Been away for a few days so apologies for shortish notice. There’s a field trip a week today, on Thurs 11th May to Cwm Claisfer reserve which is just in Powys, south of Llangynidr and north of Rassau, the latter which lies just S of the Heads of the Valleys road. The reserve lies next to the B4560 Llangynidr Road. The meet point is on a right hand downhill haripin bend as indicated by the red arrow in the map. below. The travel time from Cardiff is a bit over an hour depending on traffic. As this is a mid week trip I suggest meeting there at around 10 a.m. The alternative is far too early for me, if I am to avoid the traffic jam that comprises Penarth at commuter time.

The most direct route is up the A470 to Merthyr then along the A465 Heads of the Valleys Rd. You must leave the A465 at the exit which is initially signed Rassau Industrial Estate then Ebbw Vale A4048. At the roundabout at the bottom of the slip road take the second exit which was signed A4281 Rassau as you drove down the slip then at the next v close rbt take the 1st exit, stil for A4281. You then stick on the A4281, going across 1 rbt, then looking for a sign for a left turn for Llangynidr. Turn left and the road bends round left to a T junction. Turn right here and you’re on the Llangynidr Road A4560, which goes all the way to the meet point. You go across some moorland, ignioring any laybys on the left, and the road eventually starts to drop downhill. There’s a left hairpin and then you drop fairly steeply to the RH hairpin where we meet.

Be aware that the walk in the past has involved climbing over a gate to access the downhill track between the trees – I haven’t been there for quite a while but I don’t think there’s a stile onto the track. Maybe Alan who is on this email list, can update if necessary as I’m sure he’s been there much more recently than I. The track goes downhill for about 1/2 mile or so and the return route is back up again. Hoped for species are Redstart, Whinchat, Stonechat, Tree Pipit, Cuckoo, Wood Warbler. Gos has been seen in teh area in the past but it’s a bit late for them to be ‘showy’ now. We might call in to Llangorse Lake afterwards.

As always, let me know if you intend coming. ….  and sorry this is rather long but there was a bit to explain for the benefit of those not familiar with the site.
John Wilson