Mynydd Tŵr (Holyhead Mountain), Holyhead
Designations: SSSI, AONB.
Holyhead Mountain and South Stack are both part of the Glannau Ynys Gybi SSSI. The site contains 200 hectares of heathland, grassland and coastal cliffs and ledges, and is leased to the RSPB by the Isle of Anglesey County Council. The area encompasses some steep ground that rises to more than 700 feet.
Grazing on Holyhead Mountain was probably abandoned in the early part of the twentieth century. The land has previously been managed through a programme of controlled burns, but the area has also been prone to uncontrolled burns.
Flora & Fauna:
An extensive area of lowland heath of heather (Calluna vulgaris)and western gorse (Ulex gallii)covers the flanks of Holyhead Mountain. Wetter areas are dominated by cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix), bogmoss (Sphagnum compactum)and deergrass (Scirpus cespitosus).
The cliffs support important seabird colonies: guillemots, razorbills and puffins together create one of the largest colonies of breeding auks in North Wales. Peregrine and chough also nest on the cliffs and use the heathland and adjacent areas for feeding. The site supports a good range of invertebrates including the silver studded blue (Plebejus argus) and marsh fritillary (Eurodryas aurinia).
Our Work:
We worked with Anglesey Council, the CCW and the RSPB to agree and implement a grazing policy for Mynydd Tŵr, and introduced a flock of around 50 Hebridean and traditional Welsh Torddu sheep. The system of close shepherding, where the shepherd and his dogs stayed with the sheep as they grazed during the day, removed the need for extensive fencing and also stopped the sheep from straying onto roads or private land. At night they were penned in one of the restored Quillets ( traditional smallholder’s enclosures on the mountain.)
The new grazing regime aims to remove the older heather and encourage new growth to help to improve the condition of the heathland and encourage a rich diversity of flowering plants. Birds nesting on nearby cliffs have benefited from the shorter vegetation, with dung also providing valuable insect food. The paths created by the sheep and their browsing action should also reduce the risk of wildfires.
The flock will continue to graze the site each autumn: the ewes lamb in May and graze between September and October. During the rest of the year they graze on other RSPB and AGAP sites.
Follow the story of Pete the shepherd, Jess, Fan and the sheep on the sheepblog.
Grid Reference: SH 218 828.
Map:
Public Access: Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path.
Land owned by: Leased to RSPB by Isle of Anglesey County Council.
Livestock Owned By: Half of flock leased by PONT to shepherd; half of flock owned by shepherd.
Grants: CCW Section 15 agreement.
Gallery:
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