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Ecology
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The wildlife at Glyn-Coch has been lovingly preserved for over 20 years. The woodland itself was planted in 1998 with the assistance of children in the local community. On such a small area, our management is restricted by practical considerations such as complying with the Farm Woodland Scheme, with the conditions of our camp site licence and providing grazing for our farm animals. However our general intention is to maintain our healthy and diverse ecosystem, and would welcome comments and advice from anyone with expert knowledge on particular species.
About 8000 trees were planted in 1998, and the original plans for the planting included 17 species. These included Oak, Rowan, Wild Cherry, Whitebean, Small Leaved Lime and Field Maple. The remainder of the walk was planted with Birch, Beech and Norway Maple. Shrubs include Willow, Hazel, Guelder Rose, Elder and Dogwood. On the wetter areas there are plantings of the poplar varieties Beaupre, Boelare and Ghoy. There is also a nurse crop of Japanese Larch, which will be removed when the woodland is 18 years old in about 2016. (The nurse crop means that it is there so as to act as protection for the rest of the trees from weathering and animals etc) Hedgerow trees include Ash, Alder, Blackthorn, Field Maple, Hawthorn, Holly, Oak, and Sycamore.
We have encountered over 50 species of birds from tiny Gold Crests to large Buzzards. Recently, we have been told that migrating Wood Sandpiper have been seen on our land. Snipe has also been spotted on our land.
Our moth trap (part of a national monitoring scheme) caught 199 species in just 9 months. The calculated diversity score makes this one of the top 20 moth monitoring sites in the UK. We have been helping in an investigation to find out why the beautiful Garden Tiger Moth has changed its home range from the South-East to the North-West of Great Britain. Many butterflies can be seen in summer. Currently, we have a species list of moths caught in our moth trap on display in our wooden hut.
Other InsectsOther insects include Glow Worms, which can occasionally be seen near the menagé in early summer (though, we haven't had any grace us with their presence within the last couple of years).
The Ponds
The ponds support Dragon and Damsel Flies, and Palmate Newts. There might be fish, considering the small amount of ducks we have had visit our ponds.
WildflowersThe wildflowers at Glyn-Coch include Marsh Marigold, Devils Bit Scabious (an indicator of 'ancient wetland'), Ragged Robin, Welsh Poppy and the rare Whorled Caraway. Plants are the basis of most food chains, and though rare plants may support rare insects, one of the most important insect food plants at Glyn-Coch is the Humble Red Campion which occurs in most habitats and flowers for much of the year.
MammalsWe have seen Badgers, Foxes, Moles, Otters, Rabbits, Rats, Squirrels, Water Shrews and Water Rats. Vole runs are a common site on the woodland walk, and the cats catch an assortment of Shrews, Voles and mice. We believe that feral Mink have taken some of our poultry. We are not sure about Deer, but mysterious patches of grazing have been explained by one local ecologist (who saw the area) as possibly Roe Deer. Bats are a common sight on warm evenings. A large species can be seen flying around the barns, and a smaller species (possibly Pipistrelle) occasionally come into the house.
ReptilesReptiles are represented by Grass Snakes, which brood their young and hibernate in our dung heap.
Species ListWe try to keep up to date species lists in the wooden hut near the car park, and update as time allows. We would welcome assistance in maintaining our Species lists!
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