Newborough Warren
Encyclopedia
Newborough Warren near the village of Newborough
(Niwbwrch) is part of a 1585 acres (6 km²) National Nature Reserve
, in Anglesey
, Wales
. It includes Llanddwyn Bay and Malltraeth
Bay, divided by Llanddwyn Island
, and part of the Anglesey Coastal Path
.
There are large expanses of both active and fixed dunes, although many of the latter have been afforested, along with a freshwater lake, salt marsh
and mudflats and a tidal island. The reserve contains an outstanding flora, interesting lichen
and moss
communities and a wealth of invertebrates. The intertidal mudflats and saltmarshes are important wintering grounds for waders and wildfowl regularly supporting over one per cent of the British population of Pintail
. Ynys yr Adar, near Ynys Llanddwyn
, supports over one per cent of the British breeding population of Cormorant
.
In the thirteenth century the Newborough area was a region of rich farmlands and a prosperous town. Newborough was populated by the Welsh townspeople who were evicted from Llan-faes, in the north of the island, by Edward I. However, in the fourteenth century a series of extremely violent storms buried a large portion of this area under sand dunes. The fears of the residents that the dunes would completely swallow the town prompted Queen Elizabeth I to enact a law protecting the Marram grass
, the roots of which help to stabilize the dunes. This stopped the advance of the dunes and also provided raw material for a new industry in the town, the weaving of the marram grass leaves to form mats.
Rabbit
s soon colonized the dunes, giving the area the name Newborough Warren. This provided the residents with another valuable resource, as over 100,000 rabbits a year were taken from the warren. The reduction of the rabbit population through the Myxomatosis
epidemic of the 1950s allowed the vegetation on the dunes to spread.
Afforestation of the shifting sands on the north side of the Warren began in 1947, partly to protect the village. Artificial dunes were created and the area planted with Corsican and Scots pine. During the late 70's and 80’s and mid 90's there were concerns that the water levels within the Forest and within neighbouring Warren were falling due to a greater potential evaporation demand caused by afforestation, with the result that winter flooding was not to the same depth and that dune slack pools were drying out sooner. However most UK Atlantic dune systems also reported low water tables, due mainly to low winter rainfall during these times. To address these concerns clearings have been created in the forest, and the forest bordering the warren was heavily thinned. Proposals where put forward in 2004 to remove large parts of the forest. The local community and some conservation groups objected and the forestry Commission and the Countryside council for Wales are currently carrying out a public consultation that will shape the future management of the Newborough woodland.
Today, besides the marram grass (Ammophila arenaria), the warren is vegetated by a wide range of interesting plants. On the dunes themselves, plants such as dune pansies (Viola curtisii), sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias
and E. portlandica), and sand cat's-tail (Phleum arenarium) grow alongside the marram grass. Between the dunes, in the marshy hollows called the slacks, a rich flora can be found composed of creeping willow (Salix repens) and a variety of orchids including the marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella
), along with butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris
), Grass of parnassus (Parnassia palustris
) and yellow bird's-nest (Monotropa hypopitys
). In the last decade, the round-leaved wintergreen (Pyrola rotundifolia
) has spread across much of the dune system
Birds common to the dunes include herring gulls, oystercatchers, lapwings, curlew, skylarks and meadow pipits. The dunes are also home to toads and lizards as well as many species of insects. The Warren was featured on the BBC TV programme Autumnwatch in November 2008 in a feature showing the importance of raven
s to the area.
Newborough, Anglesey
Newborough is a village in the south-western corner of the Isle of Anglesey in Wales; it is in the community of Rhosyr, which has a population of 2,169.-History:Newborough was a commotal centre of medieval Anglesey...
(Niwbwrch) is part of a 1585 acres (6 km²) National Nature Reserve
National Nature Reserve
For details of National nature reserves in the United Kingdom see:*National Nature Reserves in England*National Nature Reserves in Northern Ireland*National Nature Reserves in Scotland*National Nature Reserves in Wales...
, in Anglesey
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. It includes Llanddwyn Bay and Malltraeth
Malltraeth
Malltraeth Malltraeth Malltraeth (origin: Mall (corrupt, blasted, desolate, + Traeth (beach)) is a small village in the southwest of Anglesey, in the area of Bodorgan...
Bay, divided by Llanddwyn Island
Ynys Llanddwyn
Ynys Llanddwyn or Llanddwyn Island is a small tidal island off the west coast of Anglesey, North Wales. The nearest town is Newborough.-Geology and geography:...
