Local Wildlife

[SteveH]

CLWYD WEST MS Darren Millar is calling for stronger action from the Welsh Government and local councils to address seagull nuisance in North Wales.

Each year, Mr Millar receives numerous complaints from constituents about the birds.

He says that, this year - with the seagull population having migrated into residential areas during the pandemic - the problem seems to be worse than ever, resulting in the MS being inundated with emails and calls from residents desperate for something to be done to tackle the problem.

“Seagulls are a protected species but they can also be a great nuisance when they nest in residential areas. They are noisy, their droppings make a huge mess, and they can be very aggressive, especially while rearing their chicks.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19474626.clwyd-wests-darren-millar-ms-says-receives-numerous-calls-annually-issue/

[SteveH]

A NEW study has revealed Gogarth in North Wales to be the most photogenic nature reserve in the UK, with 845 pictures taken per hectare.

The research, conducted by Ark Wildlife, a provider of carefully selected natural foods and products, analysed more than 150,000 hashtags from the UK’s most wildlife-abundant nature reserves.

Found in Llandudno and covering three hectares, Gogarth ranked top of the list, just ahead of the second-placed Ditchling Beacon Nature Reserve in Sussex, and Cornwall’s Looe Island Nature Reserve in third.

The study said of Gogarth: “Located in Llandudno on the western slopes of the Great Orme, Gogarth is a special location to spot some beautiful species.

“Sitting on a steep grass bank, walking can be difficult. However, the stunning view can be enjoyed from the Marine Drive above.”

It also urged visitors to the reserve to look out for its impressive range of wildlife, including chough birds, silver-studded blue butterflies, grazing sheep and goats, and glow worms (at night).

Data was collected in August, with Ark Wildlife using the list on the Wildlife Trust website of all nature reserves and filtering by ‘stunning views’.

They then searched Instagram hashtag data to find how many images were associated with each nature reserve, and divided that amount by the number of hectares the reserve covers - to find which one had the most photos taken per hectare.

Sean McMenemy, wildlife expert and director at Ark Wildlife, said: “Nature reserves are vital for conservation work to help to protect our wildlife and to protect our planet for future generations.

“It is a joy to capture wildlife in action or a stunning sunset and to share these images to increase conservation awareness, but we don’t want digital photos to be all that is left if these habitats disappear.

“Maintaining wild areas across the UK to allow people to engage with wildlife is also good for our mental health. Using precious holiday time to slow down and appreciate the natural world is greatly beneficial as it contrasts starkly with our fast paced digital existences.”

 A full list of the top ten photographed Wildlife Trust nature reserves in the UK can be found at www.datawrapper.de/_/acSUz.

[SteveH]

Four seals who underwent rehabilitation at Welsh Mountain Zoo released into the wild

he Welsh Mountain Zoo released two males and two females near Angel Bay and the Little Orme where there is already a strong breeding colony.

A spokesperson for the Colwyn Bay attraction said: "After a few tentative looks, all four gladly took to the open water.

cont/video https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19535692.four-seals-underwent-rehabilitation-welsh-mountain-zoo-released-wild/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[SteveH]

A CONSERVATION group is sadly receiving a number of calls regarding deceased grey seal pups on North Wales beaches.

North Wales Seal Research Organisation (NWSRO) received reports relating to one deceased seal pup on Anglesey, one in Conwy and Flintshire.

Gem Simmons, NWSRO director, said: "Seals are very susceptible to disturbance and should never be approached if at all possible. We have a lot of disturbance issues the past few years but particularly after covid.

"There is a relatively high rate of natural mortality in grey seal pups however, I would say that the season has started early this year.

"It is important that we track both living sightings, rescues and deceased findings in order to aid conservation.

"With the deceased sightings we have been able to establish a baseline dataset in previous years allowing us to have a rough idea of their normal mortality then we will know over the years whether this increases or decreases."

Anyone who sees a dead grey seal pup on a North Wales beach is asked to share the location with NWSRO.

People are only advised to take photos if they are close enough to do so, but the animal should not be touched. Dogs should be kept away from the body.

Information sent to NWSRO will be added to their database and shared with the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP).

NWSRO is an evidence based conservation organisation formed by a group of passionate volunteers who aim to protect and conserve seals in North Wales. The team collect data and highlight threats faced.

