Summary
CIEEM is excited to run a afield trip as part of this year’s Wales Conference.
Morfa Berwig LNR is a 15 Ha mosaic of wetland and brownfield habitats with ditches and ponds. The Afon Goch is home to a population of the rare water vole.
The reserve is excellent for birdwatching and the site is used by a range of invertebrates, including uncommon bees and dragonflies.
Description
Morfa Berwig Local Nature Reserve in Bynea near Swansea is mosaic of wetland and brownfield habitats with ditches and ponds, extensive areas of wet woodland marshy grassland, and open water. The Afon Goch is home to a population of the rare water vole.
This 15ha nature reserve is a small remnant of what were once extensive salt marshes and marshy grassland which formed the coastline from Lougher to Burry Port. Industrialisation and draining of the area has drastically reduced this unique habitat.
The site has been managed to maintain the brownfield element as well as ensuring any remaining marshy grassland, which is dominated by Juncus sp. The Juncus sp hosts the isopod Oritoniscus flavus, one of only three known sites in the UK, the others being in east Wales and Scotland. Oritoniscus flavus | British Myriapod and Isopod Group
The UK BAP Water Vole Steering Group in 2000 identified Llanelli, and specifically Morfa Berwig, as one of the then 15 sites of national importance.
The site has a transient Otter population, with records of Harvest Mouse, and breeding Cetti’s Warbler.
A healthy population of reptiles, Grass Snake, Viviparous Lizard and Slow-worm are monitored by volunteers.
Join us at Morfa Berwig on 17th September to explore this unique site.
