The Dolau Dyfi project funded practical works on a number of private farms and sites and at the RSPB Ynys hir Nature Reserve to support management to benefit native wildflowers within a diverse range of habitats.
Work undertaken includes control of bracken and scrub but crucially for the long term future of these important habitats conservation grazing has been enabled.
This has been achieved through investment in the necessary infrastructure and equipment and through advice and the production of 5-year management agreements with each land manager.
Looking back over the past three-years, Dolau Dyfi has achieved so much at RSPB Ynys-hir. There have been several projects such as ffridd restoration, bog management and wetland maintenance where we have been able to use funding to carry out work that otherwise would not have been possible.
The project has allowed us to advance our conservation work in areas where we have struggled to carry out work before.
Working with other partners it has been fantastic to see work taking place throughout the valley. This has promoted pride in our local area and enabled local landowners to carry out important management.
It has also encouraged and inspired local people to enjoy the spectacular places around them.
RSPB Ynys hir Reserve
Work on 414 hectares of RSPB Ynys hir Nature reserve
8 areas within the reserve worked on
Habitats: Ffridd, wet and acid grassland, lowland wet with reedbed
Lowland wet grassland, Acid grassland and blanket bog
Scrub and conifer clearance
Bracken control
New grazing regimes introduced
New infrastructure for grazing
Predator fence introduced to protect breeding lapwings
4 x Nofence collars for cattle used for conservation grazing
Coch before birch removal Dec 2020
View after birch removal works in January 2021
Private sites and farms
20 Private sites and farms – worked on 108 hectares.
Habitats Marshy, dry acid and neutral grasslands, wetland, ffridd
Work on 2 Golf Courses and 18 Private farms
2225 metres of new fencing
1145 metres of fencing repaired
5 water troughs
3 livestock pens
1 access track to take livestock onto heathland
1 pond restoration
Bracken controlled
Scrub, birch and rhododendron cleared
Mowing regime changed
Electric fences purchased and leased to land-owners for conservation
Advice given and grazing livestock found
20 5-year management agreements signed
Lots of enthusiasm and commitment from all involved
1 farm entered a new conservation scheme recently and several others interested in future conservation projects
1 SSSI signed a Section 16 Agreement to continue management for native wildflowers
Ynyslas and Borth Golf Club
Before: Mowed regularly spring
and summer Photos credited to Candace Browne
After: Cut and collect once at end of summer Photos credited to Candace Browne
Electric fence to protect fruit tree hedge From Livestock Photos credited to Candace Browne
Cattle pen enabling cattle grazing
Cattle grazing Photos credited to Candace Browne
Farm C Hay meadows and native wildflowers Photos credited to Candace Browne
Farm C Hay meadows and native wildflowers Photos credited to Candace Browne
Farm upland heathland now accessible to livestock by new track Photos credited to Richard Jones Photos credited to Richard Jones
Upland heathland can now be grazed Photos credited to Richard Jones
Field E before bracken cut Photos credited to Louisa Lloyd
Field E after bracken cut Photos credited to Louisa Lloyd
Various Farms Gates, water and fencing installed Photos credited to Candace Browne
Various Farms Gates, water and fencing installed Photos credited to Candace Browne
Various Farms Gates, water and fencing installed Photos credited to Candace Browne
After nearly 20 years of providing advice to promote, establish and enhance grazing management for wildlife, PONT has taken the difficult decision to close down at the end of March 2024.
This decision has not been made lightly but is the inevitable result of the current economic situation and the lack of long-term grant funding to support conservation grazing. Over the last 2 decades we have worked with hundreds of land owners, graziers and conservationists to find solutions to grazing issues which benefit wildlife, farmers and the community.
We have developed and delivered training for individuals and organisations, led and contributed to grant-funded initiatives and worked on innovative projects such as “Payments for Outcomes” schemes.
We would like to thank all those who have worked with us over the years.
