Orchids and Wildliflowers at Cae Eglwys Nature Reserve

Before clearing the bracken

Volunteers rewarded for their hard work with an abundance of Wildflowers and Orchids

On a recent work party to clear bracken at Cae Eglyws Nature Reserve, near Brecon our volunteers were able to see the benefits of their labours with a profusion of orchids and other wild flowers.

The orchids are mostly common spotted orchids, broad-leaved helleborine and a very small population of northern marsh orchids. Other flowers include eyebright, common knapweed, common and large birds-foot trefoil, fleabane, common marsh and heath bedstraws amongst many others.

Volunteers have been controlling bracken here since at least 2006 when the meadow was covered with very tall and dense bracken. Now many areas are completely clear or with sparse, short fronds allowing the flowers to flourish.  There are still areas that need more work to stop the bracken spreading back in and to open up more of the meadow.

Long term volunteer, Wendy Ozols, who has been working here since the beginning, enthused

It is so exciting to see how the orchids have spread through out the meadow from a few individuals.  It makes us feel that all the hard work has been worthwhile.

We certainly couldn’t make this difference without our volunteers.

If you would like to help us make a difference to wildlife in the Brecknock area, please contact Pauline by phone  01874 625708 or email p.hill@welshwildlife.org.