Dowrog Common

It is owned by the National Trust and managed as a nature reserve by the local Wildlife Trust (WTSWW). Although best described as a lowland heath, like many of the Pembrokeshire heaths, it forms a complex mosaic of dry and wet heath, fen, pools and acid grassland. The variety of habitats in turn give rise to a diverse fauna and flora. 

What’s there?

Flowers

The Dowrog is one of the most important sites in the county for plants and over 350 species of flowers grow here including several rarities, the most notable of which are: Lesser Butterfly Orchid, Yellow Centaury, Pale Dog-violet, Wavy St. John’s Wort, Three-lobed Crowfoot and Pilwort. Most of these will require some dedicated detective work to find, but the display of commoner wild flowers during June - July is truly stunning.

Bell Heather

Some of the best areas are adjacent to the minor road that bisects the common and here the orange/yellow of Bog Asphodel spikes, the towering red/pink Southern Marsh Orchids, Hemp Agrimony, Meadow Sweet, all mix with a mass of others to help make a dedicated wildflower walk of 200yards last a good couple of hours. By August the yellow Western Gorse flowers alternate with the purple Heather to add yet more colour, though by this time of year most species of flower are past their best.

Bog Asphodel

Insects

The abundance of freshwater pools provide plenty of breeding opportunities for dragonflies and the Dowrog is one of the best sites in Pembrokeshire for this family of insects.

Small Red Damselfly, Hairy Dragonfly and Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly are the rarities but on a sunny afternoon between May and August it is easy to see more than 10 species including Golden Ringed and Emperor Dragonflies.

Golden-ringed dragonfly

There is a colony of the threatened Marsh Fritillary butterfly here, the caterpillars of which feed exclusively on Devil’s Bit Scabious, which grows in the marshy and grassy areas. Another scarce species is the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary.

Birds

During the winter months the common takes on an importance for birds. During most years there is a roost of Hen Harriers in a boggy and inaccessible part of the reserve, and late afternoon in mid winter will almost guarantee a sighting shortly before dusk, though binoculars are essential to obtain reasonable views. In the past as many as 14 have gathered here of an evening, though three to four is more usual.  Whilst looking for harriers there is a very good chance of seeing either a Barn Owl or Short-eared Owl and Merlins are also known to put in a regular appearance.

The boggy areas are good for Snipe and Jack Snipe and the pools and ditches have Water rails and Teal. Around dusk or dawn is the best time to visit.

Other Wildlife

Otters are regular visitors especially during late winter early spring when the frogs are active, but the chances of a sighting aren’t that high because of the dense vegetation.

Grass snake

Lizards, Adders and Grass Snakes also occur and are also best observed in early spring.