Day 1 – Goodwick Moor.

When I began my series of walks, I didn’t really know how far I could get with my rollator. Although I had tested it out when visiting family members, we had only done fairly short walks along metalled paths. I knew that I could walk further and also that I have done several thousand steps when visiting Ikea with a trolley to push. But, I had no proper idea of whether I could manage my chosen reserves when I started my attempt.

Goodwick Moor is quite short - although I have lived in North Pembrokeshire for most of my life I had never been there. We started by going down the path directly into the reserve at the side of the Sea View Hotel. Fortunately, my helper for the day was Renate, who knows the routes well. We followed an easily accessed unmade path to the boardwalk section before completing a loop around the reserve. Then we rejoined the path to go back up to the hotel. The only minor challenges were the heat and the quite steep walk back up the path at the end.

We saw Wren, Chaffinch, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Buzzard, Wood Pigeon and Goldfinch, also hearing a Goldcrest. There were several Beautiful Demoiselle damselflies. It was good to see quite a lot of Clover, Marsh Bedstraw, Purple Loosestrife, Knapweed, St John’s Wort, Hemp Agrimony. No doubt there were a number of other plants we didn’t record!

It was the first time I had accessed nature outside my garden for some time or done any proper birding. I really enjoyed myself spending time in nature as well as Renate’s company. The walk easy back to our cars in the car park behind the shops was easy as it is downhill. I wouldn’t necessarily want to walk up to the hotel though!

Day 2 – Cors Caron.

Cors Caron was an exciting walk for me. I was accompanied by my kind friend Ruth, who drove us as well as walking with me. On arrival we chose a route which would take us an hour and a half but in fact ended up taking us a good two hours walking a longer route. The walk was more or less flat, with accessible paths and then a lengthy boardwalk. Again we had exceptionally hot weather to deal with but the first and end parts of the walk were shaded. The downside of these were Horseflies and they were biting.

Cors Caron is a very special raised bog area, with lots of interesting plants and other wildlife. The views are beautiful as the bog lies in a hollow beneath the Cambrian Mountains, just outside Tregaron. As we gently wandered round we saw Red Admiral, Meadow Brown Butterflies, Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Beautiful Demoiselles and various darters (not identified), Robins, Chiffchaff, Red Kite and Mallard. We also encountered two shaggy highland calves. They were almost hidden in a wildflower meadow by tall Meadowsweet, Agrimony, Thistles and Reeds. Sadly on arrival at the lovely state of the art accessible hide, which has floor to ceiling glass panels, the pond had completely disappeared. It was occupied by several thoroughbred horses who were sheltering under a tree where we expected to see Wildfowl and Waders.

As we progressed, we came to some wet heathland, with peat bog domes here and there, covered in mosses. We came across Heathers, Cross Leaved Heath, Cotton Grass, Great Reed Mace, what looked like Field Wood Rush, and what I think was Bog Asphodel. Also a fern which neither of us had ever seen before but we identified as a Royal Fern. The ponds we passed had lovely Yellow Waterlilies in abundance. Not an exhaustive list but what we recorded.

The whole walk was accessible and I was pleased to find we had probably walked a good 2 miles. We were doubly pleased to find that Cors Caron has a good sized car park with a picnic site and accessible toilets. I would love to go back in winter or spring again. Last time I was there in spring there were a number of Cuckoos calling and Mistle Thrushes around.

Day 3 – Llangloffan Fen

Llangloffan Fen is just over a mile from my home. There are two walks – one nearer to the village of Mathry, which is managed by WTSWW. The second is an extension a little further along the river valley in Castle Morris, mostly easily accessed by boardwalk and managed by NRW. We completed the boardwalk section which belongs to them too. This is another shortish walk except the boardwalk, which would be 1 km long, stops almost back at the beginning so we had to turn round and walk back again rather than in a circle. This time I was accompanied by Stephen and two visiting friends who also gave up their time. Birds seen or at least heard were: Blackbirds, Stonechat, Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Wren, Song Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, House Sparrow, Swift, Swallows, House Martins, Buzzard and Red Kite. Llangloffan Fen is a relic of ancient woodland and bog, left over after the last ice age. This means the vegetation is again quite special with large reed clumps resembling tree ferns to some extent. There is also Great Reed Mace and Common Reeds among many other wetland plants. Otters are present (and have raided the village fishponds sometimes) but none were seen. The section of the WTSWW walk nearer to Mathry is not accessed as easily so help is needed in negotiating round it. There is a small car park at the WTSWW site and there is parking in the layby next to the NRW reserve. Once again, it was a very enjoyable walk with plenty to see and lovely company.

Day 4 – Teifi Marshes, Cilgerran

Another longer and exciting walk. Another exceptionally hot day. This time I was helped by Peter, a fellow work party member and member of the Friends of the Islands Committee. It was good to be back at the Welsh Wildlife Centre again and to walk the whole long circuit, with frequent stops off at the hides. Given the heat, many birds seemed to be hiding away somewhere shady. The walk is virtually all along firm paths and boardwalks except for a short section over an unmade and hilly path, strewn with tree roots. I managed it but the rollator had to be folded and lifted over some of the worst parts. Peter’s help was essential and it meant we could continue round our circuit. We also discovered Nathan, a key member of WTSWW’s staff, who was busy clearing undergrowth from the sides of the path so had a catch up with him. Birds we recorded were: Chaffinch, Sedge Warbler, Curlew, Moorhen, Teal, Great Egret, Grey Heron, Robin, Jackdaw, and Carrion Crow. Also a small animal who emerged from the reeds on a little island in one of the ponds before swimming across to the bank opposite. I am sure it was a Water Vole so that was a great thing to see. Kingfishers and Otters are present but not seen by us. Another highlight of the walk was the lunch which followed our walk then another great chance encounter with Sarah Kessell, CEO of WTSWW. It was a good way to end the walk which we decided was a good 2 miles.

Day 5 – Parc Slip, Bridgend

I was very privileged to have Lisa Morgan, WTSWW’s Islands Manager, with me for the walk at Parc Slip. It was very generous of her to give her time to my efforts as she is extremely busy. We had planned as long a walk as possible round the reserve but that day the temperature reached 35 degrees. We agreed to do a shortened version for health and safety reasons - I completed a good distance and we spent some time birding on the way around. The whole walk was easily accessed and there is a good sized car park. I was pleased to see that the mine which previously occupied the site has been remembered by a statue of two of the miners. But we saw little trace of coal mining on our walk. Seen at Parc Slip were: Dunnock, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Little Grebe, Teal, Stonechat and wildflowers including Vetches and Purple Loosestrife.

It was a great ending to my week of walks. We met lots of nice people while walking and saw lovely places, with a very nice lunch to finish everything off. It was also good to catch up with the staff at Parc Slip who were in the office that day.

As stated, it was a brilliant week for me, even if it was somewhat tiring in the heat. I am very grateful for the help I have received as well as all the donations. At the time of writing, my total raised is over £1800.00 plus over £400.00 in Gift Aid. This was raised on behalf of the Friends of Skokholm and Skomer for WTSWW to fund an accessible boat trip and access work on the islands.