Both ponds and rivers are home to a variety of wildlife. Some species are protected in law as they are now considered to be rare. The last 200 years have seen massive changes to rivers in the UK as land has been drained and rivers straightened to reduce flooding and create more land for development and agriculture. Within the Brecon Beacons National Park, the River Usk is one of the least modified in the UK and subsequently is home to a number of protected species. It is very vulnerable to more water abstraction however.  The head waters of both the Rivers Nedd and Tawe are within the National Park and both are also valuable wildlife habitats.

Birds

Bats

Badgers

Great Crested Newts

White-Clawed Crayfish

Otters