Wild About Gwent
WELCOME TO OUR SPRING/ SUMMER ISSUE
It’s true that there are curiosities about winter’s nature that keep us going through the shorter days - the morning dew outlining the intricacies of a spider’s web, the ‘chack chack’ of visiting fieldfares and glimpses of deer when their tree cover is more sparce. But it’s the coming of Spring and its welcome light that really make our hearts sing. I for one am really looking forward to getting out and visiting Gwent’s nature reserves this year, getting to know them more and studying the gems of wildlife there, many of which feature in this magazine. I hope you get a chance to visit some of them too; let us know if you find something wonderful and do share on our social media pages.
Recently I attended our annual Local Wildlife Sites gathering of landowners and appreciated the great work by them to encourage nature recovery beyond our Reserves. We now have over 475 LWS, totalling circa.1600 hectares - so important in creating a network of spaces for nature which collectively help to protect and restore nature in this lovely south-east corner of Wales.
I’d like to think that everyone living in Gwent can do something towards nature recovery, whether big or small ,and be part of our Team Wilder, mobilising people to unite in caring for nature. This was given a further boost as I write with the confirmation that our work with the younger generation will receive further funding for another year of the Stand for Nature Wales project. This project encourages and supports young people to do whatever they can in whatever way is relevant to them to ensure there is a wild Gwent in the future. We also received news that our nature reserves will get a further boost of funding from the Welsh Government’s Nature Networks Fund which includes the opportunity for an apprentice to join the team two years in a row. So lots to look forward to this summerenjoy!
GWT team
To find out more about the work of GWT, become a member/volunteer, get involved in our events, read our latest blogs, and visit our website to see other updates. www.gwentwildlife.org
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GET ALL THE LATEST GWT NEWS
You can receive our monthly updates on all things wild and wonderful in Gwent by signing-up to our enewsletter: www.gwentwildlife.org
GWENT WILDLIFE TRUST EDITORIAL TEAM & CONTRIBUTORS
Debbie Stenner (editor), Alice Rees, Hamish Blair, Rose Scott, Andy Karran, Nathalie Nicolaus, Ian Thomas, Ben Boylett, Joe Ryder, Natalie Buttriss, Lois Holroyd, Lowri Watkins
GUEST CONTRIBUTORS / THANKS TO Des Williams, Joanna Foat and Ben Cook, The Wildlife Trusts
GWENT WILDLIFE TRUST, Chestnut Suite, Mamhilad House – Block A, Mamhilad Park Estate, Pontypool, NP4 0HZ Tel: 01600 740600 Email: info@gwentwildlife.org Web: www.gwentwildlife.org Reg Charity No: 242619 Limited Liability Company No: 812535.
Above, read about the water vole this issue in our ten species series on page 12.
Below, our cover this issue is common frog by Mark Hamblin/2020VISION
JOIN TEAM WILDER AT GWT!
22
GET INVOLVED WITH OUR LOCAL GROUPS IN…
Chepstow
Contact Hilary Lee: 01291 689326, hilaryalee50@gmail.com
Next event: Chepstow Plant Sale, Palmer Centre, 17th May
Usk
Contact Julie Carr: 01291 671577 or 07905 010068. julie23carr@btinternet.com
Visit us at the STRU Usk River Festival, 7th June
Abergavenny
New group coming soon! Open event in May
Keep an eye on our Enewsletter and events webpage for more: www.gwentwildlife.org/events 16
CONTENTS
2-3
SPRING INTO SPRINGDALE Spotlight on a nature reserve 4-5
WORKING FOR WILDLIFE
Update on local nature recovery works 6-7
KEEPING IT WILD
How you can support our local wildlife site work
8-9
IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH
How the Wildlife Trusts help improve health
10-11
A YEAR OF OPPORTUNITIES
New fundraising activities for the year ahead
12-13
TEN PRIORITIES SPECIES
2
PRIVACY POLICY: In line with General Data Protection Regulation we outline why we capture your personal data, what we use it for, and how we keep it safe, please visit our website gwentwildlife.org/ privacy-policy or call us on 01600 740600.
Read all about Water Voles and Hegehogs 16-17
FRESHWATER SPOTLIGHT
Featuring River Meadow and Natural Flood Management
18-19
NEWS FROM THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS
Securing the Rothbury Estate and more 20-21
NATURE NOTEBOOKS
Observations to protect wildlife
22-23
HERE COME THE HIRUNDINES! We welcome back our Swallows, Martins… and Swifts
24
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
Survey results and notices for members
25
WILDLIFE CHAMPION
Featuring local farmer Des Williams
Barn Owl
Pink Ballerina Waxcap
Common Blue
SPRING INTO SPRINGDALE FARM
by Nature Recovery Officer, Rose Scott
Address: GWT Springdale Reserve, Llanllowell Lane, Coed-Cwner, Llangwm, Usk, Gwent, NP15 1NF
Parking OS: ST410991
Springdale Farm is a 45 hectare nature reserve and working farm near Usk. GWT bought the land in 2001 to demonstrate some of the practical conservation methods available to farmers, and to showcase how land can be farmed and conserved for wildlife simultaneously. It is part of the Cwrt y Bela a Springdale SSSI, designated in 2017 for its exceptionally large area of species rich neutral grassland.
Springdale Farm consists of wildflower rich meadows, broadleaf woodland, streams, marshy grassland and ponds, all of which support a vast array of wildlife.
Seasonal visits will provide the opportunity to see plants such as Blue-eyed grass, Greater Broomrape and Dyer’s Greenweed, which can rarely be seen elsewhere in the county. Other species highlights include the rare Necklace Ground Beetle, (sadly the fastest declining ground beetle species in UK), Adder’s Tongue Fern and the beautiful Ballerina Waxcap.
We restore and conserve these wonderful wildlife features of the reserve with a late-Summer hay cut to allow wildflowers such as Common-spotted orchid and Bulbous buttercup to go to seed before we cut. Following this, (known as aftermath grazing) we allow cattle, sheep and ponies across the reserve to trample and further promote seed growth. We also work hard to try and stop bracken and scrub encroachment in the hay meadows, to create a mosaic of grassland and scrub that benefits species such as Ringlet butterflies and Harvest Mice.
Our habitat management works at Springdale Farm really kick up a gear in late Autumn and Winter, which is the right time for the most intensive tasks such as flailing scrub encroachment, tree felling and coppicing across the site, outside of nesting season. We couldn’t manage a site of this scale without the superb efforts of
our volunteers, who rain or shine support us with the hard work of Willow coppicing, bracken bashing and invasive plant removal.
Because of this management, wildlife thrives at Springdale Farm. Familiar species such as Fox, Kestrel, Roe Deer and Barn Owl are all commonly seen. Take a look in our ponds and see if you can spot Palmate newts or Lesser Water Boatmen. Wildlife to enjoy in Spring includes carpets of Bluebells and Wood Anemones underneath a woodland of Oaks, Beech and Silver Birch. I like to stop and listen to Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs sing as they welcome the arrival of Spring. Further into Summer is the time for an array of butterflies including Marbled White, Common Blue and Brimstones, which we hope to see thriving this year, as the hay meadows explode with the flowers of Common Knapweed, Lesser trefoil and Eyebright.
You can find more information and directions to visit Springdale on our website in the Visit - Find a Nature Reserve pages.
PHOTO CREDITS: LOWRI WATKINS, HAMISH BLAIR, ANDY KARRAN, ADRIAN SCOTT, CHRIS HATCH, THOMAS CAMPBELL
Blue-eyed Grass
Bluebells
Red Necklace Beetle Springdale flora in July
A harrowing account from New Grove Meadows!
By Senior Conservation Grazing Officer, Joe Ryder
I’ve been out harrowing at New Grove Meadows recently, an important late Spring worktask to promote healthy, diverse wildflower growth later in the year.
