Margam and Tai-bach
Margam really does have it all when it comes to biodiversity. The steelworks provide a variety of habitats associated with brownfield land and protect the beach from disturbance. The Margam Moors SSSI is the last remaining example of the coastal levels in West Glamorgan. These contain marsh, fen meadow and ditch communities. Eglwys Nunydd reservoir SSSI is designated for its bird interest. Pop over the M4 and we are into farmland and Margam Country Park. This site is a mosaic of grasslands with some impressive ancient semi-natural woodland. It is designated a SINC because there are 14 out of our 18 resident species of bat there. Upland, Mynydd Margam has been largely planted with conifers. The Woodland Trust manages an area of ancient woodland next to the park. Sunken roads in Heol-y-Glo are examples of ancient, species-rich hedgerow. Harbour Way and Groeswen Playing Fields are managed to encourage wildflowers under NPT Bee Friendly. About half of the ward is in a B-Line.
There are 14 species of bats using Margam Country Park. These include some of our rarest bats such as Lesser horseshoe bat, Greater horseshoe bat and Barbastelle bat. There is also a heronry in The Nursery copse. The park and surrounding farmland, with a mix of livestock and arable, is home to Barn owl and Brown hare. Up on the hills you can see Red kite, Raven and Buzzard. The verges of Harbour Way, outside Tata Steel, are a haven for rare invertebrates including Brown-banded carder bee and Small blue butterfly. Inside Tata the ever changing habitats are ideal for breeding Lapwing and Ringed plover. The Ffrwd- wyllt and its tributaries are important for Otter, Dipper, Kingfisher and bats. Raven, Red kite and Buzzard can be seen on the hilltops. The bracken scrub is home to nesting birds such as Dunnock, and reptiles such as Slow-worm and Adder. The heathland is important for invertebrates. The conifer plantations have birds such as Crossbill, Siskin and Goshawk. Bee orchids can be seen at Groeswen playing fields.
Actions
- Celebrate and promote Margam Castle as one of the best sites for bats in the UK – an impressive accolade!
- Promote the NPT Bee Friendly sites in the ward and look for more locations around the ward i.e. sites where flowers would grow if mowing was paused for the summer
- The brownfield and industrial areas in the ward have significant importance for wildlife. Educate and support landowners to help them protect the rare wildlife in the ward.
