Wildlife at Coed y Brenin

 

Mammals: Bats - Guided walks are organised by the local bat groups to introduce the public to the behaviour and feeding habits of bats such as the Pipistrelle, Bat Long Eared Bat, Lesser horseshoe, Noctule, and Whiskered Bat.
Deer are also present in small numbers.These are mainly fallow deer and occasionally roe deer.You are only likely to spot these animals at dawn or dusk in the southern parts of the forest.
Red Squirrels are occasionally sighted within the forest.These mammals are difficult to spot as they tend to be nocturnal.Although they do forage during the day they are less active. Any reports of sightings would be much appreciated by the Coed y Mynydd office tel: 0845 604 0845 and ask for the Conservation Manager.
For many years there have been unconfirmed sightings of Pine Marten. These elusive creatures have managed to escape 100% confirmation of their presence and a project to set up pine marten havens is in the process of being implemented.Any positive sightings to be reported to Coed y Mynydd office tel: (0845 604 0845 and ask for the Conservation Manager. We have information about Red squirrel, Roe deer and Fallow deer

Birds: Black Grouse may be spotted on the forest fringes where the moor meets the trees.The males are easy to recognise with their distinctive black feathers and lyre shaped tail in flight. The females, however, are less easy to distinguish from Red Grouse which also inhabit the forest edges.
Large and small raptors can be spotted all over the forest. Buzzards soar high above the valleys; Goshawks (known as the phantom of the forest) are more secretive and are extremely difficult to spot as they glide through tall mature trees and into thick undergrowth to catch their prey. Red Kites are also becoming more common as they distribute themselves north of their range.They are the easiest big raptor to spot with their large forked red tail. Peregrines are also present but not common. If you are really lucky you may spot a Merlin but you have to be quick. You will be more likely to see them on the forest edges where the moorland is located. The occasional sighting of a Hen Harrier may be possible but quite rare. We have information about Black grouse and Red kite

Insects and reptiles: Butterflies and moths survive in some of the more open habitats. Some of the more common and rare species are as follows Common Blue, Small pearl bordered fritillaries, Dark green Fritillaries, Small, heath, Peacock, Red Admiral, Speckled wood, Meadow brown, Ringlet, Meadow brown, Large skipper, Brimstone, Small skipper, Small tortoiseshell and Purple hairstreak. Glasdir picnic site and around the old fields at the Maesgwm Centre are some of the best places to spot butterflies. We have information about Pearl-bordered fritillary

Habitats: There are a number of glorious broadleaf woodlands that hug the main valleys in the forest. Most of these are upland oakwoods and support some of Britain’s rarest lichens and bryophytes. We have information about Upland oakwood

How to get there:
East off the A470, 8 miles North of Dolgellau just North of Ganllwyd, South of Trawsfynydd. Follow the brown tourist signs.

Local Weather Forecast (Multimap)

Enter through:
Hermon
Dolgefeiliau
Glasdir
Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre
Ty'n y Groes
Tyddyn Gwladys

Activities:

	Open access, Waymarked walks and miles of Public Rights of Way.			Open access on forest roads.5 Waymarked routes and Bridleways.
	Open access on forest roads, Bridleways.

Contact:
Graeme Stringer
Recreation Ranger

e-mail: graeme.stringer@forestry.gsi.gov.uk