Llandeilo, Rhulen and Llanbedr Hills

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.1164, -3.2959

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Also within

Powys County

Habitats

Bracken scrub, Lowland wet heath, Mixed scrub, Montane scrub, Upland wet heath

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
lapwing Breeding
merlin Unknown
peregrine Unknown
redstart Breeding
stonechat Breeding
tree pipit Breeding
whinchat Breeding

Description

Description This area of sub-montane upland is of great ecological interest in that it supports an unusual range of moorland vegetation types that show affinities with lowland heathlands of south-western Britain. However, more northerly upland species are also present. Several nationally rare species of plant occur, and the area is also of high ornithological interest. The site comprises an area of moorland plateau about 8 kilometres long lying on a south-west/north-east axis. The land falls sharply from this plateau to the north and west, but generally slopes more gently to the south. The site is dominated by (i) bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus or heather Calluna vulgaris moorland on the plateau; (ii) extensive areas of bracken Pteridium aquilinum hill slopes in which the bracken may be dominant as a canopy to heathland species or most commonly as a canopy to a grassy sward and (iii) areas of neutral grassland often associated with relatively base-rich rock outcrops, pools and points of access from surrounding agricultural land. Variable quantities of scrub (largely hawthorn Crataegus monogyna occur around the hill edges. The heathland communities occur as either a heather-dominated heath in which older stands are characteristically rich in lichens Cladonia spp., or as a form of the typical south British bilberry heath. The latter may be variable in composition, heather is often present in low quantities and on damper ground cross-leaved heath Erica tetralix is a constant species. Grasses are a minor constituent, but commonly include wavy hair-grass Deschampsia flexuosa, sheep’s fescue Festuca ovina, mat-grass Nardus stricta and purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea. This heathland mosaic is intermediate in character between the heather/western gorse (Calluna/Ulex gallii) vegetation type and a wet heathland corresponding to the national type of deergrass/cross-leaved heath (Trichophorum cespitosum-Erica tetralix). It shows clear affinities with vegetation types of south-western lowland Britain, but is intermediate in lacking such species as bell heather Erica cinerea and deergrass. Additionally, western gorse is patchy in representation, being heavily suppressed by grazing pressure. The moorland, however, supports characteristic upland bird species and includes the hunting territories of peregrine and merlin. Red grouse occur at a fairly low density. A relatively small area of wet heath dominated by purple moor-grass has been included within the site because its atypical occurrence within the surrounding moors highlights the full spectrum of varying ecological conditions and resultant vegetation. The most extensive grasslands within the site are fescue/bent/bedstraw (Festuca/Agrostis/ Galium saxatile) and bracken/bedstraw (Pteridium/Galium saxatile) communities. Bracken, particularly in association with scrub and rock outcrops, is a valuable ornithological habitat and here supports remarkably high breeding densities of whinchat, in addition to such species as redstart, tree pipit, reed bunting, stonechat and ring ouzel. Locally the grassland may be botanically diverse and may support such species as adder’s-tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum. Additionally, free-draining areas may be subject to summer drought and support common whitlowgrass Erophila verna, English stone-crop Sedum anglicum and navelwort Umbilicus rupestris. These latter species also occur on rock outcrops, many of which are botanically rich and often include, at different localities, such diverse species as the locally uncommon meadow saxifrage Saxifraga granulata, mossy saxifrage S. hypnoides, carline thistle Carlina vulgaris and, in one area, the nationally rare whitebeam Sorbus porrigentiformis. The lightly wooded rock outcrops on the south-west facing slopes situated on the southern boundary of the site are additionally important for the occurrence of unusual moss and lichen assemblages. This area is believed to be one of the most important cryptogamic sites in mid-Wales. Nationally uncommon invertebrate species have also been recorded from the Aberedw rocks area. The ‘mawn’ pools scattered across the moorland are a valuable refuge for the nationally rare pillwort Pilularia globulifera, lesser bladderwort Utricularia minor and lesser marshwort Apium inundatum, as well as more widespread species such as shoreweed Littorella uniflora. great-crested newts, nationally uncommon water beetles and other uncommon invertebrates have also been recorded. Many of the pools are also of ornithological interest, but the outlying part of the site comprising a mixture of grass, heath and scrub around the area of the Raddle Pool has been included largely because of its significance for wading bird species, particularly breeding populations of lapwing. Remarks: The site is registered as common land.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
stonechat Saxicola torquatus Not listed in GB list bird muscicapidae
reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus LC (Breeding) bird-bunting emberizidae
merlin Falco columbarius EN (Breeding) bird-hawk falconidae
peregrine Falco peregrinus LC (Breeding) bird-hawk falconidae
tree pipit Anthus trivialis LC (Breeding) bird-pipit motacillidae
redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus LC (Breeding) bird-robin muscicapidae
whinchat Saxicola rubetra NT (Breeding) bird-robin muscicapidae
ring ouzel Turdus torquatus VU (Breeding) bird-thrush turdidae
lapwing Vanellus vanellus VU (NonBreeding), EN (Breeding) bird-wader charadriidae
adders-tongue fern Ophioglossum vulgatum LC fern ophioglossaceae
pillwort Pilularia globulifera VU fern marsileaceae
bracken Pteridium aquilinum LC fern dennstaedtiaceae
wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
sheep's fescue Festuca ovina LC grass poaceae
purple moor grass Molinia caerulea LC grass poaceae
mat grass Nardus stricta LC grass poaceae
lesser marshwort Apium inundatum Not listed in GB list herb apiaceae
carline thistle Carlina vulgaris LC herb asteraceae
Whitlow grasses Erophila verna LC herb brassicaceae
heath bedstraw Galium saxatile LC herb rubiaceae
shoreweed Littorella uniflora LC herb plantaginaceae
meadow saxifrage Saxifraga granulata VU herb saxifragaceae
English stonecrop Sedum anglicum LC herb crassulaceae
navel wort Umbilicus rupestris LC herb crassulaceae
lesser bladderwort Utricularia minor LC herb lentibulariaceae
deergrass, deer sedge Trichophorum cespitosum LC sedge cyperaceae
hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LC shrub rosaceae
whitebeam Sorbus porrigentiformis VU shrub rosaceae
western gorse Ulex gallii LC shrub leguminosae
billberry Vaccinium myrtillus LC shrub ericaceae
bell heather or ling Calluna vulgaris NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
bell heather Erica cinerea NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
cross leaved heath Erica tetralix NT shrub dwarf ericaceae