To report a sighting visit www.nwsro.org

[SteveH]

Mystery surrounds why a number of pigeons have been found dead in a Welsh town.

An investigation has now been launched after the deceased birds were found in Llanrwst.

Garry Lloyd Jones, who raced pigeons as a teenager, told NorthWalesLive found three dead birds in his yard on Sunday, and said he’s spotted dead pigeons around the town in the past couple of weeks.

Read more:Mystery as 5,000 homing pigeons vanish into thin air

Wondering whether the cause could be poison or avian flu, Mr Jones mentioned the matter on Facebook, and other people in the Conwy Valley said they had also seen dead pigeons.

He has since reported the matter to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Conwy Council.

"I feed the pigeons every day and the birds are in a good condition. There’s usually around 80 to 100 of them, but yesterday only around 13 to 14 turned up.

"I've put two of the dead ones in the freezer so that Defra can inspect them.
“It’s worrying as I also had to put down two of our chickens. They lost weight and didn’t want to eat anything and, when I picked them up, they screamed.

"I've kept chickens all my life but I had no idea what was wrong with them."

Defra have no alerts for wild birds in Wales for avian flu at present.

cont  https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/pigeons-dead-llanrwst-mystery-birds-21500350?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[Ian]

Worrying.

[SteveH]

Update on above story.....

A Defra spokesperson said: “Where dead or sick wild birds are reported to the Defra helpline, we will investigate as necessary as part of our disease surveillance work.

“Results for dead wild birds that have tested positive for avian influenza are routinely published on gov.uk here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-in-wild-birds.”

A spokesperson for Conwy County Borough Council added: “Mr Jones is doing the right thing by reporting his concerns and has spoken with the duty officer in Regulatory Services.

“We’ve advised Mr Jones to follow the guidance on the wales.gov.uk website: Report and dispose of dead birds (gov.wales/report-and-dispose-dead-birds) and telephone 03459 33 55 77.”

[SteveH]

 

[Blongb]

Kookaburra 

[SteveH]

A TOTAL of 21 wild goats have been rescued using hay bales - after they ventured onto a treacherous outcrop on the Great Orme in Llandudno.

Officers from the animal welfare charity were contacted after the stranded goats were spotted on the unstable rocks near the sea, in an area known locally as Austin's Rock.

The animals became stranded after two female goats came into ‘season’ - and were pursued by 18 Billy goats off of safe land and towards the rocks near the sea. One kid goat was also stranded. RSPCA Cymru feared they were at severe risk from high tides at the next full moon, or from starvation due to a lack of grazing and food supply.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19597452.rspca-council-use-hay-bales-rescue-21-goats-danger-great-orme/

[SteveH]

Killer Portugeues 'jellyfish' have washed up on UK shores sparking an urgent warning from wildlife experts for Brits and their pets.

Portuguese man o'war have moved towards the UK following recent stormy weather and pose a risk to to anyone who goes near them.

The creature, often mistaken for a jellyfish, can stretch its tentacles up to an incredible 160ft long and is capable of killing a human long after it is dead.

Man o'wars, also known as bluebottles for their purple bodies, can deliver excruciatingly painful stings but it is worth noting that these stings are rarely deadly to humans.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19634121.warning-killer-160ft-jellyfish-hits-uk-shores/

[Hugo]

Tellytubby has been very busy recently working as a volunteer and constructing boardwalks and improving the Big Pool near Gronant.
He has been hoping to catch a glimpse of the Kingfisher there and this week his patience was rewarded with these lovely photos

[SteveH]

A further round-up of Llandudno's famous goats is being considered after one had to be put down when it was struck by a car.

The herd of Kashmiri goats took over the North Wales town during the Covid lockdown, gaining worldwide attention with their cheeky antics.

Although they were branded "vandals" by some residents - particularly keen gardeners - others were delighted by their presence.

Most of the goats returned to the Great Orme or were rounded up, but a small group remained around the Little Orme, Penrhyn Hill and Craigside areas.

Sadly one had to be put down by the RSPCA recently after being struck by a car.

Warning signs have been put up to make drivers aware of the goats' presence.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/great-orme-goat-put-down-21969434

[Nemesis]

According to the press there are 3 left in this area. Surely common sense would be to round up and return them to the others on the Great Orme.

[Hugo]

Tellytubby has been out and about again and sent me these photos of a Yellow Hammer that he saw recently.     I've not seen one for years so he's a lucky guy