Welsh Journals

species frequent the acidic rough grasslands which are typical of the sheepwalks in this part of Wales. It is intended to continue sheep-grazing on the greater part of the Reserve, but certain sections will be protected from sheep for experimental purposes and especially to ensure the natural re- generation of the oak-woods. Permits to visit are required for parts of the Reserve away from the rights of way. Applications for permits should be made to the Regional Officer for South Wales, The Nature Conservancy, c/o Department of Zoology, University College of Swansea, Single- ton Park, Swansea, Glamorgan, or to Mr. P. J. Panting, c/o F. Owen, Maesllyn Cottage, Near Tregaron, Cardiganshire. MORFA DYFFRYN A Nature Reserve Agreement covering 500 acres of coastal dunes at Morfa Dyffryn, Merionethshire, has been made by the Conservancy thanks to the co-operation of Professor A. S. Whitfield and his tenants. This Reserve is on the coastline of Cardigan Bay between the estuaries of the River Artro and River Ysgethin. It lies in the parishes of Llanenddwyn and Llanddwywe-is-y-graig within the Snowdonia National Park. Although the Reserve does not include all the extensive sand- dune system on this part of the coast, its shoreline is 1 f miles long and consists of two parallel ridges which are over 50 feet high in places. There is an area of mobile sand and damp hollows or slacks between the ridges, which are themselves partly mobile and partly fixed, owing to recurrent cycles of erosion and accretion. The dunes are therefore of considerable physiographic interest. Vegetation on the dunes is very sparse. and consists mostly of Marram-grass other plants are Sea Spurge, Sand Sedge, Red Fescue, Violet and Sea Bindweed. East of the ridges lie the fixed- dune grasslands characterised by such plants as Red Fescue, White Clover, Wild Thyme, and Carline Thistle, which form a close cover. The richest and most varied vegetation, however, is found in the damp slacks, where either the Creeping Willow or various sedges, together with the Variegated Horsetail, are dominant. The horse- tail is a northern plant and occurs very locally in Great Britain. By contrast, the Sharp Rush, which is a Mediterranean plant, also grows here near its northern limit of distribution. In some parts of the slacks there is an unusual mixture of plants that are typical of calcareous, acidic, and saline habitats--e.g., Marsh Helleborine, Common Cotton-grass, and Sea Rush. There is also a rich variety of spring annuals, together with many sedges and orchids. Access to the beach from Llanenddwyn is provided by a public footpath across the southern tip of the Reserve, but access to the northern and central parts of the Reserve will be by permit only.