About the reserve

A small but incredibly pretty reserve with lots of insect activity due to the ancient and veteran trees.  The woodland is of international importance due to the age of the trees.  Lichens, mosses and other plants depend on this habitat to survive.  The oak polypore fungus has been found on two trees in Wales, one of them is here in Cwm Byddog.

In spring, wildflowers carpet the reserve with bluebells, yellow archangel, cuckoo-pint, wood anemone, dog's mercury and wood sorrel making up a colourful display.  Butterflies, moths and dragonflies have plenty to feast on.  The common blue, speckled wood and gatekeeper butterflies are regular visitors with the scarce cloaked carpet moth having been recorded recently.

The scrub on the motte is an important habitat for birds, including yellowhammer, blackcap and garden warbler in the summer.  The nuthatch, great-spotted woodpecker and pied flycatcher can all be found in the woodland. 

The reserve is managed to help the nationally rare hazel dormouse survive.  Other small mammals include the yellow-necked mouse, wood mouse, bank vole and common shrew.