GWENT BLORENGE
Once a hive of industry, now a tranquil upland
Rising to 560m this eastern bastion of the Brecon Beacons NNP is believed to be the source of inspiration for the hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful ‘the purple headed mountain, the river running by’ being the sweeping bend of the Usk as it makes a 78-mile journey to the Severn Estuary. Most birdwatching locations can boast occasional surprises, perhaps none more so than the male Marmora’s Warbler that sang here for two weeks in June 2010, the only record for Wales and sixth for Great Britain.
WHERE TO WATCH 1
Pen-ffordd-goch Pond, also known as the Keeper’s Pond, is a good place to commence, a passing Common Sandpiper always a possibility, for they nest not too far away along the River Usk. Upland birds include Red Grouse, these, the most southerly natural population in Great Britain, are best located early in the morning. Once these uplands and those to the south of Blaenavon were preserved for game, especially grouse. Now, tragically, perhaps no more than five pairs of Red Grouse frequent the Blorenge,
2
No visit is complete without having used the Foxhunter car park, named after the famous racehorse buried here, followed by the gentle climb to the Bronze Age burial site on the summit. There are spectacular views, while one of the delights of a visit in May and June is to chance upon a family of Ravens, their calls and antics beyond compare. Their numbers have increased since gamekeepers became extinct about the World War II. Other residents include Sky Lark, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit and with good fortune Yellowhammer being joined in summer by Cuckoo, Whinchat and Tree Pipit.
3
The ‘Punchbowl’, is now a Woodland Trust reserve, the steep slopes clothed by some of the highest and most westerly ancient semi-natural Beech woodlands in Great Britain, the largest trees over 200 years old and up to six feet in diameter, below which a small lake is visited by Mallard and Grey Herons. Woodland birds include summer visiting Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers ,Chiffchaffs, Willow and Wood Warblers while The Iron Mountain Trail a walk through the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site, passes through the Punchbowl.