Over the Summer of 2009, Radnorshire Wildlife Services completed a baseline ecological survey of the Beacon using Ward Ecology to study vegetation and invertebrates and Steve Chambers, a nationally respected botanist, to survey lower plants.
The work involved:
- detailed surveys of the River Lugg, Warren Brook and areas at Cefn Pawl, Pool Hill, Beacon Hill and Fron Rocks,
- 21 pool surveys,
- setting up 35 photo-monitoring sites.
Key findings of the survey included records of:
- 171 vascular plants,
- 109 invertebrate species including 12 species of dragon & damsel fly (Odonata),
- 139 species of lichen & lichenolous fungi one of national significance.
The nationally rare lichen, Rhizocarpon ochrolechiae, is the first Welsh record and only the second British record.
- 41 species of moth were identified in one evening; the most common being the "True Lover's Knot".
- 40 species of bird including peregrine falcon, red grouse, cuckoo, curlew, linnet, yellow hammer, skylark and meadow pippit.
The survey confirmed that the hills are dominated by acid loving heathland plants such as heather, cross-leaved heath and western gorse; with crowberry found in abundance on Pool Hill and the presence of common lizard.
In contrast, the valley of the River Lugg cuts through areas of calcareous mudstones where base loving plants such as quaking grass, primrose, carline thistle, fen bedstraw and bristle club rush are found and bullhead dart among the stones of the stream bed. Other species commonly found along the stream sides are water mint, lemon scented fern, water crowfoots and golden ring dragonfly. Mayflies, stone flies and caddis flies are also abundant on the stream bed.
The Fron Rocks is the most species rich area in the reserve. It includes upland ledge communities, dry heath species, rich dry grassland, bracken stands and perched scrub plus occasional trees. The shallow pools contain a variety of species including water starworts, common spike rush, newts, frogs and toads.
Examining heather on Beacon Hill
A heather survey was completed on Beacon Hill to get a picture of the age and condition of the heathland plants. Marion Thomson of The Heather Trust and Ian Lyndsay of The Game and Wildlife Conservancy Trust provided valuable pointers as to future moorland and red grouse management.
Bracken Control
Bracken is a vey successful plant that thrives in acid upland conditions. It can smother other heathland plants as well as making gathering sheep difficult which then provides an ideal habitat for sheep tick to thrive. It is a deceptive plant with 90% of the bracken plant living underground in the form of rhizomes. Each bracken plant can produce 50 tonnes of rhizomes per hectare. There is a concern that the spread of bracken may increase if temperatures increase and the growing season is extended in a changing climate.
Bracken Brusier at work
At a meeting in Felindre in 2007, the commoners of Beacon Hill identified that it would be useful to control bracken. This year over 110 hectares of bracken control has been carried out by the farmers. Some by means of using the bracken brusier and others cutting the bracken for livestock bedding; a tradition in upland areas of Wales for many centuries.
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Bracken Baling |
Bracken Bales |
Pools
The shallow pools up on the Beacon provide water for livestock and potential feeding grounds for many upland birds, including red grouse, curlew and snipe. In the past the ancient aquatic fern called pillwort has been found and there is also the possibility that fairy shrimp (a rare crustacean found in temporary pools associated with livestock grazing) may also be found in the Beacon pools.
Pool on Beacon Hill
Future Plans
Over the autumn and winter, all the survey information will be collated and a management plan will be produced. This will bring together our existing knowledge of Beacon Hill and will set out further survey and monitoring work requirements, as well as providing recommendations and targets for habitats.
Additional funding is being sought to extend the Heather, Pillwort and Pools Project but in the meantime, why not take a trip to the Beacon and experience the isolation and beauty for yourself.
