Rhos Glyn-yr-Helyg, Gorsgoch, Ceredigion

Sedge Warbler

Sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) adult singing in reedbed. Cambridgeshire. - Chris Gomersall/2020VISION

Rhos Glyn-yr-Helyg, Gorsgoch, Ceredigion

Unimproved sedge-rich pasture. Notified SSSI.

Location

Gorsgoch.

OS Map Reference

Grid References: O.S. Explorer map 198 Cardigan and New Quay. Main entrance: SN497511, Site centre: SN498514.
A static map of Rhos Glyn-yr-Helyg, Gorsgoch, Ceredigion

Know before you go

Size
15 hectares
z

Entry fee

Free

Access

From Gorsgoch village follow minor road south Eastwards for 150m, park roadside where the road is widest (SN486503) and walk down the private farm track heading NE for approximately 1.5km (NOTE: there is no vehicular access down this private track, access is on foot only).

On reaching Glyn-yr-Helyg farm walk through the farmyard (with the house on your right) and find a field gate to a rough track which is on your right, go through this gate but please leave this gate closed. Follow this rough track for approx. 200m until it turns to the left and downhill, follow downhill for another few hundred metres until you find the field gate directly ahead which is the entrance to the reserve.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open access reserve.

Best time to visit

Spring and summer

About the reserve

Much of the southern half of the site is wet Purple Moor Grass with Sharp-flowered and Soft Rush. Among this sward are large amounts of Devil’s-bit Scabious (7-9) (the food plant of Marsh Fritillary butterfly (5-7)), Sneezewort (7-10), and Whorled Caraway (6-8). By contrast, the northern portion is a drier grassland, rich in flowering plants such as Black Knapweed (6-9), Cat’s-ear (6-10), Eyebright (5-10), and Lousewort (4-6), with Dyer’s Greenweed (6-10), and some Heather (8-10). Scarce species include Moonwort (6-8), and Frog Orchid (6-8). Since the site was acquired by the Trust a total of 240 higher plant species have been recorded.

Breeding birds include Willow Tit, Whinchat, Sedge Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler. Common Snipe and Woodcock use the site in winter.

The interest of the site is enhanced by the presence of depressions thought to be remnants of glacial features known as pingos. These hollows support a rich mire community, including Bog Asphodel, Bog Mosses, Bottle Sedge, Cross-leaved Heath, and Marsh Cinquefoil. Thirty four species of moss and 10 species of liverwort have been recorded.

Small Red Damselfly (6-8) and Keeled Skimmer occur around these basin mires while Banded Demoiselle occurs on the adjacent Afon Grannell, which is also used by Otters. The site is good for invertebrates with 18 species of butterfly, including a small colony of Marsh Fritillary butterflies and the Forester Moth recorded.