Invaders on the Local Nature Reserve
Henllys Open Space Local Nature Reserve is a popular walking area and is one of the 6 LNR’s currently in Torfaen. It is especially important for its wet grassland habitat, but it also has fine stretches of ancient semi-natural woodland. In spring, these woodlands are full of a rich and vibrant ground flora layer. In summer, the grassland comprises swathes of flowers, grasses, sedges and reeds which are a haven for insects and the birds, amphibians and mammals which feed on them.
In recent years Himalayan balsam, an invasive species, has been encroaching on the local nature reserve and is showing signs to threaten the flora on the reserve. It has pretty pink/purple flowers which had an unusual characteristic of developing exploding seed pods in late summer which shed their seeds up to 7 m away. Although it was initially dominant along the water courses, it is now getting a stranglehold at the woodland margin and on the grassland itself. The time to address this is now, as without intervention, it will be much more difficult and time consuming to control and we may eventually lose what makes our fantastic and important local resource so special.
With support from BTCV and TCBC’s countryside section, we have just started up a very small voluntary group on Henllys Open Space Local Nature Reserve and are looking to recruit some more “friends” to help preserve this popular local green space. Our initial priority is to control the Himalayan balsam from now until early June, but longer term we will be performing other practical habitat management tasks in line with the reserve’s management plan. It is an excellent opportunity to perform some exercise out in the fresh air, safe in the knowledge that we will be helping maintain this corner of life and tranquillity.
If you are interested please contact Chris on friendsofhenllyslnr@gmail.com