4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313234373335 English Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en 2026-09-30T14:40:07.495Z NRW 1.0 wel utf8 NONE Status of Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis, Morfa Harlech 2019 Status of Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis, Morfa Harlech 2019 2020-03-31 NRW_DS124735 http://naturalresources.wales/ Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle (Onthophagus nuchicornis) was formerly widespread across England and Wales but has undergone substantial declines, particularly in England, where it is now restricted to a small number of sites. In Wales, the species is associated with grazed coastal sand dune systems and remains extant at several locations. A Wales-wide survey undertaken in 2017 recorded the species at seven dune systems, including Morfa Harlech, where only a single individual was found. As Morfa Harlech represents a northern outlier for the species, a more intensive survey was undertaken in 2019 to assess its status and distribution within the site and to inform future conservation management. The survey aimed to determine the current population status of Onthophagus nuchicornis and identify management measures that would support its long-term conservation. Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle (Onthophagus nuchicornis) was formerly widespread across England and Wales but has undergone substantial declines, particularly in England, where it is now restricted to a small number of sites. In Wales, the species is associated with grazed coastal sand dune systems and remains extant at several locations. A Wales-wide survey undertaken in 2017 recorded the species at seven dune systems, including Morfa Harlech, where only a single individual was found. As Morfa Harlech represents a northern outlier for the species, a more intensive survey was undertaken in 2019 to assess its status and distribution within the site and to inform future conservation management. The survey aimed to determine the current population status of Onthophagus nuchicornis and identify management measures that would support its long-term conservation. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Species distribution GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2008-06-01 geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme Onthophagus nuchicornis Morfa Harlech Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle NRW Thesaurus 2026-08-27 geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely. no limitations © CNC/NRW Data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and NRW's copyright. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose. Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved. Open Government Licence English biota SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 GWYNEDD - GWYNEDD -4.14460911 -4.05370923 52.8965668 52.92192171 2019-07-15 2019-07-20 Mann, C.M. & Mann, D.J. 2020. The status of Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis on Morfa Harlech in 2019. NRW Evidence Report No: 421, 29pp. Natural Resources Wales, Bangor The Status of Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis on Morfa Harlech in 2019 Database Unknown Species records: Recorder 6 Documents Unknown Report as pdf format Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services 2010-12-08 This dataset has not been assessed for conformance to the referenced INSPIRE regulation. false Field surveys were undertaken at Morfa Harlech between 15 and 20 July 2019 to assess the status and distribution of Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle (Onthophagus nuchicornis). Survey work covered extensive areas of the National Nature Reserve (NNR) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) under generally favourable weather conditions. A range of survey techniques was employed, including visual searches, dung sieving and baited pitfall trapping. Survey records were collected to determine the presence, distribution and relative abundance of O. nuchicornis and to provide evidence for the development of appropriate habitat management and conservation measures. Field surveys were undertaken at Morfa Harlech between 15 and 20 July 2019 to assess the status and distribution of Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle (Onthophagus nuchicornis). Survey work covered extensive areas of the National Nature Reserve (NNR) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) under generally favourable weather conditions. A range of survey techniques was employed, including visual searches, dung sieving and baited pitfall trapping. Survey records were collected to determine the presence, distribution and relative abundance of O. nuchicornis and to provide evidence for the development of appropriate habitat management and conservation measures.