BIS Wildlife Recording Day 2010

Llanwrthwl Common in Brecknock is one of eight commons, known as Abergwesyn Commons, owned by the National Trust.  There are seven contiguous commons and one separate common that make up the 16,500 acres of upland, between 300 and 645m altitude, that runs to the south of the Elan Valley.

The southern area includes acidic bog pools, acid/neutral flushes, dry heath/acid grassland mosaic, and unimproved acid grassland.  This area doesn't fall under any designations so has had little monitoring done on it; however this does not make it any less interesting.  There is also a small permanent lake surrounded by rushes on top of Drum Ddu hill.

To the north there is predominantly blanket bog and a bit of dry heath/acid grassland mosaic, as well as a couple of small upland pools.  There is more heather up this way and plants such as cranberry and sundew.  The blanket bog in this area is part of the Elenydd SSSI and is also SPA and SAC. Curlew, red grouse and golden plover have all been present in this area during the last year.

The National Trust warden is very keen to encourage as many recorders to the area as possible.

Meet outside the Church in Llanwrthwl Village (SN976637) at 10am – from here we will proceed in convoy up to Rhos Saith-maen (SN958614).

By road, Llanwrthwl is signposted from the main A470 road (3 miles south of Rhayader). Cross the road bridge over the River Wye. The village lies just to the west of the river.