About
Ddol Uchaf Nature Reserve
A former quarry, Ddol Uchaf is made up of a variety of habitats, including grassland, woodland, ponds, and river. The limestone soil supports a wide range of wildflowers, including kidney vetch and common-spotted orchid.
Springtime flowers carpet the woodland, which is made up predominantly of sycamore, ash, and willow. Residues of clay left behind from the quarrying of tufa helps to catch rainwater to form ponds, which are occupied by all 3 species of our native newt, Smooth, Palmate, and Greater Crested.
HOW THE SITE IS MANAGED
Woodland is managed by selective thinning, and the grassland is cut by hand, using scythes. Silt is removed from the ponds each year, and portions cleared, to ensure that the water is kept clean and open.
