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Our tranquil nature reserve on Anglesey, previously known as RSPB Malltaeth Marsh, has been through a period of transformation this year. The marshland reserve has recently been awarded funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Gaynor Cemlyn-Jones Trust to improve and preserve the site’s habitat and rare species. The project has also been supported by the Sustainable Development Fund, a Welsh Government Initiative in the Isle of Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Image by Laura Kudelska: RSPB Cors Ddyga Why the name change?
The name Cors Ddyga dates back to the 15th century when it was often used in Welsh literature. Tygai was a Breton exile who came to Anglesey to establish a Christian church during the 6th century. Many churches were established by other early Christians, usually located in remote settings - and at that time the marsh was tidal in nature; remote, and difficult to cross.
The reserve is the site of the former Berw Colliery on Anglesey. While the name Malltraeth Marsh was a good description of the area's terrain, we felt it didn't quite capture these historic and cultural qualities, as well as note its exact geographical location. We therefore decided to name the reserve as RSPB Cors Ddyga, celebrating not only its cultural heritage but its historic roots.
Image by Laura Kudelska: Berw colliery chimney on RSPB Cors Ddyga.
Anglesey’s hidden gem
Wetlands are one of our richest habitats and RSPB Cors Ddyga is one of the largest lowland wetlands in Wales. The lakes, ponds and ditches are some of the most important in the UK and host over 30 scarce wetland plants. The grassland also supports one of Wales’ few lapwing colonies and resounds to the song of the skylark The Cors Ddyga Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is one of just three in Wales designated for the richness of its aquatic invertebrates, such as dragonflies and water beetles.
The reed-beds are home to otters, water voles and wetland birds, including marsh harriers. In spring they echo to the buzz of warblers newly arrived from Africa alongside spectacular displays of wetland flowers. As summer approaches you can spot ducklings, goslings and water plants, like the rare water violet. In autumn you may see an otter’s tunnel or some of its ‘spraint’ (poo). And as it gets colder in winter you might be lucky enough to see a secretive bittern raising its head from the vegetation, a flock of starlings moving at dusk or to hear the sharp squeal of a water rail.
Image by Andy Hay: Bittern.
Sing-along sculpture
To celebrate the reserve’s rich wildlife, local sculptor, Duncan Kitson, has carved a wooden bittern sculpture on the reserve, which includes the words of the well-known Welsh folk song Deryn y Bwn o’r Banna. This, along with new interpretation boards and a 1.25 mile walk that has been built through the wetlands, provides a perfect retreat and a good reason to stop and have a breather – especially if you’ve arrived at the reserve after cycling along the Lôn Las Cefni cycle route. The generous funding we have received has made it possible for RSPB Cors Ddyga to embark on a new chapter in its history. The funding helped the continued development into a thriving complex or reedbed, wet grassland, fen and open water to ensure that the plants and wildlife continue to have new areas to colonise. The reserve also offers some fantastic new volunteering experiences for the local community and the chance to discover the site’s local heritage; through practical work, heritage skills and research opportunities.
If you’re interested in volunteering with us please get in touch with RSPB Cymru Community and Volunteer Development Officer, Eva Vazquez-Garcia, on 01248 672850 / eva.vazquezgarcia@rspb.org.uk.