Welcome to the Rangers' Corner of the Vale! Discover exciting updates from our parks and countryside, where conservation and community come together. From wildlife-friendly grazing at Cosmeston to woodland projects at Porthkerry, our Rangers are dedicated to preserving the Vale’s natural beauty...

Enhancing Biodiversity Across Our Sites 🌿

Over the coming months, the Countryside Team will becarrying out a range of habitat improvement projects across our sites as partof our ongoing commitment to nature recovery and biodiversity enhancement

The works will include:

🐸 Pond renovation andrestoration
💧Ditch clearance and management
🌼Meadow enhancement and management
🌳Scrub management
🐑Introduction of conservation grazing stock

These projects are designed to improve habitat quality,increase species diversity, and create more resilient ecosystems for wildlifeto thrive

Some of these works may temporarily alter the appearance ofcertain areas, but they are carefully planned and form an important part oflong-term habitat management. All works will be carried out in accordance withbest practice guidance and, where required, the necessary consents will be obtainedfrom Natural Resources Wales

Thank you for your support and understanding while theseimprovements are undertaken. We lookforward to sharing the positive results as our sites continue to develop intoeven better places for wildlife and people to enjoy and look forward to sharingthe positive outcomes for wildlife in the future

September 2026 Countryside Updates

Cosmeston Lakes

Improvements to Enhance Accessibility & Visitor Experience

Visitors to the Cosmeston will benefit from infrastructure improvements aimed at enhancing accessibility and improving the overall visitor experience. Throughout September, footpath upgrade works have been completed across key areas of the park. The improvements have focused on creating smoother, more accessible routes, making it easier for visitors of all ages and abilities to enjoy the country park. The upgraded surfaces will provide better year-round access for wheelchair users, mobility scooters, families with pushchairs, and those who may find uneven ground challenging

In addition to the footpath improvements, resurfacing works have beencarried out at the main car park entrance and exit. The newly laid tarmac willprovide a safer and more comfortable experience for motorists entering andleaving the car park. These enhancements form part of the Council's ongoingcommitment to making outdoor recreation more inclusive and ensuring thateveryone can enjoy what Cosmeston has to offer

Maintenance & Habitats Works

The park's volunteers have also been working alongside the Ranger team helping to maintaining and improve the site. Volunteers have dedicated many hours to cutting back overgrown vegetation along footpaths, helping to keep routes open, accessible, and enjoyable for visitors. In addition, volunteers have assisted with the management of encroaching willow growth around the park's ponds and wetland habitats which is essential for maintaining these important habitats

Heritage Coast

Wales Coast Path

· The ranger team cut back Winter scrub with the remote controlled cutter along the Wales Coast Path between St Donats and Tresilian.

· Work on the refurbishment of the steps at CastleDitches, Llantwit Major was completed by a contractor.

Public Rights of Way work

· Continued to cut back inland paths in the Valeof Glamorgan e.g. Llansannor.

Local Nature Partnership work

· Rangers met with Sustainable Wick Community Group to discuss work and future management to be carried out in the Monkswood Millenium woodland

· Rangers started tree cutting / chainsaw workalong with the Porthkerry team and volunteers at Monkswood Millenium woodland,near Monknash. This is routine Woodland Management. By removing a portion ofthe trees in the woodland, it can give the remaining trees more space helpingroots and trunks grow sturdier.

In addition, creating gaps in the canopyimproves structural diversity for birds, insects and other animals.

Education Groups

· Wick and St Brides Brownie unit attended aranger led rock pooling activity in Dunraven Bay, Southerndown

Volunteering Groups

· A Welsh Government Group took part in litterpicking at Dunraven Bay in Southerndown facilitated by the Heritage CoastRanger team.

The Friends of Glamorgan Heritage Coast- Litter pick

· The Friends of Glamorgan Heritage Coast heldtheir second of their monthly litter picks on Sunday 27^th Septemberat Cwm Colhuw, Llantwit Major.

Sightings

Adders and lizards on the common.

Porthkerry County Park

September has been another busy month at PorthkerryCountry Park, with several positive developments and events taking place acrossthe park.

Road Improvements: Visitors may have noticed that a number ofpotholes along the park road have now been repaired. These works have helpedimprove access and make journeys through the park safer and more comfortablefor all users.

Porthkerry 5 mile Race: We weredelighted to welcome participants of the Penarth and District Runners 5MT Racefor their 20^th Anniversary of the event. The race continues to be apopular event attracting runners and volunteers from across the localcommunity. It was fantastic to see so many people enjoying the park and makinguse of our wonderful green spaces.

