CYNGOR CEFN GWLAD CYMRU

COUNTRYSIDE COUNCIL FOR WALES

SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST: CITATION

ANGLESEY YNYS FEURIG

National Grid Reference: SH305737

Site Area: 25 ha

Description:

The largest tern colony in Wales breeds on Ynys Feurig. In recent years the island has supported between 500 and 900 pairs of terns of four species during the breeding season. The tern species involved are: roseate, sandwich, common and arctic. The roseate tern colony is important in a European context, as it contains a significant proportion (around one quarter) of the N.W. Europe breeding population of this species.

Ynys Feurig is made up of a series of islands forming a low ridge of almost vertically inclined rock strata extending almost half a mile out to sea and connected to the beach at its landward end for a period around each low tide. The outer island which is slightly higher than the others is partly vegetated, mainly with marram grass Ammophila arenaria, red fescue Festuca rubra and thrift Armeria maritima and many of the terns nest here.

Remarks:

1. Ynys Feurig is a Special Protection Area under the terms of a European Community Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds.