Project Profile: The Heather, Pillwort and Pools
In 2009, Radnorshire Wildife Trust received funding from Biffa Award to set up the Heather, Pillwort and Pools Project.
Aims:
- to gather up-to-date information about the species of birds, plants animals and insects on the Beacon.
- to reduce the areas of bracken.
- to improve the conservation value of the ponds.
Outcomes:
- creation of 27 new pools and scrapes
- bracken control on over 200ha
- detailed baseline surveys of aquatic vegetation and invertebrates
- summer bird surveys
- monitoring of the red grouse population
- heather condition surveys
- advice from The Heather Trust on land management issues
- raised awareness of the importance of Beacon Hill amongst the local community
- baseline survey of gorse encroachment on Pool Hill
- repair of Beacon Lodge Pool dam
- monitoring of recreation and other uses with help of volunteers
- moth surveys with the help of volunteers
- removal of a major eyesore with the help of volunteers
- lobbying of The Crown Estate over the various issues affecting Beacon Hill
- purchase of 197 acre Cnwch Bank (part of Beacon Hill Common)