1A. Woods & Marsh Brynna, Cynon Taff

Grid O.S. Explorer map 151 Cardiff and . Main entrances: SS984829, References SS985830, SS990831, SS997831, SS988828. Site centre: SS991830 Status Llanharan Marsh is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) Tenure Freehold acquired in 2009 through a Section 106 Agreement Size 38 ha (93.9 acres) Location and Situated between the villages of Brynna, Llanharan and Bryncae, 2.5 km Access Notes northeast of . Access is gained via the gate at the East of the reserve off Brynna road, or by the gate on the West from Bethlehem View. The reserve is bordered to the south by a railway line, with access into the woodland from Bryncae via the level crossing. Public There is a train station in Llanharan with services between Cardiff Central Transport and Maesteg via Bridgend. Bus routes from Brynna include 64 and 44, which go through Bridgend and route 404 which goes to .

Description: Brynna woods comprises 38 ha of secondary, and some ancient, semi-natural woodland, scrub, marshy grassland, dry grassland and ruderal habitats. The broadleaf woodland is comprised of a mixture of Ash, Oak and Hazel, with an understorey of Bramble and the climbing shrub Honeysuckle. The ground flora includes a number of semi-natural woodland indicator species, including Primrose, Bluebell, Pignut, Yellow Archangel and Ramsons. The woodland provides habitat for a number of associated species including mammals such as the European Protected Species Dormouse and Common Pipistrelle. The watercourse of Ewenni Fach runs through the area from east to west, and several smaller streams also run through the site from north to south, feeding down into the Ewenni Fach. The main line of the Great Western Railway forms the southern boundary of the site, and a disused railway line forms the northern boundary. There are a number of public footpaths and bridleways on site, also two circular walks taking in the lovely mix of countryside. Coal mining in the Llanharan South area is recorded back to the 1870s. There is still evidence of this in Brynna Wood with shafts and mine adits still standing to this day. These are excellent habitats for bats. The Llanharan area is of known significance for bats, with the nationally rare and declining Lesser Horseshoe Bat and Barbastelle bat both having been recorded in the area recently.

Protecting Wildlife for the Future | Gwarchod Natur ar gyfer y Dyfodol To Road

0 200m

School

Ewenni Fach

Road Grassland

Disused railway Broadleaf woodland

Active railway Viewing platform

Footpath/track Outdoor classroom

Water course Building

Open water Orchard trees

Marsh

Management objectives: Areas of marshy and neutral grassland habitat will be restored with Good times to visit Apr-Sept Woodland and grassland scrub clearance and grazing. Woodland and flowers scrub habitats will be managed primarily as Apr-Jul Breeding birds habitat for dormouse and other woodland Apr-Sept Butterflies, dragonflies species. use of the nature reserve and other invertebrates will be encouraged. Sept-Nov Fungi and bryophytes

Protecting Wildlife for the Future | Gwarchod Natur ar gyfer y Dyfodol