12. Daudraeth Illtyd Nature Reserve

The nature reserve is made up of three separate wetland sites: two pools at the Traeth and Blaencamlais Pool. The reserve is an unusual combination of raised mire located next to a basin mire and separated by a ridge of glacial moraine: Traeth Mawr is a rainwater-fed raised mire; Traeth Bach is a spring-fed basin mire; and Blaencamlais Pool is changing from open water to a raised mire.

What to look out for:

Deep peat deposits add to the importance of the reserve and past peat digging has created a mosaic of peaty tussocks with open pools. It is one of the best upland wetland habitats in Brecknock with botanical, bird and insect interest.

Species include: sphagnum mosses, round-leaved sundew, bog pimpernel, common butterwort and cotton grass; dunlin, kestrel, redshank, nightjar, peregrine and merlin; and many species of spider, dragonfly and damselfly.

Traeth Mawr can be accessed by foot from the road that crosses Mynydd Illtyd common between Brecon and Defynnog. A footpath from the A4215 Libanus to Defynnog road leads to Traeth Bach. Blaencamlais Pool is accessed from the footpath that meets the road at grid ref. SN 959259 and takes you through a conifer plantation.

Nearest town: Libanus. Post code LD3 8NR.

OS map sheet 160. Grid reference SN 967 256

The mires are dangerous with deep pools covered by thin rafts of vegetation. Please keep to solid ground when visiting these reserves.

The reserve is an open access reserve, you are allowed to visit the reserve on foot for your quiet enjoyment of the wildlife present. Please keep dogs under close control. The site can be very wet at any time of year. Do not enter the pools.