The Menai Straits have strong tidal currents and a rich and interesting fauna; the nearby parts of Anglesey and the Lleyn Peninsula have a good variety of beaches and rocky shores with almost all aspects. Our meeting is timed to coincide with the autumn spring tides.
Planned shores and meeting places:
As the weather is unpredictable at this time of year, low tides in the Menai Strait are close to sunset later in the week, and the shores we plan to visit face in different directions, we may change plans the evening before to fit with wind and the amount of cloud expected next day. Changes will be posted on the website as soon as possible; local contact telephone will be 01766 530 508.(26 Sept to 2 Oct, evenings only).
Sunday 27 September: Porth Dinllaen, Morfa Nefyn, N Lleyn: rocky peninsula pointing N, with sandy beaches on E side and at SW corner; wide bay to E. Meeting place: car park at SH 281 407, at 12:30 (LW 15:40, +0.6m).
Monday 28 September Church Island, Menai Bridge, Menai Strait. rocky/silty shores on all sides with offshore rocks, currents. Meeting place: provisionally car park at SH 543 7175 (view point on S side of road), at 15:30 (LW 18.20, light will be fading!) +0.3m)
Tuesday 29 September: Llanddwyn Island and Llanddwyn Bay, SW Anglesey; rocky shore on NW side, rocks and small sandy bays on SE side, large sandy bay to E with off-shore reef. Meeting place: car park at SH 407 634, at 14:30 (LW 17:40, 0.2m).. Car park fee will be waived for participants.
Wednesday 30 September: Carreg y Defaid, Traeth Crugan, Llanbedrog, S Lleyn: low rocky and sandy point with offshore reef. Meeting point: junction at SH 339 327, at .14:30 (LW 17.50, 0.3m)
Thursday (Shell Island) Mochras, Llanbedr, S of Porthmadoc: sandy NW-facing shore with offshore stony reefs. Meeting place t.b.a., 15:30 (LW 18:20, light will be fading)
Logistics etc:
A group of participants will be staying at Bryn Engan, a rented farmhouse about 6 miles NW of Criccieth, NGR approx.SH 452 438. A primitive working laboratory will be set up in two barns - both with electricity, tables and chairs, but few other mod cons (apart from tea and coffee ..); other participants are very welcome to make use of these facilities and discuss what's been found. The landline at Bryn Engan is 01766 530 508, and there should be someone there to answer the phone in the evenings. To reach Bryn Engan, start from the A487 about 6 miles N of Porthmadoc, turn W on the B4481towards Rhoslan, then turn off this to the N (right) across the river. If you plan to join uis at Bryn Engan at any time, please e-mail Bas for a map or directions.
On Thursday, there will be a boat trip to take grab samples, starting from Abersoch.
If you would like to join us any point, or have any questions, please e-mail bas.payne@gmail.com,or 'phone Bas at 01647 24515 (before Friday 25 September) or 01766 530 508.(Saturday 26 September - Saturday 3 October).
Bas Payne (01647 24515, bas.payne@gmail.com).