Coed Maidie B. Goddard, Llechryd, Ceredigion

Gatekeeper butterfly

WildNet - Jon Dunkelman

Coed Maidie B. Goddard, Llechryd, Ceredigion

Please note that until further notice, some of the paths on this nature reserve have been closed to public access. This is due to the presence of Ash Dieback in the trees.

Our detailed assessment of the number and health of the ash trees (and the risk they pose to site users) determined that making enough trees safe would cause too much harm to the nature reserve, especially the species that depend on ash. It would also reduce our ability to learn about any resilience these local trees might have.

Therefore, with wildlife in mind, we have decided to leave the trees standing- but that means we reluctantly have to reduce public access here until further notice. This decision will be kept under review and this site updated if the situation changes.

The path closures will be clearly marked on site and for your own safety we would ask that you respect the closures and instead continue to enjoy the other routes still available on the site.

or further information on Ash Dieback and the Trust’s policy on managing it, visit our Ash Die back page. 

This relatively large reserve is a mosaic of woodland and grassland with wide, wooded gullies.

Location

Llechryd.

OS Map Reference

Grid References: O.S. Explorer map 185 Newcastle Emlyn. Main entrance: SN208438, Site centre: SN210437
A static map of Coed Maidie B. Goddard, Llechryd, Ceredigion

Know before you go

Size
15 hectares
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Entry fee

Free
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Parking information

Parking for 2-3 cars in front of field gate on north side of reserve.

Walking trails

Waymarked footpaths; not accessible to wheelchairs.

 

Access

The 460 bus departs from Cardigan regularly and stops in Llechryd, 0.5 km north east of the reserve.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open access reserve.

Best time to visit

Spring and summer

About the reserve

Part of the woodland is mature secondary Ash woodland. There is also a large area of previously clear felled conifer plantation, now over 20 year old regenerating Ash woodland, which has an attractive mossy ground flora with ferns and Wood Sorrel (4-5). In this woodland, bark scraping by the local population of Red Deer is clearly visible. One compartment of woodland remains conifer, and was host to a heronry until recently when ravens took over. Two planted specimens of Black Poplar grow in the meadows.

Many butterfly species use the meadows and woodland edges, including Common Blue, Small Skipper, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Orange Tip, Comma and Speckled Wood among others.

A large Badger sett can be found in one of the wooded gullies, and Goldilocks Buttercup (4-5) also occurs along the edge of the reserve.

There are two ponds and two scrapes in one meadow where dragonflies and damselflies can be seen in the warmer months including Broadbodied Chaser, Common Darter and Emperor dragonflies and Large Red, Blue Tailed and Azure Blue damselflies.

Common Frogs, Common Toads, Slow Worms and Grass snakes all use the reserve.

Common blue butterfly

WildNet - Zsuzsanna Bird