Countryside links

• Bargoed wildlife
• Parc Coetir Bargoed
• Bargoed Park
• Parc Cwm Darren

Contact

Norman Liversuch
Manager Countryside and Landscape
Directorate of the Environment
Caerphilly County Borough Council
Pontllanfraith House
Pontllanfraith
Blackwood
NP12 2YW

Tel: 01495 235312
Fax: 01495 235022
EMail: countryside@caerphilly.gov.uk

Bargoed Wildlife

At the height of the coal industry, the River Rhymney was once trapped in a huge tunnel alongside one of the highest coal tips in Europe.  Landscape improvements and the creation of new habitats has revitalised the area and the river is now teaming with wildlife, including Dippers, Herons, Kingfishers and even Otters. 

Close by at Aberbargoed is the largest population of the rare Marsh Fritillary butterflies in the South Wales Valleys.  This butterfly has declined severely throughout Europe and Caerphilly County Borough can boast half a dozen sites where the species has been recorded.  The location at the Aberbargoed Grasslands is protected by Europe legislation as the only Special Area of Conservation (SAC) site in the county borough because of the size of the Marsh Fritillary population.  This SAC site is a wet meadow, which is being carefully managed to protect and nurture the species and also to give the local communities access to this rare site.  The butterfly can be seen in flight during June when it feeds on the Devil’s Bit Scabious. 

The striking Marbled White butterfly, with bold black and white patterning on its wings, was recently featured on Bargoed’s Town Centre banners.  This distinctive butterfly can be found north of Bargoed, basking on lower sunny slopes of Parc Cwm Darran country park near Groesfaen.  The adult butterflies are around between the end of June and Mid August where they favour sunny banks that have long grass and plenty of flowering plants to provide a source or nectar.  These butterflies are more common in southern England and the Midlands but in Wales they are restricted to the extreme south.  The colony near Bargoed is one of only 3 known colonies in Caerphilly County Borough.  Parc Cwm Darran is also home to the Cwmllwydrew Meadows Local Nature Reserve – a managed wet meadow and haven for wildlife.