Clegir Mawr

Clegir Mawr is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the community of Cylch-y-Garn in the north-west of the island of Anglesey, Wales. It is a stony coastal headland with an area just under 10 hectares (25 acres) and has been designated principally because of the occurrence of the spotted rock-rose (Tuberaria guttata) which is a nationally rare plant and also the county flower of Anglesey.

Clegir Mawr
Site of Special Scientific Interest
The spotted rock-rose
Location within Anglesey
Area of SearchWest Gwynedd
Grid referenceSH 299 900
Coordinates53.3799°N 4.5580°W / 53.3799; -4.5580
InterestBiological
Area9.6 hectares (24 acres)
Notification1961

Site

The site includes two areas north of Church Bay (Porth Mawr) and includes coastal heath, coastal grassland, sea cliffs and scrub habitats with a total area of 9.6 hectares (24 acres).[1][2] Much of the area around the site is owned by the National Trust and includes the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path.[3][4]

Importance

The principal feature is the spotted rock-rose which favours thin acidic soils on rocky ridgelines or steep slopes. The spotted rock-rose is only known to exist in nine British locations. One location is on the Lleyn Peninsula and the remaining seven are on Holy Island, Anglesey.[5] The flower blooms from June to August and the blooms last only a day.[6] The flower is the county flower of Anglesey.[7]

The conditions for the spotted rock-rose are also support a number of other species including sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina), common bent (Agrostis capillaris), squirreltail fescue (Vulpia bromoides), early hair-grass (Aira praecox), heather (Calluna vulgaris), bell heather (Erica cinerea), western gorse (Ulex gallii), spring squill (Scilla verna) and English stonecrop (Sedum anglicum).[5]

The uncommon golden-samphire (Inula crithmoides) is found on the sea cliffs, and the prickly sedge (Carex muricata) and dodder (Cuscuta epithymum) are also found on the site.[5]

References
  1. "Clegir Mawr" (PDF) (Map). Natural Resources Wales. 1:10,000. Countryside Council for Wales. 23 January 1987 [Designated 1961]. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  2. "Clegir Mawr Site of Special Scientific Interest" (PDF). Natural Resources Wales. Countryside Council for Wales. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  3. "Landscape Character Area 4: North West Coast" (PDF). Isle of Anglesey County Council. 30 August 2011. p. 20. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  4. "Section 2: Porth Trwyn (Llanfaethlu) - Cemaes" (PDF). Coastal Path Route Description. Isle of Anglesey County Council. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  5. "Anglesey: Clegir Mawr" (PDF). Site of Special Scientific Interest Citation. Countryside Council for Wales. 1986 [Designated 1961]. Retrieved 26 April 2016 – via Natural Resources Wales.
  6. "Wildlife Highlights - Spotted Rock Rose". Visit Anglesey. Isle of Anglesey County Council. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  7. "The floral emblem of your county". The Daily Telegraph. 5 May 2004. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
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