Foryd Bay

File:Foryd Bay.jpg

View towards the southern end of the bay.

Foryd Bay (Welsh: Y Foryd or Bae'r Foryd) is a tidal bay in Gwynedd, Wales. It is located at the south-western end of the Menai Straits, about two miles south-west of Caernarfon. Several rivers flow into the bay and there are large areas of mudflats and salt marsh. A shingle spit partly blocks the mouth of the bay. At the north-western end is Fort Belan, built during the 18th century.

The bay has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and in 1994 it became a Local Nature Reserve because of its importance for wildlife. Many birds visit in winter and during migration including large numbers of wildfowl and waders such as wigeon which peak at over 3000 birds. Notable species include brent goose, jack snipe, spotted redshank and greenshank. terns roost at the mouth of the bay.

References

• Davies, Alan & Owen Roberts (2007) Best Birdwatching Sites in North Wales, Buckingham Press, Peterborough.
• Gwynedd Council (2009) Celebrating 15 years of protecting wildlife on Y Foryd. Accessed 17 May 2009.
• McFarland, Valerie (1990) RSPB Guide to Birdwatching on Anglesey & Lleyn, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Sandy.