Wales Feed

Welsh hill farmers doing their bit for conservation

2013-08-27T14:53:16+00:00

Brian Lewis and his wife Sorcha are tenants of Troedrhiwdrain Farm in Powys and have recently been named as finalists in this year’s RSPB Telegraph Nature of Farming Award.

The farm overlooking the Elan Valley near Rhayader is home to all kinds of wildlife, including golden plovers, curlews, water voles, Welsh clearwings and numerous orchids.

The couple have won the Wales round of the competition for being a productive hill farm, raising traditional sheep breeds whilst at the same time benefiting wildlife and the environment.

Eight farmers from across the UK are through to the final of the Nature of Farming Award with people across Britain voting to decide who will win.

The award was set up to help share wildlife-friendly farming practice and encourage public awareness of the important role farmers can play in conservation - helping threatened species such as skylarks, brown hares, bees, butterflies and plants.

You can still vote online, by phone or by post up until midnight on Saturday 31 August 2013. Information on how to vote can be found at rspb.org.uk/farmvote.

RSPB Winter Seascape competition

2012-11-14T15:26:10+00:00

If you are a keen photographer then RSPB Cymru want you to enter its first ever Winter Seascape competition.

RSPB Cymru is encouraging young people around Wales (aged between 16 and 21) to visit Wales’s coast this winter and photograph the dramatic scenery they see.

This will be the first ever photographic competition organised by the conservation charity in Wales, and aims to highlight the amazing seascape of Wales and show how important this habitat is for wildlife.

Gareth Cunningham, RSPB Cymru Marine policy officer who is organising the competition said: “Whatever stirs your imagination or inspires you, whether it’s the starling roosts around Aberystwyth pier or the winter sea in all its stormy glory, we want to see your images.”

The winning photgrapher will receive a printed canvas of their photo along with a free trip for themselves and a friend or parent to RSPB Ramsey Island next year.

Entries should be uploaded onto RSPB Cymru Photo Group on Flickr or RSPB Cymru’s Facebook page, with Winterscapes in the title and where the photograph was taken, by Monday 7 January.

A maximum of three entries per person is allowed and the photographs must be taken in Wales.

Runners up can look forward to their images being displayed alongside the winning entry on the website.

Entrants must not be professional photographers and must be between the ages of 16 and 21. For more info go to www.rspb.org.uk/wales or call Gareth on 02920 353 000.

First osprey chick laid at Glaslyn

2012-04-04T12:12:38+00:00

The first osprey egg of 2012 in Wales was laid at the Glaslyn Osprey Project near Porthmadog last night and was spotted by wardens this morning.

The female laid her first egg two days later than last year on 4 April, and has been sat on the nest throughout the night, getting up to feed briefly this morning.

Geraint Williams, Osprey Project Officer said: "The ospreys have been busy getting their nest ready and bringing moss and twigs to build it up. The nest diameter is currently two metres in size."

The team are hoping more eggs will follow over the next few days. Each egg will then be incubated for around 37 days, which means the first egg should hatch around the beginning of May.

Big Garden Birdwatch

2012-01-26T10:09:26+00:00

Over half a million people will be taking part in the world's biggest wildlife survey this weekend - the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch.

Simply spend one hour over the weekend of 28-29 January, counting the birds in your garden or local park, and record the highest number of each bird species seen at any one time.

After some inspiration? Have a look at some popular garden bird species in our picture gallery.

This winter has seen temperatures go from mild, to freezing, and back again, with ice, snow, wind and rain all thrown into the mix.

And after two cold winters before it, the wildlife charity is eager to find out what this year's confusing weather will mean for our garden birds.

RSPB Cymru's Dana Thomas said; "The last few months have been anything but predictable so it will be interesting to see what kinds of birds people are seeing this weekend, and in what numbers."

"With plenty of natural food still about some of the usual suspects might be a bit elusive, but heavy rain and strong winds could send other surprises our way.

"And spring-like signs might even be inspiring early breeding activities. There's already been lots of evidence of birds recce-ing potential nest sites so whatever the weather, it'll be a busy time."

The mild and wet weather has meant a different atmosphere in Wales's gardens and calls to the RSPB's wildlife enquiries team shows that it's having an impact on wildlife too.

The wildlife charity usually gets calls during the autumn from people asking where the birds have gone, but this has carried on for longer into the winter.

