Latest news with #RSPBCymru
Powys County Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Celtic Rainforest Festival set to take place at Elan Valley
The Celtic Rainforest Festival is set to take place at the Elan Valley. Taking place on Saturday, May 31, from 10am to 5pm, the free-to-enter event is for people of all ages to connect with nature. The festival has been set up as part of The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) project, which is managed by Welsh Water and RSPB Cymru. Children will be able to go on woodland trails, while adults can listen to talks from organisations such as LIFE Celtic Rainforest, RSPB Cymru, Elan Valley Trust, Dark Skies, and Radnorshire Wildlife Trust. There will also be a guided walk. Artisans and demonstrators will be showcasing traditional crafts and wild wisdom. This will include Carnog Horses showcasing horse logging, while Our Wild Edges will lead a forest bathing walk blending plant medicine, folklore, and nature-based games. There will also be live blacksmithing by Art Metal, woodworking by Forgeways, wood carving by European Championships silver medallist Kaspians Carvings, and woodturning by the Wood Turning Studio. There will be live music throughout the day from a lineup of local talent. Twice Welsh Music Prize nominee Toby Hay will play, as well as Holly Blackshaw. Raven Kidd, Ben Shearer, and Elan Valley's own ranger Marc Harpham will also be performing. There will also be a craft fair in the visitor centre, and a hog roast and other food items from the café menu will be available. For an added adventure, step inside one of Elan's most iconic landmarks during Dam Open Days on Tuesday, May 27, July 29, and August 5, 12, 19, and 26. Go on a self-guided tour inside the Pen y Garreg Dam, climb to the top of the central tower, and enjoy views. A knowledgeable ranger will be on hand to answer questions about the dam's history and engineering. Advance booking is recommended online or from the visitor centre shop. To book online, visit
South Wales Argus
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Birdsong celebrated at Newport Wetlands National Reserve
The event will be held at Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve on Sunday, May 4, from 5am to 8am. This is part of the International Dawn Chorus Day celebrations. RSPB Cymru has invited people to join the event and listen to the stunning symphony of birdsong as the sun rises. The spectacle will feature not just garden birds, but also star species such as the Bittern and the Cuckoo. An RSPB Cymru spokesperson said: "As the sun rises, why not join us for a very special wildlife experience to hear the magical Dawn Chorus at Newport Wetlands. "This spectacle of sound will include not only the more familiar garden birds but also some of our star species. "Listen out for a booming Bittern or calling Cuckoo and hear the difference between a Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting… it is well worth the early start." The event offers an opportunity to visit the reserve before it opens to the public and soak up the sound of spring birdsong. Guides will be on hand to help with spotting wildlife along this exclusive walk. Tickets for the event are priced at £13 for RSPB members and £16 for non-members. For more information or to book tickets, visit the RSPB website.
BBC News
25-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Anglesey: The Range exclusion zone introduced to protect wildlife
Increasing levels of damage to wildlife on a protected part of the Anglesey coast have led to a new exclusion zone being RSPB, which leases an area of land known as the Range, close to South Stack lighthouse, has been given special powers to protect rare bird species and the the coastal path remains open across the 1.8 mile (2.9 km) exclusion zone, temporary restrictions aim to curb the damage caused by growing numbers of people taking part in activities such as coasteering during bird breeding season."It's one of the most special and important places for habitats and species, in many cases internationally," explained Alun Prichard, director of RSPB Cymru. The restrictions are now in force and will remain in place until 15 September."The exclusion zone is to ensure that we safeguard that nature, to look after the nature for the rest of the nation, essentially," Mr Prichard sea cliffs at the Range are a key breeding ground for the chough, listed as a schedule one bird, and is home to peregrine falcons and rare plants and one species are given a higher level of protection, especially during the breeding season, and deliberately harming or disturbing them, their nests, eggs or chicks can result in fines and even prison sentences, according to the RSPB."In recent years we've had chough prospecting - looking to nest - but put off by the disturbance, so what we want do is ensure that disturbance is lessened," said Mr Prichard."It's a simple matter of respect." The coastal path is set back from the exclusion zone and remains formally exclude the public from the site required action from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), who have taken what they said was the unusual step of bringing in an exclusion people who have been going to the cliff edge until now, or accessing the cliffs themselves, have been doing so without the permission of the land owner or the RSPB, NRW Jones, NRW's operations manager for north west Wales, said the body found the request "reasonable" because of the impact of activities like coasteering and sea cliff traversing on wildlife as well as the damage caused to the geology of the Site of Special Scientific includes disturbance to protected lichen and the bolting of routes around this section of coastline. Coasteering involves exploring rocky coastlines by climbing, jumping, and swimming. "We will monitor activity throughout the exclusion period and review the situation after the six-month period," Mr Jones said. RSPB wardens in the area will make visitors aware of the new restrictions which are also highlighted on noticeboards close to the exclusion zone to raise awareness of the issue and the new will will be reviewed when restrictions end in September, but legal action can be taken if it is felt necessary. The RSPB, NRW and Anglesey council all said the exclusion zone was about protecting a key nature site and not an attempt to stop people accessing the coast and countryside."We recognise the need for and challenges of balancing wildlife protection and outdoor leisure activities," said Andy Godber, Anglesey council's visitor economy and coastal areas manager."Whilst the lease allows the RSPB to make such decisions independently, we would encourage further dialogue with the outdoor sector, during and after the trial period, to see if a workable solution can be reached."
