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Wales Online
a day ago
- General
- Wales Online
Twitchers expected to flock to Anglesey for first sight of giant 'native' bird near A55
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Twitchers are expected to flock to an Anglesey nature reserve after rare, heron-like birds fledged in Wales for the first time. The four Great White Egret chicks hatched in May and will stand a metre tall (3ft 3in) when fully grown. RSPB Cymru said the quartet fledged from two different nests at Cors Ddyga, an RSPB reserve next to the A55 in the Cefni Valley. It confirms the site as the first breeding base in Wales, 13 years after the species first nested in the UK. Traditionally distributed across tropical and warmer regions, the species has been spreading north across Europe. Initially, it benefited from legal protection: until the early 20th century their plumes were targeted for fashionable hats. Wetland restoration and the warming climate have accelerated their recovery. As they are on the Birds of Conservation Concern Wales Amber List, RSPB Cymru expects the Great White Egrets to attract lots of attention from keen birders. The bird charity said: 'RSPB Cymru is encouraging visitors to keep a safe distance from the nesting area to avoid disturbing these rare birds as they find their feet around their new home.' Julian Hughes, the charity's Head of Species and a Daily Post columnist, said Great White Egrets are larger cousins of the Little Egret, which has become a familiar sight in North Wales in the last two decades. A similar size to Grey Herons, they have bright yellow bills that turn black temporarily when adults are in breeding condition. He noted: 'The (Anglesey) nests are just 4km short of being the most northerly in Britain, edged out by a site on the Dee estuary.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Cors Ddyga is a wetland restored over the last quarter century. Site management for red-listed Bitterns has in turn created the right habitats for Great White Egret, which build tree nests in colonies close to water. They forage in shallow water for fish, frogs, mice, and small reptiles. (Image: Ian Hawkins) Julian said one of the Cors Ddyga mothers hatched in Somerset in April 2022. He added: 'She visited several sites in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in her first summer, then turned up at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands in July 2023, but wasn't reported again until a sharp-eyed birder at Cors Ddyga read the ABM on its red ring.' Staff at RSPB Cors Ddyga have been monitoring the nests since the beginning of May. Site manager Ian Hawkins said they had been following their progress with 'both excitement and trepidation'. He added: 'We are so pleased that all the work to create wetlands for Bitterns and breeding waders has also provided a place for other wildlife to move into as they adjust to our changing climate.' (Image: Ben Andrew/ RSPB Cymru hopes Cors Ddyga's success will now 'inspire' the Welsh Government to strengthen its upcoming Environment Bill to include specific species targets. Dr Mark Eaton, secretary of the Rare Breeding Birds Panel, which co-ordinates information across the UK, said it was exciting news. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday He added: 'Since the the first breeding record in the UK, in Somerset in 2009, annual monitoring by the Rare Breeding Birds Panel shows that numbers have increased steadily and there are now over 100 pairs breeding in England every year, spread across six counties and utilising a network of well-managed and protected wetland sites.' See what's on in your area
South Wales Guardian
02-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Swift nesting boxes installed at Pontardawe Library
The boxes at Pontardawe Library are part of a nationwide effort to increase swift numbers. Neath Port Talbot Council's Countryside and Wildlife Team collaborated with the council's Library Service to put up the boxes, which will provide additional nesting space for up to 10 pairs of breeding swifts. The boxes are a human solution to the long-term loss of traditional nest sites in buildings, caused by renovations and sealing up of gaps in roofs. They are screwed into the external walls of a building to provide a space in which a pair of breeding swifts can raise their young. These boxes are designed to last decades, and an information panel at the library explains what a swift is and what the boxes are for. Swifts are on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern in recognition of the fact that populations across the UK have declined by 58 per cent since 1995 and by 75 per cent in Wales. Swifts spend the winter in Africa and return to the UK in May to breed. Swifts nest almost exclusively in buildings, making use of holes to raise their young. However, with lots of old buildings being renovated to improve insulation or simply demolished, swifts are losing their nesting sites. The Countryside and Wildlife Team secured funding from the Welsh Government Local Places for Nature Fund to get the boxes. This fund aims to make local areas more nature-friendly and raise awareness of wildlife to residents. Recording by members of the NPT Local Nature Partnership has revealed Pontardawe is a hotspot for sightings of swifts in the county. Councillor Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council's cabinet member for nature, tourism and wellbeing, said: "Providing additional nest sites in this location could provide a vital opportunity to boost the swift population. "Visitors to Pontardawe Library will also be able to enjoy seeing the swift boxes, hopefully the swifts investigating and nesting in the boxes and learn more about this declining bird." The library also has Swift-themed resources for children.
South Wales Argus
01-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Usk County Hall has six-metre swift tower installed
The tower, which is part of the Gwent Green Grid Shared Prosperity Funding, has been set up to help the declining swift population. The tower, which was installed at the Incredible Edible community garden, has bird boxes for up to 12 pairs of swifts. It will provide additional nesting spaces for swifts and other urban nature, to help address the long-term loss of traditional nest sites in buildings. The tower will also serve as a piece of art to inform residents and visitors about the declining urban bird. The swift population in the UK has declined by 58 per cent since 1995, with a 75 per cent decline in Wales. They have recently been put on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. Swifts mostly nest in buildings, but renovations and demolitions have caused them to lose their nesting sites. The swift tower is one way to help these birds. Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) has a Local Nature Recovery Action Plan to help reverse the decline in biodiversity. Councillor Catrin Maby, cabinet member for climate change and the environment, said: "Swifts are on the red list due to declining numbers and so it is vital that we do what we can to support them. "This swift tower is an excellent way to ensure that we continue to see breeding pairs at County Hall for many years to come. "Hopefully it can prove to be a small step towards the recovery of swift populations in the near future." Monmouthshire County Council hopes to support further swift project work through the Welsh Government Local Places for Nature funding during 2025-2027. Anyone who would like to find out more or get involved, can email LocalNature@
