Gwent Wildlife Trust

Gwent Wildlife Trust
Ymddiriedolaeth Natur Gwent

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Springdale Farm Reserve

At an altitude of 100-150m, this working farm offers superb views across the Usk valley up to the Brecon Beacons and down to the Severn Estuary, and a diverse range of habitats from flower-rich hay meadows and butterfly slopes to semi-natural woodland and bracken fields. The intention of the Gwent Wildlife Trust is to maintain and increase the conservation and landscape value of the area whilst continuing to operate a livestock farm.

The diverse 49ha reserve consists of a series of pastures and some broad-leaved woodland, occupying the eastern side of the upper part of a valley 5km east of Usk. 30% of the reserve comprises unimproved neutral grassland, 25% semi-natural woodland located along a stream-filled dingle. There is also a south-west facing slope of slightly poorer grassland and some bracken fields. A thin band of limestone bedrock runs through the reserve, resulting in an increased diversity of plants and insects.

Common Spotted Orchids.  Photo: D. Maw Ramsons at Springdale.  Photo: J. Prince

In Spring both the meadows and woodland have a fine display of flowers, with Early Purple Orchids, Wood Anenome, Bluebells and Moschatel conspicuous. It is in Summer that the hay meadows are at their most spectacular: Common Spotted Orchids and Pepper Saxifrage abound and there is the largest county population of Dyer’s Greenweed as well as common Twayblade and Helleborines. The south-west grass slopes retain herb species in the short sward and in July and August swarm with a colourful display of Burnet Moths and butterflies (Marbled White, Common Blue, Ringlet etc) in numbers which are sadly rare these days.

Autumn is notable for the display of fungi, with red, green and yellow species of Waxcap, amongst others, in abundance.


Location

From Usk town centre take the B road south towards Llanllowell, Llantrisant and Wentwood. Pass Usk Prison and continue for 2 miles until the road passes under the A449 dual carriageway. Immediately turn left (signposted Grass Ski Slope) and continue (1 mile) to the T-junction. The reserve entrance is on the left just prior to the junction, opposite the alms houses where there is limited car parking. OS map reference: ST401992

More detailed information is available from the Trust offices.


 

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