Latest News
Pledge 4 Nature! Give wildlife a helping hand in Wales. . . and win a prize!
Addewid i Natur! Rhowch help llaw i natur yng Nghymru. . . gan ennill gwobr!
www.bioamrywiaethcymru.org.uk
To celebrate Wales Biodiversity Week we are offering a prize to one lucky pledge holder! To take part, simply fill in the pledge form and click 'submit'. It's easy to help wildlife, so get involved!
I ddathlu Wythnos Bioamrywiaeth Cymru, rydym am roi gwobr i rywun lwcus sydd am wneud addewid! I gymryd rhan, llenwch y ffurflen addewidion a chliciwch ar 'anfon'. Mae helpu bywyd gwyllt yn hawdd, felly cofiwch gymryd rhan!
Fundraising Trip to Longleat Safari Park
Help us raise funds for the Trust by joining us on our trip to Longleat Safari Park. The trip will take place on Thursday 27th August. Pick up points will be Bridgend and Cardiff. If you would like further information on times and prices, please contact Nicola on Tel: 01656 724100 or email n.cornock@welshwildlife.org
The Big Cardiff Garden Wildlife Survey 2009
The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales are embarking on an ambitious new wildlife survey of all the residential gardens of Cardiff, aiming to discover the hidden biodiversity treasures that live in our Capital City.
The Wildlife Trust cannot achieve this alone, so we are asking all residents of Cardiff to get involved in the survey by recording the wildlife in their gardens. As well as wildlife the survey will also identify habitat features such as ponds, hedgerows, log piles and nest boxes all of which help to create mini nature reserves, providing food and homes for some of Wales’ rarest animals.
Thanks to funding from Environment Wales a specialised wildlife recording form will be delivered with the ‘Cardiff Post’ to all households in June this year and will contain further details of how to get involved. In addition a photo guide will be made available on our website to help in species identification.
The results of the survey will give the Wildlife Trust and residents of Cardiff an opportunity to learn more about the plants and animals on our doorstep, which will allow all of us to help appreciate and protect the wildlife we share our lives with.
For any further information please contact
Robert Jones Parry
01656 724100
Water Framework Directive Consultation
Excuse the pun, but the Water Framework Directive (WFD) isn't as dry as it sounds. It differs from most other water directives in that its principal focus is on ecology, and in particular achieving 'Good Ecological Status' for all of our rivers, streams, lakes and coastal waters as well as their associated habitats. Given its remit, it is clear that the WFD has monumental potential for our freshwater and coastal habitats and wildlife
In order to meet its objective Wales has been split into three areas known as River Basin Districts (RBD) and includes Western Wales, Severn, and Dee, the latter two incorporating parts of England also.
Each of the three RBDs are undergoing a public consultation period on the River Basin Management Plans, to insure that all threats, issues and measures have been rightfully identified. This is perhaps our last chance to make a difference to the WFD for the benefit of wildlife and habitat and we are therefore asking everyone to sign up to the following 5 key issues which we believe need to be addressed if the WFD is to achieve Good Ecological Status for our freshwater and coastal ecosystems.
In order for you to feed your opinions back to us Click Here to take the survey.
Tesco Vouchers Wanted
The new Wildlife Watch group in The Welsh Wildlife Centre has registered with Tesco Vocuhers for Schools and Clubs in order to receive bird boxes, binoculars etc
If you have any Tesco vouchers please send them into either office before the end of June.
Thank You
Eco-status for Dow Corning
Dow Cornings Education centre has recently been awarded eco-centre status. The eco-centre scheme is run by Keep Wales Tidy and runs to similar guidelines as Eco-schools. The centre has an eco-code which ensures that the day to day running of the centre is sustainable by looking at the following aspects:
- Energy
- Rubbish
- Water
- Transport
- Purchasing
- Wildlife
- Raising Awareness
- Environmental Laws
The centre opened in July 2007 and has been built using sustainable materials. The centre uses solar panels to produce electricity, geothermal energy to produce heat and rainwater for flushing the toilets.