Harrowing is a centuries-old, traditional management technique for good quality hay meadows, originally carried out with horses pulling the harrow. Now it’s done with a tractor and fold-out train mat. It’s
DIPPER HOMES ON THE AFON LWYD
By Senior River Restoration Officer, Nathalie Nicolaus
With the spell of fantastic weather in March, we finally had the opportunity to get out on the Afon Lwyd and install more dipper nest boxes! A huge thank you to our volunteer warden, Julian Holroyd, for his help in getting five new boxes up. Fingers crossed they will be put to good use during this year’s breeding season!
important not to harrow unless the weather is just right – ideally in very early Spring, before ground-nesting bird season – but the ground must be fairly dry too. A good test is to pick a molehill up and if it’s crumbly it’s right (if it’s squishy, it’s too wet to harrow.)
Many people will take time to rake all the moss out of their lawn at this time of year, and in many ways, harrowing is like a largerscale version of that. The aim of harrowing is to rake up all the thatch that’s on the field to allow space and light for smaller species
like Milkwort and Eye-bright; creating some bare earth for seeds to germinate. Without harrowing, the thatch swamps out the finer grassland species. As well as raking off the thatch to rot back down, harrowing has the added benefit of knocking down the molehills to make it easier to mow in summer. Not everyone loves moles sadly – but we do of course! They’re great for soil health as well as being a vital part of the food chain, providing a nice chunky meal for bigger predators like foxes and tawny owls – maybe even a Pine Marten – to eat.
From left to right, tractor and chain harrow, chain harrow, and molehill.
Far left, dipper nest box in place ready for breeding. Middle, left, and below, Julian and and Nathalie installing the new boxes.
Ditch clearance at Magor Marsh
By Nature Recovery Officer, Ben Boylett
If you visit our Magor Marsh nature reserve, you will hopefully notice the works we have completed over the winter through local contractors and our fantastic volunteer support. A series of ditches which crisscross the reserve have had their regular, routine maintenance of vegetation and silt removal. We flailed back the bankside
vegetation and dug out vegetation submerged in the ditches with an excavator. We then spread this vegetation across the banks and field margins. These important channels of water are designated under the Magor Marsh Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for their rare aquatic invertebrate (watery bugs!) and flora assemblages (plants). This nationally important wildlife needs good light intensity and warmth through spring and summer to complete their life cycles. Without our regular management, the water channels gradually fill in with silt, the bankside
vegetation will become denser with bramble and scrub, and the ditches would become heavily shaded areas that may only periodically hold shallow stagnant pools.
We have also been working on the reedbed north of a ditch aptly coined water vole alley, as this is the reen where our wonderful water voles are most commonly spotted. We carry out both ditch bankside clearance and willow coppicing through the reedbed, in order to limit the successional progression of willow woodland through this wetland habitat.
Dipping platform to leaning willow.
Above, ditch south of dipping platform.
Left, water vole alley north reen clearance in autumn, and right, water vole alley through reedbed vegetated.
KEEPING IT WILD
Supporting Local Wildlife Sites
Double your impact in our next Big Give Green Match Appeal!
By Fundraising Manager, Alice Rees
Spring has arrived, and with it comes an incredible opportunity to make a lasting difference for local wildlife. Our next online Big Give Green Match Appeal launches at midday on Tuesday, April 22nd, running until April 29th! Every donation made online during this period will be doubled, meaning your generosity will go twice as far in protecting vital habitats and species across Gwent. This spring, we are raising funds to support our incredible Local Wildlife Sites.
WHY LOCAL WILDLIFE SITES?
Connectivity is essential for wildlife to thrive. While well-known Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) play a critical role in conservation, they often exist as isolated pockets of biodiversity. That’s where Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) come in - providing vital stepping stones between these protected areas, helping species move through the landscape, and preventing local extinctions. Across Gwent, many Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) serve this function, yet too often, they remain unrecognised. Many landowners don’t even realize their land holds such ecological value. That’s where our work makes a difference. With permission, we survey, assess, and document these sites, providing landowners with the information and support they need to manage their land in a way that benefits wildlife.
HOW YOUR DONATION WILL HELP
Your support will help us:
• Survey and protect new sites - ensuring they receive the recognition and care they deserve.
• Revisit existing sites - monitoring changes in habitat health and engaging with landowners to enhance biodiversity.
• Engage with people - providing guidance and fostering a network of conservation champions, keeping momentum strong.
• Advise and support public landowners and community groups - helping them create new wildlife havens for all to enjoy. Our work has proven successful. Monitoring shows that sites in the LWS network
ANDY KARRAN
Coal Tit
Long Tailed Tit
Wood White
Grizzled Skipper
improve for wildlife over time, even as biodiversity declines elsewhere. Informed, enthusiastic landowners play a vital role in safeguarding these sites for the future, and with your help, we can expand this impact.
THE BIG GIVE GREEN MATCH APPEAL
This year, we aim to raise £15,000—and thanks to the Big Give Green Match, every donation will be doubled! £10 becomes £20, £50 becomes £100, £100 becomes £200! Every pound goes directly toward protecting these vital habitats and the species that rely on them.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Even the smallest donation can make a big difference. If you are able, please consider supporting our online Big Give Green Match Appeal running from midday Tuesday, April 22nd to midday Tuesday, April 29th, 2025. Donate online via our website during the campaign week.
“Informed, enthusiastic landowners play a vital role in safeguarding these sites for the future, and with your help, we can expand this impact.”
UPDATE ON THE 2024 CHRISTMAS BIG GIVE APPEAL
In the last issue of Wild About Gwent, we shared our Christmas appeal to support ten vulnerable species. Thanks to your incredible generosity, we not only met but exceeded our targetraising over £20,000!
Your support is helping us do more to protect these species in 2025, including:
WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS
By investing in our Local Wildlife Network, you are playing a crucial role in:
• Building more resilient landscapes that are better able to withstand climate change and pollution
• Protecting Gwent’s extraordinary natural heritage for wildlife and future generations.
• Empowering others to take action for nature ensuring long-term conservation success.
Help us keep Gwent’s wildlife connected. Donate and double your impact!
• Nightjars – Conducting a Gwent-wide census of this iconic species to determine their numbers and locations. This vital data will help us work with landowners to ensure their breeding and feeding sites are well managed - not just for nightjars but for the many other species that share their habitat.
• Hedgehogs – Continuing our partnership with PTES’s National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme to gain a clearer understanding of hedgehog populations, enabling us to take more effective conservation measures.
• Pink Waxcap – Expanding our work on grassland fungi conservation, adding to the 45+ sites (including 10 Pink Waxcap sites) identified last autumn. We will continue to enthuse and advise landowners on managing these ecologically important sites. Thank you for making this vital work possible!
Brimstone
Goldfinch
Long Tailed Tit
Pink Waxcap Empowering landowners
Andy Karran surveying
IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH NATURE COULD SAVE NHS £MILLIONS
Dom Higgins, head of health and education at The Wildlife Trusts, explores the sickness of nature disconnect, how the NHS bears the brunt and how The Wildlife Trusts can help with preventable illnesses.
Dom Higgins is head of health and education at The Wildlife Trusts where he leads their policy and campaigning work in these areas. He is passionate about creating a stronger and more resiliant healthcare system that keeps natural connections at its heart.
Over 20 million people in the UK have a muscularskeletal condition such as arthritis or back pain, over 5 million have diabetes. In May 2023 the number of people waiting for an operation was at a record high of 7.3 million – and some are predicting a rise towards 10 million, with one in five people on a hospital waiting list. Long-term sickness is resulting in 2.8 million people of working age being economically inactive. How will the NHS survive?
John from Sheffield had a quadruple heart bypass. He said “I was in a bad way and would have spiralled into being a recluse. I hate to think really. I had PTSD and sleepless nights.” Liz has early stage dementia and couldn’t go anywhere by herself. Just two examples of the longer term recovery from illness and plethora of mental health issues effecting our population today.
