Four ways to help birds
NATIONAL (UK) WILLOW TIT SURVEY 2019-2020
This two year survey is being organized by the RSPB and WOS is the main partner in Wales. This species is now considered very uncommon if not rare in some parts of Wales and is one of the Priority species identified by WOS as needing further survey work and so this project is very timely. The Welsh Coordinator is Anne Brenchley (annebrenchley@imsab.myzen.co.uk) and some local coordinators are in place notably across Anglesey (David Wright), Brecon (Andrew King), Caernarfonshire (Rhion Pritchard), Denbighshire and Flintshire (Anne Brenchley and Ian Spence), Glamorgan and the Gower (Wayne Morris and Rob Jones) and Pembrokeshire (Bob Haycock). The survey unit is the tetrad and spreadsheets are available for each Vice County identifying which tetrads are Priority or Highly Desirable. If you would like further details or want to take part then please contact Anne in the first instance. ALL records of both Willow Tit and Marsh Tit are welcome and any photographs are an added bonus as these can aid identification if the recorders are themselves uncertain. The RSPB website has further information here.
WOS Small Grants for 2019 - application deadline has now passed
The deadline for 2019 applications has now passed and details of grants awarded will be announced shortly.
Welsh Bird Report 2017
The 2017 Welsh Bird Report, edited by Julian Hughes, has now been published. Copies have been sent to members and WOS members can download the text from the Journals page in the Members’ Section of this website.
Scarce sightings during February 2019
A ridiculously warm month produced an exceptionally early influx of hirundines, including a Red-rumped Swallow. The long-staying queen King Eider and Rosy Starling remained, Black Redstarts continued in good numbers and there were several separate Great Grey Shrikes. You can browse Robin Sandham’s round-up here.
Interactive Map
Click on each county to discover more about birds and birdwatching
Icons designed by Wissawa Khamsriwath from Flaticon
Events for birdwatchers in Wales
Saturday 23rd March: Field Trip to Pwllheli Harbour
Herons and waders are on our lists today on a falling tide. Leader: Geoff Gibbs. Meet at 11.00 am at the War Memorial, Pwllheli Harbour SH375348.
Sunday 24th March – Ham Wall & Shapwick Heath. Bittern and Marsh Harrier plus some early migrants should be on view. With luck, Garganey might also be present.
Field Meetings – Contact John Wilson (info@glamorganbirds.org.uk) at least seven days before the due date. Bring packed lunch and suitable clothing/footwear. Participants may be expected to car share. The meeting place in Cardiff for many trips is St Margaret’s Road in Whitchurch, Cardiff – see the map opposite. We meet at the A4054 end.
Rhymney river – Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Goosander and Kingfisher.
Sunday 24 March 2019 09.00 hrs – 12.00 hrs
Leader: Lee Taswell.
Description
An easy 3hr river walk.
Meet at Bargoed woodland car park (charge): ST153976
Mob. 01443 830823
For further information please contact Dave Brassey on 01633 664212.
Note that in some rural areas the nearest post code (and therefore your sat nav) may not take you to the exact parking place. Use a map and the grid reference to find this.
Iolo is renowned for his love and knowledge of all wildlife in Wales. Here he will tell in his own words of the beauty and variety we have in Wales.
All indoor meetings are held on Saturdays at Goytre Village Hall, Penperlleni (SO 323 046) and start at 7:30pm. An entrance fee of £2.00 includes tea and biscuits. Open to non-members. Goytre Sports & Social Club, Heol Drenewydd, Penperlleni, Pontypool NP4 0AR, UK