1106 Where to watch FIN.indd

The
Blorenge
VISITOR INFORMATION
by Mark Stevens
EDWIN KATS (WWW.AGA MI.NL)
Target birds
Red Grouse, Red Kite, Hobby, Peregrine
Falcon, Cuckoo, Sand and House Martins,
Swallow, Tree Pipit, Common Redstart,
Whinchat, European Stonechat, Northern
Wheatear, Blackcap, Garden, Dartford and
Willow Warblers, Goldcrest, Raven, Siskin.
Introduction
The Blorenge is a mountain situated just
south of Abergavenny; it marks the very
north-east limit of the South Wales Valley
area laid to waste during the industrial era.
It covers an area of about two square miles
and consists of a plateau of upland heath
with a good layer of heather, bracken,
Bilberry and some gorse. Its steep sides are
covered by bracken, trees and scree. The
majority of the site is unenclosed common
land, so there is plenty of scope to walk
wherever you fancy; however, it is advisable
to stick to the established tracks, especially
in late summer, when the bracken can be
chest high.
Route planner
It’s best to start a walk on the Blorenge in the
early morning, especially if you want to hear
(and hopefully see) Red Grouse – and avoid
the walkers and paragliders that arrive later in
the day. Depending on your fitness, and
which birds you want to see, two walks are
possible. The first starts at Foxhunter’s car
park (SO 264107) and is a 2.5-3 mile circuit
taking in the highest point of the mountain.
Pick up the path and follow it to the
summit, about half a mile to the north-east,
scanning the heather with eyes and ears for
the grouse’s chuckling call or a view of one
exploding out of cover. These birds are the
most southerly indigenous population in
Britain and Ireland, and although they aren’t
numerous, this is a local stronghold.
Past the summit a brick hut is visible
along the path – keep to the right of it and
check out the rocky drop to your left for
Northern Wheatear. From here you have
wonderful, far-reaching views and it is well
worth looking out for Raven, Common
Buzzard, Peregrine and Red Kite, which has
recently spread down from Mid Wales.
Follow the path through the bracken and
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1106 Where to watch FIN.indd 15
A small number of Dartford Warblers
can be found on the Blorenge.
take the right fork, keeping your eyes open
for Skylark, Whinchat and Tree Pipit. When
you reach the road turn right and scrutinise
the scrub, especially any gorse, along the
road as you make the half-mile trek back to
your car. There is a small but increasing
number of Dartford Warblers to be found
locally, and the area adjacent to the Carn-ygorfydd car park that you are about to pass
even attracted a Marmora’s Warbler for a
fortnight in June 2010.
The second walk also starts at the
Foxhunter’s car park and takes in a longer
(approximately 5.5 miles) circuit of the
mountain. Follow the road downhill from the
car park for one mile until you reach a cattle
grid, take the path to the left and look out for
Siskin and Goldcrest in the nearby conifers.
Descend to the secluded and scenic
Punchbowl, a corrie (or glacial) lake which
was declared an SSSI due to its interesting
flora. Blackcap and Willow and Garden
Warblers are often found here, as are
Swallow and House and Sand Martins. In late
summer, Hobby can also be seen, drawn in
by dragonflies and hirundines.
As the path turns west above Pen-y-graig
Farm, watch for Common Redstart among
the dry stone walls. The next half-mile stretch
before the coniferous woods is excellent for
Cuckoo, Linnet and Meadow and Tree Pipits.
Pick up the bridleway adjacent to the woods
which leads uphill to the left, and pass
through an extensive area of bracken that
holds good numbers of European Stonechat
and Whinchat.
When you come to the main path, turn
right and you will shortly arrive at Keeper’s
Pond car park (SO 255107). From here turn
left onto the road, and then left again onto
the minor road that leads you back to the
start point. ■
Approaching from the north (Abergavenny
side), leave the A465 and join the B4246 at
either Gilwern or Llanfoist, follow the signs
for Blaenavon to pass over the Blorenge.
For those travelling from Blaenavon, follow
the B4246 to Abergavenny. There are a few
suitable car parks on the mountain, notably
Keeper’s Pond car park (SO 255107) which
is situated alongside the B4246 near its
highest point, and Foxhunter’s car park
(SO 264107), half a mile along the Llanellen
road (opposite the TV masts) from its
junction with the B4246 just south of
Keeper’s Pond. There is no access to the
site via public transport. The nearest bus
stop is approximately one mile away at
Blaenavon; see www.torfaen.gov.uk for
details. The nearest railway station is
approximately five miles away at
Abergavenny. Due to the terrain, disabled
access is very limited and wheelchair use
is not possible on the featured routes.
Reads
Where to Watch Birds in Wales by John
Green and David Saunders
(fourth edition, Christopher
Helm, £18.99) – order for £17.99
on page 47.
Bird news
• Call Birdline Wales on 09068
700248. To report sightings, phone
01492 544588.
• See local sightings and report your own
at www.gwentbirds.org.uk.
Maps
OS maps: Outdoor Leisure 13 Brecon
Beacons National Park (Eastern area) and
Landranger 161
(www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk).
Web resources
• www.gwentbirds.org.uk for the Gwent
Ornithological Society.
• www.breconbeaacons.org.uk and www.
abergevenny.org.uk both give further
tourist information, including walk details.
ORDNANCE SURVEY MAPPING © CROWN COPYRIGHT. AM45/10
STEVE YOUNG (WWW.BIRDSONFILM.COM)
Sites and access
In association with
Christopher Helm.
For more information on
Christopher Helm books,
please visit the website:
www.acblack.com/naturalhistory
JUNE 2011 • BIRDWATCH 15
10/5/11 08:42:50