Native Hornet Activity: As summer moves into autumn, visitors may notice alittle more activity from native European hornets in some areas of the park.These fascinating insects are a natural part of our local wildlife and play avaluable role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem by helping to control otherinsect populations.

European hornets are generally uninterested inpeople and are most active going about their normal routines. To help bothvisitors and wildlife enjoy the park safely, we simply ask that people:

Give hornets and any nest sites plenty of space.
Avoid disturbing dead wood, tree cavities and other natural nesting locations.
Keep children and dogs nearby in areas where hornet activity has been observed.
Let park staff know if you notice a large nest in a location that may affect visitors.

As always, we encourage everyone to enjoy andrespect the park's wildlife, helping to ensure that both people and nature canthrive side by side.

Summer 2026 Countryside Updates

Cosmeston Lakes

During June we had exceptional weather conditions which brought out many visitors to enjoy the outdoors at Cosmeston Lakes

Parkrun held their 250^th run, Parkrun is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you! takes place every Saturday at Cosmeston at 9:00am to find out more visit the link below

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/cosmestonlakes/

It was amazing to see the Water Voles at Cosmeston Lakes being featured on BBC2 Springwatch (Ep12). The section in the programme is from12:25mins until 17:40mins

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002xkv9

Cosmeston also hosted National Bike Week where cyclists were able to drop in and receive a free service carried out by DR Bike. This is part of the Council’s commitment to health and wellbeing for residents and its drive to encourage more environmentally friendly behaviours. There are a range of cycle routes available across the Vale, including networks around Barry, Cowbridge, Dinas Powys, Llantwit Major, Penarth, Rhoose, St Athans and Sully

Porthkerry County Park

June has been another busy month for the Countryside Rangers at Porthkerry Country Park with school visits continuing to make full use of the park and the outdoor learning opportunities. The dry weather has meant that woodland bug hunts have been less successful but the meadows have been teeming with life with lots of butterflies and baby grasshoppers keeping the children entertained.

The Forest Lodge has seen regular use throughout June andeven provided a picturesque setting for a wedding celebration. These activitiescontinue to highlight the important role the park plays in supportingrecreation, education and the local community

A key milestone this month was the successful completion ofthe #COED2 Porthkerry TWIG Project on 26 June. Over the course of the two-yearproject, Heritage Lottery Fund support has enabled significant improvementsacross the park including woodland management, habitat enhancement,interpretation, community events and the installation of several sculptures.The project leaves a lasting legacy that will benefit both wildlife andvisitors for years to come

Wildlife highlights have included the sighting of the scarceStriped Hawkmoth which was seen feeding on knapweeds in the garden outside theRanger’s Cottage. This garden has been tended to by some hardworking anddedicated volunteers, led by Hillary and has looked better than ever this year.

photo taken by Alex (Porthkerry Site Ranger)

Heritage Coast

Wales Coast Path

· The ranger team continued to cut back vegetation along the Wales Coast Path at Cwm Mawr and St Donats.

· Steps were replaced West of the slipway at St Donats by a contractor.

· New information signs were fitted on the emergency ladders at Cwm Bach

Public Rights of Way work

· Continued to cut back vegetation on some inland footpaths in the Vale of Glamorgan

· Fitted a new kissing gate for the Parks Department at Llantwit Major playing fields with the help of volunteers.

Educational visits

Rangers continued to lead school visits and a visit fromNewent Watch group. Activities included: rock pooling, geology and fossilhunting.

LNP Work

Himalayan Balsam management was carried out at Lanlay Meadows, Peterston Super Ely for the National Trust.

April 2026 Countryside Updates

Porthkerry Country Park

April has been a busy month at Porthkerry Country Park, with Rangers and volunteers delivering several improvements across the site.

Work has included enhancing the school pond dipping and bug hunting areas, including the creation of new wildlife refuge features. The wooden bridge to the old golf course has also been replaced with a more durable recycled plastic structure.

The TWIG Project continues to deliver significant upgrades, with the footpath between Top Fields and Cwm Cidi car park nearing completion. This route will form part of a fantastic new interactive woodland activity trail, developed by children from All Saints’ Primary School in partnership with 35 Percent Design Services. In total, the TWIG project has supported improvements to over 2,200 metres of footpaths across the park.

The woodlands and meadows are coming into full colour, with native bluebells and purple gromwell in bloom, alongside sightings of brimstone butterflies.

