WILDLIFE TRUSTS GUIDE TO THE WALES COAST PATH

WILDLIFE TRUSTS
GUIDE TO THE WALES
COAST PATH
Protecting Wildlife for the Future
Wildlife Trust Reserves along
the Wales Coast Path
© Steven Burnett
O
fficially launched in 2012, the Wales Coast
Path is one of the great long distance walks on
the planet. Whether you’re enjoying a section of
the path or walking its entirety, we’re sure you
will be struck by the richness of the wildlife that
can be encountered along the way. This map
provides a guide to Wildlife Trusts Reserves that
can be found along the path to help you see
the best of Welsh wildlife along the way. At 870
miles long, the path passes through a range of
diverse habitats, and provides a vantage point
to spot many interesting species, from rare
birds and beautiful butterflies to playful seals
or passing porpoises.
Living Seas
Living Seas is the Wildlife Trusts vision for the future
of Welsh seas, where marine wildlife thrives from the
coastal shallows to the depths of the Irish Sea.
The sea around Wales is rich due to warm waters
from the south meeting cool nutrient rich currents
from the north.
But our seas are in trouble, for centuries we have
taken its riches for granted. The common skate, once
abundant, is now on the brink of extinction in the Irish
Sea, and fragile marine habitats are being disturbed.
Thankfully, it is not too late to turn this situation around.
Our seas and sea life have a remarkable capacity to recover – but only if we give them the chance. If we act
now, Living Seas are within our grasp.
Marine Protected Areas
Over 75% of the coastline of Wales is currently
designated as a protected area. Along the coast,
habitats such as cliffs, sand dunes and estuaries have
been designated, and significant areas of the sea have
been designated as Marine Protected Areas. These are
areas of the sea that need to managed to allow wildlife
to recover and thrive, and will be key to achieving Living
Seas in Welsh waters. However, over 50% of features
within Marine Protected Areas in Welsh waters are
failing to reach their objectives. We need to improve
the management of existing sites to ensure they can
fulfil their potential. In addition, the Welsh Government
is planning to introduce a new type of site known as
a Marine Conservation Zone. The process to choose
these sites is underway at present, and you can access
more information by visiting www.wtwales.org
Please take care to minimise your impact on the
environment when walking the path. Keep dogs on
a lead, always stick to the path and take your litter
home with you. If you are lucky enough to spot any
interesting wildlife along the way, contact your local
Wildlife Trust to report what you’ve seen.
To find out more about the
Wales Coast Path visit
www.walescoastpath.gov.uk
Protecting Wildlife for the Future
© Caroline Wier
© Andy Davies
© Andy Davies
Carmel Head
7
© Andy Davies
Amlwch
Anglesey
Holyhead 8
Holy I.
© Amy Lewis
2 Llandudno
6
4
5
© Lin Cummins
Flint
Caernarfon
Caernarfon
Bay
North Wales
Wildlife Trust
Porthmadog
9 10 11
Pwllheli
Tremadog
Bay
IRISH
SEA
Bardsey I.
Barmouth
Cardigan
Bay
Dolgellau
Tywyn
12
Montgomeryshire
Wildlife Trust
Aberystwyth
© Lin Cummins
Radnorshire
Wildlife Trust
13
© Nathan Walton
Cemaes
Head
16
Strumble
Head
17
Fishguard
14
New Quay
15
Cardigan
Brecknock
Wildlife Trust
Wildlife Trust of South
and West Wales
St. David’s
© Andy Pearson
1
Rhyl
3
Ramsey I.
St. Brides
Bay
19
Skomer I. 18
Skokholm I. 20
Milford
Haven
Pembroke
Tenby
Caldy I.
Carmarthen
Bay
Gwent
Wildlife Trust
Llanelli
Worms Head 21
Swansea
26
27
Swansea
Bay
Port
Talbot
Newport 32
22 23 24 25
Cardiff
Nash Pt.
28
Barry
30
31
Severn
Estuary
29
Protecting Wildlife for the Future
Wildlife Trusts Coastal Reserves
North Wales Wildlife Trust Reserves
For more information on these reserves, please see
www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/english/reserves
1
Big Pool Wood
Reed Warbler
Dominated by common reed, this reserve is an important habitat for breeding
reed warblers. Surrounding the pool is wet woodland predominantly of alder
and contains several locally rare plants including giant bellflower. From the
path, first walk into Presthaven Sands Holiday Park, and then towards the
Bridlewood Riding Centre and Shop, Big Pool Wood is just behind the
riding centre.
2
Rhiwledyn
Fulmar
With spectacular views, Rhiwledyn reserve forms part of the Little Orme SSSI.
Look out for limestone grassland and its associated flowers such as quaking
grass, dropwort and carline thistle. Birds such as fulmar can be seen regularly,
and the reserve is rich with butterflies in the right weather conditions.
