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Photo by mike from ebbw
Craig Y Cilau NNR

[edit] Overview

The upper reaches of the reserve consist of limestone crags topped with open heather moorland. The bottom of the valley has a mixture of birchwoods, conifers and hawthorns with a raised peat bog and small river running through some farmland.

[edit] Birds

Photo by mike from ebbw
Female Peregrine Falcon

[edit] Notable Species

There is a very rich amount of birdlife on the reserve including all the common species you would expect to find. Red Grouse, Hen Harrier (winter only) and Red Kite can be seen on the upper Heather clad tops. There used to be regular pairs of Ring Ouzel breeding on the reserve but they have sadly disappeared but can still be seen on passage.

In the woods and valley below you will find all the regular woodland species along with summer visitors such as Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, Common Redstart and Tree Pipit, along with Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

In the more open areas you will find Meadow Pipit, Common Raven, Whinchat, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Eurasian Jay and Peregrine.

[edit] Rarities

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[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

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[edit] Other Wildlife

Photo by mike from ebbw
Brown Hare

The area has a rich diversity of species to interest any naturalist. Mammals on the reserve consist of Red Fox, Grey Squirrel, Stoat, Weasel, various rodents, Brown Hare and the only Badger colony known to have a sett actually inside the limestone caves.

Plants on the reserve are just as diverse due to the upper reaches being peat moorland with the valley bottom being sandstone. Of particular interest to the botonist would be the rare Least Whitebeam trees that grow out of the limestone crags. It is also a great place for fungi with Honey Fungus, Puffball, various Mycenae, Shaggy Philiotus and Fly Agaric.

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

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[edit] Areas of Interest

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[edit] Access and Facilities

Photo by mike from ebbw
Mycena Haematomus

This National Nature Reserve is in the south east corner of the Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.
There are a number of well marked footpaths around the reserve ranging from easy to quite difficult in places.
Grid Ref: SO186160
Parking for about 8 cars is in a layby at SO184169

[edit] Contact Details

[edit] External Links

• Brecknock Birds
• Brecon Beacons National Park
• Craig Y Cilau on Streetmap