Situated way up on steep coniferous slopes and logging tracks, this visit was a first for the volunteers, helping to thin out willow, bramble and small spruce trees over an area where we are encouraging heath restoration on a clear-felled area. This is all part of ongoing habitat improvement in advance of livestock grazing being introduced. 

The weather was icy cold even in the sunlight so everyone kept busy with the tree popper, a long and heavy tool used to lever out the saplings at their root base so that they don't grow back in this sensitive habitat. Livestock will nibble off regrowth of scrub to allow grasses and wildflowers to establish over time. 

Llyn Fach, a large nutrient-poor glacial lake, was frozen over on the day we were there and sits below dramatic cliffs dotted with rowan trees, it's an imposing sight. The whole area is formed of a matrix of marshy grassland, heathland and bog, with a range of species including watervole. The surrounding area is also known to support birds of prey, snipe, crossbills and nightjar.

Thanks to volunteers Huw, John, Dave and Andrew for their superb work and although they were cold that day they had a great time at this unique reserve, a quite different experience from working at their usual haunts out on the Gower reserves. 

Further scrub management volunteer days at Llyn Fach will be planned for the new year.