Nature
Gnoll Country Park is a haven for wildlife and plant lovers, offering a rich tapestry of habitats ranging from ancient woodlands and ponds to open grassy banks and flowing steams. From the moment you enter the park, you are surrounded by nature.
Woodlands
Gnoll’s woodlands are a stirking mix of native and non-native tree species. Many of the trees you see today were planted under the Mackworth era and date back hundreds of years. From the Visitor Centre you can follow the path around the Fishpond to find impressive Beech woods, Horse Chestnut trees that deliver conkers in the Autumn and under a canopy of Hornbeam and Norway Maple trees. Though not native to South Wales, these trees now form a mature and diverse woodland habitat.
In the spring, the understorey of ancient woodland remnants like the Dingle and Mosshouse Wood burst into colour with Bluebells, Wood Anenome, Yellow Archangel and Woodruff. Seasonal funghi such as the Wood Headgehog, Miller and vibrant Orange Grisette dot the woodland floor in the Autumn.
The woodlands provide a thriving habitat that attracts a variety of woodland birds including Nuthatches, Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, Chaffinches and Bramblings. In the warmer months, summer migrants like Chiffchaff, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler and Garden Warbler fill the canopy with birdsong.
Waterways
Water plays a vital role in the park’s ecosystem. From the ornamental lakes to the natural brooks and ditches, the park supports habitats for a wide range of species. The Great Pond is a hub for aquatic life. In the Spring, the shallows are often thick with frogspawn, quickly hatching into tadpoles. As the Summer arrives you can spot young frogs on the paths near the water, venturing over into the surrounding grasslands.
Other waterways, such as the Mosshouse Lake are more quiet and peaceful, surrounded by birch and willow woodland which are home to birds and insects. The flowing Preswylfa Brook and other small streams attract Grey Wagtails and Dippers.
The park’s lakes and ponds are also fringed with seasonal wildflowers like Southern Marsh-orchids, which bloom on the southern banks during early summer.
Animals
The Park is alive with wildlife throughout each season. The ponds are home to numerous wildfowl, including Mute Swans, Moorhens, Coots, Mallards, Tufted Ducks, Little Grebes, and Goosanders. More secretive visitors such as Water Rails, Herons and Kingfishers can be spotted on quiet days. Common Sandpipers make occasional visits in the Spring.
Amphibians are especially common in Spring with frogs, toads and smooth newts making the ponds and ditches their home.
Insects are abundant too, with Silver-washed Fritillary and Purple Hairstreak butterflies found in the woodland, and rare moths such as the Alder Kitten, Chocolate Tip, and large Hawkmoths visiting the park at night.
Warm summer evenings bring out Noctule and Daubenton’s bats, especially around the Great Pond, where they feed on insects drawn to the water.
Red Kites, the national bird of Wales, can often be seen gliding through the skies above the Park.
‘Gnollywood’ Bug Hotel
As you enter Gnoll Country Park and drive towards the car park you’ll see our new ‘Gnollywood’ Bug Hotel on your left hand side. Make sure to take a closer look at this as you work your way around the park and learn more about the various species that this eye-catching sign attracts.
Installed by Neath Port Talbot Council’s biodiversity team and funded by the Welsh Government’s ‘Local Places for Nature’ Fund, the letters provide a safe haven for small creatures and insects. They promote biodiversity and support local ecosystems and encourage pollinators and a host of other wildlife.
Be sure to take a selfie at the Bug Hotel and tag us in your post! #Gnollcountrypark #gnollywood
Learn more about Nature at Gnoll Country Park and across Neath Port Talbot here.
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