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Dan-y-Graig Reserve
The Reserve is on a steep hillside
above Risca in the valley of the river Ebbw. The soil is calcareous with lime kilns
to the north and a closed up Roman lead mine underneath. It was given to the Trust
in 1987 by the Risca Mineworkers Flower Show Society.
Grassland
Limestone grassland supports a rich variety of plant species
including Hairy Violet, Quaking Grass, Fairy Flax, Mullein. Hemp Agrimony and Burnet
Saxifrage. Colonies of Common Blue Butterfly and Burnet Moths are present. A
feature of this grassland is the many anthills.
Woods
Ash and Birch in the drier parts and Willows in the damper
spots overlying the underground streams. The mixture of trees with bushes of
Dogwood, Hawthorn and Spindle indicate that the wood has probably developed from
grassland.
The Pond
This was originally built to provide water for the copper
works which stood on the site of the adjacent brickyard. The pond is home to water
shrews, minnows and dragonflies. Kingfishers and Grey Wagtails have been seen.
Springs feed the pond and the clear water has three species of Horsetails.
Marsh plants such as Figwort, Water Mint and Brooklime Speedwell give cover and
feeding areas for insects and birds.
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