Mynydd Ffoesidoes

About the Reserve

This wildlife reserve lies above the 2000 foot contour of Radnor Forest Plateau, about half a mile north west by north from the highest point at 2135 feet on Black Mixen. The reserve is an example of submontaine dwarf shrub heath over thin blanket peat, it is ungrazed at present. Future management will include the cutting of fire-breaks to encourage the regeneration of the dwarf shrub heath and the prevention of tree encroachment. A bronze-age burial mound remains on the site.

This reserve covers some 67 acres (27 ha). The freehold was purchased from the Forestry Commission in 1999 with generous support from Heritage Lottery Fund. The reserve is part of the Radnor Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Wildlife of Interest

The dwarf-shrub heath communities are amongst the finest in Radnorshire, undamaged by fire or over-grazing for many years. Heather, Crowberry and Cowberry dominate. Bilberry is markedly less common. Herbaceous species found include scattered Soft Rush, Heath Rush, Wavy Hair-grass & Common Bent-grass. Hares-tail Cotton-grass occurs rarely in places throughout the reserve. The scarce lichen Trapeliopsis glaucolepiedea also occurs.

Few species of birds are recorded but these include Meadow Pipit, Tree pipit and Skylark. Other regularly observed birds include Wheatear, Stonechat, Peregrine, Kestrel, Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Short-eared Owl, Raven and Red Grouse.

Among the insects, Northern Eggar and Emperor moths are prominent. The heather feeding leafhopper Ulopa reticulata is commonly seen. The local Heather Weevil Strophosoma sus and the wide bodied rove beetle Olophrum piceum are also found. Over 40 species of beetle have been recorded, including the dung beetle Geotrupes stercorosus, and the notable large ground beetle Pterostichus aethiops. The local Mountain Bumblebee Bombus monticola takes advantage of the abundant heather flowers here and Field Voles are common.

Directions

The reserve can be reached at all times on foot via the many forest tracks in the Radnor Forest (now access land), using OS map and compass. Vehicles can enter via the forestry roads either from Kinnerton or Fishpools (between Dolau and Bleddfa), but you will need to borrow a key to the forest gate from the RWT office.

NGR: SO 191 652