Ceunant Cynfal

Also within

Gwynedd County Eryri / Snowdonia National Park

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine · Geological Period: Cambrian

Landscape processes: Fluvial

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

Description

Description A spectacular wooded ravine on the Afon Cynfal below Ffestiniog, Ceunant Cynfal is one of the finest river gorges in Britain. The river has cut through acid, and some more basic, Cambrian slates to a depth of up to 45 metres resulting in sheer cliffs and several large waterfalls. The woodland is mainly sessile oak Quercus petraea dominated with some birch Betula pubescens, rowan Sorbus aucuparia, holly Ilex aquifolium, hazel Corylus avellana, ash Fraxinus excelsior and wych elm Ulmus glabra. A limited amount of European larch Laris decidua and other conifers have been introduced in places and detract from the naturalness of parts of the woodland. Ceunant Cynfal has an outstanding assemblage of mosses and liverworts including many, such as Dichranum scottianum, Lepidozia cupressina, Hylocomiastrum umbratum and Isothecium holtii dependent on mild and humid conditions. Ferns are also prolific and include both species of filmy fern Hymenophyllum wilsonii and Hymenophyllum tunbrigense, beech fern Phegopteris connectilis and lady fern Athyrium filix-femina. A range of lichens are also present, many growing epiphytically, especially on the larger oaks. The woodland has an excellent breeding bird population typical of western oakwoods and including wood warbler, redstart, pied flycatcher and nuthatch. Parts of the gorge are well served by public footpaths and numbers of people gain access to view the spectacular waterfalls. The Nant Brysgyll which flows into the Afon Cynfal is heavily polluted with untreated domestic sewage. Remarks: Within the Snowdonia National Park.

Species mentioned

Plant communities