Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen and Lower Brynamman

The ward has a variety of habitats. The large Tiroedd Comin Cwm Amman Uchaf SINC is designated for its mosaic of habitats which include areas of acid grasslands, Purple moor-grass and rush pasture, heathland and bogs and flushes. The GCG Common SINC is a mixture of wet and dry meadow with Purple moor-grass and heath elements. Derwydd Avenue SINC is a mosaic of neutral grassland, scrub, purple moor-grass and rush pasture along with Willow carr and Ponds. Abernant Road Playing Fields SINC is an area of reclaimed colliery spoil which has a particularly interesting invertebrate assemblage. The Tairgwaith SSSI is designated for its species rich grasslands, an increasingly rare habitat. Betony Fields and Maerdy Playing Fields SINCs are both designated as species rich hay meadows. Part of the Tiroedd Comin Cwm Amman Uchaf SINC is in the ward, designated for a mosaic of habitats including acid grassland, purple moor-grass and rush pastures, heathland and bogs and flushes. A number of grassland sites are managed under NPT Bee Friendly, including Abernant Road Playing Field and the Tramway.

Colliery spoils in this ward are particularly interesting for invertebrates. Abernant Road playing field has at least 101 invertebrate species with at least 8 being of conservation importance. The commons are home to a wide range of species including Brown hare, Skylark and reptiles. Barn owl are a regular occurrence. The marshy grassland has populations of Marsh fritillary, a butterfly becoming increasingly rare across Europe. The species rich hay meadows contain traditional species like Yellow rattle, Greater burnet and Eyebrights. The river Amman and its wooded corridor are important for Otter, Dipper Grey wagtail and bat species. The uplands on the southern edge are suitable for Skylarks, Wheatear, Red kite and Brown hare.

Actions

1. Sites such as Tiroedd Comin Cwm Amman Uchaf SINC are often at risk of inappropriate tree planting, which can damage habitats and cause carbon release. Protect habitats such as this from tree planting schemes.
2. Look for more locations for NPT Bee Friendly management around the ward i.e. sites where flowers would grow if mowing was paused for the summer
3. Raise awareness of wildlife in the ward e.g. by holding wildlife walks