Afon Cefni
| Afon Cefni | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location of the mouth | |
| Location | |
| Country | Wales |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Llyn Cefni |
| Mouth | Irish Sea |
• location | Malltraeth Sands |
• coordinates | 53°11′08″N4°23′51″W/ 53.185667°N 4.397433°W |
| Length | 16.9 km (10.5 mi) |
Afon Cefniis one of the majorriverson the island ofAnglesey,Wales.It is 16.9 kilometres (11 mi) long. Its source is near to the village ofCapel Coch,before flowing throughBodfforddand intoLlyn Cefniin the centre of the island. It continues to run south through the county town ofLlangefni.Just north of theA55the river turns and flows south-west.[1]It passes through the flatlands of theMalltraeth Marshes,where the river course was altered in 1824, creating a canal-like straight stretch. This part of the river and the surrounding marshes, part of which is a RSPB reserve, are frequented by a variety of wetland birds which in their turn are preyed on by falcons, hawks and harriers. A cycle trail follows the straightened course of the river as it flows through the marshes.[2]
Finally it flows under a bridge carrying theNorth Wales Coast Railway Lineat Malltraeth Sands in the south-west of the island and into theIrish Sea.The viaduct is described as "noble" and has nineteen arches.[3]An embankment carries theA4080across the estuary at the village ofMalltraeth,half a mile below the railway bridge.[1]Another RSPB reserve is to be found in the estuary here, Newbourough Warren. Malltraeth Pool at the north end of the estuary is a place visited by many waterbirds during their spring and autumn migrations, and other wildfowl and waders are to be seen on the estuary all winter. Newborough Forest on the southern shore is used by large numbers ofravensas a winter roost, and a peninsula and a rocky islet in the estuary are a breeding ground for shags andcormorants.[4]
Migration of fish and eels is effectively blocked by the dam at the Cefni water treatment works, holding back the Cefni reservoir. Attempts to prompt the installation of a fish pass have proven unsuccessful to date.
There wasa ship named after the riverbuilt in Glasgow in 1890 by a company based inMenai Bridge.
There is currently a tug namedAfon Cefni,operated by Holyhead Towing. It can be tracked on Ship AIS websites.
References
[edit]- ^abOS Landranger 114: Anglesey / Ynys Môn.Ordnance Survey. 2016.ISBN978-0-319-26212-2.
- ^"After the rain: Cors Ddyga / Malltraeth Marsh".Newborough, Anglesey.29 August 2014.Retrieved14 June2016.
- ^Carradice, Phil (2015).The Railways of Wales.Amberley Publishing Limited. p. 134.ISBN978-1-4456-3855-3.
- ^Tipling, David (2006).Where to Watch Birds in Britain and Ireland.New Holland Publishers. p. 84.ISBN978-1-84537-459-4.
