Elan Valley near Rhayader is one of the most important sites for birds in Wales with 80 different species breeding there each year.
A variety of tree species and habitats are vital for birds to thrive and, at Elan Valley, the woodlands are made up of conifers, broadleaved trees, shrubs and wild flowers that all provide different feeding and nesting areas.
Thanks to a grant from Forestry Commission Wales’s Better Woodlands for Wales (BWW) grant scheme, 27,000 trees, including oak and ash, have been planted over the winter. These new trees were grown from seeds collected from native trees in Wales that have adapted to the local climate.
As well as supporting the restoration and replanting of Elan Valley’s ancient natural woodlands of oak, hazel, downy birch and ash, the BWW grant scheme ensures that the woodlands are managed, both to improve the commercial value of timber harvested from the trees and to maintain and improve wildlife habitats.
The management plan also allows for the removal of some conifer trees to allow more light into the forest. The increase in light boosts the growth of the remaining trees and makes the resulting timber more valuable. Extra light also encourages the growth of flowers and shrubs on the forest floor, improving feeding and nesting areas for birds and other wildlife.
The Elan estate, reservoir and catchment area are owned by Dŵr Cymru.
Head ranger at the Elan Valley visitor centre Pete Jennings, said, “Different birds make the most of the cycle of work in the woodlands here.
“When we fell an area of conifers, tree pipits and, sometimes, nightjars move in.
“As grass comes back, swallows and house martins feed on the insects that start to breed while young birch scrub and bramble provide an abundance of insect life for food and safe nesting sites for garden warbler, blackcap and willow warbler.
“As the trees and shrubs grow, they provide safe sites for breeding, for example, the redpoll – a type of finch whose numbers are declining – particularly likes young alder, birch and conifer.”
As well as being home for many birds, Elan Valley is popular with human visitors – over 400,000 people came to the 70 square miles of woodland, river and moorland around the reservoir last year.
The BWW grant scheme is supporting the creation of a new network of paths and the publication of a range of woodland walk leaflets to help people get the most from their visit.
A series of guided walks from Elan Valley visitor centre include a stroll around the ancient oak woodland to hear the dawn chorus at 6.30am on Sunday 2 May and an evening event on Saturday 15 May to celebrate National Moth Night. Bird-watching safaris can be booked in advance for Sunday mornings until 27 June. For more information on walks and events at Elan Valley, visit www.elanvalley.org.uk
