Upper Conwy catchment project

6 Sept 2020

Restoring a river in the shadow of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

We’re now applying techniques we trialled at Carrog Farm to other sites within the catchment including Nant y Gwryd, a river flanked by Wales’ highest peak, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). In September, together with our partners Natural Resource Wales (NRW), we began re-profiling the steep banks and re-positioning some large boulders in a previously modified section of the river. 

We’re already starting to see some changes, with the river shifting from a straight glide (like a canal) to developing sections of pools (deep water) and riffles (fast flowing areas), with gravel shoals forming around the boulders. This creates a greater variety of features within the river and improves the habitat for spawning fish, such as brown trout and birds such as kingfisher, common sandpiper and dipper.

1 May 2020

Cycling through uncertainty during lockdown

As we entered lockdown, our partners at Conwy County Borough Council reacted quickly to an unprecedented situation, adapting to support children of key workers as well as vulnerable adults and children get active in nature by trying out e-bikes. 

The first phase of the Tir Afon project supported 120 vulnerable adults access cycling and through 35 classes, taught 20 children how to ride a bike during lockdown. Bill, a visually impaired 82-year-old shares his experience: ‘I rode 18 miles and at the end of it felt nothing but joy! I would recommend e-bikes to anyone, the benefit of being outside and active is huge, this modern-day technology really helps you get out and enjoy life as if you were years younger!’

15 Oct 2019

Otter spotted at Carrog Farm

We spotted an otter on our wildlife camera this autumn – a great sign that the restoration works have helped improve the habitat and food source for these shy creatures. Volunteer residents from Cwm Penmachno will be monitoring the site, so fingers crossed for more wildlife sightings soon. 

Since the completion of the second phase of river restoration works at Carrog we've spotted kingfishers, dipper, brown trout and a common sandpiper on this section of the river.

9 Aug 2019

Tir Afon project is celebrated at Eisteddfod

A new project was celebrated at the National Eisteddfod. Tir Afon will provide a boost for the wellbeing of nature and people along Conwy river by working with partners including Conwy County Borough Council, Natural Resources Wales and Foelas Estate.

14 July 2019

Second phase of river restoration under way at Carrog

Work to restore part of the Afon Machno to a more natural state is progressing well.  

This will help reconnect the river with its natural flood plain, making more space for water and nature. This involved boulders from the embankment being placed back in the river to improve spawning and resting areas for fish.

10 Jan 2019

Floodplain restoration in a bid to boost wildlife

To complement the work that has already been done at Carrog Farm to restore natural habitats including planting trees and hedges along the riverbank, and creating hay meadows to nurture traditional farming methods, we’ve teamed up with Natural Resources Wales to carry out a 1km river restoration project. This will help slow the flow of water and attract more wildlife, such as brown trout and otter, to Afon Machno in Snowdonia.

Working with the local community, new footpaths have been created to allow better access to the riverside and meadow.

1 Sept 2017

Tracking a hen harrier across the UK

We’ve teamed up with RSPB Cymru to fit a satellite tag and track a young hen harrier, the first for Wales using this technology. As part of the RSPB’s Skydancer project a total of 16 hen harriers have been tracked across the UK. 

For the first time, people will get to view the flight patterns and distances travelled by Lia, a hen harrier born on the Ysbyty Estate, an area which appears to be growing in popularity with these species. An adventurous harrier, she’s already flown to South Wales and is now near the border at Powys.

11 June 2017

Celebrating nature with a BioBlitz

To celebrate Wales Nature Week and Open Farm Sunday we held a BioBlitz event at Carrog this summer. The local community and partner organisations such as Cofnod, Snowdonia Mammal Group, OPAL and Plantlife came along to help us record as many species as we could in one day. This information has helped us track wildlife improvements over time.

2014

Work on 'Ffridd for the Future' begins

A long-term tree planting project at Dyffryn Mymbyr, near Capel Curig aims to create a wildlife corridor linking wooded landscapes in Nantgwynant with Capel Curig. 

The planting techniques involve ‘having to think like a sheep’ by planting in hard-to-reach spots, so that a mixture of rowan, birch, hawthorn and blackthorn saplings avoid getting munched by nearby grazing sheep. Most of the trees are planted along the river ravines, which also helps slow the flow of water.