The volunteer team returned to Vicarage Meadows/Dôlau Ficerdy this spring to continue our Nature Network Fund 4 project. The fund has enabled the purchase of a nippy new chainsaw and accessories, all of which helps with clearing the scrub from the wet areas of the meadow. For the last few sessions, we have been working on coppicing along the old ditches in the boggy areas of the reserve and clearing fallen trees.

File notes suggest that ditches were put in to drain the Eastern meadow shortly before Vicarage was designated as a SSSI for it's special flora. The site was purchased by the then Brecknock Wildlife Trust in 1984. 

Ditches are generally thought to be a bad thing as they drain and dry out the marshy grassland some of which sits on a thin layer of peat. Initially the ditches were steep sided and had to be fenced to keep the grazing ponies safe. This meant some areas became under grazed. Nowadays time and the hooves of ponies and cattle have softened the edges and the fencing has been removed.

The wet and marshy areas are dominated by tussocky Molinea or Purple Moor Grass. In between the tussocks you may find Devil’s-bit Scabious, Lousewort, Tormentil and more in the summer months. Vicarage Meadows is known for its orchids in the western meadow but the display of Bluebells in the far field are well worth a detour in mid-late May. 

Team Wilder Engagement Officer Sarah led a UV torch walk and bat survey with the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Team at Craig Y Nos Country Park. Highlights of the walk included some incredible multi-colored lichens, a glowing slug and some nocturnal amphibian sightings. Given the early time of year, there weren’t too many bats about, but some flyovers were spotted over the River Tawe!

We recently recieved a donation of the Flora of Brecknockshire by Mike Porter. Over half of the county is over 300m altitude and the highest peaks of South Wales mountains are found here. This book explores the flora of Brecknockshire with hundreds of maps and amazing landscape paintings. Thank you to John for the donation.