Coed Llanandras Nature Reserve

The new 3.4 ha (8.4 acres) nature reserve was established in 2023 following purchase of the site by the Council in November 2022 thanks to a grant from the Welsh Government’s Woodland Creation Fund (through National Lottery Heritage Fund). Formerly pasture with some specimen 19^th Century trees, and partly designated as Historic Park and Garden by Cadw, the site, between the Warden and the Primary School, is developing into a variety of habitats including grassland, broadleaved woodland and wetlands, as well as a small community orchard. The reserve has educational and recreational purposes as well as ecological, is part of the National Forest for Wales, and is becoming a much-loved local resource.

Management is carried out by volunteers with a small budget from the Council and grants from various sources. The principal tasks in 2023 were constructing the entrance gateway and access path, planting some 2000 trees and building two ponds. Activities from April 2024 to April 2025 included mowing and seeding of wildflower areas, dock and thistle removal, building a hibernaculum for slow worms by the local Squirrels (4-6 year old Scouts), construction of an insect hotel by children from the adjacent Primary School and another by other visiting children, planting wetland plants around the upper pond, weekly butterfly monitoring and regular path mowing. A special event was the Community Engagement and Bioblitz Day on 25 May, led by an experienced wildlife biologist, Tim Kaye.

Grants were received from Powys Nature Partnership’s Nature Recovery in Your Community Fund, and were used to purchase wetland plants, hand tools, and additional trees.

There are two ponds on the reserve. Since the original excavations did not hold water, in October 2023 remaining grant funds were used to enlarge both ponds and line them with bentonite clay, an inert waterproofing material. This proved effective over the 2024 summer, which was cool and wet. 2025 is likely to be more challenging, due to the lack of rain and high temperatures. Nevertheless, the ponds have attracted a variety of waterbirds and are making a significant contribution to the reserve’s biodiversity.