Latest news with #RiverValleys
Powys County Times
10-05-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Iolo Williams spots wild beaver in Powys during BBC filming
Welsh wildlife presenter Iolo Williams described a beaver spotted on the River Dyfi in Machynlleth as 'one of the best wildlife things I've ever seen'. In his new series, naturalist and presenter Iolo Williams described seeing a wild beaver on the banks of the River Dyfi in Machynlleth as a 'hugely significant' spot, with wild beavers having been extinct in Wales for hundreds of years. The BBC series Iolo's River Valleys was filming near Machynlleth along the River Dyfi in search of beavers that had reportedly been spotted in the area, with the crew waiting through days of torrential rain to catch a glimpse of the animal. Going out again on the first dry day, the BBC crew were able to film a wild beaver on the Powys river bank. Spotting the animal, Iolo said: 'We've got a beaver. It's on the far shore, about 20 metres away from me. How fantastic is that? 'The last wild beavers in Wales were hundreds of years ago, but one is over there. It's quite cool and quite calm. It's eating Japanese knot weed of all things. It then came out onto the water. 'There's a very well wooded bank with lots more Japanese knot weed where it's disappeared into. It's gone back onto the bank dragging more Japanese knot weed with him. 'This is phenomenal honestly. This is one of the best wildlife things I've ever seen in Wales.' The wildlife presenter was stunned by the sighting as Beavers disappeared from Britain around 400 years ago after being hunted to extinction. Only in the past two decades has the animal been making a comeback as the animal has gradually been reintroduced to the country, including a number of projects in Wales. The first beavers reintroduced to the wild in Wales were the group released into an enclosure at the Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve in Powys to help manage crucial peat bog habitats. The second episode of Iolo's River Valleys focusses on the Dyfi Valley, with the presenter travelling to Machynlleth to search for wild beavers. While searching he said: 'Usually with a mammal this rare we'd keep the location a secret. But so many of the locals know that it's been seen regularly on this stretch.' Speaking after spotting one, he added: 'I'm just delighted, absolutely delighted that they're here, back where they should be.'
North Wales Live
07-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Iolo Williams in furious rant at 'idiot' jet ski riders for seabird incident on North Wales coast
TV star Iolo Williams has slammed jet ski riders after witnessing two 'idiots' blasting through rafting seabirds near a North Wales nature reserve. The wildlife presenter hit out on the eve of his new BBC series exploring the natural wonders of four river valleys across Wales. Iolo was at the RSPB South Stack bird colony near Holyhead, Anglesey, when he said he spotted two people – a man and a woman - on a jet ski hurtling towards cliff nesting sites. Sharing a video clip of the jet ski idling near the cliffs, he vented his frustration at what he saw on Thursday, May 1. Writing online, he said: 'Jet-skiers must be held accountable (and fined heavily) for their actions. These two idiots put hundreds of incubating auks off their nests at RSPB South Stack on Thursday. FFS!!! 'They came in at speed, forcing hundreds of birds of [sic] the nesting cliffs. I was guiding so couldn't get my phone out in time. This was the second incident we witnessed in less than an hour. Jet skis should be banned in sensitive areas.' The North Wales jet ski community immediately launched an internal search to identify the riders via social media. They argued Iolo's video was not conclusive evidence of harm but the community is anxious to pinpoint any breaches of the Marine Code. This promotes responsible behaviour in marine environments. Four years ago, Anglesey Council cited its own Marine Code following a similar incident at South Stack. On that occasion, four jet skis were photographed ploughing through floating birds, fuelling concerns of a rise in their use near wildlife-sensitive areas. After the latest incident, witnesses backed up Iolo's observations. Writing online, a woman said: 'Took off at a speed right through rafts of birds on the sea. Disgusting behaviour. They ignored all attempts to get their attention even though they clearly heard Iolo whistling and shouting at them.' A naturalist with Iolo agreed: 'They came in at speed, went through a raft of birds, thousands of birds left their nests (allowing predation). Then we manged to start filming. 