The coastal strip of NPT between Crymlyn Burrows and Morfa Dunes once supported a well-connected, biodiverse ecosystem with sand dunes, dune slacks and coastal fen. However, it has suffered huge losses in species-rich habitats in the last 100 years mainly as a result of industrial development. Coastal Habitats Sand dunes, saltmarsh, estuary, intertidal sand and mud, man-made structures The State of Nature in Coastal Habitats in Neath Port Talbot The coastal strip of NPT between Crymlyn Burrows and Morfa Dunes once supported a well-connected, biodiverse ecosystem with sand dunes, dune slacks and coastal fen. However, it has suffered huge losses in species-rich habitats in the last 100 years mainly as a result of industrial development. Unfortunately, much of what remains is also in a perilous position with an uncertain future, still threatened by development. Consequently, the unique wildlife communities and the dynamic mobile sand dune structures which have managed to survive remain vulnerable. Recent downward trends in the movements of wintering Sanderling (and other waders) on Crymlyn Burrows are also of concern. Several factors have contributed to changes in the biodiversity and resilience of coastal ecosystems in NPT: (i) lack of recognition in the past of the importance of sites such as Crymlyn Burrows and Baglan Dunes, (ii) lack of proper management of habitats containing species of high conservation value and (iii) no regulation of recreational activities in sensitive areas such as wader roosting sites in intertidal zones. In addition, there are a number of invasive non-native species that are established on Crymlyn Burrows, the most significant of which are Japanese Rose, Sea Buckthorn, a number of Cotoneaster species, Canadian Golden Rod, Michaelmas Daisy and Holm Oak. In view of all this the state of nature and resilience of coastal ecosystems in Neath Port Talbot has been assessed as poor. OVERVIEW Coastal ecosystems provide habitats for a third of NPT’s priority species and they represent one of the most important resources of biodiversity in the county. Important features include the partially fixed mobile dune systems on Crymlyn Burrows, Baglan and Morfa dunes. Species found here, such as Frosted Orache, Prickly Saltwort, Sea Stock, Sea Holly, Sea Bindweed, Sea Spurge and Ray’s Knotgrass depend on the availability of mobile sand environments and are restricted to these habitats. Also notable is a small population of Dotted Sedge, a rare and declining species, which occurs on Baglan Dunes in its only known site in Glamorgan. Unfortunately, Alder and Willow encroachment is currently threatening this population. Dune slacks contribute a large amount to the biodiversity of coastal ecosystems and were widespread in NPT’s dune systems at the end of the 19th Century. Even 40 years ago they were a significant feature of Crymlyn Burrows and Baglan Dunes. At this time Fen Orchid, Early Marsh-orchid, Marsh Helleborine and Adder’s Tongue were seen regularly on Crymlyn Burrows. However, species-rich dune slacks have all but disappeared in NPT, largely as a result of successional changes and neglect, and most of these species have become extremely rare in the county. A small area of dune slack with a large population of Marsh Helleborine survives on Baglan Dunes but it is also threatened by willow scrub succession. Until recently, intertidal areas on Crymlyn Burrows have provided a feeding and roosting site for nationally important numbers of wintering Sanderling and Ringed Plover. Unfortunately, the increasing use of these beaches for dog walking is now influencing the movements and behaviour of these birds and they appear to have deserted their favoured roosting sites. Several notable insects are found in coastal habitats in NPT including a number of butterflies such as Grayling, Wall Brown, Dingy Skipper, Dark Green Fritillary, Small Blue and Brown Argus. Other significant species include Shrill Carder-bee, Long-horned Bee and Black Oil-beetle. The strandline beetle, Nebria complanata was recorded regularly on Crymlyn Burrows in the past but has not been seen there recently. Salt marshes are a valuable component of coastal biodiversity. In NPT, this habitat is only extensive in the vicinity of the River Neath estuary where diverse communities containing Sea Wormwood, Sea Heath, Sea Lavender and Golden Samphire are found. The long tidal reach of the River Neath is also responsible for a substantial area of sea washed saltings between Neath town and Baglan Bay. During the highest tides, the large grazing marsh that occurs between Neath and Aberdulais is inundated with brackish water which influences the diversity and composition of this impressive and unique habitat. Actions for the recovery of Coastal 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 Active management of sand dune habitats is required, particularly the maintenance of mobile sand dune systems and the creation and maintenance of dune slacks Reducing disturbance to breeding and/or overwintering birds Breeding and/or overwintering populations of sanderlings and lapwings have both been declining as a result of disturbance from visitors. Work to protect these birds at Baglan and Crymlyn Burrows needs to be undertaken. Re-introduction of important plant species Re-introduce populations of species such as the Fen Orchid to sites where appropriate Invasive species removal Invasive species continue to threaten the condition of coastal habitats in NPT e.g. Japanese Rose. Undertake action to remove these species where possible Crymlyn Burrows Warden Ensure the continuation of the officer role for Crymlyn Burrows based at Swansea