Key sites in Llanelli and Burry Port are to be managed specifically for the rare species found there. A small area near Old Castle pond in Llanelli will be managed for the rare Deptford pink, an endangered plant found only in two sites in Carmarthenshire. and the harbour wall on the west dock at Burry Port is host to the small-flowered catchfly, the only site for this species in the county. Previous attempts to manage these sites have not been successful and so this year council conservation staff met directly with the machine operators for these sites and discussed management of the sites. Guidelines were passed to the staff who will now liaise with conservation staff on management of these key sites.

In addition discussions were held on the management of some of the grassland areas within the Millennium Coastal Park. Some of the grassland areas here are heavily managed, being mown regularly and whilst areas for recreation are important there are areas that could be managed more for wildlife. Allowing some grassland areas (including areas around the ponds) to grow will provide valuable habitat for wildlife and visually more attractive areas for visitors. The grass in these areas will be cut at the end of July and removed – and could be used to help create compost to be used elsewhere in council parks. Not having to mow areas so regularly will also save fuel and money.

Finally, conservation staff met with the groundsman at the council offices at St David’s in Carmarthen, the old hospital site that has now been converted into council offices. An active council ‘Green Team’ on the site suggested that areas within this site could be managed for biodiversity. Here again most of the grass is cut regularly but areas were identified that will be managed like a hay meadow, being left uncut until the end of July when they will be mown and the cut grass removed. This should help encourage a more species-rich grassland in a few years and provide more interesting habitat for staff working up at St David’s to enjoy.