But there’s a quiet revolution going on in the world of health and social care, which involves taking part in activities from gardening and woodwork, to wildlife conservation and walks in the park. That’s because many illnesses and ailments are preventable. For example, physical inactivity can cause heart and
breathing conditions, while social isolation and loneliness often lead to depression.
A recent highlight in my career was the opportunity to present the findings of The Wildlife Trusts’ report A Natural Health Service at The Lancet UK Public Health Science Conference. The Lancet is a prestigious international medical journal that advances medical science and practice worldwide. The Lancet Conference highlights public health research from the UK and Ireland. I presented evidence showing that ‘green prescribing’ programmes, where GPs and healthcare professionals prescribe time in nature as treatment and therapy, could have significant benefits. If rolled out to 1.2 million people, these programmes could save the NHS £100 million annually. The public health professionals’ view was that these cost savings were underestimated.
The Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust’s Wild at Heart programme reduced costs for the NHS associated with the mental health conditions of their 82 participants over a year by £38,646. The project has literally been a lifeline for John and Liz connecting them both to the simple pleasures of nature. Now they have a reason to go out and look forward to walks in the local park, learning about birds and photography.
Over 8,000 people took part in seven Wildlife Trusts’ social prescribing pilots over two years. The pilots were spread across the country with Gwent Wildlife Trust to The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside leading them; and 57% of participants coming from the most economically under-served places and 21% from ethnic minority communities. There were big reductions in anxiety and depression, and big increases in happiness and life satisfaction, alongside an increase in feeling that ‘life is worthwhile.’
Nature prescribing needs to become part of a wider Natural Health Service, one that works hand in hand with the National Health Service.
This is how the NHS will survive.
That Feelgood Factor For All!
By Ian Thomas, Senior Wild Health Officer
Our Wild Health project participants (over 1,500 people since 2022!) are contributing to the overwhelming evidence of the value of nature in improving health. We’re proud and appreciative of the people who have shared their stories to try and help others benefit from a Natural Health Service. Here are just a few.
Jason “I have found that by being given the chance of joining the various outings and activities that I have been lucky to attend have provided me with some confidence building and a way of experiencing and immersing myself in nature and the great outdoors.
Sunshine or showers, all weathers helping to instill in me a positive attitude to overcome personal issues, which is still ongoing …my mood lifts and my relationships have improved for the better by simply being able to have an opportunity to join inwhether it is re-wilding outdoors or building a hedgehog friendly garden. The countryside is a way of providing me with a feel good factor in a way that conventional medication doesn’t seem to offer. Fresh air and exercise does wonders for the psyche. No pressure, helping to recharge the batteries.
I feel community involvement is also a good way of improving my understanding about my peers, the environment and locality by being part of a group- my fitness has improved and started to encourage me to do more walking …and enjoy nature with environmental knowledge gleaned from sessions I’ve attended.”
John “Literally a breath of fresh air, from maybe feeling somewhat depressed through a week the walk immediately brings a feeling of wellbeing and connection. I always look forward to the walks, meeting with everyone and being in nature. Which can sometimes be the thin, saving veneer that stops me from having solely negative thoughts.
The partnering with Gwent Wildlife Trust brought [me] a new connection with nature. A deeper look at my surroundings and
noticing the small things too like some of the species of plants. I now notice Wood Sorrel if I’m walking through a forest.”
Wild Health is currently funded by the players of the National Lottery through the National Lottery Community Fund until December 2025 and it’s my top priority to ensure that under represented communities and individuals continue to benefit from accessing the natural world. So, building on the achievements to date, we’re looking for funding to extend the project’s reach and influence long term. Sparking a new interest in wildlife and nature for so many people also means a greater percentage of the population of Gwent taking meaningful action for wildlife.
The project has built up an unrivalled reputation for innovation and inclusivity, and has been highly commended by the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action and the National Academy for Social Prescribing at their Award ceremonies in Cardiff and London.
If you think nature should be part of the solution to the public health crisis – please consider contributing to the Change NHS consultation here: wildlifetrusts.org/give-nature-placenhs-reforms. Whilst this consultation relates to the UK Government pledge to put in place a new 10-Year Health Plan to improve the NHS in England, your views could help strengthen our advocacy in Wales too.
Above, below, and below right, Wild Health participants enjoy wellbeing walks in nature. Right, feedback postcard from participant.
A YEAR FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES!
With an exciting year of fundraising ahead, there have never been more ways to support Gwent Wildlife Trust! From sponsored runs and wild walks, to individual giving and business support, you can make a real difference for wildlife by supporting us to make real meaningful impacts for wildlife across Gwent.
NEW SENIOR FUNDRAISING OFFICER JOINS THE TEAM
We’re delighted to welcome Natasha Burgon as our new Senior Fundraising Officer. With extensive experience in relationship management and a deep passion for wildlife conservation, she will lead community and business relationship fundraising to build greater support to protect Gwent’s wildlife.
Natasha joins us after a 20-year career in the art industry, where she organized events and managed sales. Her love for nature began in childhood, helping her grandparents with foraging, haymaking, and lambing on their farms in Ireland and Wales. Now, she enjoys outdoor adventures with her family, from hiking to camping and wild walks!
“Joining Gwent Wildlife Trust is a dream come true. I get to work with an incredible team, explore our beautiful countryside, and engage businesses and communities in fundraising efforts to protect local wildlife. Connecting people to nature is vital - especially in today’s screen-heavy world - to support well-being and reduce social isolation.
I’m inspired by the passion and commitment of those fighting for nature and climate action. It’s an exciting time to
join Gwent Wildlife Trust as we champion nature’s role in tackling climate change and ensuring future generations inherit thriving landscapes.”
WILD WALKS
This spring we are excited to be part of The Wildlife Trusts’ new Hedgehog Walk, taking place from 31st March to 13th April. Will you and your family take on the challenge of walking 3km while fundraising for wildlife along the way? Full of engaging activities and exciting surprises to entertain and educate, this challenge is sure to be an adventure. Plus, you’ll receive everything you need to fundraise for the wildlife you and your family love, by supporting The Wildlife Trusts’ mission to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. You can find out more about this on our webpages or by contacting Alice arees@gwentwildlife.org
Later in the year we will also be taking part in The Wildlife Trust’s Big Wild Walk, similar to the Hedgehog Walk but walking a further distance! Last year, an inspiring young fundraiser, Miles, raised an incredible £500 during the Big Wild Walk. We were so impressed with Miles’ efforts, we wanted to celebrate his achievements and decided to ask him a few questions...
Meet Miles
Age: 11 yrs (10 yrs old when completed Big Wild Walk)
Favourite hobbies: Hiking, rock climbing, hockey, kayaking, playing the trumpet, and spending time with his cats, Quinn and Duffy.
Miles, What inspired you to fundraise for Gwent Wildlife Trust?
I chose to fundraise for Gwent Wildlife Trust because I love nature, I love walking and I believe in the Trust’s mission to save and conserve the natural world. I was particularly inspired by the Gwent Wildlife Trust’s “#30by30 Challenge” – a call to help the Trust restore 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.
And What was the most fun thing about taking part in the Big Wild Walk?
The most fun thing about taking part in the BIG WILD WALK was being able to go and walk around different and interesting places such as Penalt, Kymin, King Arthur’s Cave, Tintern Abbey, Symonds Yat, Offa’s Dyke, Devil’s Pulpit and Skenfrith Castle, and having fun with my parents. Including
Above, Miles raised an amazing £500 for Gwent Wildlife Trust. Right, Natasha Burgon, our new Senior Fundraising Officer. Below, join The Hedgehog Walk!
when we sometimes got lost – my mum was using the ‘All Trails’ app, and her phone battery died every single time halfway through every walk! Sometimes, we’d end up getting lost and walking back in the dark, at night! But we saw loads and loads of bats, which was really great. These places are all new to us, so it was a great way to enjoy our new local area. Beautiful landscapes and stunning views of the Wye and Monnow.
