Ynyslas Sand Dunes facts for kids
The Ynyslas Sand Dunes are a special area of sand dunes found in Ceredigion, Wales. These dunes are located right next to Cardigan Bay and the Dyfi Estuary. They stretch between the villages of Ynyslas in Ceredigion and Aberdyfi in Gwynedd. The Ynyslas Sand Dunes are an important part of the larger Dyfi National Nature Reserve. This reserve helps protect the amazing plants and animals that live here.
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Amazing Wildlife at Ynyslas
The Ynyslas Sand Dunes are home to many different animals. You might spot Viviparous lizards, which are small reptiles. Other animals include stoats, polecats, rabbits, and small voles.
Birds of the Dunes
Look up and listen for birds flying over the dunes! You can often see and hear skylarks, meadow pipits, and ringed plovers. These birds love to live and nest in the open dune areas.
Butterflies and Moths
The dunes are also a great place for insects. Many beautiful butterflies and moths live here. Some you might see are the dark green fritillary and the gatekeeper butterflies. For moths, look out for the bright scarlet tiger and the Portland moths.
Bringing Back the Sand Lizard
A special project started in 1995 to help the sand lizard. This lizard is quite rare in the UK. As part of this project, sand lizards were brought to the Ynyslas National Nature Reserve. This helps increase their numbers across the country.
Visiting Ynyslas Sand Dunes
The Ynyslas Sand Dunes are a popular place for visitors. There are special paths called boardwalk trails that go through the dunes. These trails make it easy to explore the area without disturbing the plants.
Beautiful Flowers
If you visit in early summer, you might see beautiful orchids flowering. Both marsh orchids and bee orchids grow here. They add a splash of color to the dunes.
Visitor Centre Information
There is a visitor centre at Ynyslas that is open from Easter until September. Inside, you can find lots of interesting information. It teaches you more about the unique plants and animals that live in this special place.
Popular Activities
Around 250,000 people visit the Ynyslas Sand Dunes every year. The nearby beaches are very popular for kitesurfing. This is a fun water sport where people use a large kite to pull them across the water on a board. In fact, the famous BBC 'Circle' ident, which showed a kite flying, was filmed on this very beach in 2006!
