Pontardawe
This ward has a variety of habitats. The town of Pontardawe is very green with many large street trees and gardens. The Swansea canal runs through the south east. To the west is Cwm Du Glen and Glanrhydd Plantation LNR. On the plateau above this is the Mynydd Gellionnen SINC designated for its mosaic of habitats. The rivers Egel and Upper Clydach and their tributaries provide riparian corridors. The SSSI Frondeg is designated for its neutral grasslands, fen-meadows and wet grassland; an increasingly scarce habitat in the lowlands. The Cefn Gwrhyd SSSI is an example of mire and associated habitats. Gwrhyd Meadows and Hafod Wennol Grasslands SSSIs are extensive series of meadows and wet pastures. The Coed Cwm Du Cilmaengwyn SSSI is a sessile oak woodland. Most of the SINCs are designated for their mosaic of habitats, particularly on the commons.
The rivers and their tributaries are important for Otter, Dipper, Kingfisher and feeding bats and swifts. The woodlands are home to Willow warbler. Brown hare and Skylark can be found on the farmland. Badgers visit gardens near woodlands. On the upland commons you can see Red kite, Buzzard and Raven. At dusk you may catch a glimpse of a Barn owl. The habitat here has Heather, Bilberry, Round-leaved sundew and Cotton-grass.
Actions
- Our swifts are in trouble and you can help. Identify buildings in the ward where swift nest boxes can be erected to replace those lost when old buildings are upgraded. A swift project is running this year to fund these boxes, contact the team to find out more.
- Look for locations for NPT Bee Friendly management around the ward i.e. sites where flowers would grow if mowing was paused for the summer
- Invasive non-native plant species are an issue in this ward. Arranging balsam bashes or raising awareness of how to balsam bash (it’s very easy!) is a good way of helping to tackle the issue.
