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Wildlife at Dyfnant
 

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Wales
Llangadfan is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: SJ033155
Red Kite at Nant yr Arian Visitor CentreDyfnant is a remote forest situated on high ground between the valleys of the Afon Twrch to the west and the Afon Efyrnwy to the east. Historically this is mainly a coniferous forest.

Mammals: Coniferous woodlands are unable to support a wide variety of mammals. However, with the introduction of broadleaves in parts of the forest more mammals are to be seen foraging around the wood. The fox is considered to be a solitary animal and will only seek out a vixen in mid winter to mate. During April three to six cubs are born. The father will play with his offspring and at around one month old they will go hunting with their mother. They are quick to learn hunting skills and at two months old will be ready to leave their home. The fox hunts at night and will eat rabbits, rats, mice, voles, squirrels, hedgehogs and pheasants. You will also see the grey squirrel in the forest. Grey squirrels are bigger than the red squirrel, being approx 10" long with a less bushy 8" tail. Grey squirrels attack trees in early summer gnawing at the main trunk, in search of the sweet sappy layers immediately beneath the bark. We have information about Badger

Birds: Bordering the East side of the Berwyn mountains, many upland and forest birds can be seen, these include Meadow and Wood Pipits, Crossbills, Siskins, Nightjars and the colourful Black Grouse which frequently feeds within the cleared forest areas and moorland edge. The Goshawk is also dashing through the trees in pursuit of prey. The Goshawk also present in this area feeds on squirrels, rabbits and birds, pigeons and crows. The Goshawk builds its nest in fir trees and usually adds to it each year, the female usually lays between 3 and 5 grey green eggs, which sometimes have brown spots. We have information about Nightjar, Black grouse and Red kite

Insects and reptiles: Bramble shrubs are found in even the most dense of woodlands. They can be erect, sprawling or rambling. Once the bramble is established a whole host of insects and birds visit and feed on the blossom and fruit. Aphids are to be found sucking the sap from the young shoots. The later summer months brings the common wasp to the bramble shrub to feed on the sugars contained within the berries. They bite through the skin of the individual fruits to reach the juicy flesh inside. Once the skin has been successfully pierced then other insects begin to swarm to the fruit. Both the metallic greenbottle flies and the grey-haired red-eyed flesh flies are visitors, they feed by dribbling saliva on to the fruit which partly digests the flesh which they can then suck up in the form of juice.

Habitats: Dyfant wood borders heather moorland at the higher elevations and has agricultural land along the southern part of the wood. Broadleaves have been encouraged through regeneration and it is now possible to see pockets of Oak, Ash and Birch emerge. We have information about Pinewood

How to Get There:
B4395 north off the A458

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Local Weather Forecast (Multimap)

Places to go in Dyfnant
Pont Llogel
Dyfnant Wood


Facilities:
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Activities:
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Dyfnant forest is home to the Rainbow Trails, which were created by a partnership between Forestry Commission Wales and the Dyfnant and Fyrnwy Horse Riders' & Carriage Drivers' Association. There are five horse riding trails for all abilities ranging from the novice route, the gentle Banw Trot 8km(5 miles) to Cerrig yr Helfa 25km (16 miles)for the more experienced rider. All the Rainbow Trails incorporate excellent scenery in a peaceful environment.

   

Other places to go in this area
Ceri
Clwyd
Coed Sarnau
Hafren
Hiraethog Forest
Mathrafal
Moel Famau
Radnor

Contact
Mike Whitley
Local Area Manager
0845 604 0845
e-mail: mike.whitley@forestry.gsi.gov.uk


What's of interest
Dyfnant has several Scheduled Ancient Monuments, including a prehistoric stone enlinement consisting of a straight line of standing stones rather than the more usual stone circle.

What to see now
The Buzzard is the largest commoner British bird of prey, now widespread in the western hill districts. Often you can see half a dozen or so birds soaring overhead, with their broad wings they can look like giant moths, they utter a loud gull-like pee-oo cry.
Did you know
The goldcrest is one of Britain’s smallest birds. They feed on insects and flies. The birds are green while the male has an orange crest, the female has a yellow one. The goldcrest population is affected by a long harsh winter and to counter this they usually lay two broods of 7-10 eggs in one season. The goldcrest builds a hanging nest of moss and spiders webs, attaching it to the underside of a conifer branch.
What else is here
In Dyfnant there is also
recreation
Useful sites
Find out more
What's the Forestry Commission doing about sustainable forestry or biodiversity? Try these links to find out.
Search our publications database for more indepth information, or look at Forest Research.

Follow the Forest Code at all times.


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