What’s been happening in Nant Fawr this year

21^st January 2024 – This workday was based at the Rhydyblewin end of Nant Fawr. Grass and bramble that had been cut previously was raked up off the meadows and piled to create habitat piles adjacent to the orchard areas. The cutting of this meadow along with the other meadows in Nant Fawr is part of the management plan for Nant Fawr, the aim of which is to regenerate the meadows and encourage the growth of wildflowers. On this workday the volunteers also constructed a drain across the stone path to reduce the effects of flooding in this area and to make the path more accessible.

 

25^th February 2024 – On this workday we focused on coppicing the willow saplings and raking the cut soft rush on Boggy Meadow, in preparation for the growing season. Using the cut willow whips the volunteers started to create a weaved fence/hurdle, that will enclose and protect the small pond in Boggy Meadow.

 

24^th March 2024 – The volunteers continued with the work in Boggy Meadow coppicing the willow and making willow and hazel hurdles to help protect the shallow pond. Work also started on upgrading the path adjacent to the old reservoir car park. A drainage ditch was created, and this work will be followed by levelling out the path, with the aim of reducing the flooding in that area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invertebrates In Reservoir Outflow Into Nant Fawr Stream!

A very kind lecturer at Cardiff University shared this crude list of invertebrates present in the Nant Fawr stream within c 50-100m of reservoir outflow. Enjoy reading about some of the life that thrives here below, and see these photos of more lifeforms in Nant Fawr stream found in our recent family Stream Shuffle! 

Flatworms

Polycelis tenuis

 

Leeches

Glossiphonia (complanata?)

 

Gastropods

Ancylus fuviatilis

Potamopyrgus antipodarum (non-native)

Radix peregra

 

Crustaceans

Gammarus pulex

 

Stoneflies

Leuctra geniculata

Leuctra moselyi

At least 1 other

 

Mayflies

Seratella ignita

Baetis spp

Ephemera danica

Heptageniidae spp

 

Beetles:

>1 spp of Elminthidae  

Dytiscidae (probably Platambus maculatus)

 

Caddis

Rhyacophila sp (probably dorsalis)

Hydropsyche sp(p?)

Limnephilidae (Potamophylax/Stenophylax?

Glossosoma spp 

Sericostoma personatum

People’s Choice Award 2023 - please vote for your favourite Green Flag park or green space!

People across the UK are being encouraged to vote for their favourite Green Flag park or green space. A top ten will then be announced at a virtual award ceremony on 7 November 2023. 

We’d love to see some wonderful Welsh winners, so please start spreading the word and encouraging visitors, volunteers, friends, family and colleagues to vote for you! 

To vote 

1) Find your favourite park/green space on the winners’ map

(Or click here to vote for Nant Fawr Community Woodlands) 

2) Click on the ‘Vote for this site’ button

3) Share the link via email and social media 

 This year voting closes on the 30 September 2023.

Look what we found in the Nant Fawr stream on the Stream Shuffle!

We had a successful Stream Shuffle on Sunday in Rhydypenau Park. Children were able to catch creatures from the Nant Fawr stream and look at them under the microscope. 

Thank you to Cardiff University for their support.

FAMILY STREAM SHUFFLE - SUNDAY 6 AUGUST 2023 11.00am – 2.00pm

We are meeting at the bottom of Rhydypenau Park, near Rhydypenau Rd Bridge. 

• Learn about the creatures that live in the Nant Fawr stream.

• Use our new digital microscope! 

• Follow our Explorer Trail 

• Carry out a Scavenger Hunt 

• Prizes to be won! 

• Activities suitable for children between 5-12 years 

• All children must be accompanied by an adult and wellies are recommended. 

• Why not bring a picnic lunch? 

• Membership forms available (£5 per family per year)

 

Deep Time Walk

 

This walk will be led by FONF member Paul Graham on 21^st May. It is a journey through the Earth's evolutionary history, starting at it’s creation and walking towards the future up to the present day. 

 

Commentary will be provided at points along the way exploring the Earth's story, discovering how it's surface has evolved and stabilised over time to support life, and considering our human part in it.

 

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. If you would like to join please book a place asap by replying

to paul.graham101@btinternet.com.

 

Date:     Sunday 21^st May

Time:     10am 

From:    Heol Esgyn entrance to Nant Fawr Community Woodland

Length: 4.6km

 

Note:    The route will mainly follow gravel trails but will also involve sections that can become wet and muddy if there has been rain, so please dress suitably for the conditions.

 Dawn Chorus Walk

On 7th May the Friends of Nant Fawr in conjunction with the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales Cardiff Group and Cardiff Naturalists hosted a joint walk from Roath Park and through Nant Fawr to experience the dawn chorus! The 4.30am wake up call was well worth it - amazing to hear! Posted is a small clip of what we heard!