Woodland Walk

• No visit to Glyn-Coch can be complete without spending an hour on the 'Woodland Walk'. An easy stroll on regularly mown turf, giving wonderful views of the gently rolling countryside, and close up views of local flora and fauna.

• The woodland walk meanders for 3.5km around the perimeter of the estate. The woodland consists of about 8000 trees of 16 native species planted about 4 years ago.

• There are about 4 distinct habitats. At first the walk parallels a railway line with its distinct flora. Then it turns away from the railway, passing between mature hedges and grazed fields. Next it passes through a small stream watered meadow shaded by mature trees. Finally the walk returns to the tea garden through typical wetland dominated by common reed, but in which a host of wild flowers bloom. Several ponds add interest.

Red Campion (above) provides unexpected colour in a shady spot. Wild flowers are a feature of this walk. The most eyecatching summer plants are Slender Thistle, Meadowsweat and Greater Birds-foot trefoil . Less obvious, however, is a white haze at knee level consisting of Common Marsh Bedstraw, and the rare Whorled Carraway in about equal proportions.Bullrush and Iris dominate the ponds. In Autumn, Devil's-bit scabious is one of the more spectacular plants. Several species of willow herb can be found, and there is a spectacular show of flowering grasses.

Wherever flowers bloom there are butterflies, and whenever the sun shines several species can be seen. The list this season includes peacocks, red admirals, painted ladies, large whites, powdered yellows, meadow browns, speckled woods, small coppers and gatekeepers. Small tortoiseshells were abundant last year, and appeared to have produced an extra brood with many visiting the buddlea bush in the farmyard in September. Unconfirmed sightings have included hairstreaks, blues, skippers and one tantalising glimpse of what may have been a Fritillary. We hope to be able to confirm these next year!

Not only are there plants and insects. As mentioned elsewhere there are foxes, field mice, moles, field and water voles.

Confirmed sightings of birds incude wrens, robins, blackbirds, thrushes, blue- tits, gold finches, rooks, magpies, pheasant, partridge, snipe (or jack snipe) buzzards, barn owls and more. Unconfirmed sightings include grasshopper warbler, kite etc..