Dragonflies and Butterflies in Ceredigion.

The north Ceredigion local group held a meeting on 18th

Small Red Damselfly maleSmall red damselfly
July to look for dragonflies was spoilt by poor weather, the morning was a complete washout, but in the afternoon, those that went had sightings of a variety of species including the rare small red damselfly. Also seen were emerald, azure, common blue, blue-tailed and large red damselflies, common and black darters, and the common southern dragonfly.

Purple HairstreakFemale purple hairstreak
In contrast the weather for the meeting on 25th July was dry and warm, and although not sunny enough to bring the butterflies out in profusion, a variety of species were seen; notably  the large heath, at the southern end of its distribution, also meadow brown, ringlet,  small large and green veined white, large and small skipper, red admiral, peacock,  small tortoiseshell, comma, and a number of purple hairstreak butterflies in the canopy of oak trees along the railway line. The afternoon group saw hobbies overhead.

Both meetings were lead by Red Liford, whose extraordinary knowledge and eyesight were invaluable and inspirational, we are very grateful to him.

ArthurChater's new book, Flora of Cardiganshire  is now published, and in stock in Ystwyth Books in Aberystwyth. Covering all the vascular plants of the county, including sections on the champion trees of the county, arable crops, pasture grasses, forestry and street trees, It is rich in detail and well worth a look.

Celebrating good work

WCVA AwardPhoto credit Andrew Jaffrey

Retirement has completely failed to slow down John Gale.  The 71-year-old is not only a voluntary warden at a South Wales nature reserve, but also helped transform a small local charity into a widely respected wildlife trust. All of this good work has led to John winning a national volunteer award from the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA).

Although he retired as trustee last December, he is now a key member of the Trust’s new finance committee, assisting both the new treasurer and finance manager.

‘During the time that John has been a board member, the Trust has developed from being a small local charity to a much more professionally run and widely respected organisation,’ Diana added.

‘We feel that he deserves to have this award as he has been an inspiration to both staff and trustees through his unfaltering dedication to the Wildlife Trust.’

John is photographed here with WCVA Chair, Win Griffiths, and guest presenter Mai Davies of Sky TV

New Agreement Forged Between Environmental Organisations

ConcordatDerek Thomas, WTW, and John Lloyd Jones, CCW
On Monday 22 February 2010, the Wildlife Trusts Wales (WTW) and the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) set out plans of working together to create an environment rich in wildlife for Wales and its people, through the signing of an innovative partnership agreement; a Concordat.

Derek Thomas, Chair of Wildlife Trusts Wales - the umbrella body for the six Wildlife Trusts in Wales - and John Lloyd Jones, Chair of CCW, will sign the Concordat.  It identifies areas of mutual benefit and sets out an agreement of joint working and collaboration.  The Concordat will be underpinned by a three year grant agreement.

Some examples of collaboration include:

•           Working together to deliver a range of educational and community projects, volunteering opportunities and student placements so people understand, care and value their natural environment.

•           A joint approach to managing some Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with the aim of stopping the loss of biodiversity.

•           Seeking to empower The Wildlife Trusts to make recommendations on planning applications related to local wildlife sites.

•           Sharing resources and information where possible, whilst working together to maximise income-generating opportunities for the environmental sector.

Derek Thomas, Wildlife Trusts Wales’ Chair, said:

“The Wildlife Trusts in Wales and the Countryside Council for Wales have long aspired to the same aims of achieving a healthy and diverse environment. Although this Concordat is the conclusion of one long journey, it also represents the start of a new and productive one.  It brings together the six Wildlife Trusts in Wales and CCW, forging a closer working relationship.  One better suited to achieving our common aims.  Putting people at the centre of their environment is a vital part of our mission and we believe this Concordat will help enhance the quality of life of the people of Wales.

 

“It is particularly fitting we sign this agreement in 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity.”

John Lloyd Jones, CCW’s outgoing chairman said:

“We face huge environmental and economic challenges in these forthcoming years, and so the ability for our organisations to work together, share costs and innovate becomes even more vital.  This partnership also supports the Welsh Assembly Government’s ambition for more public and third sector collaboration.

 

“As I retire from my time as CCW’s Chair, I am delighted that one of my final tasks will be to sign off a key partnership agreement with the third sector. This is the first Concordat for CCW and for The Wildlife Trusts across England and Wales, so I know that this innovative approach will be closely watched.  Indeed, it could provide a blueprint for public and voluntary bodies in the environmental sector for the future.”

AN APPRECIATION OF JEAN DONOVAN

With the passing of Jean Donovan the Wildlife Trust lost a staunch supporter and advocate of its cause which stretched undiminished for over forty years. She will be particularly missed by the Mid-Pembrokeshire Group who were the frequent beneficiaries of her many talents.

For many years she was at the forefront of the Group’s meetings and some of its most memorable field trips were as a result of her organisational skills as Programme Secretary. Her warm smile and welcoming manner greeted new members, especially children. She excelled as a hostess at Member’s Evenings when her sales table of homemade jams and chutneys was a great attraction and raised money for the Trust. She inaugurated flag-day collections at a local supermarket and sold her attractive water colour paintings to further boost the funds.

Jean was goodness personified - always a pleasure to meet, always welcoming and a splendid hostess. Many have fond memories of Wildlife Trust Group meetings at her house accompanied by cups of tea, cakes and biscuits. Her drive also saw her extend her energy beyond the local group, like chairing a morning session at one of the Pembrokeshire Birdwatchers’ Conference and organising the RSPB’s annual Beached Bird Survey in Pembrokeshire but her greatest delight was to be outdoors in the company of her beloved husband Jack. They were inveterate travellers, in this country, as well as elsewhere, often in search of some ornithological or botanical gem

Those of us who knew her well have lost a good friend and the cause of Conservation has lost a redoubtable ally.

Peter Tithecott, Chairman, on behalf of the Mid-Pembrokeshire Group.

 

Staff Changes

It is with great sadness that we said goodbye to Kevin Davies, Senior Wildlife Trust Officer based on Gower.  He has gone to work for the Corporation of London at Burnham Beeches in a role that expands and develops his career and allows him to experience working with a very generous budgetand seemingly unlimited resources! 

Kev should be extremely proud of what he achieved in his 5 years with the Trust.  He had some unfinished grant work and a number of complicated challenges to deal with when he started but he rose to the task and turned the situation around. 

5 years on we have some new reserves, a whole new Estates Team, a very well managed tree safety programme, better organised tools and equipment, and better trained staff, not to mention the improved access on many reserves in his patch.  The combination of his experience in the private and voluntary sector was very useful to the Trust and he was always ready to contribute in staff and strategic meetings.  His experience as a rugby coach also made him a popular leader of group activities, and his social skills were legendary! 

We are not able to replace Kev at the moment but Paul Thornton, our Reserves Manager based on Gower, is covering some of the work that Kev did.  Paul manages the Estates Team and is well acquainted with the reserves in Gower, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot as well as getting a good overview of our other reserves through helping the other Wildlife Trust Officers with the trickier practical and tree work!  Paul’s contact number is 07966 564372.