Beddmanarch–Cymyran

Beddmanarch–Cymyran
Site of Special Scientific Interest

Low tide at Traeth y Gribin
Location within Anglesey
Area of Search West Gwynedd
Grid reference SH 275 790
Coordinates 53°17′00″N 4°35′16″W / 53.28345°N 4.5879°W / 53.28345; -4.5879Coordinates: 53°17′00″N 4°35′16″W / 53.28345°N 4.5879°W / 53.28345; -4.5879
Interest Biological
Area 911 hectares (2,250 acres)
Notification 1961

Beddmanarch–Cymyran is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) on Anglesey extending to just over 900 hectares (2,200 acres), and is centred on the Cymyran Strait. It was first notified in 1961 for its coastal botanical and ornithological interest.[1] The site is also a marine protected area as it includes intertidal areas and contains marine components.[2]

Area

The Beddmanarch–Cymyran site comprises the area of coastal salt-marshes, mud-flats and shallow coastal water lying between Holy Island and the mainland of Anglesey. This includes the Cymyran Strait (sometimes called the Holy Island Strait), the tidal reaches of the Afon Alaw to the east and extends northwards to Porth Penrhyn-Mawr. There are two crossings over the water that makes up the site, Four Mile Bridge (road and pedestrian) and the Stanley Embankment (road, rail and pedestrian).[3] The area between the two bridges in known as the Inland Sea.[4]

Importance

The site includes four special areas of interest:[3]

More generally, the area is also important for a mixture of environments including mudflats and sandbanks, tidally swept areas of bedrock, rock outcrops, shingle bars, muddy gravels, and coastal grassland and scrub. All of these support a variety of wildlife including breeding birds, such as arctic and common terns, and plants like dwarf rush (Juncus capitatus) and spiral tasselweed (Ruppia cirrhosa).[3]

As a marine protected area the site is important for the common ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula), common greenshank (Tringa nebularia), eel grass and tide-swept algae, and for its inter-tidal, salt marsh, muddy gravel, and sheltered mud environments.[2]

The wintering populations of the ringed plover and greenshank are monitored by the RSPB.[5]

Risks

While many activities can damage protected sites, Beddmanarch–Cymyran SSSI is sensitive to a number of possible changes and activities:[3]

Management

A wide variety of operations may affect the site and require consultation with Natural Resources Wales and may further require consent. 28 operations are currently listed and include activities relating to farming, fishing, water utilisation, and the introduction or removal of flora and fauna. The list is not prohibitive, but many activities may be limited to certain areas or times of the year.[6]

References

  1. "Anglesey: Beddmanarch–Cymyran" (PDF). Site of Special Scientific Interest Citation. Countryside Council for Wales. 1986 [Designated 1961]. Retrieved 26 April 2016 via Natural Resources Wales.
  2. 1 2 "Report to the National Assembly for Wales on Marine Protected Areas in Wales" (PDF). National Assembly for Wales. February 2014. pp. 10–11. ISBN 978 1 4734 0974 3. WG20649. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Beddmanarch–Cymyran Site of Special Scientific Interest" (PDF). Natural Resources Wales. Countryside Council for Wales. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  4. "Landscape Character Area 3: Inland Sea" (PDF). Isle of Anglesey County Council. 2011. p. 16. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  5. Vanstone, A.; Lamacraft, D.; Challis, A. (30 March 2012). "Designated Sites Bird Monitoring Project. A report on bird features on SSSI in Wales" (PDF). Countryside Council for Wales. p. 23. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  6. "Operations Requiring Consultation with the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW)" (PDF). Natural Resources Wales. Countryside Council for Wales. 1968. Retrieved 26 April 2016.

External links

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