DTE Wales and West: About our ranges
In Wales, there are four sites, which contain a large number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSIs); candidate Special rea of Conservation (SACs); and Special Protection Areas (SPAs).
Castlemartin range
Castlemartin is the largest single area of the estate, covering about 2,390 hectares of freehold land in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The coastal strip is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, containing important bird colonies and fossil deposits. The area has the highest concentration of seabirds on the Pembrokeshire coast, including the rare chough. It also provides shelter for rare insects and a breeding population of barn owls.
Some of the conserved buildings in the area include Flimston Chapel and the tiny St Govan’s Chapel on the foreshore, which is leased to the National Park.
Manorbier range
This is a 41 hectare clifftop site.
Pembrey Sands range
Situated on the Pembrey coast between Llanelli and Carmarthen, the area comprises some 1,112 hectares. The flat terrain includes a tidal beach, sand dunes, salt marsh and river estuaries.
Sennybridge training area
This consists of approximately 13,800 hectares on the Mynydd Epynt. This is home to a wealth of fauna and flora already lost in other parts of the country. It also contains some interesting archaeological remains. The area’s vegetation is typical of upland moorland and peat bogs, although sheep ensure that the only heather is inside the forestry and hedgerow enclosures. The stream valleys are home to more lowland species however, and most of the ancient woodland is to be found there.
Some 45 kilometres of original hedgerows have been re-laid and enclosed. The estate’s bird life is fairly typical of upland moorland. Over 100 species have been recorded, by no means all of which are breeding. One of the rarest of the birds to be found in the area is the red kite, frequently seen hunting over the moors. However, these aren’t known to be nesting locally. Other birds of prey include the goshawk.
There is now a Conservation Centre at Disgwylfa, which was built with help from range staff.
In the West Midlands, there are eight sites covering a total of 2,642 hectares. The main areas are:
Swynnerton training area
This area of 228 hectares includes open and wooded countryside and a lagoon, fed by the River Meece, with associated marshland.
Nesscliff training area
Located in Shropshire, this consists of 695 hectares of land, bordered to the south by the River Severn. The landscape is typical English countryside, with grazing meadows, hedgerows, ditches and woodlands.
Leek and Upper Hulme training area
This is situated within the Peak District National Park and consists of 1,093 hectares of rugged open moor. Most of the area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area for birds. It also contains two Scheduled Ancient Monuments.