ORNITHOLOGY
Much of the land in this part of the Lleyn peninsula is protected by the National Trust and is a haven to such rare birds such as the red legged crow - the chough
The diverse topography of this small area brings together birds of contrasting characteristics. Species so common in many pastoral settings elsewhere in the United Kingdom are commonly seen side-by-side with visitors who, outside the breeding season, spend their life thousands of miles away from land, in the Atlantic Ocean. The Llyn Peninsula is also on an important route for migratory birds and the R.S.P.B. have established a ringing station on Bardsey Island to record the species that transit the area. A walk in the Llyn countryside will reward the avid bird-watcher with glimpses of species ranging from the Dippers, of the Dwyfor and Dwyfach rivers to the Jays, Nuthatches, Greater-spotted and Green Woodpeckers of the woodlands. Moorland and coastal dunes are home to Stonechats, Goldfinches, and Sand Martins with the ever-present predators such as the Carrion Crows, Magpies, Kestrels and Buzzards maintaining a watch over proceedings.
The R.S.P.B, often ringing about 100 bird species in a year on Bardsey Island, have encountered vagrants such as the Grey-cheeked Thrush and Blackpoll from North America and Dusky Warblers and Black-Headed Buntings from Asia. They also report spectacular arrivals of Redwing, Chaffinches, Starlings and Skylarks during the autumn migration period.
The rocky cliffs and offshore islands are important nesting sites for the summer pelagic visitors.
Bardsey Island is the summer home of the Manx Shearwater, and along with the other offshore islands, provides nesting sites for Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Cormorants, Shags, Curlews, Herring Gulls and Great and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. The Ynys Gwylans (Seagull Islands) provide the nesting sites for Puffins. Coastal cliffs provide the air currents so enjoyed by the Fulmar and the Chough along with notable predators such as the Raven, Buzzard and Peregrine Falcon.
FLORA & FAUNA
All the country lanes are home to great swathes of seasonal Primroses, Celandines, Violets and Bluebells with the delicate Wood Anemones featuring in virtually every wooded area. Cowslips are a common sight here as are a number of orchids and uncommon Vetches. The uncommon Sea Holly thrives in the coastal sand dunes and pink swathes of thrift grace the cliff-tops.
Craggy hills and the surrounding moorland provide a superb show of heather towards the late summer, which offers a spectacular contrast with the late bloom of the gorse. The clean air, warm climate and rich vegetation provides a favourable habitat for insects with butterflies such as the common Meadow Brown, Red Admiral and Tortoiseshell, thriving alongside the Dark Green Fritillary and the rare Marsh Fritillary. The marshy areas of the region provide an ideal habitat for the colourful Dragonflies.
Vegetation along the bank of the River Soch provides shelter and breeding areas for mammals including bats, hedgehogs, badgers and maybe otters. It also forms a woodland corridor for a great diversity of bird species from owls and woodpeckers to tits and treecreepers. Caterpillars and other invertebrates feed on overhanging trees, and drop into the water. These, together with many aquatic invertebrates including the larvae of mayfly and caddis, provide an important source of food for fish. |
