Middleholm

Middleholm, also known as Midland Isle, is a small island lying off southwest Pembrokeshire in Wales, between the island of Skomer and the mainland in the community of Marloes and St Brides. It is roughly circular with a diameter of about 1,210 feet (370 m)[1] and an area of 21.5 acres (8.7 ha).[2] It is separated from the mainland by Jack Sound and from Skomer by Little Sound.[3]

Middleholm or Midland Isle
Middleholm or Midland Isle
Geography
LocationJack Sound
Coordinates
Area0.087 km2 (0.034 sq mi)
Administration
Wales
CountyPembrokeshire
CommunityMarloes and St Brides
Additional information
grid reference SM74690910

History

The name Middleholm was documented in 1325 in the reign of Edward III, when ferreters were paid for catching rabbits. The island has been in use for considerably longer, with traces of Iron Age walling, and may have been used for summer grazing, despite the lack of natural fresh water.[2] Since 1966, when the rabbit population was killed by myxomatosis, the island has been ungrazed.[4] The name Midland Isle has been used at least as far back as 1578, when it was abbreviated in Latin as Midlan Insul.[5] This name was also used in 1833, when it was cited in Lewis's A Topographical Dictionary of Wales.[6] Modern Ordnance Survey maps use the latter name.[3]

Geology

The island is formed largely from a suite of volcanic rocks of Aeronian age (early Silurian) assigned to the Skomer Volcanic Group.[7][8]

Wildlife

The island is known for its seabirds, including Manx shearwaters and Atlantic puffins, and for its plants, including red fescue, sea beet and common tree-mallow.[9]

Ownership

The island is owned and managed by the National Trust. It is not open to the public.[9]

References
  1. "MIDLAND ISLE OR MIDDLEHOLM, SKOMER, SETTLEMENT AND FIELD BOUNDARY". Coflein. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  2. Lockley, R. M. and Saunders, D. R. (1 September 1967). "Middleholm (Midland Isle) Pembrokeshire". Nature in Wales. 10 (4): 147–148. Retrieved 12 December 2018.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. "Ordnance Survey 2018". Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  4. "Pembrokeshire Coast National Park: Middleholm". Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  5. "Penbrok comitat". British Library.
  6. "GENUKI: Haverfordwest, St Martin". Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  7. "Exploring the islands off the Marloes Peninsula". National Trust. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  8. "Geoindex Onshore". British Geological Survey. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  9. "Middleholm Island welcomes first Manx shearwater seabird count for 20 years". National Trust. Retrieved 18 November 2018.

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