Our hills, meadows and woodlands are filled with amazing wildlife and flora. The significant diversity in our natural landscape and our rich mining history have both contributed to providing the right habitats for a range of species.
From the elusive dormouse through to the dark green fritillary or from the magnificent bluebells through to the encrusted mats of Cladonia lichens, there is always something amazing to see or to discover.
Plants
There are many species of plants which can be found throughout the county borough. Whether walking through our heathlands or grassy lowlands or event through our woods, there is plenty to discover. Below are examples of some of the most common plant species which can be found:
- Devil’s Bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis)
- Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis)
- Heath Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata)
- Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
- Black Knapweed (Centaurea nigra)
- Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
- Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
- Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi)
- Tormentil (Potentilla erecta)
- Heath Bedstraw (Galium saxatile)
Animals
We are very lucky in Rhondda Cynon Taf to have such a diverse range of wildlife right on our doorstep. Whether walking through towns or villages, through our parks or simply taking a stroll in our woods, you are bound to have a wildlife encounter.
Listed below are a few examples of some of the fauna which can be spotted throughout the county borough:
Birds:
- Gold finch (Carduelis carduelis)
- Siskin (Spinus spinus)
- Tawny owl (Strix aluco)
Butterflies:
- Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)
- Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia)
- Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
- Burnet Companion Moth (Euclidia glyphica)
Invertebrates:
- Bloody-Nosed Beetle (Timarcha tenebricosa)
- Long Horned Bee (fam: Cerambycidae)
- Sub Ant-Hill Hover Fly (Xanthogramma pedisequum)
Why not check out the amazing report produced by Liam Olds on ‘Invertebrate conservation value of colliery spoil habitats in South Wales’? You can download it here
- Slow worm (Anguis fragilis)
- Common toad (Bufo bufo)
Mammals:
- Hedgehog (Ericius)
- Bank Vole (Malo ripis)
- Field Mouse (Mus agri)
- Pipistrelle Bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)