A productive island
Enlli is shaped by the hands of generations of farming and crop production
The island has been farmed or cultivated in some way for hundreds of years. Old field boundaries can still be clearly seen from the mountain today, with a complex system of fields. The field names reflect how the land would have been used, with Cae Gwenyn (Bee Field) suggesting a historic location for bee hives, and Cae’r Groes (Cross Field) on the North end, supposedly had a large wooden cross in the middle ages for pilgrims to aim towards whilst crossing the Swnt.
Today the island supports a farm, thriving vegetable plots and poly tunnels, a growing orchard, ancient withies and a small plantation of spruce trees. Making the most of the natural resources in a sustainable way has enabled generations of people to call Enlli home.
cattle in the wetlands
Farming on Bardsey
After many year’s absence, cattle were reintroduced to the island in 2008 to help graze the heathland and wetland habitats.
This grazing regime is part of a holistic farming system of sheep and cattle that works sensitively within the fragile ecosystem of the island and adds to its biodiversity. For example specialised beetles have been found in cattle dung, which provides a much-needed source of food for young chough to build up their strength for the journey to their wintering grounds on the mainland.
The farmer, Gareth Roberts work closely with the Bardsey Island Trust, Natural Resources Wales, and Bardsey Bird & Field Observatory to manage the farm for the wildlife that makes the island so special. The Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory are key in monitoring the effect of the farming regime on the island’s resident birds.
lobster
Fishing
Lobster and crab fishery
The island is surrounded by strong currents and is subject to the moods and the swing of the tides; yet the sea has sustained and provided a healthy income for generations of families on Enlli.
Today, sitting within a Special Area of Conservation, the waters of Enlli are still sustainably fished for crab and lobsters by two families from the island.
The waters around Enlli are also important for a range of heritage and conservation reasons, the Risso Dolphins and Grey Seals using the area as a nursery and breeding ground.
Bardsey Apples
Bardsey has its very own rare apple which can now be bought to add to your orchard.
Some years ago a bird watcher staying at Cristin was using apples to attract birds. Following a conversation between the birdwatcher and another visitor, Mr Ian Sturrock, the exciting discovery was made that this was infact a rare apple variety.
Mr Sturrock, an expert on fruit trees, understood that the apples had come from the knobbly tree on the south facing side of Plas Bach. Although island residents confirmed that generations of islanders had enjoyed these apples, no one knew what kind of apples they were. It was quite possible that the refreshing pink fruits, of lemon aroma and flavour, were the only survivors of an orchard nurtured on site by monks over 1,000 years ago.
The apple was taken to the Brogdale Horticultural Trust by Mr Sturrock where it was examined by Dr Joan Morgan, an expert on British apples. She declared that this was the world’s rarest apple. She described it as an apple streaked with pink over cream, ridged with high crown.
Order your Bardsey apple tree
Grow your own Bardsey Apple Tree!
We work with Ian Sturrock & Sons Tree Nurseries who sell the official Bardsey Apple.
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