The Big Garden Birdwatch is an important tool in spotting early trends in bird numbers. Doing the survey in winter allows us to predict how birds are faring ahead of the breeding season.

Garden bird feeder by Brian Mottershead.

It doesn't matter what type of garden or outside space you have, in the survey's 33 year history, participants have watched birds in all sorts of alternative gardens.

February can be the harshest month of the year and a time when birds should be getting well fed to get in shape for the breeding season. Good energy supplies now give them the best chance of producing healthy young.

Big Garden Birdwatch events taking place around Wales this weekend:

RSPB Glaslyn Osprey site, Pont Croesor

There will be activities for young and old to encourage an interest in nature and promote RSPB membership. Fee: no charge / age group: everyone. More info please call Geraint Williams on 07921 284 321

Frongoch Garden Centre, Caernarfon

Join RSPB Staff to monitor bird activity on the Centre's feeders. Fee: no charge / age group: everyone. More info please call Geraint Williams on 07921 284 321

RSPB Conwy reserve, LL31 9XZ

Find out how to attract lots of birds to your garden and learn how to identify and record them for the Big Garden Birdwatch. Bird cake making for children between 1.30 - 3.30pm. Fee: Bird cakes 50p each / age group: families. More info please call Charlie Stretton on 01492 584 091.

RSPB South Stack Visitor Centre, Holyhead, LL65 1YH

28 January from 11am - 4pm. A fun day of learning how to make your garden a wildlife haven, attract birds and other wildlife into your garden and take part in many games and activities. Take home a big garden bird watch form, do the survey and become a wildlife hero. Fee: free / age group: Families. Contact Hayley Riseborough on 01407 762100 for more info.

Rhug Estate Farm Shop and Restaurant, Corwen, Denbighshire, LL21 0EH

Find out how you can attract birds into your garden and visit the Rhug Estate New Farm Shop and Restaurant. Fee: free / age group: all. For more information please contact Kim Boccato, Giuseppe Boccato on 07921 283 685.

Portmeirion Village, Minfordd, Gwynedd, LL48 6ER

Discover which birds visit your garden and how to join in the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch Survey. Meet the resident birds of the inspirational Portmeirion Village, Estuary and Woodland. Portmeirion entrance charge applies, Downloadable Winter Entry Voucher reducing entrance to £1 for adults, children free, available on the Portmeirion website. For more information please contact Kim Boccato, Giuseppe Boccato on 07921 283 685.

Newport Wetlands Visitor Centre, West Nash Road, Newport, NP18 2B

Sunday 29 January from 1-3pm. Take part in a quiz to see how many of the top 20 birds from last year you can recognise. Venture out onto the reserve on a guided walk to identify the birds that call Newport Wetlands home and make a fat feeder to attract birds to your garden before taking home your very own survey sheet so you can take part in the RSPB's Big Garden Bird Watch. Fee: £3.50 per child / RSPB Child member £2 / age group: 5-12 years. Please call Hana Callard on 01633 636351 and Tara Okon on 01633 636354 for more info.

Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff bay, CF10 5BW

29 January. A joint event with Techniquest Science Discovery Centre to include an information stall, children's make and take activities and guided walks around the Cardiff bay nature reserve in the company of knowledgeable local volunteers and staff members.

Fee: Normal Techniquest entry charges apply. Walks will be bookable on a first come first served basis and limited to four groups of 20. A small donation may be requested for make and take activities / age group: all. Suitable footwear will be required for the walks, all adults to supervise their children). Please call Phil Pinder / Helen Mears on 02920 353 000 for more info.

Roath Park Lake, Cardiff

From 10-4pm at the lighthouse end of the lake. Learn about the Birds of Roath Park Lake and get advice on feeding your garden birds and learn how you can take part in this years Big Garden Birdwatch. Fee: no charge but donations are welcome / age group: families. For more info please call James Bainton on 02920 353 000

Forestry Commission Wales Bwlch Nant yr Arian site, SY23 3AD

27 January from 10-4pm.Come watch the beautiful Red Kites at Bwlch Nant yr Arian as they swoop down from the skies to pick up their meal. After watching this fantastic wildlife spectacle, find out what types of birds are native to the area and see how many different birds you can spot in your garden.

