Parc Slip Nature Reserve – Bridgend
Location
Know before you go
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Open access reserve with Visitor Centre.Best time to visit
Full seasonAbout the reserve
Parc Slip Nature lies in a valley bottom on the watershed between the Ogmore and Afon Kenfig catchments, and has had a history of mining from the nineteenth century to the present day.
Restoration of the landform from colliery coal tips and opencast mining had been completed by the mid 1980s, and a five-year plan was undertaken to enhance natural succession and recreate semi-natural habitats, such as wildflower meadows, ponds, reedbeds, a wader scrape, and broadleaved woodland.
The Park is made up of broadleaved and coniferous plantations, improved grassland, and four flower rich fields, which are being managed as pasture.
These grassland areas provide feeding and roosting habitat for Snipe in winter, and nesting sites for Lapwing, Meadow Pipit, and Skylark in summer.
There are four bird hides, overlooking three wetland sites, a wader scrape, a small lake with an island, and Park Pond. A further three wetlands and open water areas add further interest.
The wader scrapes which were added in 2013 have attracted a wide range of wildlife which can be observed from the Mary Gillham raised hide.
Mute Swan, Mallard and Tufted Duck breed within the Park, and Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Pochard, Red-breasted Merganser and Water Rail are seen in winter. Twenty species of dragonfly have been recorded, including the Emperor, Four Spot Chaser, and the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly.
The site supports seven species of orchid, including Bee, Common Spotted, Southern Marsh, Twayblade and Broad-leaved Helleborine.