The education centre is open all year round to school groups of all ages within The Vale of Glamorgan. The centres most popular programmes are habitat studies, teddy bear trail and eco house but many others are available.
Skokholm Island declared a National Nature Reserve.
The designation seals Skokholm, off Pembrokeshire, as one of the UK's most important havens for wildlife.
At the trust's annual meeting on the 6 December John Lloyd Jones, chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales, said: "Skokholm is home to internationally important colonies of breeding sea birds, including Manx shearwater, puffin, storm petrel, razorbill and guillemots.
"Its designation as a national nature reserve will seal its place as one of the UK's most important havens for wildlife."
The declaration means the trust can work on making the island more accessible to visitors as well as continuing to protect its fragile habitats and wildlife.
Hiding Hibernating Hedgehogs need our Help
The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales are asking people to look out for hiding hedgehogs before they light fires on Bonfire Night (Wednesday 5th November).
At this time of year, especially with the recent colder weather, hedgehogs begin to look for places to hibernate and unlit bonfires make an ideal refuge. Hedgehogs numbers are in decline due to a loss of habitat, development pressures, possible loss of food sources due to intensive farming and the possible effects of slug pellets.
Hedgehogs have recently joined the red squirrel and bottlenose dolphin on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan list of species in need of conservation and greater protection.
The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales advise people to help protect hedgehogs by following these guidelines when building a bonfire:
· Build the bonfire as close to the night as possible so there's less chance of a hedgehog moving in
· Make your pile of material next to the bonfire site and re-build the stack before lighting it
· Search the bonfire for hibernating creatures using a torch and rake before starting the fire
· Move any hedgehogs found to a ready-made hedgehog box or somewhere dry and safe away from the fire
· Before bonfire night make an alternative hedgehog home by raking up grass cuttings or autumn leaves into a pile a safe distance from the fire. Hopefully sleepy ‘hogs will choose to snooze there instead of the bonfire
Please follow this advice, it will only take a few minutes to do and could save hedgehogs from a horrible death.
Hedgehogs are great friends of gardeners and are a natural pest-killer. If you want to know more about hedgehogs and how to build a hedgehog-box to help them over the winter please download a fact sheet.
Award for Lockley Lodge Information Centre
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park held their award ceremony on Wednesday 29 October at Slebech Park. Judging was in four categories and Lockley Lodge won their category.
The award was for 'Enhancing public understanding and enjoyment of the National Park through innovative technology at Lockley Lodge'.
Diane Sparey, Operations Manager, collected the award on behalf of the Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales.
Further information about Lockley Lodge can be found here.
Sustainability Award for Skomer Island
The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales were very pleased to be awarded the Sustainability Award for the Building and Infrastructure Development on Skomer Island in April 2008. The award was from RIC Wales (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). Please click here for more information!
Late Summer and Autumn in the wildlife garden
If you have been able to follow our tips for the spring you should already have seen an increase in wildlife in your garden over the summer - but don’t stop there. Late Summer and Autumn is a preparation time for wildlife as they get ready for the hard times of winter ahead and as wildlife gardeners we can be on hand to help.
Resist the urge to be too tidy: leave windfall fruit where it falls to provide a valuable food supply on which birds and butterflies can feed; allow seed heads to die off naturally on sunflowers, thistles and other plants to provide birds with an energy rich food source; if you want to tidy your lawn, sweep leaves into the bottom of the hedge or in piles in the corner of the garden leaving them undisturbed to provide a cosy over-wintering area for insects, amphibians and small mammals.
Autumn is a good time to clean out used bird nesting boxes. These can harbour the larvae of pests which could be harmful to young chicks in the Spring. Clear out old nesting material and add to the compost heap. Only use boiling water to clean the nest box as any chemicals or insecticides may be toxic to birds.
You may get more opportunity to see Hedgehogs in the garden as they forage around for food before hibernation. They can be encouraged to stay over the winter in your garden by providing suitable hibernation sites. They may use the pile of leaves that you have left or you can create a hedgehog box which not only will be used for hibernation but may also get used for the female to make a nest and rear her young. You can download a leaflet on how to make a hedgehog box here.
