CYNGOR CEFN GWLAD CYMRU

COUNTRYSIDE COUNCIL FOR WALES

SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST: CITATION

ANGLESEY PENRHYNOEDD LLANGADWALADR

National Grid Reference: SH365655

Site Area: 180 ha

Description:

This site is notified for its biological interest. The area comprises a complex mosaic of exposed rocky coast, sub-maritime grassland, sand dune and dune grassland, the latter unusual in occurring on a mantle of wind blown sand over the underlying rocky headland.

A number of rare plants occur on the shore, dunes and dune grassland, including dune fescue Vulpia fasciculata, sea stork's-bill Erodium maritimum, golden samphire Inula crithmoides, sea spurge Euphorbia paralias and Portland spurge E. portlandica. Sea wormwood Artemisia maritima grows here in one of its few North Wales locations.

The site has a low level of public disturbance which has encouraged mainland nesting by shag, whilst the wetland on Cwningar Bodowain supports a large breeding colony of lesser black-backed gulls and herring gulls.