Wildlife

Gwaenysgor Wildlife

The steep incline of Coed yr Escob (Bishop’s Wood) has precluded hunting and foxes thrive and to a large extent are tolerated in the area. They are most often seen in daylight in January which is the mating season and their calls can be heard particularly in the winter nights.  Other small mammals abound.

Rabbits enjoy a cyclical existence between bouts of myxymatosis, but sadly numbers of hares which used to be common have diminished in numbers over the last twenty years.  Many species such as moles, rodents and amphibians thrive. The chain of ponds sustains many of these animals.

The area is also blessed with bird and butterfly life. In addition to the more common bird varieties, some threatened species also do well in Gwaenysgor, including yellow hammers and tree sparrows. Herons, buzzards and ravens have enjoyed a recent increase in the area.

Swallows return to the same nests year after year and winter migrants are regular visitors. The various ponds attract water fowl.