Parc Eirin

Part of the Rhos Tonyrefail SSSI this site is a great mix of river, lowland peat and native deciduous woodland habitat. Work is being done here to introduce conservation grazing animals to protect and improve this site.

Jay | © Wayne Withers

Habitat

Parc Eirin is part of the Rhos Tonyrefail Site of Special Scientific Interest, which is a nationally important site designated for its wonderful species-rich marshy (rhos) pastures. There is also a rare lowland peat bog, oak, alder and hazel woodland, and the Nant Erin. To flourish, these special habitats need conservation grazing and woodland management.

When to Visit

Throughout the spring and summer, you’ll see the magnificent wildflowers and insects of the woodland and rhos pasture. In early autumn, amongst the blue-purple pincushions of devil’s-bit scabious flowers, look out for the beautiful four-spot orb weaver which is the UK’s heaviest spider. In winter, seek out tits and finches foraging in the bare trees.

Biodiversity

Fantastic rhos pasture flora includes saw-wort, cross-leaved heath, bog asphodel and heath spotted orchid. The rhos pastures of Tonyrefail support the rare marsh fritillary, so watch out for these attractive orange butterflies. Water shrews live here and frequent the Nant Erin searching for their aquatic prey, using their venomous saliva to stun before they tuck in. The woodland areas are superb bird habitat with jays, nuthatches, greater-spotted woodpeckers and song thrushes. In the winter, woodcock and snipe feed in the wet grassland.