Middleholm
{{Short description|Island in Pembrokeshire, Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox islands
| name = Middleholm or Midland Isle
| image_name = Midland Island also known as Middleholm - geograph.org.uk - 427473.jpg
| image_caption =
| image_size = 260px
| image_alt = green-topped, treeless island in blue sea
| map = Wales
| map_caption =
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| nickname =
| location = Jack Sound
| coordinates = {{Coord|51.735|-5.264|display=title}}
| archipelago =
| total_islands =
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| area_km2 = 0.087
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| country = Wales
| country_admin_divisions_title = County
| country_admin_divisions = Pembrokeshire
| country_admin_divisions_title_1 = Community
| country_admin_divisions_1 = Marloes and St Brides
| country_admin_divisions_title_2 =
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| additional_info = {{gbmapping|SM74690910}}
}}
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 {{convert|1210|ft}}{{cite web|url=http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/308817/details/midland-isle-or-middleholm-skomer-settlement-and-field-boundary|title=MIDLAND ISLE OR MIDDLEHOLM, SKOMER, SETTLEMENT AND FIELD BOUNDARY|publisher=Coflein|accessdate=30 November 2018}} and an area of {{convert|21.5|acre}}. It is separated from the mainland by Jack Sound and from Skomer by Little Sound.
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.{{cite journal|journal=Nature in Wales|author=Lockley, R. M. and Saunders, D. R.|title=Middleholm (Midland Isle) Pembrokeshire|volume=10|number=4|pages=147–148|url=https://journals.library.wales/view/1220475/1222520/4#?xywh=-1091%2C-231%2C4355%2C3913|date=1 September 1967|accessdate=12 December 2018}} Since 1966, when the rabbit population was killed by myxomatosis, the island has been ungrazed.{{cite web|title=Pembrokeshire Coast National Park: Middleholm|url=https://www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/default.asp?PID=374|accessdate=13 December 2018}} The name Midland Isle has been used at least as far back as 1578, when it was abbreviated in Latin as Midlan Insul.{{cite web|title=Penbrok comitat|publisher=British Library|url=https://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/unvbrit/p/zoomify83390.html|accessdate=}} This name was also used in 1833, when it was cited in Lewis's A Topographical Dictionary of Wales.{{cite web|title=GENUKI: Haverfordwest, St Martin|url=https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/PEM/Haverfordwest/StMartin|accessdate=14 December 2018}} Modern Ordnance Survey maps use the latter name.{{cite web|title=Ordnance Survey 2018|url=https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/51.73625,-5.26212,14|accessdate=19 December 2018}}
Geology
The island is formed largely from a suite of volcanic rocks of Aeronian age (early Silurian) assigned to the Skomer Volcanic Group.{{cite web|url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/marloes-sands/features/exploring-the-islands-off-the-marloes-peninsula|title=Exploring the islands off the Marloes Peninsula|publisher=National Trust|accessdate=18 November 2018}}{{cite web |title=Geoindex Onshore |url=https://mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk/geoindex/home.html |publisher=British Geological Survey |accessdate=8 June 2020}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/marloes-sands-and-mere/features/middleholm-island-welcomes-first-manx-shearwater-seabird-count-for-20-years|title=Middleholm Island welcomes first Manx shearwater seabird count for 20 years|publisher=National Trust|accessdate=18 November 2018}}
Ownership
References
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