University Saltmarsh Identify opportunities for restoration of salt marsh along the River Neath, for example, through grazing projects Fungi on the Coast Undertake fungi surveys to increase our understanding of the fungal assemblages in the coastal zone Rare species monitoring Monitoring of rare plants along the coast is required to ensure populations are not declining e.g. Dune Wormwood and Dotted Sedge Rare plant species Promote the survival of important plant species through specific management e.g. removing the successional willow scrub which is threatening the Dotted Sedge (at Baglan Burrows). Connectivity for coastal habitats Work with partners to increase connectivity between coastal habitats e.g. creating wildflower habitat along Aberavon seafront 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. Where to explore coastal habitats in NPT Publicly accessible sites where you can see coastal habitats in NPT Coastal Projects in NPT CRYMLYN BURROWS SSSI A new management plan for Crymlyn Burrows has recently been put in place, to be implemented by the Swansea University Biodiversity Officer and NRW. The main aims of the plan will be to improve the condition of habitats there by removing or controlling invasive non-native species, dune slack scraping and the reintroduction of priority species such as Dune Wormwood and Sea Stock. morfa tip The creation of a new sand dune ecosystem on Morfa Tip is helping to increase the extent and connectivity of sand dune habitats, which have undergone catastrophic losses in the region over the last 100 years. The site is monitored annually. dynamic dunescapes 21 hectares of sand dune will be restored or recreated across NPT and Swansea. This project is also increasing public engagement with sand dune habitats in the county. whitford point Monitoring of species including lapwing, invasive species and visitor activity. Management of invasive non-native species and scrub clearance sanderling disturbance PREVENTION Disturbance of Sanderling and other waders at Crymlyn Burrows by dog walkers is currently under discussion to determine the best course of action to protect these feeding and roosting flocks. CASE STUDY MANAGEMENT OF CRYMLYN BURROWS SSSI When Swansea University developed its Bay Campus on brownfield land to the east of the city, it also took on responsibility for the neighbouring Crymlyn Burrows SSSI. This is one of the last undeveloped areas of Swansea Bay, designated for its diverse assemblage of sand dune and saltmarsh flora and invertebrates, among them some very rare species, including Fen Orchid, Field Wormwood and Strandline Beetle. Although undeveloped, the site faces numerous issues, not least the presence of invasive species and lack of grazing and historical management. While Japanese Rose is the most widespread and problematic of the invasive species found, there are over 50 non-native plants recorded in the dunes, with Sea Buckthorn, Holm Oak, Cotoneaster, Early Goldenrod, Michaelmas Daisy and Japanese Knotweed all having an impact (and the potential to spread much more widely). Although the site has always been used by local dog walkers, this has increased in recent years, and along with the 2500 students now living on campus, the risk of wildlife disturbance has increased significantly. Rabbits are the only grazing animals on the site and with no management prior to the opening of the campus, scrub and woodland has expanded significantly since designation, especially in the wetter areas. Fen Orchid has been lost to this succession and Strandline Beetles have not been recorded there since 1997. Management has initially focused on controlling invasive species, prioritising those that present the largest potential damage, where early management might prevent a larger future problem. Early attempts to hand dig Japanese Rose were unsuccessful, taking a lot of effort but with limited results – rhizomes can spread over a metre from the parent plant, and a small section left behind will regrow. Small (<2m), isolated patches of rose are now prioritised for spraying before they get too large, while larger areas are being dug and buried in situ using an excavator. This not only reduces the amount of Japanese Rose, but also creates valuable areas of bare sand for colonisation by dune wildlife. Regrowth is searched for and dug out by hand. As well as removing invasive species, attempts have been made to reduce the spread of native woodland and scrub into the dune grassland, with volunteers cutting back young birch, willow, alder and gorse along the woodland edge, although at a relatively small scale. In 2020 this was greatly expanded thanks to the help of the National Heritage Lottery Fund Dynamic Dunescapes project, clearing 0.5ha of woodland in wet dune slacks where fen orchid was last found. Trees were removed (and chipped for biomass) before the accumulated soil and leaf litter was scraped off, removing stumps and creating bare sand that flooded seasonally. A further new slack is planned in an area currently covered by Japanese Rose and if successful, it is hoped that Fen Orchid can be reintroduced. Wardening and awareness raising (through walks, events and signage) are helping to reduce disturbance, and a zoning scheme for access with dogs is planned. The location and aspect of the beach means that large quantities of rubbish collect along the 1.5km of shore. Beach cleans are carried out regularly and remove over 100kg of waste every month. Thanks are due to all the volunteers from the university and wider community, to the Dynamic Dunescapes project, and to Buglife’s B-Lines project that has helped to pay for the Japanese Rose burial.

