Wednesday 7th March – Save the Orchids at Pensychnant

 

This is another opportunity to enjoy the hospitality and the conservation knowledge of Julian, the warden of Pensychnant Conservation Centre and Nature Reserve.  

The task is to clear a field area of dense brambles and small trees.  Why do we need to do this?  The field has been home to two orchid species; the Heath Spotted and the Marsh Orchid, the Heath Spotted has been in decline here for some time and the latter has not been seen here for 15 years.

We are aiming to clear enough brambles from the field so it can be grazed again.  This is important because the process of grazing the field will keep down the brambles and more vigorous grass species, and we hope, will enable the orchids to thrive again.

Julian will be inviting us back for a guided walk in a few months time to see if our work has paid dividends.  

Meet:  10.00am at Pensychnant.  The centre is at the top of the Sychnant Pass, 2½ miles from Conwy and Penmaenmawr on the North Wales coast.  It is signposted at the end of the driveway (on the right hand side coming from Conwy direction).  The sign is perhaps less obvious when travelling from the Penmaenmawr, because the angle of drive is a sharp turn back on yourself from this direction).  Unfortunately, the number 75 bus service has been withdrawn, anyone requiring a lift from Conwy please contact Mike.

Bring: Packed lunch, waterproofs, warm clothing layers, Wellingtons are recommended.  Tools and gloves will be provided.  A hot drink will also be provided but you may wish to bring extra in a flask.

 

Wednesday 14th  March - Beach Clean at Harlech

Morfa Harlech is considered one of the most important actively growing dune systems in Britain.  It is highly protected, forming part of  the Morfa Harlech and Morfa Duffryn SAC, many nationally scarce plant and invertebrate species such as Welsh mudwort, dwarf  spike rush and mining bees can be observed here. A lot of conservation work is underway to restore the dune system to a dune heath habitat, this has included re-introduction of the sand lizard and clearing of scrub to help butterfly species that are in decline.

We’ve had reports that the beautiful dune system at Harlech is in need of a clean up, so come along to help give it a ‘big hit’.  Ifan Jones from the Snowdonia National Park, who will explain some more about the areas conservation importance, will join us.

Meet:  10.00am at the Harlech beach car park, north of the golf course at grid reference SH 574 317.  Please note there is a car-parking fee of £4 for the day – we must pay and display our tickets.  The harbour master has kindly arranged for these fees to be repaid to volunteers.

Please save your tickets at the end of the day to submit a claim for a refund.

Bring:  Packed lunch, hot drink in a flask, waterproofs, warm clothing layers, Wellingtons or sturdy boots are recommended.  Litter pickers and gloves will be provided.

 

Monday 19th March - Tree Planting at Borth-y-Gest

Parc y Borth is a local nature reserve situated high on a hillside, above the sheltered bay at Borth y Gest.  We will be planting trees in partnership with the Porthmadog Rotary Club, to extend this beautiful oak woodland, in the company of Hayden, the reserve warden.  Hayden will explain about some of the conservation work being undertaken by volunteers over a couple of sites in the area.

Meet: 10am in the car park (no fee) at Borth y Gest, a couple of kilometres south of Porthmadog; grid reference SH 566 374.  There will be a short walk up the hill through the woodland to our work site.  

Bring:  Packed lunch, hot drink in a flask, waterproofs, warm clothing layers, sturdy boots are recommended.  Tools and gloves will be provided.

 

Monday 26th March – Tree Planting at Dolwyddelan

We have worked with the community at this site on previous occasions, the last time in July last year, so do come along and see how things have been progressing. We will be working with local community volunteers to improve the village for the local community and visitors to the area, this will include planting approximately 20m of hedge row, also some aftercare and maintenance of previous planting work

Meet: 10am. Roadside pull-in / Car Park at Pont Arenig. (On the A470 just above the village, SH731524).

Bring: Packed lunch, waterproofs, warm clothing layers, sturdy boots. Tools and gloves will be provided.

 

We would be grateful if you could confirm whether you will be attending any of the above, by contacting our office at Caban, Yr Hen Ysgol, Brynrefail, LL55 3NR, on 01286 685498, or by e-mailing CSPO Mike Klymko (mike@snowdonia-society.org.uk mobile 07854 773967) for workdays/attendance enquiries, or (sarah@snowdoniasociety.org.uk) for group enquiries/community engagement activities.