Heritage Coast

Wales Coast Path Enhancements

Work continues to improve access along the Wales Coast Path, with a new step installed at Cwm Bach to assist walkers. Volunteers also lent a hand clearing back overgrown scrub, helping to keep areas safe and enjoyable for all.

Outdoor Learning in Full Swing

Local schools are making the most of the coastline, with ranger-led visits continuing on the beach. Pupils have been getting hands-on with nature through engaging rock pooling sessions.

Public Rights of Way Progress

Access improvements across the Vale are ongoing. In Llantrithyd, two old stiles have been replaced with user-friendly kissing gates, enhancing accessibility for a wider range of visitors. Meanwhile, vegetation clearance has begun on several inland footpaths to ensure routes remain open and easy to navigate.

Partnership Working with Valeways

Public Rights of Way staff and Valeways volunteers joined forces on several projects. In Llandough, teams successfully installed two kissing gates and carried out essential bridge repairs. Elsewhere, a Valeways group tackled overgrowth on the footpath between The Pelican and the golf course in Ogmore-by-Sea, restoring the route for public use.

Seasonal Nature Highlights

Spring is in full bloom across the Vale. Purple gromwell and cowslips are putting on a vibrant display in Southerndown, while on the common, adders have been spotted during their mating season.

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park

Cosmeston hosted the Gert Lush Medieval Backyard Ultra Endurance Race in April. This unique event requires competitors to complete a 4.16-mile lap on the hour every hour, with the race continuing until there is only one runner left standing and crowned the winner. This year’s winner completed 33 laps.

On 22 April, the newly refurbished café reopened to the public. The new-look café, operated by Big Fresh Catering, offers a new menu, dog-friendly area and views across the lake.

The RSPB and the Woodland Trust attended site to inform visitors of their work. The RSPB is a charity for the conservation of birds and nature, while the Woodland Trust is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity.

With a small grant from the Local Nature Partnership, Rangers and volunteers planted:

200 primroses
100 cowslips
200 bluebell bulbs
165 cuckoo flowers

These were planted in various locations around the country park.

The new bike shelter was installed in the car park on 28 April. Featuring a green roof, the shelter helps capture carbon, improve air quality and absorb rainfall. Plants to look out for include common knapweed, lady’s bedstraw, oxeye daisy, field scabious and bird’s-foot trefoil.

March 2026 Countryside Updates

Porthkerry Country Park

Porthkerry TWIG Project

We’re pleased to announce that work has begun on improving the footpath from Top Fields to Cwm Cidi car park. These upgrades will enhance accessibility and improve the overall visitor experience at Porthkerry Country Park and Top Fields.

This work is funded through the Porthkerry Woodland Investment Grant through the Heritage Lottery Fund and National Forest for Wales.

In addition, the project has funded several other improvements at the park, including:

Woodland biodiversity improvements
New interpretation boards
A new carved meadow bench by Simon Hedger, created from a tree that died and fell near the lodge

Wildlife Watch

Adders and grass snakes have been spotted in the wilded area and foreshore. To protect both wildlife and pets, visitors are encouraged to follow onsite signage and stick to short grass areas.

Ranger Activities

Rangers have been busy creating new wildlife-friendly features across meadows and woodlands to support biodiversity. The wildflower meadow has been outlined to grow undisturbed, supporting pollinators throughout the season.

Heritage Coast

The Ranger team were busy mowing Dunraven Gardens and Park in preparation for Easter.

Wales Coast Path Works

Hedgelaying carried out at Lavernock following a cliff fall
Rangers, Rights of Way staff and volunteers worked together to realign fencing bordering the coast path at Lavernock
A new waymark post was installed on the coast path at Lavernock

Porthkerry Team Day

Heritage Coast Rangers assisted Porthkerry Rangers in dismantling a mountain bike track in Cliff Woods at Porthkerry.

Schools and Colleges

The first school visit of the year took place, with Rangers leading a guided walk exploring coastal erosion and fossils on the beach at Dunraven, Southerndown.

Rangers also led a guided walk for hospitality and catering students visiting from Buffalo University, USA.

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park

The cows and sheep which have been conservation grazing at Cosmeston have now been collected by the livestock owner. Conservation grazing will resume in winter 2026.

Bookings for school trips have now opened, with pond dipping, bug hunting and den building continuing to be firm favourite activities.

Volunteer groups have been busy helping Rangers with path clearance, raking and planting projects. Rangers also cleared several blockages along paths in Leckwith Woods.

February 2026 Countryside Updates

Porthkerry Country Park

Great news — Porthkerry Country Park hosted the launch of the Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail, officially opened by the Deputy First Minister.