What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge was meeting the fundraising goal and actually asking people to give money. The initial fundraising goal set by the Trust was only £30, so my mum dared me to set my fundraising goal higher and higher! That meant asking loads of people to donate. It’s kind of hard, but it just takes a little courage. If you believe in something and you just tell people about it, they can see that it really means a lot to you, and then they will try and support you. It’s easier if it’s a great cause, especially wildlife and nature. Everyone needs to care. And every donation helps, no matter how small. The way I overcame this was that I tried to keep my supporters informed of where I’d walked, what wildlife I saw, and we tried to upload pictures and some video to share, so that everyone could feel like they were a part of the journey, too. Which they were. They are a really important part. I’m really thankful to my supporters!
What would you say to encourage other young people to fundraise for Gwent Wildlife Trust?
What I would say to encourage other young people to fundraise for Gwent Wildlife Trust is this: Go for it! It was incredibly fun, and it felt really, really good to know that I was helping and making a difference to save the planet. We’ve only got one Earth, and it needs us to care. We depend on this planet to live, and we use the resources it provides too much. We are losing trees; we are destroying habitats of wonderful creatures – something must be done. We should help the environment, and this is a great way to do it.
We’d love to hear how you get on when fundraising for us – please do let us know how you get on.
Above, events such as this plant sale in Chepstow are a great way to raise funds. Below, Julia, Morgan, Kai and Tasie ran the Cardiff Half Marathon in October 2024 and raised over £1,100 for GWT.
SPONSORED EVENTS
We’re excited to announce we’ve partnered with Run For Charity this year, giving you the chance to take part in fantastic running and walking events across the UK while raising funds for GWT! All you have to do is sign up for your chosen event via the Run For Charity website and choose Gwent Wildlife Trust as your chosen charity!
Locally, there are these following events coming up, but you could fundraise anywhere across the globe as Run For Charity cover races all over the place!
• Newport Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K 13th April
• Chepstow Racecourse 5k, 10k or Half Marathon 16th August
• Cardiff Half Marathon 5th October
By signing up through Run for Charity, not only will you be supporting wildlife conservation, but you’ll also have an extra incentive to complete your training! To find out more, contact Alice arees@gwentwildlife.org or search for Gwent Wildlife Trust at Runforcharity.com
LOCAL GROUPS
A huge thank you to our Usk and Chepstow Local Groups for their continued support, raising funds through talks and events. We are so lucky to be supported by our dedicated volunteer groups across the county. Our local groups, led by enthusiastic volunteer committees offer people a chance to engage with wildlife in their community in a social setting. They run regular talks and help fundraise, supporting local projects across Gwent.
We’re excited to expand our local fundraising groups across Gwent - stay tuned for updates on new groups near you!
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Businesses play a vital role in protecting and restoring nature. If your business might be interested in working with us, we invite you to join us in making a difference. Whether you want to become a business member, sponsor a conservation project, or invest in wild wellbeing for your team, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
To discuss how your business can get involved, contact Natasha Burgon nburgon@gwentwildlife.org or visit our website for more details.
Spotlight on our ten priority species
Thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and the Nature Networks Fund, (delivered by the Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government), we began work on our final two priority species in 2024. This work is a true collaborative effort, with help not only from our funders, but also the many enthusiastic volunteers, local residents, schools and youth groups, partner organisations, and others who get involved. This article wraps up our series of spotlight articles on GWT’s ten priority species, by looking at two of our most endearing mammals: Hedgehogs and Water Voles.
By Senior Evidence Officer, Lowri Watkins
WATER VOLE
You may have read a little about our new Water Vole Reintroduction Feasibility project in the winter 2024 issue of WAG. My colleague Kevin Donovan, who is the new Water Vole Project Officer leading on this work, explained the rationale behind the new project and here I’d like to delve more into their ecology, as well as provide a bit of an update on their status.
Water Voles are semi-aquatic rodents and the largest of our vole species in Britain. They are sometimes also referred to as the ‘water dog’ or the ‘water rat’, which hints as to why the Water Vole character in Kenneth Grahame’s tale The Wind in the Willows was called Ratty! They can easily be confused for a Brown Rat too, especially when seen swimming, but their blunt noses are a giveaway.
In Britain, nearly all colonies of Water Voles (except a Scottish anomaly!) live in watery habitats, building networks of burrows into the banks of wet ditches, slow-moving streams and ponds/lakes. They are almost exclusively herbivorous and need to eat up to 80% of their body weight every day. An abundance of bankside vegetation is not only an important food source for them, but also provides cover from their many predators. Their defence mechanism involves plopping into the water and darting into a burrow and is effective
WATER VOLES IN GWENT AND THE WIDER UK FACE SEVERAL KEY THREATS:
1. Habitat loss and degradation – floodplains have been urbanised, with increased development leading to loss of wetland habitats and a decline in their quality and management
2. Pollution – little is known about the impact of pollutants such as pesticides, farm waste and chemicals, but they may have contributed to some of the historical declines
3. Predation – particularly vulnerable to the non-native, invasive American Mink
4. Population fragmentation – as suitable habitat declines and fragments, populations become more vulnerable to local extinction
against their natural predators, but the rise in non-native, invasive American Mink has spelled disaster for the Water Vole. This stealthy hunter is fast and slender, meaning female and young Mink are small enough to chase Water Voles into their burrows, leaving them with no escape.
This new predator has exerted additional pressure on the Water Vole, which was already suffering the impacts of decades of habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation. By 1998 the population had already declined by an estimated 90%. The National Water Vole Database Project Report, published by The Wildlife Trusts on December 23rd, 2024, identified that declines in Water Vole populations are ongoing, with a 39% decrease in the number of areas occupied by Water Voles compared to the 2006 baseline figure. The first official Red List of British Mammals (2020) classed Water Voles within the ‘Vulnerable’ threat category, meaning they are at imminent risk of extinction.
The outlook is not all doom and gloom however, as targeted conservation work in recent decades has managed to slow and, in some cases, reverse declines at the local scale. Water Voles have also been successfully reintroduced to places where they had already gone extinct, including our reintroduction at Magor Marsh Nature Reserve on the Gwent Levels in 2012.
HOW YOU CAN HELP WATER VOLE S
• Donate or volunteer with local projects and organisations that are working to help Water Voles – please get in touch with Kevin Donovan kdonovan@gwentwildlife. org if you’d like to volunteer on our Wentlooge Water Vole Reintroduction Feasibility Project
• If you own land with potential habitat, consider Water Vole friendly management actions such as:
- Controlling livestock access along watercourses to reduce poaching and grazing
- Leave wider buffer strips of lush vegetation for food and cover
- Manage ditches and other watercourses with Water Voles in mind
- Restore, recreate and manage wetland habitats
HEDGEHOG
Hedgehogs have often been voted Britain’s favourite mammal and even the nation’s top species overall! Aside from their undeniable charisma, perhaps a large reason for their ongoing popularity is that we get to enjoy them up close, as they are frequent garden visitors. This proximity to us, however, may lead us to think that they are thriving, but the picture is unfortunately a little more complicated.
Our only spiny mammal, Hedgehogs are nocturnal insectivores, particularly favouring larger insects such as beetles, worms, caterpillars and other larvae. They are one of only a handful of our ‘true hibernators’ in the UK, the others being Hazel Dormice and bat species. Their skin is the most specialised part of them, with the very obvious covering of spines (modified hairs). They also have an excess of skin which allows them to frown and roll in to a ball when threatened. This feat is achieved by a drawstring-like muscle called the orbicularis, which Hedgehogs can also hitch-up like a skirt when they need to run fast!
The most recent State of Britain’s Hedgehogs report (2022) highlighted a growing difference between urban and rural populations. In our villages, towns and cities, hedgehog populations appear to be relatively stable and are even showing promising signs of recovery. The situation in our rural areas is much more concerning, with estimates of declines between 30-75% since 2000, on top of existing historical declines. The first official Red List of British Mammals (2020) classed Hedgehogs within the ‘Vulnerable’ threat category, meaning they are at imminent risk of extinction.
As a habitat generalist Hedgehogs are a good barometer of the health of our ecosystems. They depend on wellconnected and varied structure in the natural environment, with a diversity of
plants and healthy soils to provide them with the abundance of invertebrate prey and nesting material they need to survive. Gwent Wildlife Trust are involved in the new National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme, which aims to gather the first robust population estimate for Hedgehogs in Britain. We are tasked with identifying 1km2 areas and gaining permission to install 30 trail cameras for a 30-day period. We embarked on our first trial of the methodology in September 2024 in Monmouthshire. With the help of volunteers, we were able to install our cameras in a wide range of habitats, with the majority placed in private gardens, as well as a local school, community orchard and church grounds. The images produced by the project are uploaded to the MammalWeb platform, where members of the public can sign up to become a ‘Citizen Scientist’ and help to identify the wildlife caught on camera.
HOW YOU CAN HELP HEDGEHOGS
While hearing about the plight of hedgehogs can leave us feeling a bit hopeless, there’s lots that can be done, especially within our gardens and communities. See next page for more details!
HEDGEHOGS IN GWENT AND THE WIDER UK FACE SEVERAL KEY THREATS:
1. A decrease in the availability of natural food and associated habitats
2. An increase in vehicle collisions
3. Mortality due to human intervention e.g. inappropriate supplementary feeding or admission to care
4. Accidental death/ misadventure e.g. strimming accidents or drowning in ponds
5. Toxin accumulation
6. Genetic isolation
Help the Hedgehog!
With everyone’s help, populations of the once-common hedgehog can bounce back!
Here are some key ways you can help to supply the natural spaces and resources that Hedgehogs (and other wildlife) need.
• Create wilder, untouched areas of your garden where Hedgehogs can forage and nest undisturbed
• Leave grass and flowers to grow long and set seed before cutting back
• Install a pond (remember to add an exit ramp)
• Keep a compost heap or add log piles
• Don’t clear leaf litter away
• Add a ‘Hedgehog Highway’ (gaps between garden fences or under gates to allow free movement)
• Always check before strimming – consider adding a ‘Be Hedgehog Aware’ sticker to your garden machinery as a reminder (can be found via Hedgehog Aware website)
• Avoid the use of chemicals in your garden
• Tidy away materials such as netting and plastics which Hedgehogs could get tangled in
• During cold or dry periods Hedgehogs may benefit from a shallow dish of water and supplementary feeding (meat-based wet dog or cat foods, or dry cat/kitten food)
• Check out the fantastic resources on the Hedgehog Street website. Become a ‘Hedgehog Champion’ and talk to your neighbours about linking up gardens along your street
• Sign up to the MammalWeb platform and help to identify the wildlife recorded on trail cameras for the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme
• Support your local Hedgehog rescue If you own larger areas of land, the Hedgehog Street website also has some brilliant advice on how to manage for Hedgehogs, including how to manage hedgerows, field margins, ploughing regimes and adding useful patches of scrub
And if you see a hedgehog:
• Log your Hedgehog sightings, either via the local environmental record centre (SEWBReC for our region) or via the ‘BIG Hedgehog Map’
• If you find a sick, injured or orphaned Hedgehog, please seek advice from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (National), the Hedgehog Helpline (covering South Wales), or the Hedgehog First Response Unit (covering Monmouth and Chepstow areas)
HELP THE WILDLIFE YOU LOVE AS A TRUSTEE
Our trustees are people of all ages and background from across Gwent, who share our vision and commitment to protecting wildlife. You don’t have to have any specific experience – we welcome applications from anyone who:
• Is committed to protecting our natural world
• Enjoys working as part of a diverse team
• Is able to volunteer at least half a day of their time each month
We would particularly like to hear from anyone with experience relevant to the role of secretary – including organising meetings, taking minutes and collating documents and papers. If you join us, you will be part of a friendly and positive group of 11 Trustees, helping to ensure a better future for the wildlife and people of Gwent. The Trust is a charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee. Trustees must be members of the Trust. Trustee appointments are voluntary. The Trust is also part of the wider federation of Wildlife Trusts.
How do you become a Trustee?
If you would like an informal chat to find out more about becoming a Trustee, email HR@gwentwildlife.org. The application form and other details can be found on our website: www.gwentwildlife.org/ volunteering-opportunities/trustee-0 After you have filled in the application form, short-listed candidates will be asked to an interview (online if preferred) with a couple of trustees and the Trust’s Chief Executive, to talk through the role and answer questions.
COMMUNITY GARDENING DAYS IN NEWPORT
During the half-term, our youth and engagement team were busy hosting family events. Families in the Underwood and Pillgwenlly communities were invited to spend time in their green spaces and take part in activities put on by GWT & Newport City Council.
In Pillgwenlly, the team hosted a community planting day. Families enjoyed the sunshine whilst planting a number of perennial bulbs at their local community centre. They also made paper plant pots filled with seeds of their choosing ready to be taken home and planted in their gardens. In Underwood, we spent an afternoon in the community garden. Families tended to
the raised beds, planted new perennial flowers and created apple bird feeders and paper plant pots to take home.
We were delighted to meet over 70 people during these events. Families are now able to see the fruits of their labour whilst spending time outdoors in their community. A sense of ownership over these spaces now lies with those who attended, which in time will help to create sustainable positive change in these areas.
“No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced.” David Attenborough
Wild
About Craft Workshops a success
Over the winter, we’ve been running Wild About Craft workshops to explore our ten priority wildlife species through different arts and crafts. To enable the widest range of people to take part, we have put on evening and weekend classes. The idea behind these were to connect people who may not directly be interested in nature through nature-themed craft. Each session
has started with a short talk about the subject species, covering their ecology and threats and where possible, we’ve taken participants for a walk out on the reserve (Magor Marsh). So far we have held ‘Air Dry Clay Pink Waxcap’ and ‘Watercolour Dipper’ workshops and have received lovely feedback like these examples:
‘I really like the theme of endangered species as this raised awareness I previously had no idea about. Arts and crafts is a good segway into the subject.’
‘Absolutely loved the set up of the watercolour event. Both of you shared great knowledge around the subject and laid out each part in a manageable and easy to understand manner to a novice painter. Loves the additional walk at lunch onto the reserve.’
RESTORING WHITE-TAILED EAGLES TO SOUTHEAST WALES AND THE SEVERN ESTUARY
The sight of White-tailed Eagles soaring the skies of Wales is becoming more of a reality. Eagle Reintroduction Wales, a Durrell programme working in partnership with Gwent Wildlife Trust and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust will soon submit proposals to Natural Resources Wales to return these magnificent birds to their historic home in Wales.
With a 95.3% community support rate (from 1,253 surveyed) and over 175 local stakeholders consulted about the return of the species, the team are hopeful for approval to start releasing birds by summer 2026. Proposals aim to release 60 young eagles over a 5-year period to create a small breeding population of 6 - 10 pairs over the next 10 years.
PARTNERSHIP PROJECT IN PONTYPOOL
Gwent Wildlife Trust has partnered with Pontypool Community Council on a new and exciting project. We are looking for volunteers to help us transform Pontypool’s green spaces into wildlife havens for all to enjoy. There will be nature-based events throughout the year and we are also starting a wildlife youth group. To find out more visit www. gwentwildlife.org/pontypool
MONITORING AT THE RIVER MEADOW
By Senior River Restoration Officer, Nathalie Nicolaus
The last few months have been busy at our floodplain meadow reserve ‘The River Meadow’ along the River Usk near Llanfair Kilgeddin. We have been monitoring water and sediment movement to inform plans for the creation of a diverse pond mosaic in collaboration with the Natural Resources Wales’ Four Rivers for LIFE team.
