Mynydd Ffoesidoes

Mynydd Ffoesidoes (Photo P Hurt)

This reserve lies above the 2000 foot contour of Radnor Forest Plateau, about half a mile north west by north from the highest point at 2135 feet on Black Mixen. The reserve is an example of submontaine dwarf shrub heath over thin blanket peat, it is ungrazed at present. Future management will include the cutting of fire-breaks to encourage the regeneration of the dwarf shrub heath and the prevention of tree encroachment. A bronze-age burial mound remains on the site.

Heather Mae'r safle yma'n gorwedd uwchben y linell 2000 troedfedd yng Grug Nghoedwig Maesyfed a mae'n esiampl o dir sydd heb gael ei fwyta gan anifeiliaid. Bodolai safle claddu o'r oes efydd yma.

The dwarf-shrub heath communities are amongst the finest in Radnorshire, undamaged by fire or over-grazing for many years. Heather, Crowberry and Cowberry dominate. Bilberry is markedly less common. Herbaceous species found include scattered Soft Rush, Heath Rush, Wavy Hair-grass & Common Bent-grass. Hares-tail Cotton-grass occurs rarely in places throughout the reserve. The scarce lichen Trapeliopsis glaucolepiedea also occurs.
Few species of birds are recorded but these include Meadow Pipit, Tree pipit and Skylark. Other regularly observed birds include Wheatear, Stonechat, Peregrine, Kestrel, Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Short-eared Owl, Raven and Red Grouse. Field Voles are common.
Among the insects, Northern Eggar and Emperor moths are prominent. The heather feeding leafhopper Ulopa reticulata is commonly seen. The local Heather Weevil Strophosoma sus and the wide bodied rove beetle Olophrum piceum are also found. Over 40 species of beetle have been recorded, including the dung beetle Geotrupes stercorosus, and the notable large ground beetle Pterostichus aethiops. The local Mountain Bumblebee Bombus monticola takes advantage of the abundant heather flowers here.

From New Radnor take the Kinnerton road north-west (B4372). Turn left at Kinnerton (by telephone and post box) onto the single track road. Follow this road for 0.4 miles, past a white house "The Rack". After a further 0.2 mile turn left, immediately after a yard area and before a brown pebble-dash building on the right, into another single track road with bridlepath sign. After 0.4 mile there is a `Radnor Forest' sign. Follow the forestry track. After 0.3 mile take the left fork immediately after the gate, heading in the direction of Black Mixen mast. After a further 2.7 miles turn left, you may wish to park just before here as the track has deteriorated. After a further 0.8 mile you will reach the end of the track. The reserve is about 200m along the track to the left, between the plantation and the fence line. Look out for the small Trust way-markers "RWT" at the sides of the track.

This reserve covers some 67 acres (27 ha). The freehold was purchased from the Forestry Commision in 1999 with generous support from Heritage Lottery Fund. The reserve is part of the Radnor Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Please note : A key is needed to access the gate and forestry track which can be borrowed on application to the Trust office.

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