Wildlife at Clocaenog

 

Mammals: Clocaenog Forest was the subject of a six year research project into red squirrels and is now the centre of red squirrel conservation work in Wales. Clocaenog caters for the red squirrel's food preferences, the red squirrel favouring conifer seeds of Scots pine and Norway spruce, and Japanese larch when available.
You may catch sight of a red squirrel - the project found there was about one squirrel every three to four hectares!
Red squirrels were found to adapt to forestry work such as thinning by shifting their home ranges to adjacent areas. They returned to their original home range area once the work was complete.
As a result of the research project "red squirrel-friendly" guidelines were produced that have been implemented by the Forestry Commission in the management of Clocaenog and other forests.
Hopefully with the right management techniques the red squirrel is here to stay in Clocaenog Forest. We have information about Red squirrel and Otter

Birds: Black Grouse in Clocaenog
Black grouse in Wales, prefer woodland edge habitats, particularly where they adjoin heather moorland. Wet areas are important too, providing additional food for egg-laying females and young chicks. Much of these habitats have been lost with the maturing of forests, poorly managed moorland, and agricultural improvement.
The Welsh Black Grouse Recovery Project, launched in 1997, is a partnership between RSPB, Forest Enterprise and the Countryside Council for Wales, with substantial investment from European Union and National Assembly for Wales.
The project aims to stop the decline and, in the long term, increase the range and numbers, of black grouse in Wales.
Work has been undertaken as part of the project to ensure a year-round supply of heather and bilberry shoots to provide food for the birds and enhance their habitat. Other birds and animals also benefit from the mosaic of habitats created, particularly the rare nightjar, grasshopper and warbler. We have information about Nightjar and Black grouse

Habitats: We have information about Pinewood

How to get there:
Follow the B5105 from Ruthin.

Local Weather Forecast (Multimap)

Enter through:
Foel Frech Bird Hide
Bontuchel Wildlife Hide
Pincyn Llys

Activities:

	Open access throughout Clocaenog Forest

Other places to go in Hiraethog Forest
Alwen

Contact:
Steve Crosby
Local Area Manager
0845 604 0845
e-mail: steve.crosby@forestry.gsi.gov.uk