Powys wildlife reserve closed due to being damaged by public

Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust have said that their Llyn Mawr site near Caersws has had to be closed due to continued “prohibited activities” damaging the habitat.

In a statement the trust said: “We’re deeply saddened to announce that our Llyn Mawr Nature Reserve near Caersws is now closed to the public for the foreseeable future.

“However, the special wild place has not been getting the respect it needs from many different reserve users, putting nature under threat."

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The site at Llyn Mawr is one of the trust’s oldest nature reserves and is designated as an area of Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to it being a home to “a huge variety of wildlife”, including rare species of plant such as Bogbean, Yellow Water-lilies and Quillwort, as well as rare birds such as the Tufted Duck and Whooper Swans.

Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust said that this variety is possible due to its “expanse of clean, clear waters, and wetland” however the site has been damaged in recent times due to activity at the reserve.

According to the Trust there have been reports of wild swimming, watersports, fishing and barbecues. They have also reported instances of anti-social behaviour at the site.

This has now led to access being revoked by the landowner and therefore meaning Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust cutting off public visits to the site for the foreseeable future.

A spokesperson for Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust said: “This is not a decision we take lightly, but it is sadly the only way we can currently protect this important area for wildlife and conservation, and for future generations to hopefully enjoy once more in the years to come.

“To enable nature to thrive once more, we’ll continue to manage Llyn Mawr as a wildlife-only site. This means that anyone found on the land in future may be trespassing and may be liable to prosecution by the landowner. Those wishing to see the site will be able to do so from the public rights of way.”