Traeth Lafan
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Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.
Geology & landscape
Landscape processes: Coastal
Birds & fish recorded
Birds
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| red-breasted merganser | Wintering |
| shelduck | Wintering |
Description
Description This large intertidal area contains a range of habitats from sands exposed to waves and tidal currents at the seaward edge to sheltered sand and mudflats. Freshwater streams flowing across the area add to the diversity. Dwarf eelgrass Zostera noltii occurs near Aber. The abundant invertebrate fauna of species such as Cyathura and Scrobicularia attracts large flocks of birds. For wintering waders this is the third most important ground in Wales, with an annual peak of 10,000-14,000 waders of ten species. In addition, there are up to 1,500 wintering duck. The sands are of national importance for their assemblies of moulting great-crested grebes and red-breasted merganser, and are regionally important for shelduck. Remarks: 1. Part of this site is also a Local Nature Reserve.
Species mentioned
Show the 2 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| red-breasted merganser | Mergus serrator | VU (NonBreeding) | bird-duck | anatidae |
| shelduck | Tadorna tadorna | EN (NonBreeding), EN (Breeding) | bird-duck | anatidae |