North Wales Wildlife Trust

A North Wales rich in wildlife and enjoyed by all the North Wales Wildlife Trust is one of 47 Wildlife Trusts across the UK and one of 6 Welsh Wildlife Trusts. We are a registered charity, dependent on donations and the support of our members. We believe that, with your help, we can do much to protect the wildlife that remains and improve habitats for the wildlife of North Wales.

Aims of the North Wales Wildlife Trust

• To conserve North Wales' wildlife for the future.
• To increase the understanding of North Wales' wildlife and its natural environment.
• To apply this knowledge of practical wildlife conservation in our nature reserves and elsewhere throughout North Wales.
• To enhance the enjoyment of and access to North Wales' wildlife by members of the public.

The Trust

• Invests in the future by helping people of all ages to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of wildlife
• Acquires and manages nature reserves
• Undertakes projects to benefit wildlife in towns and countryside 
• Challenges developments which threaten wildlife habitats
• Works with the public, communities, landowners, local councils and others to protect wildlife for the future

Protecting wildlife for the future

Our reserves cover a wide range of habitats and species, and range in size from many hectares to less than one, and in status from a National Nature Reserve to very small areas supporting perhaps a single species of interest.

Traeth Lafan

9.5 kilometres of beach between Bangor and Llanfairfechan

Coastal lagoon overlooked by bird-hide with disabled access providing views of waders and ducks on reserve and Traeth Lafan. 

A mix of shoreline habitats, and approximately 2,500 hectares of intertidal sand and mud flats which are exposed at low tide. A number of conservational designation including Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area, and Special Area of Conservation. An important areas for a number of species, including moulting great crested grebes, oyster catchers, red breasted mergansers and golden eye.

Between September and March the brightly coloured Kingfisher will be a familiar sight around the lagoon in search of prey, along with Teal, Widgeon and Greenshank.

Whilst walking the paths, be sure to keep an eye out for Broad Leaved Helleborine, a locally rare orchid, along with Hart’s Tongue and Male ferns growing in shady spots. Up in the trees, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler are just some of the spring migrants that can be heard. Different types of brightly coloured fungus can also be seen, with the small Scarlet Elf Cup being commonplace during winter.

Coed Crafnant

3 miles east and inland of the village of Llanbedr, along a single-track road up Cwm Bychan (Llanbedr, LL45 2PF)

OS Map Reference - SH619289

A fine example of Ancient Woodland, with a rich flora of mosses, liverworts and ferns, the Coed Crafnant Reserve is comprised of two distinct woodlands; Coed Crafnant and Coed Dolbebin.

Together they form part of the extensive Rhinog Site of Special Scientific Interest within the National Park. The reserve, 49 hectares in size, is important for its variety of primitive plants such as mosses and liverworts; these rely on a warm, moist atmosphere to survive. The native oak tree canopy has provided this environment for some 6,000 years. The woods are also home to many different insects, birds and mammals.

Cors-y-Sarnau

Bala, LL23 7HF

Cors y Sarnau is a valuable wetland and a good example of a lowland valley mire, where a shallow lake has developed into different wetland mires and fens. This kind of habitat is rare in the UK.  

The site is 37 acres in size, and holds a rich variety of plant communities that reflect the dynamic nature of natural succession. Fen, mire and carr habitats are thriving here. It has taken hundreds of years for the plant communities and habitats seen on the reserve to develop and they are susceptible to disturbance and drying out. 

Three new small ponds have been dug to allow open water on site so that the early stages of succession can re-establish on site - increasing the diversity of the reserve and encouraging dragonfly and damselfly.

Caeau Tan y Bwlch 

The reserve is renowned for the presence of Greater Butterfly Orchids, their delicate white flowers can be seen carpeting the fields during late June and most of July. With Black Knapweed, Bird's-foot-trefoil and other orchids, such as Common and Heath Spotted, all flowering in June and July, these are the best months to see the meadows at their floristic best.

This is also the best time to see butterflies and moths, but probably a little late for the best songs from the birds living in the lower lying scrub blocks. These birds, such as Whitethroat, Grasshopper, Willow and Garden Warblers, Blackcap and many more, are best heard through May.