We aim to create clean water ponds that support rich aquatic life while minimizing pollution from fertilizers and pesticides. Ideally, these ponds will be sustained by rain and groundwater rather than linked to existing streams and ditches. This monitoring period will help refine our pond placement and design, ensuring they are located in areas that will retain water naturally.
Hydrological monitoring
To track water table fluctuations across the site and throughout the seasons, we have installed four 2-meter dip wells positioned along transects perpendicular to the River Usk. A combination of submerged data loggers and manual recordings ensures
accurate measurements, with support from volunteer wardens who take bi-weekly readings using an electronic ‘buzzer’ measuring tape.
Additionally, a stilling well has been placed in the existing drainage ditch to monitor water levels year-round. We plan to introduce woody material to the ditch to increase its water storage capacity.
Flooding and sediment monitoring
Understanding how floodwaters from the River Usk and the drainage ditch affect the site is crucial. Flood waters bring fine sediment and often pollutants, which can infill scrapes and ponds, potentially degrading water quality. To measure
Below, measuring the surface water level in the draining ditch. Below right, measuring the ground water level in one of our dip wells.
Left, fresh vegetation is emerging at the River Meadow. Above, the monitoring team is getting ready for site surveys. Below, sediment mat installation by the GWT team.
sediment deposition, we’ve installed eight 25cm x 40cm monitoring mats, which are weighed before and after flood events to quantify the amount of sediment captured.
The planned work is scheduled for autumn this year, allowing us to monitor water levels throughout the summer.
This work is made possible by funding from the Swire Charitable Trust and the EU Life Program.
WHY ARE WE PUTTING WOOD BACK INTO STREAMS?
The concept behind Natural Flood Management
Wood in streams is essential for healthy and functioning freshwater ecosystems, yet many UK rivers have been modified— deepened, straightened, and stripped of natural debris—degrading flow, sediment distribution, and habitat quality. Historically seen as a flood risk, a great deal of effort has been made to remove wood from watercourses, while grazing pressures and the lack of riverbank vegetation prevents natural replenishment.
With more frequent storms, more intense rain events and increasing risk of flooding, we must find ways to slow water movement across landscapes—and wood can help. Fortunately, reintroducing woody debris is now a key focus in river restoration and national flood risk policies, supporting the principles of Natural Flood Management.
The science behind it
Large woody debris, leaky dams or leaky barriers are structures placed in small streams or watercourses with the intention of naturally slowing the flow of water at times of high flows. They are intentionally ‘leaky’ to always allow baseflow to pass
through and not to impound the watercourse completely. When streams rise after rainfall these features have the potential to store water temporarily behind the structure and release it slowly downstream. This can have positive impacts on water quality including filtration, sediment distribution and retention, as smaller particles as well as nutrients and pollutants settle out in slower flowing areas.
GET IN TOUCH
Please note the installation of leaky dams may be subject to licenses including ‘Ordinary Watercourse Consent’ from your local flood authority. Would you like to find out more about this work? Get in touch with our Senior River Restoration Officer Nathalie at nnicolaus@gwentwildlife.org.
These features also enhance the complexity of habitats by creating varied water flows and sediment sizes, supporting algae, microbes, and invertebrates. They provide shade, refuge and nursery habitat for fish, promote aquatic vegetation, and form scour pools that offer cool-water refuges during low flows. Wood and plant material also support insects like dragonflies, mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies when emerging from their aquatic larval to the winged adult stage of their life cycle.
Depending on the design and placement, leaky dams have the potential to reduce flood peaks in small catchments, as they increase the ‘travel time’ of water across the catchment. They are generally installed in small watercourses, not main rivers. Careful design is crucial to prevent failure and downstream blockages.
Our work in Gwent
At Silent Valley Nature Reserve in Ebbw Vale, we are introducing large woody debris and leaky dams to trial different natural flood management techniques. This site will serve as a demonstration area to share our findings and best practices in the future.
Beyond the reserve, we aim to expand our efforts across Gwent, working with landowners to promote and implement natural flood management on a wider scale.
This work is made possible by funding from the Swire Charitable Trust
Above, leaky dams can trap fine sediment and provide clean gravel habitat below the structure. Right and below: leaky dam installation at Silent Valley Nature Reserve.
Below, A seasoned leaky dam structure in Gloucestershire is becoming part of the ecosystem.
Securing The Rothbury Estate for nature
The Wildlife Trusts have purchased part of the Rothbury Estate in partnership with Northumberland Wildlife Trust and have launched a £30 million appeal to secure the entire estate – for nature and the nation. The charities have agreed a two-phase purchase agreement over two years.
The charities will consult the local community on plans to buy and care for the largest piece of contiguous land to be on the market anywhere in England for the last 30 years and create a showcase for nature recovery on a vast scale.
The 3,800-hectare estate has an important place in the hearts of Northumbrians. By acquiring The Rothbury Estate, Northumberland Wildlife Trust aims to enhance the rich natural heritage of the estate for future generations. A successful purchase of the entire site will avoid the land being broken up into multiple ownerships, helping to ensure public access and create a sustainable future for farmers.
The current purchase includes the Simonside Hills and a mixture of lowland, woods, riverside and farmland – the western side of the Estate – an area
that is especially valued by the urban communities of Newcastle Upon Tyne and Tyneside. Notable wildlife includes curlews, red grouse, merlins, cuckoos, mountain bumblebees, emperor moths and red squirrels.
Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, says:
“We’re very excited to be part of a once in a generation opportunity for securing a stunning area of countryside where people and nature can thrive side by side. It signals the start of something unique in Northumberland and it will also have impact on a national scale. We’re looking forward to working with local people to create an exemplar of how nature, farming and community are integrated –something local people can feel immensely proud of.
“We’ll be talking and listening to people who live and work in the area over the coming months to evolve a long-term plan for the Estate that respects its traditions and the livelihoods that depend on it. We will preserve and enhance public access and recreational opportunities to allow people to enjoy this wonderful place.”
Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, says:
“This is a thrilling moment for The Wildlife Trusts who are working collectively – coming together from across the UK –to create a national flagship for nature recovery for the very first time. It’s a historic moment for our federation.
“The Rothbury Estate will come to play a key role in revitalising local economies, delivering multiple societal and environmental benefits – and it’ll provide the most amazing example for the rest of the country on a scale not seen before. We’re all absolutely delighted to be part of securing this precious piece of natural heritage for the nation and we want to hear from everyone who is keen to support our appeal.”
Find out more about how you can support The Wildlife Trusts to secure the entire estate by visiting wildlifetrusts.org/appeals/rothburyestate-nature-and-nation
Simonside, on The Rothbury Estate, is set to become a flagship site for nature conservation in the UK
2024 marine review
People power marine recovery projects
Innovation, new research and a whale-sized volunteering effort has helped The Wildlife Trusts’ learn more about changes in UK seas in the 2024 marine review.
Seaside volunteers clocked over 12,000 hours backing wildlife initiatives around UK shores. This included recording sightings of humpback whales, whitebeaked dolphins and climate-indicator species including colourful sea slugs and mauve jellyfish. The data helps experts understand more about how species are faring in busy seas and the impact of climate change on marine wildlife.
Volunteers tallied thousands of hours identifying and recording wildlife through the national citizen science survey, Shoresearch and volunteering days organised by Wildlife Trusts. Data collected helps experts monitor how pollution, climate change and invasive species are impacting UK wildlife. 2024 surveys
highlight the spread and occurrence of non-native species and climate change indicators, such as, the first record of the kelp seaweed, Wakame, at Wembury in Devon, also found at Torquay and Brixham.
