Coed Cilgroeslwyd

This Wildlife Trust mixed-broadleaf and yew woodland nature reserve holds many surprises – not least that it’s probably not as old as one would think, despite its wildflowers (wood anemone, sweet woodruff, sanicle and bluebell) being more usually associated with ancient woodlands. The site’s underlying geology may explain this: the woodland is situated on a large expanse of limestone pavement, with the cracks creating the perfect microclimate to enable these plants to have survived even when the original ancient woodland had disappeared and the land been grazed. Whilst oak and ash make up most of the canopy, more unusual are the areas of yew, whose seeds are a favourite winter food of hawfinches.