The Reserve was given to the Gwent Wildlife Trust in 1987 by the Risca Mineworkers Flower Show Society who originally bought it to preserve it as a beauty spot.
The reserve covers a small area (2 hectares) of hillside comprising of young woodland, grassland and a pond which was originally built to provide water for the copper works which stood on the adjacent brickyard.
The pond is a home to water shrews, dragonflies and frogs, to name but a few. Springs keep the pond alive and the water remains clear, providing an ideal habitat for stickle-backs and minnows.
If you approach the pond and streams quietly, you may see a kingfisher or grey wagtail.
The mixture of trees in the woods suggests that the woods probably grew up from grassland. There are ash and birch trees, with willows overhanging the streams.
Co-ordinates: ST235905
Location: Go through Risca to the centre and turn left down Dan-y-Graig Road. Cars can be parked under the bypass. Walk uphill to the left of Dan-y-Graig Cottages and through a gate to the Reserve.
Contact:
The reserve is managed by the Gwent Wildlife Trust: Seddon House, Dingestow, Monmouth NP25 4DY
Tel 01600 740358, Fax 01600 740299.
Email: info@gwentwildlife.org.
Visit the Gwent Wildlife Trust website to find out more about Dan-y-Graig Reserve.
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your comments
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Judith Patricia Allen
In response to Raymond Elston - there are many Danygraigs in South Wales. Danygraig cottages in Risca were known as the Copperworks where my mother grew up. Danygraig I think means under the rock.
Raymond Elston From Orlando, Fl
Is this the community of Dan y Graig? My mother was born in Dan y Graig in 1898-1900. I have been trying to get the exact location of Dan y Graig
Mike Jones, Risca
The new pathway across the dam is really good.
