FHT River Irfon

10/04/2026

31/03/2026

Fens support a variety of freshwater species, many rare and found nowhere else. 🌿 But fens across England and Wales have been lost or degraded due to changes in land use, including the decline of traditional grazing which has allowed trees and scrub to take over.

We are working with farmers across the River Irfon catchment in mid-Wales to introduce native-breed cattle and goats, as conservation grazing helps to create more space for freshwater species to thrive. 🐄

The River Irfon Catchment Project is funded by the Nature Networks Programme and delivered by the Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government.


Mae corsydd mawn yn cynnal amrywiaeth o rywogaethau dŵr croyw, llawer ohonynt yn brin ac heb eu canfod yn unman arall. 🌿 Ond mae corsydd mawn ledled Cymru a Lloegr wedi’u colli neu’u diraddio oherwydd newidiadau mewn defnydd tir, gan gynnwys dirywiad mewn pori traddodiadol sydd wedi caniatáu i goed a llwyni gymryd drosodd.

Rydyn ni’n gweithio gyda ffermwyr ar draws dalgylch Afon Irfon yng nghanolbarth Cymru i gyflwyno gwartheg a geifr o fridiau brodorol, gan fod pori cadwraethol yn helpu i greu mwy o le i rywogaethau dŵr croyw ffynnu. 🐄

Mae Prosiect Dalgylch Afon Irfon yn cael ei ariannu gan y Rhaglen Rhwydweithiau Natur, a ddarperir gan Gronfa Treftadaeth y Loteri Genedlaethol ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru.

Cows and goats are playing a vital role in restoring some of the most important freshwater wildlife habitats in mid-Wales.

16/03/2026

What is a conservation walkover and how are they helping us to create and improve freshwater habitats in the River Irfon catchment?

Our Catchment Project Officer Siân Vincent shares what conservation walkovers involve and how they have helped us to identify opportunities for nature recovery: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/conservation-walkovers-help-us-protect-freshwaters/

This work has been made possible thanks to Nature Networks Programme funding, delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Beth yw arolygon cadwraeth ar droed, a sut maent yn ein helpu i greu a gwella cynefinoedd dŵr croyw yn nalgylch Afon Irfon?

Mae Siân Vincent, ein Swyddog Prosiect Dalgylch, yn rhannu’r hyn mae arolygon cadwraeth ar droed yn ei olygu a sut maent wedi ein helpu i nodi cyfleoedd ar gyfer adfer byd natur: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/conservation-walkovers-help-us-protect-freshwaters/

Mae'r gwaith hwn yn bosibl diolch i gyllid gan y Rhaglen Rhwydweithiau Natur, a ddarperir gan Gronfa Treftadaeth y Loteri Genedlaethol ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru.

Freshwater Habitats Trust

16/03/2026

🐸 We are very close to reaching 1,500 records for the !

So far, this includes:
▪️ 1,402 sightings of frog spawn
▪️ 32 sightings of toad spawn
▪️ 46 sightings of frog and toad spawn

Sightings submitted from people across the UK help to improve our understanding of when and where frogs and toads are breeding, and are invaluable for wildlife conservation.

👀 Keep an eye out for spawn near you, and don't forget to record your sightings using our survey form: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resources/survey-methods-hub/pondnet-spawn-survey/

05/03/2026

We are creating 20 new ponds and three new wetlands across the River Irfon catchment. These new habitats will provide high-quality, unpolluted habitat for freshwater plants and animals. 💦

Many of these new ponds and wetlands are being created on farmland across the catchment. We have collaborated with farmers and smallholders to identify locations which are unproductive for farming but can make a difference for wildlife.

Local communities will also be able to enjoy these new wild spaces to connect with nature and learn more about freshwater wildlife.

Geraint Watkins, our River Irfon Catchment Project Manager and local farmer says: “These new ponds and wetlands could be game-changing for wildlife in the catchment. Our priority is to add more clean water habitats to the landscape, providing freshwater plants and animals with the conditions they need to thrive.

“It’s been brilliant to have had such an enthusiastic response from farmers, landowners and smallholders, as well as the wider local community. We’re so grateful to everyone who’s got involved in creating these habitats, which will make such a difference to the landscape and its wildlife.”

