Cors Erddreiniog is the largest of the
Anglesey fens. This extensive reserve is located five kilometres
west of Benllech on the northeast side of the island, with the
small villages of Capel Coch to the west and Brynteg to the east.
Because this type of threatened wetland is so rare, and because of
the incredible range of wildlife it plays host to, the reserve has
a number of designations at hand to protect it.
The reserve is at once recognized as:
· A wetland of international importance - (Anglesey and Llyn Fens
RAMSAR)
· A Site of Special Scientific Interest - (Cors Erddreiniog
SSSI)
· A Special Area of Conservation - (Corsydd Môn/Anglesey Fens
SAC)
A varied terrain means there are extensive areas of reed bed, as
well as heathland, woodland, and small lakes.
Although the paths throughout the reserve are largely level, the
woodland section can get quite steep. The site is also grazed by
cattle and ponies so, in places, the paths can get muddy and
wet.
Photo by Mike
McCabe,©CCW
Photo by Mike
McCabe,©CCW
A new fully accessible boardwalk runs
right around the reed beds for some 1000 metres, finishing at a
bird hide overlooking a freshwater lake.
How to get there
The main access to the reserve is via a very narrow track in
Capel Coch, on a lane between Maenaddwyn and Tregaian, some eight
kilometres north of Llangefni. Limited roadside parking is
available in the village, if approached considerately. A field gate
marks the reserve entrance.
Public Transport
A regular bus route services the area, with bus service numbers 50
and 51 passing through the village of Brynteg.
Photo by Mike
McCabe,©CCW
For more information contact Traveline Cymru on 0871 2002233
The reserve is managed by CCW.
You can contact the northern region reserves team via the CCW
enquiries help line on 0845 1306229 or by email at
enquires@ccw.gov.uk. You can also write to us at the address under
‘Contact the team’.
Wildlife
The fen is bordered by limestone grassland and hazel woodland,
all of which lies on a limestone escarpment. Three fen basins are
connected by a common drainage system, and the lime rich springs
which emerge from the base of the escarpment support a rich variety
of wild plants such as the:
- Black bog rush
- Narrow leaved marsh orchid
- Fly orchid
- Columbine
Other than a few sites on Anglesey, and on the Llyn peninsula,
this orchid rich vegetation is found nowhere else in Britain.
Photo by Mike
McCabe,©CCW
The valley mire also has a superb collection of plant species,
including:
- Great fen sedge
- Blunt-flowered rush
While the mire has it’s own orchid populations including:
- Northern marsh orchid
- Fen orchid
- Marsh helleborine
In little pockets overlying acidic ground there are patches of
sphagnum bog moss and cross-leaved heath, while the ridge between
the central and the northwest fen basins boast a more acidic
heathland with abundant marsh gentian.
RELATED ARTICLES...
SEE ALSO...
Countryside Access Map
For a
more detailed map of the area showing access information including:
Promoted routes, national trails, and CROW access land.
Protected Sites Map
For a more detailed map of the area and NNR, plus additional
special sites including: Sites of Special Scientific Interest and
landscape areas such as National Parks.
OTHER WEBSITES...
Traveline Cymru
Traveline Cymru, your one-stop shop, in Wales, for bus, coach and
rail journey planning and timetable information.