Fee: Free. Car park charge of £1.50 / Age group: all ages welcome. For more info please call Joe Hawthorne on 07525 722898

This table shows the average number of the 2011 top 10 species of birds recorded per garden across Wales, and compares this with the results from the 2010 and 1979 surveys.

Species	Average per garden in 1979	Average per garden in 2010	Average per garden in 2011	% change 1979-2011
house sparrow	10.0	4.92	5.389	-46.11
starling	15.0	4.55	7.480	-50.13
blue tit	2.4	3.63	4.374	82.25
chaffinch	3.0	3.61	3.701	23.37
blackbird	4.0	3.42	3.609	-9.78
robin	2.0	1.73	1.728	-13.6
collared dove	.28	1.17	1.17	317.86
goldfinch	-	1.13	1.208	-
great tit	0.9	1.8	1.989	121
wood pigeon	0.2	0.82	0.79	295

Visit the RSPB website for more information and to submit your results online.

Cold snap for birds ahead

2011-11-23T11:53:22+00:00

The mild autumn weather has meant late sightings of summer migrants, late broods of young for birds like blue tits and empty feeders as birds were still finding food further afield.

Derek Brockway is warning of unsettled and changeable weather ahead with some short, sharp cold snaps which could have a significant impact on the needs and behaviour of garden birds.

Dana Thomas from RSPB Cymru, says: "The sudden change in weather almost certainly means that garden birds will start to turn up in gardens en masse one again, hoping to find supplementary food and water."

Blue tits on a feeder by Eddie Evans.

"Typically, this would have happened a few weeks ago, but it is just a bit later than usual. Once icy conditions set in, natural food like berries and insects are almost impossible to find so the extra treats we put out are really important."

"We may not be in the bleak midwinter just yet, but if the temperatures dip significantly, as is predicted, it will instantly become a tough battle for survival for lots of birds. Make sure you put out a little bit of extra food, and water to make their lives a little easier."

Bird food like seed mixes, peanuts and fat balls, leftovers like grated cheese, porridge oats, soft fruit and cooked rice and pasta are all ideal.

Water is also vital for both drinking and bathing and bird baths can be kept from freezing over using small floating items like twigs or ping pong balls.

Grassholm gannet nests

2011-10-31T11:01:42+00:00

Grassholm Island or 'Gwales' in Welsh was the first RSPB reserve to be established in Wales back in 1948 so it's fitting that in this centenary year RSPB wardens - Lisa and Greg Morgan are fighting to combat an issue that affects the third largest gannet population in the Atlantic - plastic.

Aerial view of the gannetry on Grassholm Island. Image by John Archer-Thompson, RSPB Images.

Every spring, roughly 40,000 pairs of breeding gannets descend on this small patch of rock, situated eight miles off the Pembrokeshire coast, south west of Ramsey Island.

Marine debris is now a major problem throughout the world's oceans with vast, floating islands of debris being reported - from industrialised areas right across to the most remote regions on the planet and Grassholm Island is no different.

This particular gannet colony is now on the front line. Where once seaweed and kelps fronds were used as nesting materials, they have now been added to by synthetic rope, plastic, discarded fishing nets and mono-filament fishing line.

This doesn't happen by accident though. The birds actively target these floating materials as they resemble seaweed, are easy to spot on the surface and highly visible to the male birds seeking nest materials out at sea.

Gannet colony on Grassholm Island - image by RSPB Cymru.

Gannets are very 'site faithful' creatures and will return to the same nest location year after year, rebuilding and repairing each season, making this a long term problem.

RSPB warden's visit each October when the majority of birds have left, to keep disturbance to a minimum.

Most birds can be freed successfully, others simply have to be put out of their misery as plastic has entwined around their wings and caused permanent and irreparable damage.

Plastic entwines around their legs and wings causing death - image by RSPB Cymru.

Monitoring the gannets

A team from the Marine Biology Ecology Research Centre, Plymouth University and RSPB have been monitoring and studying the situation on Grassholm since 1996 and have estimated the total amount of plastic on Grassholm to be a staggering 18.46 tonnes.

The average gannet nest contains 469.91 grams of plastic with the majority of nesting material being synthetic rope.

On average, just over 65 birds each year die from entanglement which equates to around 525 gannets (mainly nestlings) over an eight year period and yet although this is a fairly high number, it is unlikely to have an effect on the overall population which is doing very well in the UK compared to other seabird populations.

A young gannet being cut free from plastic on Grassholm - image by RSPB Cymru.

The plastics comes from a variety of sources both domestic and international as well as shipping but all have one thing in common - they don't biodegrade, so will remain in the nests for many years to come and added to each year.

Geo-location

The team have also been doing some ground-breaking work using geo-locaters on the gannets, monitoring where they go to forage for food and how far they fly.

For the first time, we are beginning to build up an accurate picture of sea birds' movements which will play an important role in their future, as conservation groups lobby for more marine reserves and protected zones to be established further out to sea, around these important offshore wildlife havens.

Tourism

The reserve has a strict no-landing policy and even the scientists and wardens looking after the birds are limited to a crew of just eight per visit.

Despite this, thousands of day trippers cram onto spotter boats throughout the summer months hoping to catch a glimpse of this natural wonder, as 80,000 gannets turn a small, low lying rock in the Irish Sea, white.

A gannet in flight off Grassholm Island by Ade Owens.

There are also plenty of other seabirds to see as well as dolphins, porpoises, minke whales and even orca which visit the area in summer.

Beneath the waves however, other larger marine creatures are equally affected by plastic pollution.

Leatherback turtles

These gentle, giants of the deep travel huge distances each year to feed in our nutrient rich Welsh waters which during the warmer months are brimming with their favourite food - jellyfish.

Unfortunately, plastic bags resemble jellyfish to unsuspecting leatherback turtles which consume them in large quantities, eventually dying as their intestines become entangled with plastic.

According to the Marine Conservation Society, over 170 species of marine wildlife have been recorded as mistaking marine litter for food, resulting in starvation, poisoning and fatal stomach blockages.

Plastic bags

On 1 October 2011, Wales became the first UK country to introduce a charge for single use carrier bag and it is hoped that over time we'll start to see a decline in plastic related deaths in the seas around Wales.

The Welsh government is keen to follow Ireland's example of a 90% reduction in carrier bag use, however there are still exemptions for bags on board ships, trains, aircraft, coaches and buses.

A small team from RSPB and Autumnwatch team landed on Grassholm Island to film the gannet's plastic nests which will be featured in BBC Autumnwatch on Friday, 11 November.

Read the RSPB Ramsey Island blog - Gannet Rescue Mission.

RSPB: Feed the Birds Day

2011-10-28T09:03:59+00:00

As the weather starts to cool down, RSPB Cymru are urging people to feed the birds and this weekend sees the launch of Feed the Birds Day, on Saturday 29 October.

As the clocks go back and green leaves turn to golden brown, the extra food, water and shelter we provide for birds and other garden wildlife could make the difference between life and death.

RSPB Cymru suggests calorie rich foods like mixed seed, nyjer seed and peanuts. Kitchen scraps are also good too - mild grated cheese, cooked rice and pasta, unsalted bacon and cooked potatoes will give birds the energy they need during the winter months.

A supply of water is also essential for bathing and preening. Birds need to keep their feathers in top condition to ensure they insulate effectively and a dip in a clean bird bath is just what they need.

Garden plants are important too and a few inexpensive wildlife friendly plants such as honeysuckle or bushes rich in fruit like rowan and hawthorn will provide extra food and shelter.

Quick bird cake recipe:

Melt or soften some suet or lard in a pan

Mix in some or all of the following; seeds, nuts, dried fruits, finely chopped bacon rind

Place in a container with some string threaded through so that half the string is inside the container and half outside (for example a plastic cup)

Leave the mixture to cool

Once hardened, hang up container by the string

RSPB Cymru and volunteers will be holding several Feed the Birds Day events this weekend with activities such as bird cake making and nest box building. Here are a few around Wales:

North Wales
National Slate Museum Padarn Country Park on 27 - 28 October. Family activities and fundraising.

Denbigh Plum Festival on Saturday 29 October; RSPB stand at the event offering advice.

RSPB Glaslyn Osprey Site near Porthmadog will be holding daily family activities between 14 - 30 October.

Fron Goch Garden Centre, Caernarfon Feed the Birds Day on Saturday 29 October at. Advice and information about how to feed your garden birds and how to attract them to your garden.

Portmeirion - Feed the Birds Day / Woodland Feast on Tuesday 25 October and Wednesday 26 October from 11am - 3.30pm. Join RSPB staff for a fun day in the woodland and make bird feeders, enjoy a woodland walk, learn about woodlands and watch the birds on the feeders at the screen. Cost: Entrance fee to Portmeirion, check the website for discount offers.

South WalesMargam Park on Tuesday 25 October RSPB West Glamorgan Local Group will be running activities encouraging the public to use binoculars to look at wildlife.

Blooms Garden Centre in Cardiff on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October RSPB Cymru staff will be at on hand to give talks at 11am and 1pm on both days about how to attract birds to your garden, feeding garden birds, what flowers birds like etc.

Mid WalesForestry Commission Wales Bwlch Nant yr Arian site near Ponterwyd - Saturday 29 October from 11am - 2pm. What's on my feeder event where children can learn to identify the birds they see on feeders and what they like to eat, make bird feeders, a talk on feeding the red kites at 2.30pm and watch the red kites get fed at 3pm. Cost: free (car park charges £1.50 apply). Age group: Families

RSPB Lake Vyrnwy on Saturday 29 October join RSPB Cymru staff and volunteers to make feeders and bird cake 1pm - 3pm. Cost: children non-members £2.50, WEX and Phoenix members £1.50, special offer if you join the RSPB on the day, the event is free for the whole party

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

2011-01-27T23:01:08+00:00

Yes, it's that time of year again when the RPSB Big Garden Birdwatch returns to a garden near you, over the weekend of 29-30 January.

I mentioned this last year and we had a huge response, so hopefully this year will be just as successful if not better and with all this cold weather, I'm sure the birds will be out in force.

Greenfinch and a goldfinch on a bird feeder. Image by Brian Mottershead.

How to take part:

All you need is a pen, some paper (or a print out of the RSPB bird ID sheet and an hour to spend watching the birds in your garden on either Saturday 29, or Sunday 30 January 2011.

Then simply record the highest number of each bird species seen in your garden, or local park (not flying over) at any one time, and let the RSPB know what you saw.

How to submit your results:

From Sunday 29 January - 18 February you can, visit the RSPB website to submit your sightings.

This survey is vital in helping the RSPB to understand what is happening to our feathered friends and in particular our more at risk bird species.

In recent times we have lost more than half of our house sparrow population and three quarters of our starlings.

If you want to attract more birds to your garden, have a go at making these simple garden feeders from your old kitchen waste:

How to make a garden bird feeder:

What you'll need: plastic drink bottles, scissors, string, bird seed, yoghurt pots and milk cartons (make sure they're clean)

Cut a hole in the side large enough to allow a free flow of seeds, but in such a way that it won't all fall out on the ground in the slightest puff of wind, and won't get wet if it rains.

Make a few small holes in the bottom of your feeder to allow any rainwater to drain away.

Hang it with wire, or even strong string from a tree or your washing line.

If your feeder starts to wear out or the food in it goes mouldy, recycle it and make another one.

Remember to keep your feeders well stocked, especially over winter as birds come to rely on them and will go hungry if you forget to top them up.

We've also got some great feeding tips videos on our website.

Feeling peckish? Try making this speedy bird cake.

What you'll need: Good quality bird seed, raisins, peanuts, grated cheese, suet or lard, yoghurt pot, string, mixing bowl, scissors.

Carefully make a small hole in the bottom of a yoghurt pot. Thread string through the hole and tie a knot on the inside. Leave enough string so that you can tie the pot to a tree, bird table or washing line.

Allow the lard to warm up to room temperature, but don't melt it. Then simply cut it up into small pieces and put it in the mixing bowl.

Add the other ingredients to the bowl and mix them together with your finger tips. Keep adding the seed/raisin/cheese mixture and mixing it in until the fat holds it all together.

Fill your yoghurt pots with bird cake mixture and put them in the fridge to set for an hour or so.

Hang your speedy bird cakes from trees or your bird table. Keep an eye out for greenfinches, tits and possibly even great spotted woodpeckers.

Feel free to let us know how you got on by leaving your comments here in the blog, but don't forget to visit the RSPB website to submit your findings from January 29 onwards.

Gull

RSPB celebrates 100 years in Wales

2011-01-10T07:30:03+00:00

This year the RSPB celebrates100 years of working in Wales and has come a long way since its humble beginnings.

The charity's work protecting birds, wildlife and habitats in Wales started in 1911 with a Mr and Mrs Jones carrying out a small project to look after roseate terns on the island of Llanddwyn, off the coast of Anglesey in North Wales.

Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey. Image courtesy of the RSPB.

In 1948 RSPB bought it's first nature reserve - Grassholm Island, to protect the third largest gannet colony in the UK.

RSPB Cymru now manages 18 nature reserves, covering nearly 17,000 hectares and has already helped save a number of birds such as the red kite, chough and black grouse here in Wales.

In 2004, the magnificent osprey nested in Wales for the first time in recorded history, sparking the beginning of the RSPB Glaslyn Osprey Project near Porthmadog.

The Glaslyn osprey pair has now successfully raised 15 chicks and last year the site attracted almost 35,000 visitors.

RSPB now employs 150 staff members and has over 800 volunteers; attracting over 300,000 visitors and tourists every year to its nature reserves which also offer environmental education experiences to over 9,000 children every year.

Aerial view of the gannetry at the RSPB Grassholm nature reserve. Image by John Archer-Thompson, RSPB Images.

RSPB Cymru Director, Katie-Jo Luxton, says: "RSPB Cymru's centenary year is something for us to really celebrate as it marks various milestones in conservation in Wales and shows what a difference we've made."

"Through our increasing number of nature reserves, we're helping more and more people to enjoy the wildlife of Wales and giving them first hand experiences."

"One of the key species that urgently needs our help and we will be fundraising money towards as part of our centenary celebrations, is the curlew."

"An RSPB Cymru survey in 2006 showed a decline of 81% in curlew breeding numbers in Wales. It is believed this large wading bird is suffering because much of its habitat has been degraded."

A curlew coming in to land in the River Dee by Ashley Cohen.

To help celebrate the centenary, RSPB Cymru has also formed a partnership with Girl Guiding Cymru and as part of this, the girls will help survey birds across Wales by taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch and Volunteer Famer Alliance project.

Every Girl Guide in Wales, including Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, leaders and members of the Trefoil Guild, will also spend a day at one of RSPB Cymru's nature reserves, learning about nature and taking part in different activities.

To find out more about RSPB Cymru's centenary celebrations please visit www.rspb.org.uk/wales/centenary.

It's snow joke for birds

2010-11-26T09:00:29+00:00

Unless you've had your head buried in snow, you'll have already heard from Derek that a cold snap is on the way!

RSPB Cymru is asking people in Wales to remember that birds also need our help to survive the harsh wintry conditions.

This year it looks as though wild birds will face an earlier than usual test in finding enough of the right kind of foods to give them energy and warmth. This means that the food and water we supply, could ensure their survival.

During cold snaps, birds become a lot more vulnerable and are more likely to come into our gardens to seek refuge.

When temperatures drop below freezing, birds struggle to find the natural food they need to stay alive and rely upon us to help them.

To help birds survive, people should provide food suc as meal worms, fat-balls, crushed peanuts, dried fruit, seeds and grain to compensate for birds natural food which is covered in snow and ice.

Leftovers like grated cheese, porridge oats, soft fruit, unsalted bacon, cooked rice, pasta and the insides of cooked potatoes are also a good source of energy for garden birds, and water for both drinking and bathing is vital.

As well as affecting some vulnerable species, the cold snap may also bring some unusual birds from overseas a little earlier than usual - such as the siskin, waxwing and fieldfare.

A 2010 waxwing visitor to Wales, taken by Mike Warburton.

Dana Thomas from RSPB Cymru says: "With harsh wintry weather conditions heading our way this week the wild birds in our gardens will need a little TLC."

"The insects, berries and seeds garden birds usually feast on will become off limits thanks to frost and snow, so taking the time to provide some nutritious food and water for them is essential to their survival."

"It's not all doom and gloom, though. The chilly conditions may also mean that a flurry of rare birds we don't often see until later on in winter will appear earlier as they use our gardens as a safe haven."

"Look out for colourful species like the siskin and the waxwing that will add a bit of cheer to the bleak mid-winter."

Do your bit and follow the wild bird winter survival plan during the coldest weather:

Put out feed regularly, especially in severe weather. Set up a bird table and use high calorie seed mixes. This can also be used to put out kitchen scraps such as grated cheese, pastry and porridge oats.

Put out hanging feeders for black sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts, sunflower-rich mixes or unsalted peanuts.

Ensure a supply of fresh water every day. If it is very cold use tepid water but DO NOT use any antifreeze products.

Put out fruit, such as apples and pears, for blackbirds, song thrushes and other members of the thrush family.

Food bars or fat hung up or rubbed into the bark of trees is a great help for treecreepers, goldcrests and many other species.

Put up nest boxes to provide roost sites for the smaller birds. They will then be used for breeding later in the year.

During winter, birds must feed at an increasing speed, but must also take plenty of rest to conserve energy.

Wildlife survey results

2010-09-22T23:02:00+00:00

Participants in Wales in the the RSPB summer wildlife survey - Make Your Nature Count almost doubled in 2010 with over 4,000 people counting the birds and mammals in nearly 3,000 gardens.

Dana Thomas, from RSPB Cymru, said: "For many species the only way of counting them is to ask people to take part in a garden survey like this and some of the results have been quite surprising."

"Lots of people see hedgehogs, moles and deer in their gardens which you may only expect to see in the wider countryside."

And now for the results...

30% of people taking part in urban areas have seen hedgehogs in their gardens before and more than one in seven see them regularly.

A late night hedgehog visits a garden. Image by Charles Dawson:

They were reported from 48% of gardens in rural areas where more than a quarter of participants see them at least monthly.

Participants were also asked to report moles and roe deer for the first time this year.

14% of participants recorded mole sightings, including mole hills, with one in six detecting them regularly.

Unsurprisingly, most moles were recorded in rural gardens and were most frequently sighted in Wales with 25%, compared with 15% in Scotland and 13% in England.

Roe deer, a native species, were recorded in 5% of gardens with most sightings in Scotland.

Make Your Nature Count was one of the first garden wildlife surveys since the extraordinarily cold winter and participants also recorded common birds.

A blackbird foraging in the snow - Image by Sue Tranter (RSPB images):

The RSPB also asked questions about how well robins, blackbirds and song thrushes are breeding.

The survey showed that the blackbird is still the most frequent visitor recorded in 90% of all gardens followed by the house sparrow at 84% and blue tit taking third place with 77%.

32% recorded young blackbirds, 17% recorded young robins and 5% saw young song thrushes.

Participants were also asked to record summer migrants, particularly nesting house martins.

Only 9% of respondents have house martins nesting under their eaves and experts are keen to build on this in future years to find out the extent of their suspected declines.

Next year's Make Your Nature Count will take place from 4-12 June, 2011.

Wetlands photo exhibition

2010-08-23T13:00:11+00:00

A new photographic exhibition is running until the end of October at the Newport Wetlands Centre entitled - Photo Fantastic at the Wetlands Exhibition. The exhibition showcases the last decade in the reserves' history.

Iolo Williams and friends enjoying the reedbeds. Image courtesy of RSPB:

The reserve is home to a wide variety of birds and mammals and attracts many migrant visitors in winter and summer time. These include avocet, black-tailed godwit, shoveller and bittern as well as the resident otter, water shrew, brown hare and polecats.

Avocet with chicks down at the saline lagoons. Image courtesy of RSPB:

Over the last ten years a whole range of new habitats have established themselves across the site - ranging from grazed pastures and hedgerows to ditches (known locally as reens) as well as saline lagoons and the largest area of reedbeds in South Wales.

The centre is open daily from 9am - 5pm so why pop along to the photo exhibition and then have a go at spotting the animals for yourselves!

RSPB Newport Wetlands Centre

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Island life on Ramsey

2010-07-19T08:24:11+00:00

The latest instalment from Ramsey Island comes from the Assistant Warden RSPB, Lisa Morgan:

"Chough had another good breeding season on the island, with 17 youngsters fledging from seven nest sites. This is a respectable success rate, after a tough winter for the adults and a dry spring, the hard earth making foraging for invertebrates more difficult."

"Family parties of chough are still in evidence, the incessant begging of the juveniles, makes them easy to locate. Although the young are on the wing, they are not yet independent, reliant on their industrious parents for a ready supply of insects and for foraging lessons."

Juvenille chough with parents. Image by Lisa Morgan

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"Our kestrels are also working overtime, currently feeding a packed nest of four youngsters. They have chosen a very open nest site on the face of a rocky slope, but luckily the weather has been kind and we have been afforded fantastic views from our coast path."

"The adults are tirelessly bringing in a plentiful supply of bank voles for the hungry family. The estimated breeding population of kestrel in Pembrokeshire is surprisingly low at around 30 pairs, having experienced significant declines over the last 20 years. If all four young fledge that will be a great result."

"There have been many signs of otter activity over the last week. Fresh spraints have been found on the footpaths around the south coast of the island."

"The otters appear to be coming up the cliffs at two sites - one is a vegetated valley on Ramsey's east coast called Hen-ffordd (the old road)."

"Early farmers bringing livestock from the mainland to the island would, once have used this steep slope to get their animals ashore. It appears that otters are now using it as an access point too."

"Fresh markings have also been found on rocks and tussocks of moor grass in the wet valleys and along the footpath system."

"Local boatmen have also reported sighting these animals on two separate occasions this year, swimming through the ferocious tide races of Ramsey Sound and coming in off the inter-tidal rocks on the western cliffs."

"We will continue to monitor for signs and hope to have the spraints analysed later in the year to find out more about the diet of these animals. In the meantime, our freezer is rapidly filling with bags of rather pungent otter faeces!"

"From a human perspective, June has been a fantastic month and one of our busiest ever. Over 1,000 day visitors made the voyage across Ramsey Sound for a stroll around the island."

"We ran many guided walks and boat trips and helped people to get close up views of seabirds, kestrels and peregrines. If you made the trip, it was good to see you and thanks for making our days so enjoyable."

"If you haven't been to Ramsey yet, there is no excuse. The island is open everyday until the end of October."

"With the heathland coming into flower and the grey seals returning as we move ever closer to the pupping season, I can highly recommend a visit. I am, of course, biased but a thousand people can't be wrong."

Stacking up

2010-07-12T11:03:16+00:00

The RSPB team from South Stack have been in touch with all the latest news from Anglesey.

In June the stars of the webcam - the razorbill family had their chick hatch. 'Cymro' as he's now known has been doing well and (thanks to some attentive parents) recently flew the nest.

Razorbill soaring over Ellens Tower at South Stack. Image by Ben Hall/ rspb-images.com:

From now, if all goes to plan, the male will feed the chick over the next 8-10 weeks until he learns to fly, dive and feed for himself. At present, the female razorbill has been guarding the nest site in preparation for next year's visit.

You can currently watch all the razorbill action via the live webcam at South Stack cliffs.

The puffins have also been spotted with sand eels bulging from their bills, so the team are hopeful that the chicks are growing well.

All be revealed towards the end of the month when they make their first daring departure into the sea...

Puffins at South Stack by Chris Gomersall/ rspb-images.com:

If you fancy watching this drama unfold with your own eyes then you can - on Saturday, 10 July at 9 pm but please book in advance on 01407 764973.

Last weekend the reserve celebrated all things 'seabird'. Jen - the People Engagement Assistant drew the short straw and dressed up in an enormous puffin outfit, much to the amusement of visitors. But a good time was had by all with plenty of themed activities and competitions taking place.

The new cafe at South Stack has been keeping everyone busy and since opening in May 2010, more than 5,000 visitors have passed through it's doors, so pop in if your hungry, thirsty or both.

I visited South Stack last year with Springwatch and had a great time. It's a beautiful set up, overlooking the steep sided sea cliffs and you get to see the razorbills actually swimming underwater below you as they chase sand eels for lunch.

RSPB - South Stack

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Osprey chick ringers

2010-07-01T09:27:20+00:00

We recently announced the exciting news that the third Glaslyn chick had hatched. How time flies? (excuse the pun)

I'm pleased to report that all three chicks are all doing well and were recently ringed.

Qualified ringers from the BTO climbed the 80 foot tree to the nest site and carefully lowered each chick to the ground using ropes and a bag.

Chicks lowered to the ground for ringing in June 2010:

A separate team on the ground quickly ringed the birds before returning them to the nest within the hour.

The operation was quick and painless which is important as the team did not want the chicks or parents getting stressed.

Two of the rings were white with the numbers 92, 93. The other was black with the number 94 so keep an eye out for those in the future.

It's thought that 92 and 93 are both female as they weigh more and have larger wings and that 94 is a male.

Ringing has helped the RSPB to monitor the osprey's progress over the years and we know that at least one Glaslyn chick is now successfully breeding in South West Scotland.

Keep up to date with the RSPB osprey diary.

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