Find out more: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/new-ponds-and-wetlands-mid-wales/

This work has been made possible thanks to Nature Networks Programme funding, delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Rydym yn creu 20 o byllau newydd a thri gwlypdir newydd ar draws dalgylch Afon Irfon. Bydd y cynefinoedd hyn yn darparu cynefin o ansawdd uchel, heb lygredd, ar gyfer planhigion ac anifeiliaid dŵr croyw. 💦

Mae llawer o’r pyllau a’r gwlypdiroedd newydd hyn yn cael eu creu ar dir fferm ar draws y dalgylch. Rydym wedi cydweithio â ffermwyr a thyddynwyr i nodi lleoliadau nad ydynt yn gynhyrchiol ar gyfer ffermio ond sy’n gallu gwneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol i fywyd gwyllt.

Bydd cymunedau lleol hefyd yn gallu mwynhau’r mannau gwyllt newydd hyn i gysylltu â natur a dysgu mwy am fywyd gwyllt dŵr croyw.

Yn ôl Geraint Watkins, ein Rheolwr Prosiect Dalgylch Afon Irfon a ffermwr lleol: “Gall y pyllau a’r gwlypdiroedd newydd hyn fod yn drawsnewidiol i fywyd gwyllt yn y dalgylch. Ein blaenoriaeth yw ychwanegu mwy o gynefinoedd dŵr glân i’r dirwedd, gan roi’r amodau sydd eu hangen ar blanhigion ac anifeiliaid dŵr croyw i ffynnu.

“Mae wedi bod yn wych cael ymateb mor frwdfrydig gan ffermwyr, tirfeddianwyr a thyddynwyr, yn ogystal â’r gymuned leol ehangach. Rydym mor ddiolchgar i bawb sydd wedi cymryd rhan wrth greu’r cynefinoedd hyn, a fydd yn gwneud cymaint o wahaniaeth i’r dirwedd a’i bywyd gwyllt.”

Am ragor o wybodaeth: https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/new-ponds-and-wetlands-mid-wales/

Mae'r gwaith hwn yn bosibl diolch i gyllid gan y Rhaglen Rhwydweithiau Natur, a ddarperir gan Gronfa Treftadaeth y Loteri Genedlaethol ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru.

27/02/2026

Freshwater Pearl Mussels are magnificent bivalves that live in rivers with exceptionally clean water and lots of healthy wildlife. They were once widespread, but sadly there are very few rivers where these marvellous mussels still live.

The River Irfon has one of the few remaining Freshwater Pearl Mussel populations in the UK. Here, we are working to improve water quality and habitats to enable them to successfully reproduce.

This work has been made possible thanks to Nature Networks Programme funding, delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Cregyn deuglawr anhygoel sy’n byw mewn afonydd â dŵr eithriadol o lân â llawer o fywyd gwyllt iach yw’r Misglod Perlog Dŵr Croyw. Roeddent yn gyffredin iawn ar un adeg, ond yn anffodus dim ond mewn llond llaw o afonydd mae’r misglod arbennig hyn yn byw erbyn hyn.

Mae’r Afon Irfon yn gartref i un o’r ychydig boblogaethau sy’n weddill o’r Misglod Perlog Dŵr Croyw yn y DU. Yma, rydym yn gweithio i wella ansawdd y dŵr a’r cynefinoedd er mwyn eu galluogi i atgenhedlu’n llwyddiannus.

Mae'r gwaith hwn yn bosibl diolch i gyllid gan y Rhaglen Rhwydweithiau Natur, a ddarperir gan Gronfa Treftadaeth y Loteri Genedlaethol ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru.

Freshwater Habitats Trust
Freshwater Biological Association
The Wye and Usk Foundation

12/02/2026

Join one of our scything workshops led by Nicole Clough to learn how this traditional land management technique can help to restore freshwater biodiversity.

🗓️ Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March, 10am - 4:30pm
📍 LLanwrtyd Wells, LD5 4TB

These events are suitable for adults with six places available for each workshop.

📨 To book your place, contact Paola Perez at [email protected]

12/02/2026

A recent study published in Ecological Solutions and Evidence sets out the vision for the Freshwater Network – our new national strategy to tackle the crisis facing freshwater species. 💦

The paper also identifies the 24 most important landscapes for freshwater wildlife in Wales and England. These areas, known as Important Freshwater Landscapes, support high numbers of freshwater species, including concentrations of rare and sensitive plants and animals, and high-quality freshwater habitats.

The Freshwater Network is a national network of wilder, wetter, cleaner, more connected habitats to stop and reverse the decline in freshwater biodiversity. The network will be built around the existing hotspots for freshwater biodiversity and will also include newly created and restored habitats to link freshwater habitats together.

