You don’t need to be a woodland expert to enjoy a stroll in the woods.
But the 90 minutes I spent on Saturday with Torfaen Council’s Kris Thobroe will definitely make my future visits to Coed Meyric Moel even better.
First off – where is it? Coed Meyric Moel is the woodland between Henllys Local Nature Reserve and the incline that runs past Coed Eva, bordered by homes in Glan Rhyd and Ashleigh Court.
Kris is the council’s Local Places for Nature Delivery Officer, and he led a free guided walk through the woods. I’ve been in these woods many times – even got briefly lost once or twice – but always enjoyed them. This time, though, I saw them through completely different eyes.
The woodland is over 400 years old, which means it’s officially classed as ancient woodland. Kris pointed out native plants and spring wildflowers that act as clues to its long history. He also showed us several invasive and non‑native species, explaining how they can affect biodiversity.
Himalayan balsam was easy to spot – and Kris didn’t hesitate to pull some out and crush it underfoot.
Brambles
I learned that large areas of bramble might look messy, but they’re perfect cover for nesting birds, hedgehogs and voles. It’s always a balance; clearing brambles to improve access, while still giving wildlife the space it needs to thrive.
You could hear the noisier bird calls near the parts of the wood with lots of brambles. Kris told us about an app called Merlin Bird ID that helps you identify what birds are making noises. Very clever!
Kris also explained how dense holly can block out light, making it harder for native wildflowers to grow. Simply cutting back the higher branches can let in enough light to boost growth on the woodland floor.
It was disappointing to see the burning embers of a fire with lots of litter strewn around it. Why can’t people enjoy these woods without leaving these ugly clues behind them? Kris took a photo to report the mess using the Torfaen Council app.