3
4
Gogarth
Butterflies
Nantporth
Whitebeam
Mariandyrys
Stonechat
Cemlyn
Terns
Porth Diana
Rock-rose
A short detour from the coastal path at Ravenpoint Road takes you to this
small reserve that overlooks the scenic Trearddur Bay, this reserve is home to
the county flower of Anglesey, the dainty spotted rock-rose.
9
Wildlife Trust of South and
West Wales Reserves
For more information on these reserves, please visit
www.welshwildlife.org
14 Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife
Centre (Visitor Centre)
Bottlenose Dolphin
Kingfisher
Undoubtedly one of the best coastal reserves Cemlyn is a lagoon cut off
from the sea by a curved shingle ridge. The ridge itself supports a range
of specialist maritime plants whilst islands in the lagoon provide summer
nesting areas for a large colony of sandwich, common and Arctic terns
best seen in the summer.
8
Osprey
Home to ospreys, otters, bog myrtle, dormice, readbeds, warblers and so
much more. From March to September, see ospreys rear their young with
HD cameras on the nest relaying to monitors in the visitor centre and hide.
Aberogwen, Spinnies
The path skirts around this nature reserve, making a slight detour well
worth it. Mariandyrys is a limestone outcrop supporting herb-rich grassland,
heathland and gorse scrub which in turn supports a wide range of wildlife,
including orchids, purple saw-wort and stonechat.
7
12 Cors Dyfi
13 Penderi Cliffs
Lying alongside the Menai Strait, Nantporth is an example of coastal ash
woodland; which is rare outside of Scotland. The reserve includes the shingle
shoreline, two old limestone quarries and areas of calcareous grassland.
6
For more information on this reserve, please visit
www.montwt.co.uk/nature_reserves
The path itself follows the boundary of the reserve, along Marine Drive on
the Great Orme. Although not suitable for walking through, look down over
the reserve from the path. Gogarth is a reserve dominated by limestone
grassland and best seen in late spring/ summer. Gogarth is particularly rich
in silver studded blue butterflies in late spring.
This popular reserve is primarily a lagoon set amid a small woodland,
providing shelter for many species of wader and wildfowl. It is adjacent
to Afon Ogwen estuary and the extensive mudflats of the internationally
important Traeth Lafan. Over 185 species of bird have been seen in and
around the reserve.
5
Montgomeryshire Wildlife
Trust Reserves
Morfa Bychan and Greenacres
Sharp rush
This reserve offers the chance to see rare maritime plants in a dynamic sand
dune system. Separated by Greenacres Caravan Park, these reserves can be
reached via a detour over the sand dunes at either Black Rock Sands or Ynys
Cyngar.
10 Traeth Glaslyn
Wigeon
Traeth Glaslyn is an important estuarine site for wetland birds, with habitats
that range from mudflats, marshes and wet grassland to alder carr. There is a
viewing hide just off the path at the eastern end of the Cob near Rebecca Toll.
11 Gwaith Powdwr
Nightjar
A slight detour from the path takes you to this reserve, which is worth a visit.
Gwaith Powdwr is the former site of the Cooke’s/ICI explosives works and an
example of how wildlife can thrive in a post-industrial setting. This wildlife
haven is home to bats, nightjars, polecat and emperor dragonfly.
Chough
Stretching along the sea cliff, the hanging oak woodland in this reserve
is home to some stunted but very old oak trees. It is a great place to spot
chough and other coastal birds such as cormorant.
This popular New Quay visitor centre runs in conjunction with Dolphin
Survey Boat Trips to collect data on the bottlenose dolphins of Cardigan
Bay and other marine mammals that are regularly spotted, such as harbour
porpoise and Atlantic grey seals, and more unusual species such as basking
sharks and sunfish. The visitor centre is open throughout the summer season.
15 Cardigan Island
Seals
Although there is no public access to Cardigan Island, the coast path offers
great views onto this Wildlife Trust reserve. The Island is a key breeding site
for grey seal and hosts breeding colonies of gulls, razorbill, guillemot and
many other seabirds.
16 Cemaes Head
Porpoise
The coast path traverses this coastal headland that looks across the
Teifi Estuary towards Cardigan Island. As well as being a good seabird site,
Cemaes Head is a great place to watch for the bottlenose dolphins and
porpoises in Cardigan Bay.
17 Goodwick Moor
Reed warbler
Just across the road from the coastal path, this reserve has a circular path
and boardwalk. The site is a large reedbed with elements of flood plain
mire and wet woodland, supporting breeding birds such as reed and sedge
warblers.
18 Lockley Lodge (Visitor Centre)
Acting as the ticket sales point for day trips to Skomer, Lockley Lodge
also includes a shop, remote camera access to Skomer, local wildlife
information and much more.
Skomer Island
Puffin
Skomer Island is the most important seabird site in southern Britain. Although not formally part of the coastal path it can be visited every
day (excluding Mondays) during the summer season. Home to manx shearwater, puffin, guillemot, kittiwake, razorbill, fulmar and much more, this is
one of the Wildlife Trusts flagship nature reserves.
