Spring 2006
Welcome to the Spring
2006 issue of Vale
Biodiversity Matters
In this Issue
Page 1
The Tree Sparrow returns
Page 2
This newsletter is produced on behalf of the Vale of Glamorgan
Biodiversity Partnership as a means of keeping everyone up to
date on the latest biodiversity news across the Vale.
Water Rail at Cosmeston
Lesser Spotted
Woodpecker
If you know of any people/organisations who would be
interested to receive a copy/copies please contact the Vale
Council’s Ecology Team (details on back page). We would
also welcome any feedback to help us improve the content
or format of subsequent issues, as we would like the
newsletter to reflect the views of the partnership.
Page 3
Spotlight on Peregrine
Falcons
A big thanks to all of you who have contributed
articles/photographs/other material for this issue. We are
already looking for material for the next one. If you would like
to contribute anything for inclusion in the next newsletter,
please contact us (details on back page).
Page 4
What’s in your Garden?
Page 5
Wildlife Records
Vale Local Biodiversity Action
Plan (LBAP) News
Rob Nottage, who has chaired the LBAP Steering
Group for the past three years has stepped down
from his post due to other commitments on his
time. We are very sad to see Rob go but
extremely grateful for his enormous contribution
to biodiversity in the Vale.
Steve White, who is the new Chair of the Steering
Group, paid tribute to Rob Nottage. "Rob will be a tough act to
follow. His immense knowledge of wildlife was matched by equal amounts
of patience and good humour. On behalf of the Partnership I'd like to
record our thanks for all his work in furthering biodiversity in the Vale and
I'm grateful that he will continue to serve on the Steering Group."
Steve represents the Graig & Penllyn Residents Association, a community
group which since 2002 has been undertaking remedial work on the
Parish Field, a 1.25 ha Lowland Hay Meadow.
To find out more about the Vale of Glamorgan Local Biodiversity Action
Plan (LBAP) and partnership and how you can get involved, visit the Vale
LBAP web pages at www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk . Click on “Our
Environment”, then “Countryside”, then “Biodiversity” to find the
LBAP link .
Farmers
help tree
sparrow
revival
Tree Sparrow. Photo: Dave Carrington
Farmers in the Vale of Glamorgan have joined forces with
conservationists and bird watchers in a bid to save one of
Wales’ rarest breeding birds – a tiny sparrow with a liking for
luxury living space and a taste for sunflower hearts.
The tree sparrow, a country cousin of our familiar, townloving house sparrow, is on the brink of extinction at its last
known nesting site on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast.
Several farmers from Monknash and Macross are taking part
in the rescue mission launched by Glamorgan Bird Club and
backed by the Vale of Glamorgan Biodiversity Partnership,
the British Trust for Ornithology, the Countryside Council for
Wales and Earth Watch.
(cont on back page)
Mae'r cylchlythyr hwn ar gael yn Gymraeg
More for Less
Bird life at Cosmeston
Lakes Country Park
Water Rail survey at Cosmeston
Tony Messenger & Jeff Curtis, have been carrying
out a Water Rail survey at Cosmeston Lakes
Country Park. These secretive birds are slightly
smaller than moorhens and favour freshwater
wetlands. They have chestnut and black wings
with grey-blue head and underparts. The survey
is carried out by walking a pre-determined route
through the Country Park, stopping at set points
and playing a recording of a Water Rail. If any
Water Rail are present they will respond to the
recording with calls of their own, and these calls
are counted.
The results are very encouraging and show that
Cosmeston is a site of importance for the Water
Rail with 21 birds recorded on 14th November
2005 and 13 on 24th January 2006.
On the Lakes
The number of birds on the Lakes at Cosmeston
are recorded each day. This winter good numbers
of Pochard were recorded with flocks of up to
320. Tufted duck, Scaup, Teal, and Shoveller
Ducks were also plentiful.
We have also had a number of rarer visitors to the
lakes such as Ruddy Duck, Ring Billed Gull,
Water Rail. Photos by Paul Roberts.
Orinoco Goose, Mediterranean Gull and the return
of the only known Bittern in the Vale!
Biodiversity project success
The country park was awarded a grant to fence
off a 50m square area of wet meadow to the
North West paddock to help protect disturbance
to an area used by Snipe as a roosting area.
Numbers had been declining for the past three
years. However, the small area fenced off has
proved a great success with numbers increasing,
with up to 28 Snipe being seen at any one time.
Steve Pickering
Reminder: Vale Biodiversity Award 2006
If you are involved with a small site in the Vale,
which is being managed to improve or create a
wildlife haven, DO think about entering the
Biodiversity Classes which are again being
organised by the Vale LBAP in conjunction with
the Vale of Glamorgan Show.
This competition was run for the first time last
year with the very generous sponsorship of RWE
Npower plc, who have themselves created a most
interesting nature area at Aberthaw Power
Station. This year they have increased the
sponsorship prize money, and there will be £100
to the winner of each of the classes and a hand
made wooden trophy for the overall winner.
