Posted on: Friday 4 July 2025
Learn about Torfaen’s newest Local Nature Reserve at an event to mark the start of Wales Nature Week.
Blaenserchan, in Abersychan, was officially designated a Local Nature Reserve earlier this year and is the largest one in the borough.
On Saturday 5 July, people of all ages are invited to take part in a Blaenserchan Bioblitz to help identify and record species of birds, fungi, insects, and wildflowers on the site.
Running from 10am to 4pm, the event will include the following guided walks:
- 10am – Official opening of the Blaenserchan Local Nature Reserve
- 11:30am – Fungi guided walk
- 1pm– Bird guided walk
- 2.30pm – Gwent Wildlife Trust guided walk
Other activities on the day will include:
Watercolour wildflower painting, microscope fungi identification, and more hands-on nature activities.
The event is free and open to all ages. Participants are encouraged to wear sturdy footwear and bring notebooks, cameras, and a sense of adventure.
The What3Words location of the site can be found here ///amused.highly.navy
Veronika Brannovic, Local Nature Partnership Coordinator, said: “We know the site is home to several notable plant species, including the Bee Orchid, Pyramidal Orchid, Green-winged Orchid, Knotted Pearlwort, Rough Clover, Small Cudweed, and Moonwort.
“It is also home to 30 different types of butterflies, and we look forward to seeing what else we can discover.”
The Local Nature Partnership Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen is running a series of other events to mark Wales Nature Week, which runs between July 5 and 12:
- Guided bee and butterfly walk at Llwyncelyn Local Nature Reserve on Wednesday 9 July, starting at 12.30pm. Booking required.
- Watercolour wildflowers: Learn about local wildflowers and how to paint them in watercolours at Llwyncelyn Local Nature Reserve beteween 10.30 - 2pm. Bring lunch, tea and biscuits provided. Booking essential.
To find out more about the BioBlitz, or to book a session, email veronika.brannovic@torfaen.gov.uk
Make sure you don’t miss any events advertised by following the Local Nature Partnership Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Facebook page.
Find out about the range of different habitats in Torfaen – including other Local Nature Reserves - and what is being done to protect them.