, and part of the Anglesey Coastal Path
Anglesey Coastal Path
The Anglesey Coastal Path is a long-distance footpath around the island of Anglesey in North Wales....
.
There are large expanses of both active and fixed dunes, although many of the latter have been afforested, along with a freshwater lake, salt marsh
Salt marsh
A salt marsh is an environment in the upper coastal intertidal zone between land and salt water or brackish water, it is dominated by dense stands of halophytic plants such as herbs, grasses, or low shrubs. These plants are terrestrial in origin and are essential to the stability of the salt marsh...
and mudflats and a tidal island. The reserve contains an outstanding flora, interesting lichen
Lichen
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner , usually either a green alga or cyanobacterium...
and moss
Moss
Mosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm tall, though some species are much larger. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems...
communities and a wealth of invertebrates. The intertidal mudflats and saltmarshes are important wintering grounds for waders and wildfowl regularly supporting over one per cent of the British population of Pintail
Northern Pintail
The Pintail or Northern Pintail is a widely occurring duck which breeds in the northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America. It is strongly migratory and winters south of its breeding range to the equator...
. Ynys yr Adar, near Ynys Llanddwyn
Ynys Llanddwyn
Ynys Llanddwyn or Llanddwyn Island is a small tidal island off the west coast of Anglesey, North Wales. The nearest town is Newborough.-Geology and geography:...
, supports over one per cent of the British breeding population of Cormorant
Cormorant
The bird family Phalacrocoracidae is represented by some 40 species of cormorants and shags. Several different classifications of the family have been proposed recently, and the number of genera is disputed.- Names :...
.
In the thirteenth century the Newborough area was a region of rich farmlands and a prosperous town. Newborough was populated by the Welsh townspeople who were evicted from Llan-faes, in the north of the island, by Edward I. However, in the fourteenth century a series of extremely violent storms buried a large portion of this area under sand dunes. The fears of the residents that the dunes would completely swallow the town prompted Queen Elizabeth I to enact a law protecting the Marram grass
Marram grass
Ammophila is a genus consisting of two or three very similar species of grasses; common names for these grasses include Marram Grass, Bent Grass, and Beachgrass...
, the roots of which help to stabilize the dunes. This stopped the advance of the dunes and also provided raw material for a new industry in the town, the weaving of the marram grass leaves to form mats.
Rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
s soon colonized the dunes, giving the area the name Newborough Warren. This provided the residents with another valuable resource, as over 100,000 rabbits a year were taken from the warren. The reduction of the rabbit population through the Myxomatosis
Myxomatosis
Myxomatosis is a disease that affects rabbits and is caused by the Myxoma virus. It was first observed in Uruguay in laboratory rabbits in the late 19th century. It was introduced into Australia in 1950 in an attempt to control the rabbit population...
epidemic of the 1950s allowed the vegetation on the dunes to spread.
Afforestation of the shifting sands on the north side of the Warren began in 1947, partly to protect the village. Artificial dunes were created and the area planted with Corsican and Scots pine. During the late 70's and 80’s and mid 90's there were concerns that the water levels within the Forest and within neighbouring Warren were falling due to a greater potential evaporation demand caused by afforestation, with the result that winter flooding was not to the same depth and that dune slack pools were drying out sooner. However most UK Atlantic dune systems also reported low water tables, due mainly to low winter rainfall during these times. To address these concerns clearings have been created in the forest, and the forest bordering the warren was heavily thinned. Proposals where put forward in 2004 to remove large parts of the forest. The local community and some conservation groups objected and the forestry Commission and the Countryside council for Wales are currently carrying out a public consultation that will shape the future management of the Newborough woodland.
Today, besides the marram grass (Ammophila arenaria), the warren is vegetated by a wide range of interesting plants. On the dunes themselves, plants such as dune pansies (Viola curtisii), sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias
Euphorbia paralias
Euphorbia paralias is a species of Euphorbia, native to Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia.It is a glaucous perennial plant growing up to 70 cm tall. The crowded leaves are elliptic-ovate and 5 to 20 mm long.The species is widely naturalised in Australia...
and E. portlandica), and sand cat's-tail (Phleum arenarium) grow alongside the marram grass. Between the dunes, in the marshy hollows called the slacks, a rich flora can be found composed of creeping willow (Salix repens) and a variety of orchids including the marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella
Dactylorhiza purpurella
The Northern Marsh Orchid is an orchid....
), along with butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris
Pinguicula vulgaris
Pinguicula vulgaris, the Common butterwort, is a perennial carnivorous plant in the Lentibulariaceae family. It grows to a height of 3–16 cm, and is topped with a purple, and occasionally white, flower that is 15 mm or longer, and shaped like a funnel. This butterwort grows in damp...
), Grass of parnassus (Parnassia palustris
Parnassia palustris
Parnassia palustris, commonly called Marsh Grass-of-Parnassus, Northern Grass-of-Parnassus, and Bog-star, is a species of the genus Parnassia....
) and yellow bird's-nest (Monotropa hypopitys
Monotropa hypopitys
Monotropa hypopitys, also known as Dutchman's Pipe, Yellow Bird's-nest or Pinesap, is a herbaceous perennial plant, formerly classified in the families Monotropaceae or Pyrolaceae, but now included within the subfamily Monotropoidiae of the blueberry family...
). In the last decade, the round-leaved wintergreen (Pyrola rotundifolia
Pyrola rotundifolia
Pyrola rotundifolia or Round-leaved Wintergreen is a plant species of the genus Pyrola. It is found in the Northeastern United States, as Pyrola americana var. rotundifolia.-External links:*...
) has spread across much of the dune system
Birds common to the dunes include herring gulls, oystercatchers, lapwings, curlew, skylarks and meadow pipits. The dunes are also home to toads and lizards as well as many species of insects. The Warren was featured on the BBC TV programme Autumnwatch in November 2008 in a feature showing the importance of raven
Raven
Raven is the common name given to several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus—but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied...
s to the area.
Lepidopteran Species List for Newborough Warren
- Angle ShadesAngle ShadesThe Angle Shades is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is a common and familiar European species and is often strongly migratory....
- Stilbia anomalaStilbia anomalaThe False Footman or Anomalous is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in western Europe.The wingspan is 29-36 mm. Adults are on wing from August to September....
- Antler MothAntler MothThe Antler Moth is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is a common species throughout most of Europe.-Description:This species is unusual for a noctuid in that there is marked sexual dimorphism. The male has a wingspan of 27-32 mm but the female is much larger with a wingspan of 35-39 mm...
- Archer's Dart
- Autumnal RusticAutumnal RusticThe Autumnal Rustic is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It was previously placed in the genus Paradiarsia. It is found in northern and western Europe....
- Barred Red
- Bordered WhiteBordered White| name = Bordered White| image = Bupalus pinaria male par Nemos.jpg| image_width = 240px| image_caption = Upperwings of adult maleof a southern population| regnum = Animalia| phylum = Arthropoda| classis = Insecta| ordo = Lepidoptera|| familia = Geometridae...
- Brimstone (butterfly)Brimstone (butterfly)The Common Brimstone is a butterfly of the Pieridae family. It lives in Europe, North Africa and Asia; across much of its range, it is the only species of its genus, and is therefore simply known locally as the brimstone....
- Brindled Ochre
- Brown-veined Wainscot
- Brussels' Lace
- Buff Footman
- Canary Shouldered Thorn
- Chevron
- Chinese CharacterChinese characterChinese characters are logograms used in the writing of Chinese and Japanese , less frequently Korean , formerly Vietnamese , or other languages...
- Clouded BorderClouded BorderThe Clouded Border is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is distributed across most of Europe and the Near East.This is a very distinctive species with white wings marked with black blotches around the margins. The amount of black varies, with the males usually having more extensive black areas...
- Common CarpetCommon CarpetThe Common Carpet is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found throughout the Palearctic region and the Near East....
- Common FootmanCommon FootmanThe Common Footman is a moth of the family Arctiidae. It is distributed throughout the Palearctic region and the Near East....
- Common Rustic sp.
- Common WainscotCommon WainscotThe Common Wainscot is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed throughout Europe.As with other "wainscots", this species has buffish-yellow forewings with prominent venation. The Common Wainscot, as the specific name suggests, is very pale, lacking the darker markings shown by most of...
- Common WaveCommon WaveThe Common Wave is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found throughout the Palearctic region and the Near East.The wings of this species are white, heavily spotted with tiny yellowish dots, which give it a buffish appearance. The wings are marked with narrow brown fascia, three on the...
- Common White WaveCommon White WaveThe Common White Wave is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found throughout the Palearctic region and the Near East....
- Dank Dooby
- Dark ArchesDark ArchesThe Dark Arches is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is a common, sometimes abundant, European species. It is found in most of Europe except northernmost Fennoscandia and the southern parts of the Iberian Peninsula and Greece. The smaller subspecies sardoa is found on Sardinia and Corsica. The...
- Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet
- Dark Marbled Carpet
- Dark Sword Grass
- Dingy Footman
- Dotted Clay
- Double Striped Pug
- Drinker
- Flame ShoulderFlame ShoulderThe Flame Shoulder is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed throughout Europe.The forewings of this species are reddish brown with a black streak interrupted by white stigmata and a creamy-yellow streak along the costa which gives the species its common name. The hindwings are pure...
- Flounced Rustic
- Foxglove PugFoxglove PugThe Foxglove Pug is a moth of the family Geometridae. It has a scattered distribution across Europe, closely following the range of its food plant. Where present it can be very common....
- Frosted Orange
- Gold SpotGold SpotGold Spot was one of the three brands of aerated soft drink started in India by Parle under the initiative of its founder and CEO Mr. Ramesh Chauhan in 1977 after the exit of Coca-Cola and Fanta from the Indian market.It was artifically flavoured and coloured orange. Gold Spot was introduced along...
- Grass EmeraldGrass EmeraldThe Grass Emerald is a moth species that is fairly common throughout Great Britain with the exception of northern Scotland...
- Green Carpet
- Grey Pine Carpet
- Hedge Rustic
- Iron Prominet
- July Highflyer
- Large Yellow UnderwingLarge Yellow UnderwingThe Large Yellow Underwing is a moth, the type species for the family Noctuidae. It is an abundant species throughout Europe, one of the most common and most familiar moths of the region. In some years the species is highly migratory with large numbers appearing suddenly in marginal parts of the...
- Least Yellow Underwing
- Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingLesser Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingThe Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed throughout southern and central Europe, and southern Sweden....
- Lesser Cream Wave
- Lesser Yellow UnderwingLesser Yellow UnderwingThe Lesser Yellow Underwing is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found throughout Europe. It was introduced into British Columbia in about 1982 and has spread southward in the Pacific Northwest. It has recently been reported from Ontario . Full synonymy given in Lafontaine...
- Northern Eggar
- Oblique Carpet
- Orange SwiftOrange SwiftThe Orange Swift , also known as "Orange Moth" , is a species of moth belonging to the family Hepialidae. It was previously placed in the genus Hepialus. It is distributed throughout Europe....
- Pale Prominent
- Pebble Hook-tip
- Pebble Prominent
- Pine Carpet
- Purple Bar
- Red-twin Spot Carpet
- Rivulet
- Rosy Rustic
- Sandy CarpetSandy CarpetThe Sandy Carpet is a species of moth of the Geometridae family. It is found in most of Europe and northern Africa....
- Scalloped OakScalloped OakThe Scalloped Oak is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is a common European species.This is a distinctive species, usually with yellow forewings with a broad orange-brown band and a pointed apex. There can be considerable variation, with the central band sometimes the same colour as the rest of...
- Setaceous Hebrew CharacterSetaceous Hebrew CharacterThe Setaceous Hebrew Character is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in the Palearctic ecozone. It is a common species throughout Europe. It is also found in North America, from coast to coast across Canada and the northern United States to western Alaska. It occurs in the Rocky Mountains...
- Shaded Broad Bar
- Silver YSilver YThe Silver Y is a migratory moth of the family Noctuidae which is named for the silvery Y-shaped mark on each of its forewings.-Description:...
- Six-striped RusticSix-striped RusticThe Six-striped Rustic is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed throughout Europe apart from the far south east....
- Small Phoenix
- Small Square Spot
- Smokey Wainscot
- Spruce CarpetSpruce CarpetThe Spruce Carpet is a species of moth. Its wingspan is about 30–36 mm. It is a double-brooded species, meaning it has two broods in one year. Its wings are colored with different shades of gray, but the spring brood tends to have more brown colors. It is attracted to spruce trees...
- Square Spot Rustic
- SwallowtailSwallowtail butterflySwallowtail butterflies are large, colorful butterflies that form the family Papilionidae. There are over 550 species, and though the majority are tropical, members of the family are found on all continents except Antarctica...
- Tawny Speckled PugTawny Speckled PugThe Tawny Speckled Pug is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found throughout the Palearctic region, the Near East and North Africa....
- White-line Dart
- Wormwood PugWormwood PugThe Wormwood Pug is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is a common species across the Palearctic region and the Near East, as well as North America....
- Yellow Shell
- Yellow Tail