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Once at the highest point it is worth while to look around and appreciate the general area. |
EYARTH ROCKS
Contact:
Butterfly Conservation Wales Office, 10 Calvert Street, Swansea, SA1 5AR
Amenities:
There are no facilities at the site. Park on main road at bottom of hill at the entrance to old railway line.
Opening and Closing Times:
Open all year round.
Area Description:
Eyarth Rocks Butterfly Reserve consists of 8 hectares and forms part of Craig-adwy-wynt, a fine butterfly site for sure. One of the richest butterfly sites in North Wales with 32 of the 34 species known to occur on this limestone hill-top. Wooded pathways eventually climb upward and lead to a raised area of open flowery grassland and limestone pavement. The key aspect of the area is the differing depths of soil which enables a more varied range of species to occur due to the choice of habitats.
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Once at the highest point it is worth while to look around and appreciate the general area. |
Best times to visit:
Truly a summer place to visit with the insect variety the key attraction.
Key Flora:
Dog's Violet, Hounds Tongue, Wood Sorrel, Yellow Archangel, Salad Burnet, Woode Sage, Bird's Foot Trefoil, Early Purple Orchid, Greater Butterfly Orchid, Common Rockrose, Bloody Cranes-Bill, Mountain Melick, Barren Strawberry, Bugle, Scarlet Pimpernel; Eyebright; Squinancywort; Herb Paris, Rock Rose. Sanicle and Sweet Woodruff. Moon-Wort, Hart's Tongue Fern and Wall Rue as well as numerous lichens and grassland fungi add to the overall diversity.
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Numerous tracks lead to a variety of nooks and crannies where many unsuspected species lurk |
Key Fauna:
Butterflies are the main attraction with Pearl-bordered Fritillary, White-letter Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Dark Green Fritillary, Wall Brown, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Heath and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary all fine contributions to a day out.
Moths are found in good numbers with - Vestal, Yellow-line Quaker, Svensson’s Copper Underwing, Blair’s Shoulder-Knot, Feathered Thorn, Nut-Tree Tussock, Coronet, Grey Shoulder-Knot, Centre-Barred Sallow, Hedge Rustic, Peach Blossom and Dusky Brocade are a few from many species present throughout the year.
Common Lizards are seen and bird-life is varied with usual woodland species and several raptors a possibility. Warblers include Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap.