Read the paper here: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2688-8319.70089

Mae astudiaeth ddiweddar a gyhoeddwyd yn Ecological Solutions and Evidence yn nodi'r weledigaeth ar gyfer y Rhwydwaith Dŵr Croyw – ein strategaeth genedlaethol newydd i fynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng sy'n wynebu rhywogaethau dŵr croyw. 💦

Mae'r papur hefyd yn nodi'r 24 tirwedd bwysicaf ar gyfer bywyd gwyllt dŵr croyw yng Nghymru a Lloegr. Mae'r ardaloedd hyn, a elwir yn Dirweddau Dŵr Croyw Pwysig, yn cynnal niferoedd uchel o rywogaethau dŵr croyw, gan gynnwys crynodiadau o blanhigion ac anifeiliaid prin a sensitif, a chynefinoedd dŵr croyw o ansawdd uchel.

Mae'r Rhwydwaith Dŵr Croyw yn rhwydwaith cenedlaethol o gynefinoedd gwylltach, gwlypach, glanach, a mwy cysylltiedig i atal a gwrthdroi'r dirywiad mewn bioamrywiaeth dŵr croyw. Bydd y rhwydwaith yn cael ei adeiladu o amgylch y mannau problemus presennol ar gyfer bioamrywiaeth dŵr croyw a bydd hefyd yn cynnwys cynefinoedd sydd wedi'u creu a'u hadfer o'r newydd i gysylltu cynefinoedd dŵr croyw â'i gilydd.

Darllenwch y papur yma: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2688-8319.70089

Existing water environment policy, mostly focused on the siloed management of large waters, has not succeeded in restoring freshwater biodiversity in England and Wales. This study outlines the Freshw...

05/02/2026

Join us on Sunday 1st March to learn how to conduct a MoRPh survey and how to enter and view surveys in the database.

This one-day training course will teach you how to conduct a MoRPh survey so you can assess and monitor the physical health of your river.

The MoRPh survey is conducted at short river lengths and records physical habitat, vegetation and human impacts. Surveys are entered into the MoRPh Citizen Science database which produces a series of condition indicators.

This event includes a morning of classroom teaching, followed by riverside field training.

📨 To book your space, please e-mail Paola Perez at [email protected]

28/01/2026

Join us to discover the Irfon catchment's freshwater habitats! 🔎💦

10am - 12 noon, Saturday 28th February, from Dol-y-Coed, Llanwrtyd Wells (LD5 4TH)

Discover the Afon Irfon with Dewi Roberts. A passionate advocate for rivers, Dewi regularly works with schools across Powys and has appeared on Springwatch and Wales: Land of the Wild. This event will include a guided river walk and a chance to discover some of the creatures living in the River Irfon by taking part in kicksampling.

This is a one-mile circular walk along the Irfon, taking approximately 2 hours.

This event is suitable for all ages, including families. Children must be accompanied by an adult. To book your place, e-mail [email protected].

Freshwater Habitats Trust

19/01/2026

The Irfon catchment in mid-Wales is a Special Area of Conservation designated for its exceptional freshwater biodiversity. We are working with communities across the catchment to reduce pollution and improve freshwater habitats for wildlife.

Each month, our team carry out water sampling at four points within the River Dulas and River Cammarch. 🧪 Assessing water quality in the rivers helps us identify sources of pollution and find the highest-quality habitats for wildlife.

Water samples are sent to the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology - UKCEH to be analysed, and results can be used to better understand the health of the Irfon’s habitats and guide conservation efforts. 💦

This work has been made possible thanks to Nature Networks Programme funding, delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Mae dalgylch Irfon yng nghanolbarth Cymru yn Ardal Gadwraeth Arbennig sydd wedi'i dynodi oherwydd ei fioamrywiaeth dŵr croyw eithriadol. Rydym yn gweithio gyda chymunedau ar draws y dalgylch i leihau llygredd a gwella cynefinoedd dŵr croyw ar gyfer bywyd gwyllt.

Bob mis, mae ein tîm yn cynnal samplu dŵr mewn pedwar man o fewn Afon Dulas ac Afon Cammarch. 🧪 Mae asesu ansawdd dŵr yn yr afonydd yn ein helpu i nodi ffynonellau llygredd a dod o hyd i'r cynefinoedd o'r ansawdd uchaf ar gyfer bywyd gwyllt.

Anfonir samplau dŵr i Ganolfan Ecoleg a Hydroleg y DU (UKCEH) i'w dadansoddi, a gellir defnyddio'r canlyniadau i ddeall iechyd cynefinoedd Irfon yn well ac arwain ymdrechion cadwraeth. 💦

Mae'r gwaith hwn yn bosibl diolch i gyllid gan y Rhaglen Rhwydweithiau Natur, a ddarperir gan Gronfa Treftadaeth y Loteri Genedlaethol ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru.