Natur Cymru

Issue 25

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Putting Bechstein’s bats on the map

There are few creatures we know as little about as Bechstein’s bat. That makes them an ideal candidate for a new survey. Richard Dodd takes up the story.

Summary

Marloes heath

Photo by Matt Sutton

Oil Age Heathland: an update on the Marloes Coast Project

The story of the heathland re-creation work on the Marloes Coast in Pembrokeshire featured in an earlier edition of this magazine (Natur Cymru 12:18-22). It’s only four years since the project got underway, but there is plenty to report. MATT SUTTON describes how, when conditions changed, an astonishing array of plants and other creatures moved in.

Water voles at Morfa Berwig

It is one thing to manage wildlife on a nature reserve: meeting the needs of an endangered mammal like the water vole within an area which is being developed is another matter altogether.

Undaunted, an Action Group has taken up the challenge, as MIKE JENKINS, DAN FORMAN and ISABEL MACHO explain.

Thinking big – conservation at landscape scale

There was a time when the conservation of nature was all about safeguarding little bits of dwindling habitat. Now the thinking in official conservation circles has got more ambitious. The hard bit is translating this into real gains for wildlife on the ground. NICK THOMAS describes some of the projects which could bring big benefits for people, landscapes and wildlife, if the resources can be found.

Natur Cymru

Newport wetlands

In its short life, the Newport Wetlands Reserve has already provided two great ‘firsts’ in Wales, the first breeding avocets (Natur Cymru 8) and the first breeding bearded tits (Natur Cymru 17). Here DAVID TROTMAN reports on plans for a major new Environmental Education and Visitor Centre, and a rare warbler adds its own endorsement of this newly formed ornithological Mecca.

Blanket bogs – getting active

Around the world, blanket bogs and other peatlands are under severe threat from human actions. A partnership is working to reverse this trend in two important blanket bog areas in north Wales, the Migneint and Berwyn. MIKE MORRIS reports on conservation at a landscape scale.

Way below Craig Idris Lwyd

A long time ago, some people believed that Cadair Idris was Wales’s highest mountain. We know better these days of course, but Cadair is often described as our country’s ‘second mountain’. That is a matter of opinion. Here we are given a glimpse of the National Nature Reserve and what is happening there, in the company of PAUL WILLIAMS, with additional details from DION JONES and HELEN TENCH.

This article is written in Welsh. A translation is available on request.

Denmark farm: still working with people for wildlife

Many people take it that wildlife is for the experts, and there is nothing they can do to help. This is far from the truth, as a series of projects at the Shared Earth Trust’s Denmark Farm have shown. Give people and businesses the chance to heal nature, and nature will repay the compliment. MALCOLM MAGEE describes how enthusiasm and some new projects are helping to bring local biodiversity and people together.