Llwyni Valley Nature Reserve, Hillsdown Dr, Connah's Quay, Deeside CH5 4GQ, UK (Open Access)

On road parking on Hillsdown Drive

SJ 287 682

3 hectares

No toilets available

Accessible via the local Public Rights of Way network

Contact  01978  757524 | [email protected]

Access
Llwyni Nature Reserve was Wild Ground’s first reserve, which it acquired back in 1986.  It forms part of a complex with Broadoak Woods and other sites near Wepre Park in Connah’s Quay.  It provides a connective green corridor between the Gathering Grounds Woods and Llwyni Meadow, and consists of a stream running through a v-shaped valley with grassland and woodland habitats.  The site is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and is also a Local Nature Reserve (LNR).  Management mainly involves the removal of invasive species and litter, and grassland and tree/hedgerow management.

The area is extensively broadleaf woodland consisting mainly of oak, ash and alder with smaller tree species of rowan, elder, cherry and crab apple, and hedgerow species such as hawthorn and blackthorn, as well as hedgerows, ponds and meadows.

Habitats
The area is extensively broadleaf woodland, as well as hedgerows, ponds and meadows.

Notable species

  • Mammals: Badger, grey squirrel, wood mouse and field vole
  • Amphibians: great crested newt, palmate newt, smooth newt, common toad and common frog.
  • Birds: blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, robin, dunnock, goldfinch, wren, wood pigeon, tawny owl, great spotted woodpecker, redwing

Special Features 
The site is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and is also a Local Nature Reserve (LNR).

Management 
Management has involved mainly invasive species removal, litter removal grassland management and tree/hedgerow planting.