Reserve in focus | A focus on a new reserve each month | Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales

Old Warren Hill

Acquired by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales in 1973, this 8 hectare mixed woodland reserve reaches up and across the steep western slopes of Old Warren Hill. The reserve was historically part of the estate belonging to Nanteos mansion, just outside Aberystwyth. The western boundary is defined by a small stream that runs through a steep ravine, and on the north-east hillside are the impressive remains of an Iron Age hill fort, the main part of which lies within the reserve. The steep slopes make this a drier woodland than the neighbouring reserve of Coed Penglanowen.

The woodland contains some impressive, large trees of sessile oak, mixed with ash and old coppiced hazel. Past management as estate land has introduced species such as sweet chestnut, beech, horse chestnut and sycamore. Oak has been encouraged by planting. A rich ground flora is found in the dappled shade of the tree canopy. In the spring and early summer the woodland floor is alive with colourful displays of lesser celandine, violet, bluebell and wood sorrel, a plant typical of very old woodlands. You may also find occasional sanicle, a plant associated with less acidic woodlands.

Breeding birds using the reserve include blackcap, garden warbler, willow warbler and chiffchaff as well as garden familiars such as wren, blackbird, chaffinch, and robin. All these species are typical of lowland woods in west Wales. Looking above the canopy, you may also catch a glimpse of larger birds such as raven, red kite, and buzzard. Badger, grey squirrel and occasional rabbit use the reserve, while on warm evenings, you may see bats feeding on the many small insects.

Old Warren Hill is managed primarily to create and preserve a good proportion of dead wood, both standing and on the ground. This provides good habitat for a wide range of fungi and insects, as well as for hole-nesting and insect-eating birds like woodpeckers. We are gradually eradicating the invasive and alien species Cherry laurel and Rhododendron. We are also working to re-establish a coppice regime in the hazel areas. A large number of nest boxes provide additional nesting places for small birds like pied flycatchers, and even a temporary home for the occasional wood mouse!

The reserve has a footpath network and is open at all times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve in focus for this month is Pengelli Forest, Pembrokshire. Please click here to read about the reserve :

• Introduction
• Conservation
• Species
• Future work

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