Four ways to help birds
World Curlew Day - current BTO research into territories and habitat
WOS today has called for urgent action to save the Curlew from extinction ahead of World Curlew Day on Saturday, 21st April. Curlews with their long curved bills are Britain’s largest wading birds. Their plaintive calls, celebrated in both verse and music, are the sound of Wales’ wild habitats – a haunting song which is the springtime music of our uplands, moorlands, marshes and seacoasts. But so fast has been their fall in numbers that the Curlew has now been put on the Red List of the UK’s most endangered birds. Over the last 22 years the Curlew has declined by more by more than 80 per cent in Wales and it is now sliding rapidly towards extinction. That there is overwhelming support for the Curlew was shown by the attendance at a recent conference where conservationists came together with farmers, landowners, gamekeepers and scientists to discuss what action is necessary. WOS Chair, Mick Green, said “WOS welcomes the recent statement from the Environment Minister that she is committed to halting biodiversity loss. We have today written to her asking to show that commitment by fully funding the actions recommended by the Curlew Conference to save the Curlew in Wales”. WOS President, Iolo Williams added “The Curlew was part of the soundtrack of my childhood – it is vital we save this iconic species for generations to come”. The BTO is currently conducting research into Curlew habitat and breeding territories in North Wales and you can read Katharine Bowgen’s account of it here.
Curlews in danger - summer records urgently required
It is estimated that since the 1990’s, Wales has lost up to 80% of its breeding Curlew population. It is widely considered that there may now be less than 400 breeding pairs in Wales. Curlews are rapidly edging towards extinction as a breeding species in our country and we urgently require information to locate breeding pairs and target conservation measures to protect them. The North Wales Curlew Action Group need you to report sightings of this highly endangered bird during the breeding season (April-July) in North Wales to assess their numbers and improve their conservation. For further details, please go to the COFNOD page here.
Scarce sightings from January to March 2018
The highlight of the past three months has been the second Welsh record of a Snowy Owl, photographed here at St David’s at the end of March. There were sightings in several other places, but it’s not certain whether they all refer to the same bird or not. There were good numbers of scarce gulls and ducks as well. Full details of scarce and rare sightings can be seen 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 26th May: Woolston Eyes – 9.30 am. Leader: Trevor Brittain (01978 855266).
Meet at Belle Vue Garage, Wrexham LL13 7NU
Wentwood, Friday 01 June at 20.00 hrs.
Leader: Barry Embling.
Meet Barry at Cadira Beeches car park (ST422948, NP15 1NA) at 20:00. A 2-3 hour walk. Nightjar & Woddcock are the main targets. Mobile: 07398 169683.
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.
Strawberry Cottage Wood, Sunday 03 June at 09.00.
Leader: Andrew Cormack – Category: Outdoor Description Meet Andrew at Queen’s Head Pub, Cwmyoy (SO312221) at 09:30. A 3 hour walk. Woodland and river birds Phone: 01873 853866.
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.
Wednesday 6th June: Cors Ddyga (Malltraeth Marsh) An interesting walk round a little visited reserve. Bittern and Marsh Harrier are always a possibility. Leader Ian Hawkins. Meet 8am, in the RSPB car park off the A5 below Pentre Berw; SH463726; LL60 6LD
Non-members welcome. Bring lunch, stout footwear and waterproofs. For further information, contact Geoff Gibbs (01248 681936) or Gareth Jones (01248 601319).