Aberbargoed Grasslands is a
National Nature Reserve in Caerphilly County Borough, South Wales. It is protected under EU legistation becuase of it's large population of
Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia it's also the last remaining site in Gwent/Monmouthshire for this superb butterfly. The reserve is made up of mature grassland that has survived the ravages of coal mining to a great extent and also an encroaching industrial estate. Traditional hay meadows are present along with wet meadows and pasture. Scrub and copses are also highly evident, on the whole there is suitable habitat for most of our commoner species as well as Small Pearl-bordered, Dark Green and Silver-washed Fritillary.Wall is usually found here and there is always good numbers of Grayling present on the coal waste tip adjacent to the grasslands. Marbled White are seen passing through, but for some strange reason they have not yet found it suitable for colonising, I feel sure that will change in the near future. Essex Skipper is another species that should eventually arrive here as it makes it's way further west, it may already be here, and is simply overlooked, Small and Large Skippers are always found here in healthy numbers, Dingy Skipper can also be found but is more uncommon. In all I have recorded 29 species here, including a solitary 'flying through' Clouded Yellow in the summer of 2006.
Purple Moor grass is a great favourite of the Marsh Fritillary and the core pasture is made up predominently of it. Devils Bit Scabious is found in the damper areas. Usually the pasture is spectacular during May with a lovely show of Heath Spotted Orchids. Meadow Thistle and Lousewort are at home on the dryer, heath like areas. If botany is your thing then this site is certainly worth a visit, I'm sure there are uncommon plants waiting to be found here in such a diverse range of habitats.
Visitors can get here by car via the A4049 and limited parking is available off the main road (Commercial Street) in Aberbargoed at Heol Tir-y-Lan or at the St Margaret's Park (Industrial Estate) reserve entrance, which is also on the A4049. You can also get here by train using Valley Lines stopping at Bargoed Station and it's a pleasant twenty minute walk across the valley through Parc Coetir Bargod (Bargoed Woodland Park) to the Aberbargoed Grasslands reserve.
Caerphilly County Borough Council have good reason to be very proud of their efforts at Aberbargoed Grasslands and the inclusion of a full time warden and small Education Centre must be applauded. Another bonus is that you don't get lots of dog walkers here to disturb you (no offence intended to any dog lovers). Highly recommended if your visiting the area, but do allow time it's a pretty big area to do justice too.
Hope this is of interest.
Bill
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![_WIL5199Aberbargoed Grasslands[800x600].JPG (179.11 KiB) Viewed 555 times Welcoming board at the St Margaret's Park reserve entrance.](./files/thumb_8479_803c6e6a0596b9e3973cf3f9351a7cdd)
- Welcoming board at the St Margaret's Park reserve entrance.