Sideland

The 1839 tithe map shows much of the site as pasture. However, there is a well defined wood bank on the eastern side of the reserve and there is evidence that much of the woodland is ancient in origin. In the south-east corner is a very large Oak pollard, nearly 6m in diameter.

Coedwig ger Penybont, wedi eu amgylchynu gan caeau. Rhan helaeth or coed gyda tras hynafol.

The wood has a varied tree mixture, Ash is dominant with Pendunculate Oak, Downy Birch and Rowan all frequent. In the past Wych Elms were clearly dominant with many surviving as younger saplings. Older Elms remain as dead or decaying trees, with great importance for wildlife especially invertebrates. The understorey is mainly Hazel with Blackthorn locally dominant.
The ground layer consists principally of an extremely abundant bryophyte (moss and liverwort) flora. Flowering plants including Dog's Mercury, Wood Anemone, Sanicle and Early Purple Orchid along with Bluebells create a stunning display of colour in the spring.
Of particular importance in the wood are Adders-tongue Fern, Common Twayblade and Broad-leaved Helleborine.
The bark of living and dead Wych Elms and the Ancient Oaks support a number of nationally scarce lichens. Bactrospora corticola is found on Oak along with the nationally rare Chaenotheca stemonia; Opegrapha ocrochelia, Agonimia allobata and Lecania cyrtellina are all found on Elms.
Birds are very conspicuous, with both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers breeding. Other typical woodland species nesting on the site include Treecreeper, Willow Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Marsh Tit and Bullfinch
Mammals include high densities of both Wood Mice and Bank Voles. Invertebrates include the notable Tortoise Beetle Cassida hemisphaerica, more common in southern England, feeding on Ragged Robin and Campions. The local snail-eating ground beetle Cychrus caraboides and carrion beetle Silpha atrata are also found within dead timber. The Least Stag Beetle Sinodendron cylindricum also occurs. Butterflies include Ringlet and Orange Tip.

From the A44 at Penybont village travel towards Crossgates. After crossing the River Ithon take the second left hand turning just after leaving the 30m.p.h. zone. Follow this road for a further 400m (approx) and you will come to a track on the left (You will need to leave your car here and proceed on foot) to Cwmrhocas Farm . Follow this track for about 25m until you come to 2 gates, go through the right-hand gate and follow the field boundary left to the next gate, cross into the adjoining field and follow the hedge on the other side for a further three fields and the reserve is in front of you.

The freehold of this 4.8 acre (1.9 hectare) woodland was kindly donated to the Trust in 1982 by Miss Barbara Hamer.

Herb Paris
Photos: Richard Becker

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