Mynydd Bodafon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yr Arwydd |
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|---|---|
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 584 ft (178 m) |
| Prominence | 584 ft (178 m) |
| Parent peak | none - HP Anglesey |
| Listing | Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | the signal |
| Language of name | Welsh |
| Geography | |
| Location | Anglesey, Wales |
| OS grid | SH472854 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 114 |
Mynydd Bodafon, also known as Bodafon Mountain, is a group of small hills. It is famous for being home to Yr Arwydd, which is the highest point on the beautiful island of Anglesey in Wales. This mountain is located about 2½ miles west of the coastal town of Moelfre. It is also about ⅔ of a mile south-west of the small village of Brynrefail.
The name Bodafon has an interesting history. Bod is a common part of Welsh place names and means 'dwelling' or 'home'. The second part, afon, usually means 'river' in Welsh. However, because of the mountain's location, it is thought that afon here might actually come from an old personal name, A(e)ddan.
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Exploring Mynydd Bodafon's Features
Mynydd Bodafon is more than just a high point. It is a special place with a unique landscape and history. The name Mynydd Bodafon can refer to the hill itself. It also describes the wider area around it. This area is part of the Penrhoslligwy parish.
Gors Fawr: The Big Marsh Lake
On Mynydd Bodafon, you will find a lake called Gors Fawr. This name means 'the big marsh'. The lake is home to different types of fish, including rudd, roach, and pike. Long ago, there were two lakes on either side of the road. Now, one of them has been turned into a covered water reservoir.
Gors Fawr is fed by natural springs. This means it gets its water from underground. Some local stories used to say the lake was connected to lakes in Snowdonia. They also claimed it was bottomless. However, these are just legends.
Ancient History at Mynydd Bodafon
To the east of Gors Fawr lake, you can find an ancient settlement. This site is from the Iron Age. It is known as Cytiau'r Gwyddelod, which means 'Irishmen's huts'. These old stone huts show that people lived here a very long time ago. Mynydd Bodafon also holds a special place in druidic and spiritual history.
Wildlife and Nature on Bodafon Mountain
The natural environment of Mynydd Bodafon is called heathland. This type of habitat is home to many unique plants and animals.
Plants of the Heathland
The heathland is covered with different kinds of heather. You can also spot two types of gorse, which are spiky shrubs with yellow flowers. Other plants include cotton grass, which looks like fluffy white tufts. Bog asphodel and tormentil also grow here.
Animals of Mynydd Bodafon
The mountain is home to various animals. You might see adders, which are a type of snake, and lizards. Birds like stone chats, peregrine falcons, and choughs live here. Cuckoos are also common, and there is even an old local song about the cuckoo on Bodafon.
Around Gors Fawr lake, you can find water birds. Herons, coots, and ducks are often seen on the lake. Water rails are sometimes spotted or heard too. A very rare type of plant called pillwort also grows in the lake.
Changes in the Environment
Currently, rabbits are the main grazing animals on the mountain. Because of this, some parts of the heathland are slowly changing back into pioneer woodland. This means new trees are starting to grow. Sometimes, fires sweep across the heathland. However, these fires often happen at the wrong time of year. This can cause bracken, a type of fern, to grow more.
