Coed Nant Llolwyn

Also within

Dyfed County

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Silurian

Description

Description An important example within Ceredigion of a semi-natural mixed broadleaved woodland, situated in a dingle cut in the Upper Llandovery sandstones of the Silurian. The main tree species are ash Fraxinus excelsior, wych elm Ulmus glabra, sessile oak Quercus petraea, beech Fagus sylvatica, rowan Sorbus aucuparia and sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, which occurs locally in one or two places. Hornbeam Carpinus betulus, small-leaved lime Tilia cordata and English elm Ulmus procera occur rarely as isolated trees. The shrub layer, which is localised, contains hazel Corylus avellana and occasionally elder Sambucus nigra and hawthorn Crataegus monogyna. The ground flora includes a good range of woodland herbs, and the occurrence of such species as dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis, enchanter’s-nightshade Circaea lutetiana and false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum indicates that the soils are base-rich in parts of the wood. Several uncommon lichens have been recorded from the site. The small stream, Nant Llolwyn, which flows through the dingle, adds diversity to the woodland as a habitat for plants, insects and small birds.

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.

Plant communities