include golden ringed, common hawker and four spotted chaser. Managing the moorland helps improve the habitat for red grouse and the short-eared owl. Heather moorland which grows on the mountains around the lake is now being restored. In the past, heather was burnt, cut and the seeds collected to be sowed where the heather has gone. Burning at the Lake Vyrnwy moorland is no longer carried out, as the burning can have negative consequences for water management, namely water colouration. Sheep, cattle and ponies also graze on the heather, managed by tenant farmers who farm the moorland in accordance with organic agriculture. Broadleaf trees are being planted to replace coniferous trees, and man-made features such as hedgerows and dry-stone walls are also being restored, and wildflower areas are being restored to help insects, birds and other wildlife. Tourism Wood sculpture Llanwddyn has had since 1995 a sculpture park in the valley below the dam, containing many wooden carved works. There are large wooden picnic benches in the shape of leaves and trees on the west side of the lake at Llechwedd Ddu. Near the old village on the beach is a sculpture of dolphins which, when the lake rises in a flood, appear to be jumping out of the water. Several totems are carved into standing trees and re-erected fallen trunks. Recreation Activities in the area include sailing, hiking on Glyndŵr's Way, rock climbing, cycling, walking and horse riding. The Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon is conducted annually. The RSPB have laid out seven waymarked trails ranging from in a range of habitats. Tallest tree The site was once home to the tallest tree in the UK, a Douglas Fir high. This was damaged in stormy weather during the winter of 2010-2011 and had to be felled at 124 years old in March 2011. A stump was left intact, which in autumn 2011 had its top carved into a tall giant outstretched hand. A nearby Douglas Fir is now, at , the tallest tree in Wales. References External links Lake Vyrnwy Nature Reserve Lake Vyrnwy on the Powys Digital History Project Abandoned communities: Llanwddyn Lake Vyrnwy Cycle Route Llanwddyn Vyrnwy Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserves in Wales LVyrnwy Dams completed in 1888 1888 in Wales