"Llangefni, a town of about 5,000 people, stands beside the river Cefni, about five miles up from where it flows into the sea at Malltraeth. It therefore lies on the route of migrant birds, following the western seaboard.

Before the Cob was built at the start of the 19th century, the tide came up almost as far as the town, and indeed small ships were able to navigate the water.

A wide variety of habitats makes the area ideal for many different species of birds and wild creatures, and the Malltraeth Marsh itself being famous with nature lovers. There are lakes and reservoirs, ponds and streams within acres of farmland where fields and meadows are enclosed by sheltering hedges. The woodlands, in addition to the plantation belonging to the Forestry Commission, make the area a rich habitat indeed.

Within the boundary of the town stands the Dingle, or Nant y Pandy, with its selection of ancient trees, where nature abounds - and all within a few hundred yards of the town centre. The town itself occupies a sheltered position, with gently rising slopes to the west, north and east where the Cefni flows through the picturesque wooded glen of the Dingle.

An eight-foot carved dragonfly stands at the entrance of this 25-acre woodland. This giant sculpture is flanked by two 12 foot high posts, inspired by dragonfly wings and featuring insect artworks by the pupils of Llangefni primary schools.

There are many entrances to the Nant, for example if you walk past Saint Cyngar's Church, along the new pathways built in 2002 by the Cydcoed/Town Company partnership. Now the public, including wheelchair users, can go to the far end of the Nant, along purpose-built boardwalks.

These varied habitats are ideal for a vast species of birds, ranging from the smallest British bird, the goldcrest, to the big buzzard. Ravens, carrion crows and rooks are here in abundance. So are the magpies, jackdaws and jays. I have seen a pair of hooded crows here, but I have yet to see the chough within the town boundary, although it has increased significantly around the coast of Anglesey.

Of the smaller birds, we have treecreepers and nuthatches, wrens, great tits, the blue, coal and long-tailed tits plus the two types of flycatchers and most warblers. Birds of prey are to be seen buzzards and kestrels, sparrow hawks, together with the occasional peregrine falcon. The Montague harrier has been recorded in the marsh in summer, and also the marsh harrier.

The Cefni reservoir is full of coot, moorhens, tufted duck, pochard, shoveler, mallard and teal, water rails, herons, three different kinds of swans and several grebes. Wild animals like the polecat and foxes are to be seen in the forest, together with weasels, stoats and perhaps the occasional otter.

The red squirrel no longer resides here, although it is pleasing to note that they are on the increase within five miles of Llangefni. Unfortunately, the grey squirrel which was introduced from North America at the end of the 18th century is here. There are also hedgehogs, moles, shrews and water voles. Bats are present in the town, the pipistrelle being the commonest.

It cannot be denied that some birds are abandoning this paradise and others are declining in numbers. The corn bunting, a relation of the yellow hammer, has virtually disappeared and so has the tree sparrow. No longer do we have reports of hearing or seeing the corncrake, but others take their place - the collared dove being the commonest perhaps.

Rarer birds make an appearance at the Malltraeth Cob Pool, such as the black-tailed godwit, spoonbill, red necked phalaropes and the rare avocet.

Nant y Pandy is also a wonderful place for fishermen; there are trout in abundance in the river. Don't take my word for all this - go down there and experience this unique place for yourself."