Another area that is best cleared out in the autumn to minimise disturbance to wildlife, is the garden pond. An excess of fallen autumn leaves, if left in the pond, can decompose causing stagnation and reduction in the oxygen levels in the water. Any dead vegetation can be raked out gently, however it is important to leave this at the side of the pond for a few days to allow any trapped water creatures to be able to get back into the pond where they belong. After a few days the dead vegetation can either be put on the compost heap, in a pile in the corner of the garden to create another habitat or around plants to provide nutrients for the soil.
From November to March is the best time to plant a new tree. This gives the new tree time to establish new roots while the soil is moist and before temperatures rise and the tree’s energy is used to develop leaves and fruits.
Dig a hole that is larger than the root ball of the tree, adding some water and compost. Place the tree and ease out the roots. Re-cover with soil and heel in the soil around the tree. If the tree is large you may need to stake it, this should be removed after a year or two. Good trees to plant to encourage wildlife are berry producing trees such as Rowan (also known as Mountain Ash) or Whitebeam.
Major refurbishment for the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre
Popular wildlife TV presenter Iolo Williams will open the new and im
proved Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, in New Quay, Ceredigion, on Friday the 18th of April.
The centre’s new facilities include interactive displays showcasing the huge variety of marine wildlife found in Cardigan Bay, with interesting facts about birds, whales, dolphins, porpoise and the geology of the area.
The displays highlight important issues surrounding pollution and sustainable fishing and offer information on how people can help protect the area.
Sarah Perry, the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre’s Project Manager, said: “The new facilities will allow visitors to learn more about Cardigan Bay and its special species and habitats. The centre will also ensure people have a better understanding of the conservation work being carried out to protect the area.”
The Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Wales with funding from the Welsh Assembly Government and the lottery funded grants programme ‘Awards for All Wales’ funded the new displays.
Huwel Manley, West Region Specialist Support Team Manager for the Countryside Council for Wales, said: “Cardigan Bay is internationally important for its population of bottlenose dolphins. The new centre will ensure visitors know why it is such a special site, and how they can help protect it.”
A new aquarium full of rock pool species is also on show for visitors to see, along with a guide on how to identify local species and a brand new shop, which will donate all its profits to the centre, has been opened.
Aberystwyth University and local primary schools have already put the centre to good use by taking part in workshops, enjoying presentations about the surrounding wildlife and watching the specially commissioned ‘Bay of Life’ DVD. Pembrokeshire College also arranged a visit for students visiting from the Netherlands.
The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre is based in the top two floors of the Patent Slip Building on Glanmor Terrace in New Quay, Ceredigion. The centre is run by volunteers and relies on grants and donations to keep it running. For more information visit www.cbmwc.org.
Boat trips around Cardigan Bay are also organised by the centre. To book a survey boat trip to see the local marine wildlife, please contact the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre on 01545 560032.
Picture courtesy of Lin GanderDormouse survey- help needed please!
Are you interested in dormice? Then we would love to hear from you, especially if you think you might be able to help out with the new South Wales Dormouse Survey.
We are looking for volunteers to help check hazelnuts in their local woodlands in south Wales and identify any that have been eaten by dormice. You don’t need any previous experience, just a willingness to keep your eyes peeled. A survey pack is available that provides all the information you need to help you identify which mammals have eaten your hazelnuts, and all you need to do is send any nuts that you think are definitely dormouse-nibbled to us, for confirmation.
Although the dormouse is instantly recognisable and much loved, we are still remarkably in the dark about its distribution in south Wales. With your help we will be able to find out a lot more about where in our area they are still living, and this information will help us to protect them and their habitats for the future. For more information and to download the survey packs, click here.
Let our Gardens Live! A manifesto for gardens, people and nature!
The Forum for Gardening with Wildlife in Mind, of which The Wildlife Trusts are members, has produced a document entitled Let our gardens live! A manifesto for gardens, people and nature. To read this manifesto click here.
Bernard the Gurnard joins the call for a Marine Bill
The Wildlife Trusts are scaling up their Petition Fish campaign with the introduction of Bernard the Gurnard, an animated online petition.
