Ystradfawr
This reserve, once the site of extensive coal mining, is a great example of how nature has reclaimed the landscape. It is a rich mix of wildlflower meadow, rhos pasture and young woodland. It is…
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Chwilio
My dinner party
Niamh loves to feed the birds, so makes natural feeders out of pinecones and berries, to help them through the winter. She’ll tie this to a branch so that the birds can feast from it safely.
Japanese knotweed
Introduced from Japan in the 19th century, Japanese knotweed is now an invasive non-native plant of many riverbanks, waste grounds and roadside verges, where it prevents native species from…
Calaminarian grassland
This is a strange, sparse habitat of grassland growing on old mining tracks and slag heaps, on river gravels and naturally exposed metal-rich soils in the mountains. Only the toughest metal-loving…
Support us
By supporting one of our appeals or by joining us today you will be looking after local birds, bats and bees - and helping to ensure that Wales’ precious wild places will be protected for years to come. You will make a difference!
Commercial Operators
Commercial Operators are external businesses which have signed up to run trips on Skomer Island. These trips range from overnight photography workshops to wildlife watching day trips. Please see below for details of Commercial Operators who are running trips in 2025.
Sightings update
Living Seas volunteer Dave spotted eight dolphins including three calves travelling and foraging across the bay. It was also a great survey for birds with sightings of gannets and this beautiful…
Teifi Marshes
The stunning Teifi Marshes is one of the best wetland sites in Wales, with over wintering birds including thousands of starlings coming in to roost and performing a glorious murmuration over the…
Types of development and planning applications
Planning permission is generally needed for any development. This means building, engineering, mining or other activity that makes changes to the use of land, or changes to existing buildings. There are exceptions that do not count as development, such as maintenance, changes to the interior of a building, agriculture, forestry and changes to gardens.
Goldeneye
A medium-sized diving duck, the goldeneye can mainly be spotted in winter when birds fly in from Northern Europe. Conservation efforts have helped small numbers of these birds to nest in Scotland…
Place plan
A Place Plan is a document that sets out local level planning guidance. It sits below a Local Development Plan (LDP), linking to the LDP policies, and other local plans. They are usually written by local people or town or community councils and can be adopted by a local planning authority as Supplementary Planning Guidance.
Red-breasted carrion beetle
These distinctive beetles are often found around dead birds and small mammals.