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

All Posts Search nptlnp May 31 1 min Return of the Ponds at Gnoll Country Park! Visitors to Gnoll Country Park may have noticed the transformation of a wetland area of the park. Over the last 15 years, the ponds that... 1 view 0 comments Post not marked as liked nptlnp May 16 1 min Margam Country Park - A paradise for bats! 🦇 In the UK, we have 18 native species of bat and at Margam Park, we are fortunate enough to have 14 species. Margam Castle is one of the... 3 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked nptlnp Apr 4 1 min It's their future: why you should care about nature in NPT We asked pupils from Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School their thoughts about nature in the county. This is what they had to say. Find out... 22 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked nptlnp Mar 6 2 min 🌻 Nature Unearthed; the launch of the State of Nature and Nature Recovery Action Plan for Neath Port Talbot 🦋 We were overwhelmed by the support for the launch of ‘The State of Nature and Nature Recovery Action Plan for Neath Port Talbot’ at the... 16 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked

Search Results All (201) Events (155) Blog Posts (4) Other Pages (42) 201 items found for "" Events (155) Marsh Fritillary Talk 22 August 2024 | 18:00 Lost Peatlands Volunteer Day - Tree Removal and Sphagnum Planting - Pen Y Cymoedd Windfarm 27 August 2024 | 09:00 c/o Vattenfall, Hwb Pen y Cymoedd, Treorchy CF42 5SX, UK Living Wall Training & Launch - Hyfforddiant ar gyfer creu wal werdd @ The Harlequins 28 August 2024 | 17:00 Harlequin Rd, Port Talbot SA12 6UP, UK View All Blog Posts (4) Return of the Ponds at Gnoll Country Park! Visitors to Gnoll Country Park may have noticed the transformation of a wetland area of the park. Over the last 15 years, the ponds that could once be found here have become overgrown and were all but gone. This was a problem for the amphibians that used to breed here and the other pond life that called this area home. This year, the Friends of Gnoll Park successfully applied to the NPT LNP Grant Fund to restore these ponds. With the help of a mini digger and plenty of elbow grease from the Friends of Gnoll Park, the ponds are now restored! The ponds are specially designed to have plenty of shallow sloping areas, where the most plant and animal life is usually found in ponds. The surrounding grassy habitat provides space for animals to live when they are not in the ponds. The wetland area is now back to being a haven for nature in the Park and tadpoles have already been spotted making the most of the restored area. Let's give a round of applause to the Friends of Gnoll Park for their dedication and teamwork! The NPT LNP Grant Fund is made possible by the Welsh Government Local Places for Nature fund. Margam Country Park - A paradise for bats! 🦇 In the UK, we have 18 native species of bat and at Margam Park, we are fortunate enough to have 14 species. Margam Castle is one of the most important buildings for bats in the whole of Wales. Margam Castle and the surrounding parkland has a fantastic range of habitats that benefit bats, including woodlands, water bodies, open tracts of land and a variety of lochs suitable for a number of species. This captivating video from the wildlife team at NPT Council takes you deep into the heart of Margam Park, where you'll see first-hand the magical flight of these elusive creatures. From the least common bat to the least soprano bat and beyond, explore the diverse species that call this beautiful landscape home. If you would like to know more or have any questions about bats, get in touch with the team at biodiversity@npt.gov.uk Would you like to join us for a bat walk? Keep an eye on the What's On page. It's their future: why you should care about nature in NPT We asked pupils from Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School their thoughts about nature in the county. This is what they had to say. Find out more about how you can help nature in NPT at www.naturenpt.cymru View All Other Pages (42) How can you help? | Neath Port Talbot Nature | NPT LNP 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 . In the Community At School At Work In the Garden Join NPT for Nature Volunteer Opportunities 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. Glamorgan Bat Group Bat surveys and research, affiliated with Bat Conservation Trust. Learn more. Lost Peatlands Wildlife surveys, assisting with conservation tasks and supporting at events. 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. Gower Ornithological Society Bird-focussed walks, talks and surveys in Swansea and NPT. Learn more. Working with Nature NPT Nature activities and volunteering across NPT. Learn more. Buglife B-Lines The NPT B-lines project aims to address the decline in our pollinating insects by creating a network of B-lines linking wildflower-rich habitats across NPT 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. NPT Wildlife A place to find out about wildlife and nature in Neath Port Talbot. Learn more. IN THE COMMUNITY Are you passionate about helping your community become a better place for people and nature? Below are a few ideas for you. Join the NPT for Nature Group NPT for Nature is a sub-group of NPT Local Nature Partnership which meets every three months. The aim of the group is to provide advice and guidance for actions that you and your local community could do to help your nature neighbours. Join us to get ideas and inspiration, from butterfly surveys to meadow management. NPT Bee Friendly Streets Could you work with your neighbours to create a Bee Friendly Street? NPT Council have produced a guide to help you transform your front gardens, window boxes, shop fronts and communal spaces to encourage pollinators to visit and live on your street. Contact the team to learn more. Balsam Bash In the summer months, the invasive non-native species Himalayan Balsam appears along our rivers. Whilst undoubtedly a beautiful plant, it is a threat to our habitats, quickly out-competing native plant species to become the dominant vegetation over large areas. You can help to protect vulnerable habitats by organising community balsam bashes. Balsam bashing (pulling up the plant by its roots, or bashing it down) is surprisingly mindful and easy! Hedgehog Highways One of the biggest threats to hedgehogs in NPT is isolation from other hedgehogs by fences, walls and busy roads. You could help the hedgehogs in your neighbourhood by working with your neighbours to create a 'Hedgehog Highway'- all it takes is the creation of a small hole in your garden fence! There is lots of information on how this could be achieved here hedgehogstreet.org AT SCHOOL Are you a parent or educator looking to engage children with nature in NPT? Below is a list of actions which you could take to get involved with NPT Nature Partnership projects and help the nature of NPT. NPT Bee Friendly- Nature on the Verge You can help NPT Council to manage verges and grasslands for wildflowers by monitoring areas in your ward to help us to determine if our management is working. We have a number of suggested classroom and outdoor activities that you could do to get the children involved and help us learn how healthy the grassland is. Contact the team to find your nearest NPT Bee Friendly site. NPT Bee Friendly- In the School Grounds Is there an area in your school grounds which is underused? Could you create a wildflower meadow or grassland there? This is a great project for all ages to get involved with, from doing surveys to see what plant species are present and monitoring pollinators to creating posters that tell people about your meadow. All you need to do is identify your area, stop mowing between April and August and very importantly, removing the cut material to compost so that soil nutrients are kept low. Edge cuts will maintain a neat appearance and signage, explaining what you are doing and why, helps to spread the message. The Lost Peatlands of South Wales Did you know that peatlands (peat bogs) store twice as much carbon as forests? And that we have lots of this special habitat in NPT? The Lost Peatlands Project is running until 2025 and is working to restore a large expanse of peatland in the uplands of NPT and RCT. Your school could do a project to learn more about peatlands or even have its own bog garden! Contact the team to find out more. SOS - Save our Swifts The amazing, screaming Swift is a summer visitor to NPT but, sadly, numbers of this red-listed bird are declining everywhere in Wales. This decline is thought to be due in part to the loss of nesting sites as buildings are renovated to modern standards. The provision of nest boxes or integral Swift bricks in suitable buildings may help to reverse this trend. Could you provide nest boxes for Swifts (or other house nesting birds like House Martins) on your school buildings? They need to be placed 5m above the ground with a clear flight path into the box. You can increase the chances of Swifts finding the boxes by playing the call of screaming Swifts to lure them in! Please tell us if you have Swifts nesting in your roof space. AT WORK Are you a business looking to take action for your environmental and social responsibilities? There are a number of ways you can do your bit to help nature in NPT. Support a NPT Local Nature Partnership Project The LNP has projects which you could get involved with, through funding or volunteering. For example, Runtech recently supported the LNP by undertaking a team building day removing invasive Himalayan Balsam at Bryn Tip Local Nature Reserve. If you’d like to find out more about how you could help, get in touch . NPT Bee Friendly - On your grounds Do you manage any verges or other green spaces? Why not start managing them as wildflower verges? Simply changing the time you cut the grass can have a big impact on verge biodiversity. All you need to do is identify your area, stop mowing between April and August and remove the cut material to compost to keep the soil nutrients low. Edge cuts will maintain a neat appearance and signage, explaining what you are doing