Volunteers also gathered almost 3,000 kilograms of rubbish by hand from UK beaches on clean-ups organised by Wildlife Trusts. With under 10 per cent of UK seas protected from the most damaging fishing activities, The Wildlife Trusts urge policymakers to do more to save our seas. Find out how you can join the volunteer effort: wildlifetrusts.org/closer-tonature/volunteer
Temperate rainforests will feature in The Wildlife Trusts’ garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show
UK HIGHLIGHTS
Discover how The Wildlife Trusts are helping wildlife across the UK
Celebrating seal pups
Cumbria Wildlife Trust is celebrating seal pups born at its coastal nature reserve at South Walney near Barrow for the 10th year running. The growth of the grey seal colony from single figures in the 1980s and 90s to over 500 since breeding began in 2015 is a great conservation success story. wtru.st/Cumbria-seal-pups
Mini beasts
The smallest beetle in Europe has been discovered by Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. The tiny beetle, Baranowskiella ehnstromi, found at Rutland Water Nature Reserve, measures just 0.4mm in length and feeds on spores of a bracket fungus. This is the third British record for the species and first outside East Anglia. wtru.st/Rutland-beetle
Bringing the rainforest to RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The Wildlife Trusts are bringing rainforests to RHS Chelsea Flower Show! The British Rainforest Garden, designed by awardwinning Zoe Claymore and sponsored by Project Giving Back, will evoke the lush, wet woodlands that once swathed vast areas of the west coast of the British Isles. By bringing the enchantment of temperate rainforests to Chelsea, we hope to inspire people to support the restoration of this threatened habitat and show how nature-friendly gardening can help British wildlife thrive.
Inspired by the ambitious 100-year mission of The Wildlife Trusts and Aviva to bring rainforests back to the British Isles, the garden will share the story of this precious habitat that once blanketed a fifth of our country and is now so rare that it only covers about 1% of the land. Restoring them will create beautiful places for people to enjoy, help wildlife recover and tackle climate change.
Pine martens return
15 pine martens were released at secret locations on Dartmoor after a 100-year absence. After two years of meticulous planning and consultation with local communities, the reintroduction, led by Devon Wildlife Trust and seven partners, is an historic step in the restoration of the region’s woodlands and wildlife. wtru.st/pine-martens-return
The power of nature notebooks
Small
observations,
big impact on wildlife
Joanna Foat shares why she believes we should all have a nature notebook to aid in our efforts to protect wildlife.
Many renowned botanists, like Ellen Hutchins – Ireland’s first female botanist – began their passion for nature with a simple notebook. Hutchins famously spent five days admiring a piece of seaweed, carefully preserving fragments and sketching her ‘little beauties’ of mosses and lichens. The eminent Francis Rose’s field notebooks are all we have as records for some of the rarest of British lichens historically.
Early records of flora and fauna like these in notebooks across the UK have laid the groundwork for The Wildlife Trusts in protecting nature reserves since 1912. As we face the dual nature and climate crises, collecting data on wildlife is more critical than ever. These precious sightings not only inform conservation projects but also, eventually, government policies.
Nigel Doar, Head of Research at The Wildlife Trusts, highlights the need to engage more people of all ages in recording wildlife. Not everyone, he notes, starts with a vast knowledge of species.
“We can worry too much about what something is, when just taking notice and enjoying the beauty in nature can spark interest.”
He recalls his own challenges as a student identifying an oak tree in a hedgerow, a process akin to spot-the-difference. Conservationists use a classification system of taxonomic units – essentially the identification of shared characteristics – to help them work out the species or family of species of a particular plant or animal. Nigel shared that his teacher said a ‘difference’ is what I call a recognisable taxonomic unit, and that “sometimes that is just enough when you are starting out”
Mike Waite, director of research and monitoring at Surrey Wildlife Trust, sees first hand how curiosity leads people from casual observation to structured surveys and contributions to science.
“Many people move from noting birds on their feeders to eventually learning bird song. Online tutorials offer training, and soon they’re taking part in national breeding bird surveys. That’s how I started.”
Nowadays, he advises the local council on its nature recovery strategy, priority species list and measuring progress towards restoring 30 per cent of land by 2030.
He notes that although some citizen scientists may be naturally introverted or solitary, their observations on rapidly advancing species like dragonflies – as indicators of climate change – are invaluable. “Many new dragonfly species have colonised the UK from the continent over the past decade, providing clear data on environmental shifts.”
The Wildlife Trusts across the country offer citizen science programmes where volunteers learn identification skills and can contribute to conservation
surveillance data. Projects include Shoresearch, Seasearch, Riversearch and Nature Counts for species monitoring to name just a few.
Thousands of people are getting involved walking transects to count the number of butterflies, mapping the distribution of hedgehogs across a city, or reporting field signs of otters along river banks. This data directly supports species conservation and habitat restoration, local strategies for nature recovery and is vitally needed to lobby government to protect nature.
What could be more rewarding than spending your weekend immersed in nature? This hands-on connection not only deepens personal engagement but also contributes to science. So, pick up a notebook, jot down your observations, and begin your journey as a citizen scientist. You never know where your notes might lead.
Find out more about how you can take part in citizen science at: wildlifetrusts.org/ citizen-science
One Swallow, two Martins, and a Swift make a summer
It is a while since we have looked at one of the bird families, however spring seemed the ideal time to take a look at swallows and martins, or more technically “The Hirundines”. We will also throw in the similar looking, but unrelated, Swift as well, (although the fascinating Swift really deserves an article all of its own!)
By Evidence Manager, Andy Karran
As I write this, all these species are a long way away, in their wintering grounds in Africa. A primitive urge will be forming in them, to fly north, to return to where they were born. By the time you read this they will all be here, apart from the Swift, which is the last to arrive, and first to leave.
We will be looking at the Barn Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin, and Common Swift. These are the species that visit us annually in Gwent, and stay to breed, although other more exotic vagrants do appear from time to time.
They are all built on a similar design, with sweptback wings supremely adapted for fast, manoeuvrable flight, that allows them to catch insects on the wing. With practice they can all be fairly easily identified by their distinctive features, as well as habitat, to some degree..
This guide will give you a flavour of how to identify them, which habitats, or locations to see them in, and hopefully a few interesting facts about each:
BARN SWALLOW
A real favourite of everyone. Whilst the saying goes, “one Swallow doesn’t make a Summer”, the first one of spring certainly makes my day. You know better weather is on the way when you see the first brave Swallow battling back from Africa. The first few arrive in March, however, most arrive in April, staying until September, with a few late stragglers into October. They are here to take advantage of our long days, and hopefully fine summer weather, with lots of insects on the wing. They are similar in appearance to the martins, however their
long tail streamers (longer in the male), and when seen close up, the gorgeous red throat clearly identify them. They can be seen across rural Gwent, but quite closely tied to human structures, nesting in barns, stables, church porches and the like.
HOUSE MARTIN
Another summer migrant, just like the Swallow, arriving and departing at similar times. The Swallow has quite a close association with people, nesting in barns, but generally more rural. The House Martin is even more closely linked with ourselves, almost all House Martins choosing to nest on buildings, placing their mud nests below eaves, gables, and window ledges. Where did they nest before we had houses? The answer is they used to be a cliff nesting
Sand Martin
House Martin
species. It takes a pair about 10 days to build their mud nest, and they will return to the same nest every year, so please do not knock down old nests! They are similar looking to the swallow and Sand Martin, however, look out for the distinctive white rump.
SAND MARTIN
Sand Martins are one of the first spring migrants to arrive back, with many arriving in March. Unlike the other species we are looking at, the Sand Martins have not developed a close tie with our buildings for nest sites. They nest in colonies along our rivers, digging holes into sandy riverbanks. A great place to see them is along the River Usk. You will know when you are getting near to a colony as there will be swarms of busy Sand Martins, shooting back and forth over the river, making their buzzing calls, whilst busily catching insects for their hungry young. Their nest holes in sheer riverbanks are quite safe nest sites, however unseasonal flooding of the river can be disastrous! Again, quite similar in shape and size to the Swallow and House Martin, but if seen well they are clearly brown and white, rather than blue and white.
