Wildlife at Pont Llogel

 

Mammals: A variety of mammals live in the wood, it is possible to see foxes forage in the early mornings or evenings. Grey Squirrels are also to be found climbing the trees. They 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. The river along side the walk is frequented by otters which regularly haunt the riverbanks. Otters can travel over large areas. Some are known to use 20km or more river habitat. Otters deposit faeces (known as spraints, with a characteristic sweet musky odour) in prominent places around their ranges. These probably serve to mark one otters range and aid neighbouring animals to keep in touch with one another. We have information about Otter

Birds: There are many smaller birds visible in the trees searching for insects and seeds. One bird you may see near the river is the dipper, which walks upstream on the river bed with its head down turning over pebbles in search of water beetles, insect larvae and molluscs. It is 7" long, with black plumage with a large white bib. Each dipper has a narrow territory, of up to 2 miles long beside the watercourse over which it flies before searching for food.

Insects and reptiles: Bramble shrubs are found in most broad-leaved 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 shield bug is one of the few insects that care for its young. During July the females can be seen on a leaf with her brood of 30-40 babies. Once she senses a threat she can be seen herding them to safety under the leaf while she stays on top to act as a decoy.

Habitats: As you wander along the path, you will notice the oak trees and the unusual shapes of their trunks. Since the area has been cleared of conifers you will notice that native broadleaves have emerged. Beneath this developing canopy many wildflowers are emerging to provide a colourful vision blending well with the visible rockface in places and the river back drop. The Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) usually has a dense, thistle-like head of flowers. These heads are brown-black and made up of many rows of closely overlapping scales, inside of which there are red-purple fertile florets.

How to get there:
Take the A458 Welshpool to Dolgellau road and turn right on to the B4395 at Llangadfan to Lake Vyrnwy. Proceed into the hamlet of Pont Llogel, approx 3 miles just over the bridge, on the right hand side you will find the car park.

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Contact:
Ieuan Evans
Local Area Manager
0845 604 0845
e-mail: ieuan.evans@forestry.gsi.gov.uk