Because of the amount of interest from schools
last year, the Classes are slightly re-jigged and
will be:
Class 1 Schools, colleges and educational
establishments.
Class 2 Voluntary groups, industrial and
commercial sites, including farms.
Judging for the Award will take place in June, and
Sue Mabberley of the Countryside Council for
Wales has kindly agreed to act as judge.
There will be a display of photographs and
information about the entries in the Vale Council
Pavilion at the Vale of Glamorgan Show on
August 16th, when the overall winner will go into
the Ring with the prize winning bulls and horses,
2
to be presented with the Trophy at the end of the
Grand Parade.
For further details and entry forms contact
Matthew Hamilton, Assistant Ecologist, Vale of
Glamorgan Council on 01446 704710, or by email at mjhamilton@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.
Entries need to be received by 31st May 2006.
Heather March
Photo: Richard Facey, earthinfocus.com
Unlike its larger counterparts, the
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker appears to
be in decline. Comparatively little is
known about this species, let alone
what is causing or driving its putative
decline. But help is on the way.
A pilot project is being run into the
ecology and status of this little studied
woodpecker during 2006, to lead into a
post graduate degree later in the year.
Both projects will be supervised by Dr
Dan Forman of the University of Wales,
Swansea. The pilot project will focus on
Glamorgan’s own population of this
elusive species of woodpecker.
During the course of the pilot project, the
presence or absence of Lesser Spotted
Woodpecker will be established in a
number of woodlands throughout
Glamorgan, by using a combination of
call play back and silent transects. Where
possible, breeding will be confirmed and
monitored to gain as much information
as possible.
We would be grateful for any information
you may have on the distribution and
breeding of the Lesser Spotted
Woodpecker within the county. Both
historical and contemporary information
is welcomed.
Woodpeckers provide an essential supply
of cavities each year, which are
subsequently used by a variety of bird,
bat, and invertebrate species. An
important aspect of this project will be to
look into the secondary use of
woodpecker nests. We would welcome
any help with the location and monitoring
of old woodpecker nests, or casual
observations relating to the reuse of this
important resource.
Photos from top to bottom: Two entries from last year’s award,
and last year’s Overall Winner, Steve White of the Graig & Penllyn
Residents Association with his certificate at the Vale Show.
Photographs: Heather March
If you would like to find out more about
the project, or to provide information,
then please contact Richard Facey at
faceyrj@yahoo.co.uk or on 07890
123108.
Spotlight on a LBAP Species
The Peregrine
Falcon
Peregrine
Facts!
· The peregrine is an
extremely successful
bird of prey - although
it is fairly uncommon,
it can be found on all
the world’s continents
except for the frozen
wastelands’ of
Antarctica.
· The Peregrine’s
name is thought to
come from the word
‘peregrinate’ which
means to wander, as
young adults can
sometimes fly
hundreds of miles to
find their own territory.
· The Peregrine can
reach speeds of up to
200 mph when diving
to catch its prey – the
change in air pressure
at this speed would
cause most bird’s
lungs to burst!
Photo: Richard Marks
3
Photo: Paul Dunn
There can be few things in nature
more formidable than a Peregrine
Falcon as it swoops from a great
height before snatching its prey in a
furious feathery frenzy!
On the Glamorgan Heritage Coast it is
a privilege to have a number of
breeding pairs nesting on the cliffs,
and this reflects the healthy status of
the Peregrine population across much
of the UK. However the recent history
of Peregrines has not always been so
rosy.
A dramatic decline
During the twentieth century the Peregrine
population in the UK was brought to the brink of
extinction. The initial impact came during the
Second World War, when the falcons’ taste for
message-bearing carrier pigeons led to over 600
adult birds along with young and eggs being culled.
The cull stopped at the end of the war and the
population might have recovered, had it not been for
a second, more sinister blow.
The extensive use of toxic chemicals such as the
insecticide DDT in the 1950’s and early sixties
decimated an already fragile population. The build
up of these harmful chemicals in the food chain led
to many adult birds dying as well as the thinning of
eggshells and loss of chicks in many nest sites. By
the mid sixties over eighty percent of the Peregrine
population had been lost. Had it not been for the
banning of these toxic chemicals, the Peregrine may
have become extinct across much of Europe and
North America. Fortunately, following the ban, the
Peregrine population began to recover and the
current UK population now stands somewhere
around 1200 breeding pairs.
What a Peregrine needs
Peregrines are the biggest of our native falcons and
have an impressive armoury of speed, strength, and
amazing vision, as well as razor sharp talons and
beak. Therefore it probably isn’t surprising to find
that a large majority of UK bird species are potential
prey. Over 130 species have been recorded in the
Peregrines diet, these go from our smallest bird, the
Goldcrest, all the way up to comparative giants like
Barnacle Geese. In a coastal area such as the Vale
of Glamorgan the Peregrines diet will often consist
of birds such as Jackdaws, Fulmars, waders, small
gulls and of course its favourite prey the pigeon.
