Lowland Heath
Lowland heath is characterised by dwarf shrub species such as heather, bell heather, cross-leaved heath and western gorse, and is typically found on shallow nutrient-poor soils overlying impervious rocks.
All heathland in Pembrokeshire can be classed as lowland heathland, even on the tops and ridges of the Preseli Hills, reflecting the influence of the mild western oceanic climate on the heathland communities within the county.
Common heather, Calluna vulgaris
The Lowland heaths in Pembrokeshire usually occur as a mosaic with other habitats, such as scrub, marshy grassland, wet flushes, swamp, fen and bare ground.
Dry heathland often grades into wet heathland. It is this complex mosaic of habitats that make the Pembrokeshire heaths so valuable for wildlife and they frequently contain a huge variety of plants, insects and other invertebrates. They are also important habitat for reptiles and some of our most characteristic birds such as Stonechat and Linnet.
Stonechat, Saxicola torquata
Highlights
Brynberian Moor
Brynberian moor is located on the northern side of the Preseli ridge and like the rest of Mynydd Preseli is an open access area. It forms part of a large site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and is also designated a special area for conservation (SAC).
Dowrog Common
The Dowrog Common comprises 101 ha of lowland heath located 3km north east of St Davids, (site access at SM772274) a short distance off the A487. It has been notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since 1954 and it also part of the north-west Pembrokeshire Commons Special area for conservation (SAC).
