Work to protect grassland at hillfort site

A protected species-rich grassland will be given a boost thanks to sheep grazing.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has completed 1200m of fencing work at farmland at Bwrdd Arthur Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a 538ft flat-topped limestone hill on Anglesey which is home to an iron age hillfort.

Bwrdd Arthur is one of the most significant limestone sites in North West Wales, featuring calcareous grassland and rare moss species.

Calcareous habitats are among the most biodiverse and declining in Europe and a recent survey at the site found the conditions of the grassland to be ‘unfavourable and declining’.

Fencing will allow grazing to be better controlled on the SSSI, preventing the spread of scrub and maintaining open habitats to allow species, such as common rockrose, hoary rockrose and ivy broomrape to recover and promote biodiversity.

Huw Jones, NRW’s Environment Team Leader for Mon and Arfon, said:

“We are pleased to be working with the landowner on this project which will deliver multiple benefits.

“Limestone grassland is one of the rarest, most diverse and species-rich habitats we have in Wales.

“Grasslands like these are good carbon stores and when managed carefully, lock in carbon and boost biodiversity. We have lost a significant amount of species-rich grassland in the UK, so managing these areas well is a priority.

“Effective grazing is a fantastic alternative to using machinery, saving time, cost and the use of fossil fuels and will help maintain open habitat, allowing it to recover where it had previously been covered by gorse or scrub.

“Ensuring this site, which is close to other limestone sites, is in good condition, will help the resilience of the ecosystem and species it supports, contributing to the resilience of Wales’ natural environment as a whole.”

Bwrdd Arthur is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient hillforts on Anglesey.