Melin yr Hom

The Rhondda Fawr changes with the weather, so it’s wonderful to see at any time of year. After heavy rain it
rises and rages, but when the levels drop it runs in shallow, fast riffles over pebbles that are home to stonefly and caddisfly nymphs. These are an important source of food for dippers, you may see them bobbing characteristically on protruding rocks or roots in the river. In the spring, wildflowers and bird song are at their best, and later the alder trees are in leaf.

Brown trout love the oxygen-rich water, and a flash of blue along the water will likely be a kingfisher. Goosanders hunt small fish while grey wagtails pick insects off the water. Otters will pass quietly through. Slow worms will bask in spring sunshine and voles are hunted by buzzards. On summer evenings the old meadow is alive with bats as they use echolocation to catch their insect prey.