Skokholm Island
Manx shearwater
Skokholm, sister island to Skomer, lies further out to sea. Together the
two islands make up the highest concentration of manx shearwaters known
in the world, with an estimated 45,000 pairs on Skokholm.
Visits by pre-arrangement only.
Protecting Wildlife for the Future
Wildlife Trusts Coastal Reserves
Wildlife Trust of South and
West Wales Reserves ( Cont’d...)
21
Deborah’s Hole
Ravens
This nature reserve is named after a small inaccessible cave where Stone Age
tools have been excavated. The topography of the site has created varying
vegetation from limestone grassland to heath, supporting nesting fulmar and
raven.
22
Long Hole Cliff
Stonechat
Cliff top gorse and heather habitats create a haven for small birds, whilst
the slopes, cliffs and scree are home to limestone grassland. The star like
flowering spring squill make a special display early in the year.
23
Overton Mere
Wild plants
This nature reserve is home to the rare silky wave moth which makes its
home in the gorse scrub. It is also a great place to spot lime-loving plants
such as common rock-rose, milkwort, eyebright and thyme.
24
Overton Cliff
Oystercatcher
The site offers great views over the Bristol Channel, and is home to
coastal birds such as oystercatcher and butterflies such as grayling.
Much of Overton Cliff is currently covered by heather and gorse,
together with hawthorn, blackthorn and juniper.
25
Port Eynon Point
Gannet
A great place to see coastal summer flowers such as sea campion,
spring squill, thrift and wild clary. This is also a great nature reserve for
sea watching, and patient birders will be rewarded with views of divers
in the winter, and in the late summer, manx shearwater, gannet and
common scoter.
26
Sedger’s Bank
Rock pools
This nature reserve comprises rocky foreshore, beach, and relict sand
dune grassland adjacent to Port Eynon Point. Seals haul out here
amongst the limestone rocks covered with barnacles, whelks, mussels
and beadlet anemones.
27
Redley Cliff
Yellowhammer
Caswell Cliff Fort, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, sits at the summit
of this coastal limestone headland, with ditches and banks still visible. Much
of the reserve is woodland and scrub and it supports many small birds such
as stonechat and yellowhammer.
28
Cwm Colhuw
Peregrine
1km southwest of Llantwit Major, this nature reserve includes coastal
calcareous grassland and ash woodland. The site is a great place to spot
kestrel and peregrine, and the nationally scarce wild cabbage grows here.
29
Lavernock Point
Orchids
Easily accessed from Cardiff and Barry, this beautiful nature reserve
is a diverse mixture of coastal habitats lying on Jurassic limestone.
The meadows are rich in wildflowers including several orchids, such
as early purple, bee and spotted orchids and twayblade.
Gwent Wildlife Trust Reserves
For more information on these reserves, please visit
www.gwentwildlife.org/reserves
30 Peterstone Wentlooge Marshes
Dunlin
This coastal reserve offers excellent views of the tidal mudflats and
saltmarsh, making it a good site for bird watching. The area is important
during the spring and autumn migration of waders, whilst offering a
sanctuary for large numbers of birds in the winter.
31 Solutia Meadows
Otter
This species-rich grazing marsh supports birds such as reed bunting and sedge
warbler, as well as otters, rare plants and the endangered shrill carder bee.
Although not adjacent to the Severn Estuary, the coastal path passes through
the reserve after a short inland detour through Newport.
32 Magor Marsh (Visitor Centre)
Kingfisher
From a fleeting glimpse of a kingfisher, to the sight of colourful dragonflies
darting over the reens, this natural area of fenland is an inspiring place to visit.
Walk inland towards the village of Magor, head north on the tracks at Magor
Pill, then continue north for 1km along the Whitewall road until you reach the
reserve on your left hand side.
Map Key
Species to spot
On Path
Off Path
Marine Protected Areas
Wales Coast Path
Front cover
Cemlyn Creature Count © Samantha Bryan,
Seal © Eleanor Stone, Rhiwledyn © Liz Cummins,
Puffins © Andy Davies
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication
was correct at the time of printing (Jan 2013). Wildlife Trusts Wales accept
no liability for any accidents when using this publication. Persons using the
walks do so at their own risk.
Design by POLAR 10, Cardiff
www.polar10.com
Protecting Wildlife for the Future
WILDLIFE TRUSTS
IN WALES
For more information about each reserve and becoming
a member, please contact;
Wildlife Trusts Wales – 02920 480070
www.wtwales.org
North Wales Wildlife Trust – 01248 351541
www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk
Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust – 01938 555654
www.montwt.co.uk
Radnorshire Wildlife Trust – 01597 823298
www.rwtwales.org
Brecknock Wildlife Trust – 01874 625708
www.brecknockwildlifetrust.org.uk
Gwent Wildlife Trust – 01600 740600
www.gwentwildlife.org
Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales
01656 724100 www.welshwildlife.org
Registered charity no. 1045167
This publication was supported by:
Protecting Wildlife for the Future