Caeau Cwmcoynant (Caeau Cwncaenant)

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Powys County Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons National Park

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Sandstone

Description

Description This site comprises two small traditionally managed hay fields situated on gently sloping ground at the northern fringe of the Black Mountains near Llanigon. It is an outstanding example of the type of botanically-rich meadow that was once widespread on the Old Red Sandstone in this area. Such sites are now rare as a result of agricultural intensification. The sward is dominated by mixtures of common bent Agrostis capillaris, sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, crested dog's-tail Cynosurus cristatus, red fescue Festuca rubra, common knapweed Centaurea nigra, eyebright Euphrasia officinalis, rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus, common bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus, ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata, red clover Trifolium pratense and white clover Trifolium repens. Downy oat grass Helictotrichon pubescens, Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus, yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor and common sorrel Rumex acetosella are frequent throughout, whilst pignut Conopodium majus, bitter-vetch Lathyrus latifolius and betony Betonica officinalis are locally prominent. A wide range of other species is present, including common spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii, meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis, oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, tormentil Potentilla erecta, cowslip Primula veris and the locally uncommon greater butterfly-orchid Platanthera chlorantha. Remarks: The site lies within the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Species mentioned

Insects to look out for

These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.

Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.