgodol. Gallery Previous Next

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. < Back 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. Mae glaswelltiroedd corsiog cyfoethog eu rhywogaethau wedi dioddef yn enbyd yng Nghymru o ganlyniad i welliannau amaethyddol, plannu coedwigoedd conifferau, datblygu, rheolaeth amhriodol ac esgeulustod, ac ychydig iawn o enghreifftiau da o’r cynefin eithriadol bwysig hwn sydd ar ôl yn CNPT, gwaetha’r modd. Fodd bynnag, mae rhai rhannau o sector gogledd y sir, yn enwedig yng Nghwm Dulais a Dyffryn Aman, yn dal i gynnwys glaswelltiroedd corsiog sy’n cynnal cymunedau bioamrywiol pwysig. Between Crynant and Banwen a number of grazed marshy fields have survived against all the odds. In several of them there are populations of Petty Whin, Dyers Greenweed and Saw-wort, all of which have declined greatly in the county over the last 50 years. A few marshy fields in the vicinity of Blaendulais (Seven Sisters) are notable for their Marsh Fritillary colonies, which are monitored carefully by Butterfly Conservation and volunteers every year. An exemplary, pony-grazed field near Seven Sisters Rugby Club supports one of the most diverse marshy grassland flora in NPT. Species there include Devil’s-bit Scabious, Fen Bedstraw, Heath spotted-orchid, Butterwort, Marsh Valerian, Marsh Lousewort, Marsh Arrow-grass, Meadow Thistle, Whorled Caraway, Large-flowered Eyebright, Bog Pimpernel, Bog Asphodel, Creeping Forget-me-not, Tall Thyme-moss and Intermediate Hook-moss. Fen Bedstraw is a very scarce species in south Wales and its occurrence here is very significant. So too are the occurrences of Meadow Thistle, Marsh Lousewort and Butterwort, all of which have limited distributions in the county. The widespread occurrence of Devil’s-bit Scabious in these meadows, in addition to their local connectivity and the presence in them of a diverse selection of nectar producing plants suitable for butterflies, has created conditions favourable for Marsh Fritillary meta-populations. The recovery of marshy grassland habitats in clear-felled Sitka Spruce coupes has also been successful in the Dulais Valley and this could open the way for a wider recovery of this endangered habitat in NPT. Identifying, protecting and maintaining these habitats in a favourable condition is a crucial challenge for NPT’s nature recovery action plan. An important part of this will be the implementation of effective, sympathetic grazing regimes and the education of local communities and all concerned about the value of this endangered habitat in the county. Rhwng y Creunant a’r Banwen, mae nifer o gaeau pori corsiog wedi goroesi er gwaethaf pawb a phopeth. Mewn nifer ohonynt ceir poblogaethau o Gracheithin, Melynog y Waun a Dant y Pysgodyn, sydd i gyd wedi prinhau’n sylweddol yn y sir yn ystod y 50 mlynedd diwethaf. Mae’n werth nodi bod cytrefi o Fritheg y Gors mewn ychydig o gaeau corsiog yng nghyffiniau Blaendulais, ac mae’r rhain yn cael eu monitro’n ofalus gan Gadwraeth Gloÿnnod Byw a gwirfoddolwyr bob blwyddyn. Enghraifft ragorol o hyn yw cae lle mae merlod yn pori ger Clwb Rygbi Blaendulais sy’n cynnal un o’r casgliadau mwyaf amrywiol o fflora glaswelltir corsiog yn CNPT. Ymhlith y rhywogaethau sydd i’w canfod yno mae Tamaid y Cythraul, Briwydd y Fign, Tegeirian Brych y Rhos, Tafod y Gors, Triaglog y Gors, Melog y Waun, Saethbennig y Gors, Ysgallen y Ddôl, y Garwy Droellennog, Effros Blodau Mawr, Gwlyddyn-Mair y Gors, Llafn y Bladur, y Sgorpionllys Ymlusgol, a mwsoglau Plagiomnium elatum a Scorpidium cossonii . Mae Briwydd y Fign yn rhywogaeth brin iawn yn ne Cymru ac felly mae ei phresenoldeb yma yn arwyddocaol iawn, fel y mae presenoldeb Ysgallen y Ddôl, Melog y Waun a Thafod y Gors, y mae dosbarthiad pob un ohonynt yn gyfyngedig yn y sir. Mae’r ffaith fod Tamaid y Cythraul yn tyfu’n helaeth yn y dolydd hyn, ynghyd â chysylltedd lleol y dolydd a’r amrywiaeth o blanhigion sy’n cynhyrchu neithdar addas ar gyfer gloÿnnod byw, a geir ynddynt yn darparu amodau ffafriol ar gyfer metaboblogaethau o Fritheg y Gors. Hefyd, mae adfer cynefinoedd glaswelltir corsiog mewn llanerchau lle cafodd coed Sbriws Sitka eu llwyrgwympo wedi bod yn llwyddiannus yng Nghwm Dulais a gallai hyn arwain at adferiad ehangach y cynefin hwn sydd mewn perygl yn CNPT. Bydd adnabod, amddiffyn a chadw’r cynefinoedd hyn mewn cyflwr ffafriol yn her allweddol o ran cynllun gweithredu adfer natur CNPT. Rhan bwysig o’r gwaith hwn fydd cyflwyno cyfundrefnau pori cydnaws ac effeithiol a dysgu cymunedau lleol a phawb sy’n ymwneud â nhw am werth y cynefin hwn sydd mewn perygl yn y sir. Gallery Previous Next

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

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

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