In March 2007 a survey was carried out by Gareth and Rebecca Pritchard on behalf of Menter Mon and the Prosiect Dyfrgwn Ynys Mon/ Anglesey Otter Project.

They looked for spraints at all likely spots (such as prominent rocks) along the river boundaries, and signs of activity such as footprints and potential holts.

What they found-

Afon Wygyr:

•Number of sprainting sites found:  22

•Number of spraints found: 48

“It is quite likely that human disturbance and potentially, disturbance by dogs is restricting the amount of signs that the otters are leaving on the lower reaches of the river where it flows into the sea, but there is no doubt that the otters will be using the whole length as an access route to the sea for foraging … footprints were also found along this section.”

What they found-

Afon Meddanen:

•Number of sprainting sites found:  16

•Number of spraints found: 29

“The habitat along this section is excellent for otters: it is wooded along the majority of its length and is largely undisturbed.  It is very likely that otters are using this area to lie up and potentially as a holting area.”

Otters are active along both the Afon Wygyr and Afon Meddanen.”

“It is likely that the otters are feeding on both freshwater fish species and also foraging in the sea along the shore at Cemaes”

• •A survey was carried out in 2008 by members of the Gwynedd Bat Group within the woodlands that border the rivers.

• •7 species of bats were identified.

• •Bats were using woodland edges and the river corridor as flight lines for foraging and commuting.

    (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)             (Pipistrellus pygmaeus)                (Plecotus au ritus)                  (Myotis mystacinus)

The Anglesey Water Vole Project

•

•Anglesey is recognised as an important area for water vole conservation nationally

•The Water Vole Project was set up in 2001

•Water voles are included  in the Anglesey Biodiversity     Action Plan

Results of the survey

•Voles were found all along the Wygyr wherever the habitat was suitable:

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