North Ceredigion Wildlife Trust local group save red kite
During the freezing weather in early January, Sue Fowler (wife of Dave Purdon – Secretary of N. Ceredigion Group) was walking in woods near Dolybont, when she found a Red Kite, on the ground and in trouble, very weak and barely able to move. She wrapped it up took it home and they sought advice. The RSPB and the Kite Trust were both very helpful, kites and other birds of prey often get into difficulties when snow lies for a while, they can’t feed easily and can get desperately hungry and thirsty.
The kite was taken indoors, and fed tepid water from a teaspoon, and small pieces of cat food. Initially it was almost too weak to swallow, but over a few hours revived enough to show some enthusiasm to swallow. Left overnight in a box in the shower room, by the morning it was sitting on the box and looking livelier.
Wrapped and in a basket, the bird was taken to the Kite Trust HQ at Gigrin Farm at Rhayader, where they have an aviary for the rehabilitation of sick or injured birds, and where ‘Jimmy’ is making good progress, and we expect him to be released back into the wild soon.
Celebrating International Dawn Chorus Day in style
The Trust held two events to celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day- one in Castle Woods, Carmarthenshire, and one at the Welsh Wildlife Centre in Cardigan- to rejoice in nature’s daily miracle.
The walk at the Welsh Wildlife Centre was attended by 23 brave souls, apparently undeterred by the 4.30am start. Led by Mike Snow, the group were treated to a cacophony of reedbed species’ songs, such as sedge warbler, reed warbler and Cetti’s warbler. Particularly large numbers of reed buntings were also noted.
At Castle Woods, the morning began with light rain, but even in the pitch black the carpets of bluebells in the woods were detectable by their scent. First bird to be heard was a common sandpiper, calling over the river Tywi. The rain delayed play- but soon enough, the woods were alive with song- the loudest being blackbird and song thrush, but readily joined by robin, blackcap, and nuthatch. The event was led by Neil Matthew and the East Carmarthenshire group- and was attended by 8 people- embracing both the early start and the rain, but more than rewarded by the
spectacle.
Both of these dawn chorus events are run on an annual basis- so if you missed your opportunity this year, make sure you book it into the first Sunday in May in future diaries!