Latest news with #BarryMellor
Rhyl Journal
16-05-2025
- General
- Rhyl Journal
Little Tern colony in Denbighshire is ready for arrivals
The Gronant Dunes Little Terns Colony, which has been a sanctuary for the threatened species for more than two decades, is prepared to care for the birds and educate visitors. Denbighshire Countryside Services, the North Wales Little Tern Group, and volunteers have completed the setup. A 3.5km perimeter fence and a 3km electric fence have been installed to protect the birds from predators. These will be removed at the end of the season to maintain the area's status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). A visitor centre and bird hide have also been set up for the season. Last year, the colony recorded 166 breeding pairs and 158 fledglings, a slight increase from 2023. In 2024, two avocet chicks were successfully bred at Gronant for the first time. North Denbighshire coastal ranger Claudia Smith said: "We have already seen the Little Terns start to arrive here and we are ready to protect and support them throughout this breeding season. "None of what we do here would be possible without also the support of all the volunteers who help us." She added: "Wardens are now on site, operating from the visitors centre who as well as protecting the birds, will be available to talk to visitors to the site and also collect information about this year's colony." Councillor Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport and biodiversity champion, said: "For over two decades, countryside teams alongside volunteers have worked very hard to protect this site to make the colony a real area of significance for protecting the future populations of the Little Terns. "Everyone involved can be immensely proud of what they do to maintain this bustling colony on Gronant Dunes." Anyone interested in supporting the colony and other coastal projects can contact Ms Smith at
Leader Live
16-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Little Tern colony in Denbighshire is ready for arrivals
The Gronant Dunes Little Terns Colony, which has been a sanctuary for the threatened species for more than two decades, is prepared to care for the birds and educate visitors. Denbighshire Countryside Services, the North Wales Little Tern Group, and volunteers have completed the setup. A 3.5km perimeter fence and a 3km electric fence have been installed to protect the birds from predators. These will be removed at the end of the season to maintain the area's status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). A visitor centre and bird hide have also been set up for the season. Last year, the colony recorded 166 breeding pairs and 158 fledglings, a slight increase from 2023. In 2024, two avocet chicks were successfully bred at Gronant for the first time. North Denbighshire coastal ranger Claudia Smith said: "We have already seen the Little Terns start to arrive here and we are ready to protect and support them throughout this breeding season. "None of what we do here would be possible without also the support of all the volunteers who help us." She added: "Wardens are now on site, operating from the visitors centre who as well as protecting the birds, will be available to talk to visitors to the site and also collect information about this year's colony." Councillor Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport and biodiversity champion, said: "For over two decades, countryside teams alongside volunteers have worked very hard to protect this site to make the colony a real area of significance for protecting the future populations of the Little Terns. "Everyone involved can be immensely proud of what they do to maintain this bustling colony on Gronant Dunes." Anyone interested in supporting the colony and other coastal projects can contact Ms Smith at
Rhyl Journal
02-05-2025
- General
- Rhyl Journal
Schoolchildren create new wildflower meadow in Rhyl
Pupils from Christ the Word School in Rhyl have worked with Denbighshire County Council's biodiversity team to create a new wildflower meadow on the school grounds. This follows the recent development of hedgerow and woodland areas at the school, with the support of pupils. 260 metres of hedgerow and 14 standard trees were planted to help increase biodiversity and the tree canopy at the school, to support nature's recovery and provide an educational wellbeing outdoor area for youngsters. To create the new wildflower meadow, pupils supported the biodiversity team in planting 200 wildflower plug plants, which had been grown by the Woodland Skills Centre in Bodfari. The biodiversity team worked with Year 10 pupils, who had earlier helped plant trees on the site, to establish a 200 square metre meadow at the back of the school. Ellie Wainwright, biodiversity officer, said: "It was great to work alongside the Christ the Word pupils again, who have been so brilliant in helping us create valuable habitat on their school grounds to support their local biodiversity. "Thanks to their h,elp we managed to plant a variety of native local provenance wildflowers in their new meadow, including Red campion, Meadow buttercup, Knapweed, Cat's-ear, Foxglove, Bird's-foot Trefoil, and Autumn Hawkbit." READ MORE: Rhyl veterinary clinic makes 'final plea' for support as site faces closure The school's new wildflower meadow will help support nature's pollinators and offer additional benefits, including improved air quality, reduced urban flooding, urban cooling, enhanced physical and mental wellbeing, and varied spaces for education and play. Councillor Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport, said: "We have lost nearly 97 percent of wildflower meadows across the UK since the 1930s so this fantastic help from the Christ the Word pupils is more than crucial for supporting local nature that has been impacted by this huge loss. "As we see more wildflowers return to our urban areas they will help increase diversity and colour for everyone to enjoy and give stronger support for the pollinators at risk who play a vital role in putting food on our own tables."