and why, helps to spread the message. Avoid planting non-native shrubs like Cotoneaster. Land Management with nature in mind You can help local wildlife by stopping use of herbicides and pesticides, avoiding scrub and tree clearance/ management in bird nesting season and by making space for nature on buildings, for example, by installing bird and bat nest boxes. These small steps can have a big impact locally. Creating hedges with native trees and shrubs along boundaries is another way of creating more habitat on your grounds. Why not get your staff together to discuss ideas? Green Infrastructure Did you know that green infrastructure features such as green roofs, rain gardens and living walls can help regulate a building’s internal temperature, reduce storm water runoff and mitigate the urban heat island effect? If planted with native wildflower species, they have the added benefit of being wonderful habitats for pollinators. For inspiration, examples of green roofs in the county can be seen on the containers at Craig Gwladus Country Park and a living wall can be seen at Swansea University Bay Campus. IN THE GARDEN Are you passionate about encouraging wildlife in your garden? Below are a few ideas for you. Go Peat Free As well as being habitats for wildlife and stores of water to prevent flooding, the peatlands in the UK store three billion tonnes of carbon, more than all the forests of Germany, France and the UK put together. Peat from these peatlands is regularly used in the garden as compost. During the last 70 years, extensive areas of upland habitat on deep peat in NPT have been ploughed, drained and planted with conifers. The Lost Peatlands project is working to restore these peatlands, but you can also help by switching to peat-free in the garden. Choose local provenance plants Did you know that our native plant species will have adapted to the local conditions of NPT over a long period of time? This means that they will have local genetic variations, as will the pollinator species which depend on them in NPT. When planting new plants/ seeds in the garden, it is always best to source 'local provenance' stock to prevent this special genetic diversity from being diluted and damaged. Check with your plant supplier where your plants have been sourced from and look for local provenance. Nature isn't Neat Nature by design, isn't neat! You can help the wildlife in your garden by letting areas develop more naturally, leaving longer patches and letting plants like nettles have a little space. Many pollinators, like bees and butterflies, overwinter in dead plant material. You can help them survive the winter by leaving dead plant material standing, then clear it away in spring, only after temperatures are consistently reaching 10°C. Wildflower Lawn It may seem contradictory, but native plant species flourish in low nutrient environments. This is because high nutrient soils allow more competitive species like grasses and brambles to overtake. You can encourage wildflowers in your lawn by putting away the mower in the flowering season and collecting cuttings after mowing to reduce the nutrients in the soil. You can find out more about this here . Sand Dune Systems of Baglan Burrows and Crymlyn Burrows < 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 Gnoll Estate Country Park < 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 View All

Wed, 28 Aug | Harlequins Rugby Ground Living Wall Training & Launch - Hyfforddiant ar gyfer creu wal werdd @ The Harlequins You are invited to discover a living wall near you Hyfforddiant ar gyfer creu wal werdd Time & Location 28 Aug 2024, 18:00 – 19:00 Harlequins Rugby Ground, Harlequin Rd, Port Talbot SA12 6UP, UK About the event Have you spotted the new LivingWall and Mural at the Harlequins Rugby Ground? This exciting addition not only showcases the stunning biodiversity of Neath Port Talbot but also creates a vital habitat for pollinators and other wildlife to flourish. To celebrate this new natural space and offer inspiration on how you can create something similar in your own space, join us for our Green Wall Event on the 28th August - 6:00pm - at the Rugby Ground. Enjoy complimentary teas, coffees, and take home a free plant! We look forward to seeing you there. Any questions please email - greeninfrastructure@npt.gov.uk ____________________________________________ Ydych chi wedi gweld y wal werdd a’r murlun newydd ar faes rygbi’r Harlequins? Mae’r ychwanegiad cyffrous hwn yn dangos bioamrywiaeth syfrdanol Castell-nedd Port Talbot ac yn creu cynefin hanfodol i beillwyr a bywyd gwyllt arall ffynnu. Er mwyn dathlu’r lle naturiol newydd hwn a chynnig ysbrydoliaeth o ran sut y gallwch greu rhywbeth tebyg yn eich ardal eich hun, ymunwch â ni ar gyfer ein Digwyddiad Wal Werdd ar 28 Awst - 6:00 y prynhawn ar y maes rygbi. Gallwch fwynhau te a choffi a bydd planhigyn am ddim i chi fynd ag ef adref gyda chi! Edrychwn ymlaen at eich gweld chi yno. Unrhyw gwestiynau anfonwch e-bost at - greeninfrastructure@npt.gov.uk Show More Share this event

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