'This is a nature reserve of declining populations of birds, hugely significant area for some. We were stood with a retired wildlife crime officer and his immediate response was they'd just contravened section 1 of the Countryside and Wildlife act 1981.' Bird lovers have called for exclusion around sensitive wildlife sites, with penalties including heavy fines and confiscation of powered vessels. Already, jet skis must be council-registered and display datatag stickers clearly identifying individual craft. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday Exploring the river valleys of Wales Iolo posted about the incident a day before the launch of his new BBC Cymru Wales series. Iolo's River Valleys, which began last night (Tuesday, May 6), explores the hidden wonders of the Rheidol, Dyfi, Conwy and Vale of Clwyd Valleys. The four-part series was filmed after Iolo recovered from a heart attack while out on a run two years ago. He encountered rare birds and elusive mammals, from the UK's smallest bird of prey, a merlin, to a rare glimpse of an animal at one point believed extinct, the pine marten. And for the first time in years, beavers were spotted in the Dyfi Valley, giving Iolo an unforgettable encounter with his first wild beaver in Wales. Other wildlife highlights included a whimbrel, a migrant bird, spotted opposite Conwy Castle. From there, Iolo followed an ancient Roman road within Eryri National Park, pausing to visit a historic burial chamber where the melodic song of a redstart – a stunning migrant from Africa - echoed from the trees. Some of Wales' finest woodlands were also explored in the Conwy Valley, from Coed Dolgarrog to Gwydir Forest near Betws-y-Coed. Iolo also visited farmland around Ysbyty Ifan that's among the last strongholds in Wales for breeding curlews, before finishing on the vast Migneint moor to watch a hunting hen harrier. In the final episode, Iolo visits the Vale of Clwyd – of the four valleys, it's an area he knows least about. His journey begins on the coast at a nature reserve between Kinmel Bay and Rhyl. Inland at Rhuddlan, Iolo examines the River Clwyd, modified in the 13th century to supply Rhuddlan Castle. On the slopes below Moel Arthur, an Iron Age hillfort, Iolo hears the call of a cuckoo, and at Moel Famau, he meets an unusually tame raven. From Eyarth Rocks Nature Reserve, his journey concludes at Clocaenog Forest, where Iolo searches for one of the few remaining red squirrels in the area. He said: 'On the Clwyd, adjacent to Rhyl where it runs into the sea, there's a little reserve there, it's a small dune area, and I thought there's going to be nothing here but we had basking lizards, common lizards, there. And Skylarks, flying up above, which was amazing when we were surrounded by houses and factories and busy roads. That was lovely.'
Powys County Times
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Iolo Williams reveals career highlight in new BBC series
Iolo Williams from near Newtown has revealed his career highlight in a new river valley series. The well-known wildlife presenter and naturalist is exploring four river valleys across Wales in the new series. He will be travelling from sea to source, uncovering the hidden stories and natural wonders of the Rheidol Valley, the Dyfi Valley, the Conwy Valley, and the Vale of Clwyd. Throughout the series, Iolo is met with sightings of rare birds and elusive mammals, including the UK's smallest bird of prey, a merlin, and a rare glimpse of a pine marten. However, his most significant encounter is with a wild beaver in the Dyfi Valley, which he describes as his career highlight. Iolo said: "The real big moment was when I saw my first ever wild beaver in Wales. "This was a real highlight, not just of the series, but of my 27 years working within TV. "I'll be honest, nobody knows where the beaver has come from, they've been there for about two years, possibly three and it's quite well known locally. "But I'm absolutely delighted because this is an animal that we should have back in the wild." His new series, Iolo's River Valleys, is a four-part BBC Cymru Wales production, which started on BBC Two, BBC One Wales, and iPlayer on Tuesday, May 6. The series was produced and directed by Osian Griffiths, with John Gwyn as the executive producer. Iolo also expressed his fascination with the river valleys of Wales, stating: "People moan that it rains a lot in Wales, but it's because of that rain that we have such stunning river valleys, streams and waterfalls. "Each and every one of them has a different character and each and every one of them is beautiful from source down to sea." He also shared his excitement about seeing a pine marten in daylight, another significant moment in his wildlife watching career. He said: "Such a beautiful animal. "I've seen one before in Wales but only at night, so to be sat in the hide in daylight just watching a pine marten is enthralling. "It's one of the highlights of my wildlife watching career, and I've been watching wildlife for 55 years. "I've achieved a childhood ambition."
