´óÏó´«Ã½

Iolo visits Padarn Country Park next to the town of Llanberis at the northern edge of Snowdonia. The park, which has been created on the site of an old slate quarry, is set in a stunning landscape surrounded by the highest mountains in Wales. During spring, migrant birds from Africa arrive. Ring ouzel, one of the most sought-after birds in the whole of the UK, sing above the old slate tips. Wood warblers and pied flycatchers establish territories in the park's ancient woodland, which has survived two centuries of mining. Hidden in the woodland, there are derelict buildings that were once used to store gunpowder. The old quarry work levels are favourite places for slow worms - our legless lizards. The trains of the old quarry have also survived and have been lovingly restored by Llanberis Lake Railway. Llyn Padarn is the second largest natural lake in the whole of Wales and is one of the prime spots in Snowdonia for water sports. By night, otters use the lake and the deep water is home for Arctic char fish.