Plant communities

H3 — Lowland dry heath, Lowland wet heath

Ulex minor-Agrostis curtisii heath

Quercus robur, Calluna vulgaris, Erica ciliaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Ulex europaeus, Ulex minor, Carex pilulifera, Schoenus nigricans, Campylopus brevipilus, Campylopus flexuosus, Leucobryum glaucum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Kurzia spp., Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia uncialis, Cuscuta epithymum, Hypericum pulchrum, Polygala serpyllifolia, Potentilla erecta, Viola lactea, Agrostis curtisii, Danthonia decumbens, Molinia caerulea, Pteridium aquilinum, Zygogonium ericetorum

H4 — Lowland dry heath, Lowland wet heath, Upland dry heath

Ulex gallii-Agrostis curtisii heath

Salix repens, Calluna vulgaris, Erica ciliaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Erica vagans, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex gallii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Carex montana, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula multiflora, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Campylopus introflexus, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum juniperinum, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia subcervicornis, Cladonia uncialis, Cuscuta epithymum, Lotus corniculatus, Thymus praecox, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygala vulgaris, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola lactea, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Pteridium aquilinum

H5 — Lowland wet heath

Erica vagans-Schoenus nigricans heath

Salix repens, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Erica vagans, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex flacca, Carex hostiana, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Eriophorum angustifolium, Schoenus nigricans, Eleocharis multicaulis, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus maritimus, Fissidens adianthoides, Kindbergia praelonga, Scorpidium scorpioides, Calypogeia fissa, Riccardia multifida, Angelica sylvestris, Eupatorium cannabinum, Serratula tinctoria, Succisa pratensis, Drosera rotundifolia, Genista anglica, Hypericum pulchrum, Scutellaria minor, Thymus praecox, Pinguicula lusitanica, Linum catharticum, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Dactylorhiza maculata, Gymnadenia conopsea, Platanthera bifolia, Pedicularis sylvatica, Plantago maritima, Polygala vulgaris, Anagallis tenella, Potentilla erecta, Sanguisorba officinalis, Galium uliginosum, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis vinealis, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Molinia caerulea, Phragmites australis, Chara curta

M14 — Lowland dry heath, Upland wet heath

Schoenus nigricans-Narthecium ossifragum mire

Pinus sylvestris, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Ulex gallii, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Rhynchospora alba, Schoenus nigricans, Eleocharis multicaulis, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus bulbosus, Ctenidium molluscum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Scorpidium revolvens, Scorpidium scorpioides, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Calypogeia fissa, Kurzia pauciflora, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Aneura pinguis, Riccardia multifida, Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Pinguicula lusitanica, Narthecium ossifragum, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Anagallis tenella, Potentilla erecta, Molinia caerulea

M15 — Blanket bog, Raised bog, Upland wet heath

Scirpus cespitosus-Erica tetralix wet heath

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex binervis, Carex demissa, Carex dioica, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Carex pulicaris, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Schoenus nigricans, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bulbosus, Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula multiflora, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Breutelia chrysocoma, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus atrovirens, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Scorpidium revolvens, Scorpidium scorpioides, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum compactum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophozia ventricosa, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Pleurozia purpurea, Aneura pinguis, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia uncialis, Succisa pratensis, Drosera anglica, Drosera rotundifolia, Hypericum pulchrum, Triglochin palustre, Pinguicula vulgaris, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Dactylorhiza maculata, Euphrasia officinalis, Pedicularis palustris, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Trientalis europaea, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Festuca vivipara, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Salix arbuscula, Salix cinerea, Salix lapponum, Salix myrsinites, Salix phylicifolia, Salix reticulata, Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Salix lanata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex atrata, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum bonjeanii, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens adianthoides, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Palustriella commutatum, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Scorpidium revolvens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum teres, Barbilophozia barbata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila porelloides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cladonia squamosa, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Hieraclium spp., Saussurea alpina, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis

W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub

Hedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Rhamnus cathartica, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Juncus effusus, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhynchostegium confertum, Tamus communis, Heracleum sphondylium, Torilis japonica, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Stellaria graminea, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Calystegia sepium, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Origanum vulgare, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Poterium sanguisorba, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubia peregrina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis erecta, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Hedera helix, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Ulex europaeus, Prunus spinosa, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Lophocolea bidentata, Achillea millefolium, Cardamine flexuosa, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris filix-mas

W25 — Bracken scrub

Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Luzula multiflora, Mnium hornum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium saxatile, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas