Caerphilly Castle’s population of Canada geese
HERITAGE 71 dam wall. can often be IN seenWALES alongsideISSUE the south
Heritage sites welcome ecological growth Following months of coronavirus lockdown, the lack of footfall at Wales’s historical sites has allowed nature to thrive — and we plan to continue maximising on-site plant and animal life in the future. Planned environmental works designed to support ecological growth will take place at Caerphilly Castle, Rhuddlan Castle and Blaenavon Ironworks. From the planting of wildflower meadows and pollinator havens to the installation of bat and bird boxes in surrounding trees, the works will mark an ecological awakening at some of our most iconic monuments. Working in partnership with independent ecological consultancy, BSG Ecology, bespoke plans at Caerphilly Castle include the reintroduction of native wildflowers to the vast greenery of the urban site and the limitation of grass-mowing to attract essential pollinators, from butterflies to bees. Meanwhile, a visual transformation of the water-filled moat is planned. Weakened by erosion in recent years, the banks will be strengthened by the growth of native pondedge plants such as Yellow Flag Iris and Purple Loosestrife — adding a splash of colour to the fortress grounds. Wildlife will also benefit from the planned works, with the introduction of water-side perches to increase foraging opportunities for kingfishers, floating rafts on the surface of the moat for nesting and the addition of bat and bird boxes among the trees. 4
Senior Ecologist at BSG Ecology, Caroline O’Rourke, said: ‘Although it will take a few years to see the real benefit of the planned ecology works at Caerphilly Castle, we hope that it will help to create an attractive, diverse and ecologically resilient space for education and amenity — a place where visitors can both enjoy and interact with nature whilst exploring the castle. ‘Once it’s safe to do so, we also hope to invite the local community to assist with a series of hands-on tasks, such as building bee boxes and planting wildflowers around the grounds.’ Similar opportunities have been identified at a number of other heritage sites across Wales. These include letting the grass grow to re-establish wildflower meadows on the riverbanks of Rhuddlan Castle and sowing wildflowers along the borders of Blaenavon Ironworks. Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: ‘As Wales and the wider world experiences this unprecedented pandemic, it is wonderful to know that, meanwhile, nature has thrived. ‘Flora and fauna are a natural part of the history of our sites and this recent period of decreased footfall has offered a perfect opportunity to plan for nurturing their influence, enhance the visitor experience and deliver our biodiversity obligations for Wales’s future.’