COMMON SWIFT
In contrast to the Sand Martin, Swifts are one of our latest migrants to arrive, the first not arriving until early May, when they suddenly announce themselves as screaming sickles dashing through the sky. They are also one of the first to leave, generally all disappearing in August. All these species are well adapted for flight, however the Swift has taken this to extremes. When they leave in August, they will not land again until they return to breed the following May. They feed, drink, breed, even sleep on the wing. Indeed, if a swift becomes grounded it cannot take off as its legs are so small and wings so long. Swifts are even more closely related to human
habitation, breeding in buildings in our towns and cities, but still needing the countryside for feeding. Sadly, our buildings are increasingly less Swift friendly, without the holes/crevices they need, and their numbers have fallen greatly.
There are some great local groups doing fantastic work to help preserve our Swifts, with survey work and practical actions to make buildings more “Swift friendly”, if you would like to get involved their details are: ‘Swifts of Usk’ on Facebook or email: swiftsofusk@gmail.com
‘Chepstow Swifts’ on Facebook or email: Chepstowswifts@gmail.com
Swift in flight
Sand Martin
Barn Swallow
Fledgeling Barn Swallow
YOU SAID, WE DID!
Thank you to everybody who completed our membership survey last year. This really helps us to better understand your views on our work and being a member of our Trust. Crucially, we need our members input to help us inspire, engage and connect more people with the wonder of nature.
The good news is the vast majority of our members are very satisfied with their membership, you have a variety of interests and reasons for supporting us but your love for nature, local wildlife and gardening is very clear. We’ve now started a regular monthly gardening feature in our Enewsletter in response.
Members are very happy with this magazine and mostly prefer the print version, often passing it on to someone after they read it (we agree this is a great way to inspire others about local wildlife). Satisfaction with our events remains high, the feedback suggests we need to try
hosting more events outside of normal working hours and ID courses, wildlife walks and evening talks all ranked as popular. There is clear interest from our members on our work with younger people and the need to inspire them about wildlife, as well as taking our work in to local communities and hosting events closer to where people live.
All members have a passion for ensuring that wildlife is protected for future generations, especially on the Gwent Levels and our river catchments. You are keen to campaign and be a voice for nature wherever and whenever it is needed – for this we are truly grateful and will continue to create opportunities to advocate for wildlife wherever it is needed.
Feeding back on Wild About Gwent magazine, you asked for more and longer reads about our nature reserves, what we’re doing there and why. So we hope you enjoy reading the feature on Springdale (pages 2-3) and news from our Nature Reserves (on pages 4-5)
Several members were interested to know about how we work with farmers. As a starter for ten, we welcome local farmer Des to talk about his work with us in the Local Wildlife Champion interview adjacent.
And unsurprisingly, wildlife came out on top – so we’ve packed this issue with wildlife including features on Water Vole, Hedgehog and Swifts, Swallows and martins. Please keep telling us your views and we will keep listening and responding! Increase in minimum donation
Gwent Wildlife Trust have not increased the minimum donation we request for joining as a member for over ten years. We want membership – through making regular monthly or annual contributions to our work – to be as accessible to as many people as possible. However, with so many of our costs increasing, from National Insurance contributions, to utilities and print and paper – particularly in recent years – we’ve made the decision to increase the minimum rate in 2025. This is to make sure that we are covering the cost of servicing membership (staff, banking, communications etc.) and maximising the income that then goes to the conservation work that you want to support.
What will happen?
Since 1st April, anyone newly joining Gwent Wildlife Trust is now asked to donate the new rates or more if they are able. (We will continue to be flexible for anyone who wants to join but cannot afford the minimum rate.)
Nothing will change yet for current members. If you would like to increase your donation, either in line with our increase in minimum rate or if you are able to do more to help Gwent Wildlife Trust, please get in touch: by emailing Lois Holroyd at: info@gwentwildlife.org; calling 01600 740600 or via the contact form on our website.
In June, we will be writing to members to ask if you would be able to increase your gift this spring.
From September, if you are donating at our old minimum amount or less, we would like to increase your monthly and annual direct debit or card/cheque renewal donation to the new minimum rate. We will write to you about this in June with a reminder in July. You do have the option of opting out of this and keeping your donation at the current amount. Every donation, no matter how much is valued and helps our local wildlife so please let us know if you are unable or do not want us to increase your Direct Debit, when we write to you in the summer.
GIFT AID
Increase your gift to wildlife at no extra cost to you Are your gift aid details up to date? If you have recently ceased to pay UK Income Tax, or have just begun to pay it, please let Lois Holroyd know, so that we can ensure our records are accurate. If you are eligible, we can claim a sum equivalent to 25% of your donations, from the UK Government, at no cost to you.” Email: info@gwentwildlife.org
Nature Recovery Officer, Rose Scott at Pentwyn.
PHOTO CREDITS: HAMISH BLAIR
LOCAL WILDLIFE CHAMPION
The contractors who help manage the over 700ha of our nature reserves - and often many more important nature sites – are unsung heroes of nature conservation. Many, like this issue’s Wildlife Champion, are working dusk til dawn managing their own land and farming commitments alongside providing a vital service to help large-scale local conservation works. The knowledge they have built up over decades and even generations, their specialist machinery and passion for wildlife is fundamental to nature’s recovery.
VITAL STATISTICS
Name: Des Williams
Lives in: Nash near Newport Wetlands NNR
Job: Agricultural and conservation contractor
Interesting fact:
After over 30 years working on wetland nature reserves, I only saw an Otter for the first time quite recently. A friend had put a camera trap down and caught one on my own farm. I could hardly believe my eyes – after living there for 50 years and never seeing one before.
Tell us a bit about yourself: I grew up and have lived and worked on a farm on the Gwent Levels all my life. I do work, like silage and bailing, for other farmers and most of all enjoy working for local conservation organisations like Gwent Wildlife Trust.
I’ve cleared hundreds of metres of choked up ditches, cut hedgerows and re-instated field grips, particularly through the Living Levels project. The last time they’d been dug out was 1940 to produce food after the 2nd WW. This habitat creation is so important and illustrates how farming and conservation goes hand in hand. Cutting or thinning out overgrown hedgerows might look brutal but it can improve nesting ground for bigger birds like Buzzard as well as creating a tight hedgrow to protect all the smaller birds that are in decline.
What’s your favourite local place for nature?
Definitely my home – the Gwent Levels... I love the landscape, the wildlife, it has everything.
Tell us about a memorable wildlife experience you have had locally.
I was driving thru Alway town centre, when I saw a Mallard duck come to the side of the road leading her chicks. She stopped dead on edge of the pavement because of the passing traffic. I stopped, as did the driver coming the other way. The duck waited and looked both ways before crossing and carrying on her way to Lliswerry pond. It was just like she’d learnt the Green Cross Code!
Why should people care about nature/ the environment?
I feel very strongly that we have to create habitat to replace what is being lost. We as people are pushing wildlife into a corner
and it can’t fight back. Imagine if we went outside and there was no longer any wildlife there. I have seen time and time again, how, if we manage land for nature, it moves in straight away after. So as farmers cutting hedgerows or managing our field ditches in the right way we are also improving nesting grounds, wildlife corridors for Red Kite, for example, which I had never seen in the area until a few years ago.
What’s the best thing you think could be done for nature and our planet?
As well as what I’ve talked about close to home – we just have to stop cutting down the Amazon rainforest, the lungs of the world. Everywhere nature is being pushed into a corner, and alongside this it’s causing desertification, global warming and other environmental disasters.
Des has been a vital part of many GWT projects including ditch clearance (left) ditch restoration (below left) and getting Anne the Brinker into place (below).
Red Kite
Mallard duck and her chicks
Just a 1% gift in your Will to Gwent Wildlife Trust will protect nature and the wild places you love.
Find out more at gwentwildlife.org/legacy or contact Debbie at dstenner@gwentwildlife.org or by calling 01600 740600 ext 200