Porthkerry Country Park is the southernmost point of this Welsh Government scheme, which will one day connect forests across Wales.

The initial section is 80km long, linking Porthkerry to Pont Walby Viaduct near Glynneath along Public Rights of Way.

For more information, visit: Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail

Heritage Coast

Local Nature Partnership Work

Lanlay Meadows, Peterston-super-Ely
Heritage Coast and Porthkerry Rangers fitted a new handrail and gate with the help of volunteers on National Trust land, where a new boardwalk was installed last year.

Readers Way, Rhoose
Countryside Rangers, Local Nature Partnership staff, ecologists from Wildwood Ecology and volunteers from Restore the Thaw Landscape Project carried out two days of pond clearance work. The site is considered one of the best locations in the Vale of Glamorgan for great crested newts.

Dovecote Fields, Llantwit Major
Tree planting was carried out to support the Vale Local Nature Partnership. Species planted included hawthorn, rowan, guelder rose and heritage fruit tree varieties.

Signs of Spring

Adders emerged from hibernation, with the first sighting recorded on 11 February
The first frogspawn of the year was spotted on 3 February

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park

With the help of volunteers, Rangers completed the last of the major habitat works before spring, including:

Removal of dead trees
Reed bed cutting and raking
Scrub clearance
Cutting back encroaching growth around the Dragonfly Pond

Works are also underway to increase all-weather car parking capacity, helping to accommodate busy periods at the country park. These Shared Prosperity Fund works are expected to be completed by the end of March.

The bike shelter in the car park has been removed ahead of a replacement installation featuring a living grass roof. The new shelter will absorb rainwater, support pollinators, enhance biodiversity and improve aesthetics while helping reduce CO2.

January 2026 Countryside Updates

Porthkerry Country Park

Plenty of winter work has been underway at Porthkerry Country Park, with the Brilliant Basics grant-funded toilet refurbishment nearing completion.

Extensive woodland work has also been carried out across the park, including:

Removal of dangerous ash trees near footpaths
Planting of more than 300 new trees
Installation of new steps and bridges
Resurfacing of old footpaths

These ongoing projects reflect a continued commitment to improving both the site and the visitor experience.

Heritage Coast

Rangers continued winter habitat work across the Heritage Coast, including grassland management at Monkswood using the robocutter, followed by clearing work with staff and volunteers.

The team also:

Installed a new memorial bench on Footpath 7 in Llantwit Major
Joined colleagues from Porthkerry to fit a new kissing gate at Amelia Trust Farm
Supported a team day at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, helping cut and rake a grassland area

Throughout December and January, staff responded to several weather-related incidents at Dunraven. Following strong winds and high tides, Rangers cleared pebbles and litter from the beach car park and slipway. Further flooding caused by heavy rain required drainage work, water diversion and clearing blocked drains.

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park

On 20 January, Cosmeston reopened its newly refurbished toilets to visitors.

Key Improvements

Fresh new user-friendly layout
Hot water supplied by solar power
Baby changing facilities in both male and female toilets
Lowered sinks for younger visitors

The project was completed by SR Building Solutions and funded through the Welsh Government Brilliant Basics Fund.

Rangers from all three countryside sites also came together for a Cosmeston team day, cutting and raking an area of wetland around the West Lake in a successful one-day project.

December 2025 Countryside Updates

Porthkerry Country Park

During December, Rangers worked alongside contractors carrying out woodland management works. Funding from the Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) also supported continued removal of invasive holm oak along the coastal cliffs of the SSSI, helping protect native trees and improve the health of the ancient woodland.

The team also ensured the lodge remained prepared for private bookings. Find out more here:
Porthkerry Forest Lodge Hire Information

Wildlife Highlights

Snipe spotted on the old golf course
Woodcock observed in the woodlands
Red kite seen soaring overhead

These sightings are positive indicators that conservation efforts and habitat management works are helping to support biodiversity at Porthkerry Country Park.

Heritage Coast

Rangers continued winter habitat work across the Heritage Coast, including grassland management at Monkswood using the robocutter, followed by clearing with staff and volunteers.

The team also installed a new memorial bench on Footpath 7 in Llantwit Major and joined colleagues from Porthkerry to fit a new kissing gate at Amelia Trust Farm. Heritage Coast Rangers also supported a team day at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, helping with cutting and raking a grassland area.

Throughout December, staff responded to several weather-related incidents at Dunraven. After strong winds and high tides on 6–7 December, Rangers cleared pebbles and litter from the beach car park and slipway. Further flooding on 1