Taken from the Western Mail and South Wales News June 1985.

The Nightingale: When fields were crowded with listeners.

Sir, With reference to the statement that the nightingale has never been heard in South Wales, may I prove the following evidence obtained from my mother, who, at 70 years of age distinctly remembers the occasion when she heard the bird.

The Nightingale was heard in this district in June for several successive years about 30 years ago. Many local inhabitants heard it in the Pengroesoped wood, which was re-named the Nightingale Wood.

My mother and brother heard it also in the Abergwellan Wood 31 years ago. The birds presence created great interest far and near and listeners tramped over the mountain from the Avon Llwyd valley via the Goose and Cuckoo and Star Inns to hear the song of the Nightingale.

Many people came out in brakes or four-wheeled trolleys, others came by train to Nantyderry station, some travelled on push-bikes and picked along the star-lit country roads and lanes.

Visitors would collect very quietly in these woods; whichever the birds were frequenting. So many people were attracted on occasions that the neighbouring fields were filled.

At Walnut Tree my mother also heard the bird in question in a wood near Walnut Tree.

(Unfortunately I don’t know who wrote this letter to the paper)