Latest news with #MontgomeryshireWildlifeTrust
Powys County Times
06-08-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Rare butterfly spotted in Mid Wales for first time in years
A rare butterfly has been spotted in Mid Wales for the first time in recent years. The Wood White butterfly, one of the UK's rarest species, has been recorded at four separate sites in North Powys this summer. Three of these sightings were in forestry plantations close to the Kerry Ridgeway, while the fourth was at Roundton Hill, a Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust reserve. The butterfly, which has suffered a decline in numbers, had not been recorded in Wales recently, though it has been spotted in the Forest of Dean sporadically. The resurgence of the Wood White butterfly in Shropshire, due to the efforts of Butterfly Conservation and Forestry England, is believed to have contributed to its appearance in Mid Wales. The first report of a Wood White butterfly in Mid Wales this year came in May when Clare Boyes, the butterfly recorder for Montgomeryshire, received a report via iRecord from Coed Cefn-craig near Newtown. The sighting was made on May 9 by Martyn Moore. Though an initial visit by Ms Boyes, Simon Spencer, and Richard Bullock in early June did not yield any sightings, further surveys in July revealed a colony of several individuals at Siercwm, including a female laying eggs. Another group was found in an outlier block of forest in the City near Sarn. The local butterfly group plans to conduct further surveys next spring and is in talks with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to discuss the management of roadside verges along the forestry plantation roads. This strategy has been successful in Shropshire, and the group looks forward to improving the fortunes of this butterfly further. The planned urgent work by NRW on the dam will proceed without the need to relocate food plants.
Powys County Times
06-06-2025
- Powys County Times
Llanidloes art exhibition highlights endangered bird species
A new art exhibition organised by campaign group Protect Glaslyn and Hafren has opened at a Llanidloes café. 'Vanishing Wings: Art of the Endangered' at The Wild Oak Café brings together the work of 20 local artists, each inspired by the extraordinary yet vulnerable bird species that call the Cambrian Mountains home. Melinda Fansa, from Protect Glaslyn and Hafren, said: 'This exhibition aims to draw attention to the 22 Welsh red listed birds found in the Cambrian Mountains between Dylife and Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust's (MWT) Glaslyn Nature Reserve. "John Bimson, reserve volunteer warden and avid birder, has meticulously recorded the bird life of this area over the past 13 years. "He has documented 95 different bird species, 22 of which are currently in decline and need our help. "These species -including hen harriers, curlews, and cuckoos - highlight the ecological importance of the area. "However, this vital habitat is under threat. Bute Energy is proposing a wind farm development in the area between Glaslyn Nature Reserve and the Hafren Forest. "Concerned about the potential impact, the Wildlife Trust has urged its members to oppose the development.' This art exhibition is both a celebration and a call to action. The 20 participating artists Amanda Caldwell Ann-Marie Stuart Beth Knight Delia Taylor-Brook Diane Rose Elin Crowley Erin Hughes Gini Wade Hilary Reed Jenny Fell Jeremy Andrews Juliet Wooldridge Megan Elinor Peter Lloyd Samantha Boulanger Sandy Craig Sue Powell Sue Terrey Veronica Calarco Each brings their unique artistic vision to the subject, expressing respect for these remarkable birds through a variety of styles and media. Protect Glaslyn & Hafren is committed to fighting climate change—but not at the expense of critical habitat loss. Melinda Fansa says: 'We urge the Welsh Government to recognise that we are facing both a nature emergency and a climate emergency and to refuse Bute's planning application."