The Petition Fish campaign, launched in June at the House of Commons, aims to demonstrate public support for a Marine Bill. Such has been the success of the original campaign The Wildlife Trusts are now launching an online version featuring Bernard the Gurnard, a fish frustrated by the wait for a Marine Bill.
Bernard is a Red Gurnard, a bottom-feeding fish which lives in sandy areas around the UK coast. Gurnards have two unusual features: they can walk (using slender ‘fingers’ - actually fin spines – to creep along the seabed) and they can ‘talk’ (they grunt and croak, perhaps to communicate with each other). To see Bernard the Gurnard, click the link on The Wildlife Trusts’ homepage www.wildlifetrusts.org
During the summer, 200 Petition Fish will be on display at Wildlife Trusts’ events throughout the UK and thousands of signatures have already been gathered. To show support, simply sign your name on a gold or silver scale and attach it to the fish. The campaign will reach a climax on Wednesday 10 October when all 200 Petition Fish will return to Westminster for an event with MPs. The following week, the petition will be delivered to Downing Street, in a final bid to keep the Marine Bill afloat.
Marine development manager, Lisa Browning, said: “The Wildlife Trusts have been campaigning for many years for new laws to protect marine wildlife. The Government promised a Marine Bill in 2005 but we’re still waiting for it. There have been two major consultations but, in spite of all the work that has gone into it, the Government’s enthusiasm for a Marine Bill seems to be waning. The Bill wasn’t even in Gordon Brown’s list of priorities for the coming year.
“That’s why the Petition Fish campaign is calling for the Marine Bill to be included in the Queen’s Speech in November – which would show a renewed commitment from the Government to improve the protection and management of the UK’s marine environment.”
MPs support The Trusts’ call for a Marine Bill
Madeleine Moon MP and Nia Griffiths MP have supported The Trusts’ call for a Marine Bill in the next Queen’s speech. The Wildlife Trusts launched Petition Fish to MPs at an event in the House of Commons on June 5th. Madeleine Moon MP and Nia Griffiths MP attended the event and signed a ‘scale’ on a giant Petition Fish to demonstrate their commitment to the Marine Bill. Throughout the summer Wildlife Trusts around the country will also collect signatures on Petition Fish. The completed Petition Fish will be brought back to Westminster in the autumn.
The Marine Bill White Paper (launched in March) is an important step towards better protection for UK seas and marine wildlife, but there’s still a long way to go. Government has pledged to deliver a Marine Bill during the current Parliament, but serious delays in the Bill’s development may have put it at risk. The Wildlife Trusts are urging MPs to help keep the Marine Bill afloat by pledging support for the Bill and by conveying the importance of the Bill to the new Prime Minister. We are very pleased to have the support of Madeleine Moon and Nia Griffiths.. It is vital there is the necessary political will to introduce a strong Marine Bill in the Queen’s Speech in November.
Stephanie Hilborne, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts says:
“Like climate change, the destruction of marine wildlife is an urgent global issue and the UK Government must take a lead by protecting our own seas. We cannot delay marine legislation any longer - the urgency to protect marine biodiversity is unquestionable. The 2007 Queen’s Speech must include commitment to the enactment of a Marine Bill. The Wildlife Trusts’ Petition Fish will help keep the Marine Bill in the public eye and make sure it gets onto the statute book.”
The UK’s seas are extraordinarily rich in wildlife, home to more than 44,000 animal and plant species – around 50% of our biodiversity. However our seas are poorly protected compared to terrestrial habitats and are under increasing pressure as offshore activities proliferate and climate change alters marine ecosystems. One of the key demands of The Wildlife Trusts’ campaign for a Marine Bill is the creation of Highly Protected Marine Reserves where all fishing and other damaging activities are prohibited.
Extra protection for roadside verges in Ceredigion
For several years the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales have worked with Ceredigion County Council to help improve the management of roadside verges for wildlife. A network of verges had previously been identified by the Trust and Arthur Chater, Ceredigion’s plant recorder, as being of conservation interest. Dr. Lizzie Wilberforce, WTO for Ceredigion reports on a new initiative. Click here to read more.