Fairy Glen Woods

Also within

Clwyd County Eryri / Snowdonia National Park

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine

Landscape processes: Fluvial

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

Description

Description A biological site, Fairy Glen is a deep rocky gorge on the Afon Conwy selected for its well developed fern and lichen assemblage. Lichens include Sticta dufourii which is abundant on rocks and is associated with the rare Sticta canariensis; Lobaria pulmonaria is common and is associated with L. laetevirens and L. amplissima, both of which are local species. The humid conditions in the gorge are ideal for a rich fern and moss community. Soft shield fern Polystichum setiferum, hart's tongue fern Asplenium scolopendrium and the nationally rare liverwort, Porella arboris-vitae occur. The woodland contains a diverse vascular plant community. The gorge itself has much wych elm Ulmus glabra, sessile oak Quercus petraeea ash Fraxinus excelsior, small leaved lime Tilia cordata and sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus associated with a moderately base rich flora in places including dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis, wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, ramsons Allium ursinum and early purple orchid Orchis mascula. Large areas of more acidic woodland are domlinated by sessile oak Q. petraea and downy birch Betula pubescens with a ground flora of heather Calluna vulgaris and bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus. Numerous streams run into the gorge beneath alder Alnus glutinosa and contain herb rich flushes including such species as hemlock water dropwort Oenanthe crocata and globeflower Trollius europaeus. Parts of the wood have had beech Fagus sylvatica and conifers planted. Breeding birds include dipper, pied flycatcher, redstart, wood warbler and buzzard. Otters have been reported. Invertebrates include the very scarce alder leaf beetle Plagiosterna aenea and pearl bordered fritillary Clossiana euphrosyne and snails including the local Zenobiella subrufescens and Balea perversa. Remarks: Within the Snowdonia National Park. Partly owned by the National Trust and the Forestry Commission.

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.