This event has been and gone and was very successful – we will publish a report about it very soon.  

   << HERE’S A LINK TO SOME PHOTOS OF THE EVENT >>   

To help us further understand the eco-system of Twmbarlwm, CTS has organised an Ecological survey with the Gwent Widlife Trust and with them we will be holding Bio-Blitz walks on Sunday 11th September 2022.

TWMBARLWM BIO-BLITZ

Sunday 11th September 2022

An opportunity to wander around Twmbarlwm with an expert to explain the features, flora and fauna found there.

Meet in the car-park at the foot of Twmbarlwm. From there we will be running two guided walks up on to the hill fort at the top of Twmbarlwm at 10:30 am and 13:00 pm. These will be looking at both the history and wildlife of the area (no need to book, just turn up). We will encourage everybody to record and report their wildlife sightings to help us build a better picture of the wildlife in the area. All ages and abilities welcome.

 << DOWNLOAD A POSTER FOR THE EVENT HERE >> 

WHY DO A BIO-BLITZ?

We are doing the bio-blitz as part of THE SWARD MANAGEMENT PLAN … which is a plan prepared as a guide for the medium and long-term management of Twmbarlwm after the extensive damage caused by the wildfires of 2018. It follows on from emergency works and the re-seeding project that was implemented immediately after the fires.

The fires highlighted the fragility of the landscape on and around the scheduled monument. If we are to protect the area from similar tragedies in the future – and maintain it in it’s natural state – we first need to understand the make up of the current environment.

The recent archaeological dig was a part of the environmental plan in that digging trenches through the fire-damaged surface enabled the experts to identify the extent of the damage caused by recent and ancient fires.

WHAT IS A BIO-BLITZ?

The idea of the bio-blitz is to record and catalogue as much of the flora and fauna as we can – which will then help us to identify the best way to manage the area in the future. This event will simply be an informal walk from the car park to the top of the Scheduled Monument, and around the outer ditch. The walk leader will point out things of interest but we hope you will all keep your eyes peeled for any special flora and fauna we come across and ask questions.

When we get back to the car park we’ll help indentify your findings and record them. CTS will have a gazebo on site where people can gather to record their findings and we will probably provide tea and biccies.

EVERYONE WELCOME

If you decide to come along please remember to dress appropriately for the terrain and weather – decent footwear and waterproofs are essential – you are responsible for your own safety and please bring along any refreshments you may need whilst on the mountain.
Children under 16 years of age are allowed only under the supervision of a responsible adult.
Dogs, unfortunately, are not allowed on this occasion.

We would be grateful if you would contact us in the first instance via email to give us an idea of what numbers to expect. Please supply your contact details – so that we can keep you up to date with further details of the event.

Here’s a link to some photographs of the last time we did a bio-blitz on Twmbarlwm.

Recorders’ Field day around Twmbarlwm organised by SEWBReC