Reedbeds occur along river margins where the flow is slower but are found most extensively on still waterbodies like lakes and reservoirs. The southern edge of Llangorse lake has the most extensive reedbeds in the National Park and is an important home to many species found nowhere else in the area. Reedbeds almost always occur with other wetland habitats such as grazing marsh and wet woodland. Most UK reedbeds are only small but can contain hundreds of different species particularly birds and invertebrates.
The reedbeds at Llangorse lake are home to the Two-tone Reed Beetle, a small aquatic insect found only on branched bur reed. This beetle was previously more extensive but has disappeared from many sites over the last century. It was thought to has disappeared from Wales, the last record being more the 50 years ago from a site near Neath. In 2006 it was discovered for the first time at Llangorse lake and this is now the only known sites for the beetle in Wales.
Use the navigation bar on the left to explore other wetland habitats.