Mynydd Bodafon

Mynydd Bodafon (Bodafon Mountain) is a small collection of peaks including the Arwydd (The Sign or signal) which is the highest point on the island of Anglesey (although not in the county of Anglesey — see Holyhead Mountain). It lies about 2½ miles west of the coastal town of Moelfre and ⅔ of a mile south-west of the hamlet of Brynrefail. The meaning of Bodafon is obscure. Bod is a common placename element meaning 'dwelling' and afon here is probably a corruption of the personal name A(e)ddan (afon is Welsh for 'river' but topography rules that out).[1]

Yr Arwydd
Highest point
Elevation	584 ft (178 m)
Prominence	584 ft (178 m)
Parent peak	none - HP Anglesey
Listing	Marilyn
Naming
English translation	the signal
Language of name	Welsh
Pronunciation	Welsh: [ər ˈarwɪð]
Geography
Location	Anglesey, Wales
OS grid	SH472854
Topo map	OS Landranger 114

The true summit of Mynydd Bodafon though lies further south past the lake. The lake, named Cors Fawr (the big marsh), contains rudd, roach and recently pike. Originally, there were two lakes on either side of the road but one is now a covered reservoir. The lake is spring fed but local legend suggests it is connected to lakes within Snowdonia, and that it is bottomless. To the east of the hill is found anIron Age earthwork called Cwtiau Gwyddelod (Irishmen's huts).

The wildlife is dictated by the heathland habitat, different heathers, two types of gorse, cotton grass, bog asphodel, tormentil etc. There are adders, lizards, stone chats, peregrine, chough and cuckoos (there is an old local song about the cuckoo on Bodafon) etc. Heron, coot and ducks are in the lake and water rail are occasionally seen or heard. A rare form of pillwort exists in the lake. Mynydd Bodafon holds a special place in druidic and spiritual history

Although the name Mynydd Bodafon may refer to the hill itself, it is also the name for the wider geographical area, which is part of the Penrhoslligwy parish.

Rabbits tend to be the only grazing animals currently and parts of the heath are reverting to pioneer woodland because of that. There are occasional fires that sweep across the heathland but these are often at the wrong time of year and subsequently encourage bracken.