SN72-17-

Mynydd Du is an SSSI

Description and habitats

Mynydd Du is the westernmost part of the South Wales mountains and lies substantially within Carmarthenshire. Land around the mountain summits is usually covered by boulders and rocky outcrops and this habitat is favoured by passage Dotterel and Golden Plovers. Much of the land at lower levels is rough wet pasture used for sheep grazing. Outcrops of rock and boulders are more scattered here, there are moorland pools and areas of heather and bracken. Wheatears and Meadow Pipits are the commonest birds. Rivers and streams cut into the massif and provide habitat for Dippers and Grey Wagtails. Abandoned limestone quarries are worth exploring for Ring Ouzel which are mostly seen on passage but there are a few breeding pairs.

Directions

The area is extensive and there are many points of access. The routes described here offer fairly easy walking and take the bird watcher to habitats where there is a good chance of seeing some of the area’s target species. There is no public transport.

1. Tair Carn Ridge

At Brynamman take the minor road (Llandeilo Road) which starts at the post office in the centre of the village. Drive this single-track road with care and after about 4 miles (6 km) you will reach a crossroads at SN668163. The crossroads can also be reached from Trap and from Pontamman. 200 yards (200m) on the Brynamman side of the crossroads there is rough off-road parking. The track to the Tair Carn Ridge starts at this point. The first of the cairns which mark the ridge is visible from the road and the walk to the ridge takes 30 minutes. The broad ridge and stone field extend north-east from the first cairn. This is a good area for passage Dotterel in April and May and, in smaller numbers, in late summer (August and September).  

2. Garreg Lwyd

This peak is reached from the A4069, Brynamman to Llandagog. About 3.5 miles (6km) from Brynamman and just after the highest point on the road, there is a large “official” car park on the right hand side (SN732187). Walk uphill on a south-east bearing and after about 20 minutes you should see the large circular cairn and triangulation point which mark the summit. Continue to the cairn. The rough grass and boulder-strewn slopes of Garreg Lwyd stretch out to the south-west and northward towards Foel Fawr. This is another area with a good series of Dotterel records.

3. Clogau Bach and Foel Fawr Quarries

In the past, there was extensive limestone quarrying in this part of the national park and the abandoned quarries are some of the best sites to search for Ring Ouzel. There are quarries behind the car park mentioned in (2) and more extensive ones on the slopes of Foel Fawr (accessible from the next car park northwards). For the Clogau Bach quarries (SN719193) continue to the road junction, turn left and park at the roadside.

4. See the entry for Cwm Twrch, which describes another route onto Mynydd Du.

Safety

Walkers on Mynydd Du should be equipped for mountain walking and be able to navigate in mountainous areas. Further safety advice is available at www.brecon-beacons.com. There are many “shake holes” (pits in the surface where the land has subsided into underground caverns). Keep clear of them.

Facilities for visitors

These are mountain routes and there are no facilities for visitors.

Best seasons

Spring and late-summer to early autumn

Regular birds

Red Kite, Raven, Golden Plover, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit,

Scarce and rare birds

Merlin, Red Grouse, Dotterel, Ring Ouzel, Snow Bunting