Peregrines will pluck their kills before feeding, and a
good sign a bird is in the area are piles of feathers
and the remains of kills on a cliff edge or ledge.
The other important requirement is to find nesting
sites around which a territory can be established.
Ideally Peregrines seek out a ledge on a steep cliff
face. The ledge has to be large enough to safely
occupy a full brood of chicks during the breeding
season and provides both security and a good
vantage point from which to look for prey. In recent
decades many Peregrines around the world have
found the conditions they require on tall buildings
within towns and cities.
Future Conservation
Though the Peregrine Falcon now seems to be off
the danger list, it is still essential to keep a watchful
eye over these magnificent birds. There is still an
illegal trade in Peregrine eggs and chicks, and
without the continued monitoring of nests by the
police, wildlife organisations, and concerned
members of the public, the population could soon
suffer. The Peregrine is protected under the Wildlife
and Countryside act 1981, and the police have the
power to enforce fines of up to £5000 pounds and
jail sentences of six months. The police treat wildlife
crime very seriously and most forces now have
dedicated wildlife liaison officers to deal with any
queries or problems.
Peregrines on the Heritage Coast are doing
extremely well, with at least five breeding pairs in
2005, one of which successfully raised four healthy
chicks last year. So next time you’re on the coast,
keep an eye out for these magnificent birds.
If you are interested in seeing Peregrine Falcons
on the Coast please contact the Rangers at the
Glamorgan Heritage Coast Centre on: 01656
880157.
Simon Clarke
Biodiversity on your
doorstep
There are fifteen million gardens in the UK covering an estimated 2
million acres of land. Although most gardens contain many non-native
species and ‘artificial’ elements, traditionally considered to be of little
benefit to wildlife, they more than make up for this by virtue of the huge
variety of habitats they contain which are capable of supporting a large
range of native insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The
dramatic decline in more natural habitats over the past fifty years has
led to gardens becoming essential havens for all sorts of wildlife and a
valuable tool in conserving biodiversity.
Not only do gardens provide vital habitat
requirements for many species, they also play
a crucial role in connecting the remaining
areas of unspoilt habitat. These remaining
areas are often quite isolated from each other,
and species such as insects, amphibians and
mammals could not travel between them to
look for mates or new food sources if they did
not have stepping stones along the way where
they could find food and shelter. Gardens can
provide these stepping stones if properly
looked after.
On top of all this, gardens provide most
peoples main point of contact with nature.
Many people, and especially children, do not
have the free and open access to the
countryside that, in days gone by, would have
given them the chance to experience nature
first hand. Anyone who has seen a child
entranced by some encounter they've had with
nature, would agree that those experiences are
a hugely important part of a child’s
development and can change that child for life.
So what can we do?
All photographs for this article courtesy of
Richard Marks
Sunflower
Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Frog
of ideas to get you started:
· Size isn’t everything! You don’t have to
spend hours each week completely
redesigning your garden to improve its value
for wildlife. There are many quick, easy and
non-disruptive things you can do:
· If you have decking, then fill some of the
space underneath with rocks and logs – you
won’t even be able to see that they’re there,
but they will provide a marvellous shelter for
everything from insects to hedgehogs.
Hedgehog
· If you don’t have decking, simply create a
log pile in one corner of your garden. (Logs
are available for free from the Council Depot
on Court Road between 10-3 on the last
Sunday of each month).
There are a huge number of things that you
can do to make your garden more welcoming
· Alternatively tie some lengths of hollow
for wildlife, from something as simple as
cane of various widths
putting up a bird feeder that
together and hang
provides much needed
them horizontally on a
nourishment for birds during
wall or fence – they
the winter months, to major
will provide an ideal
projects such as building a
home for insects such
pond which provides a
as solitary bees - they
wetland habitat for frogs,
are harmless!
toads, dragonflies and other
insects. For a very small
Blue Tits and a Great Tit on a feeder
· Feed the birds –
amount of effort you can get
unfortunately bird food
huge returns in terms of the enjoyment of
is no longer tuppence a bag! However, there
seeing wildlife on your doorstep – even if you
is no need to buy specially prepared bird food
only have a balcony, you can still provide bird
– dried fruit, cooked rice, oatmeal, grated
food during the winter months. Below is a list
cheese, baked potatoes, leftover pastry and
even rotten fruit can all be used. Where
possible try and place the food in variety of
locations as different birds have different
preferences but ensure it is far enough away
from any bushes which could contain the
neighbourhood cat!
· Feed the birds deluxe! In particularly cold
weather you could always ‘bake’ your birds a
cake. Simply mix one part of the food
suggested above with two parts melted fat,
allow to solidify, then serve! Or if you are
feeling generous you could buy them some
seed (sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, or grated
peanuts are best), but make sure you remove
any nylon mesh that comes with the seed as
this can trap and break birds feet.
· Make your garden a haven for insects – not
only are some of them
beautiful (e.g.
butterflies and beetles),
they also provide a
food source for birds
Garden Spider
and mammals:
· Go organic! Stop using pesticides and other
forms of chemicals – they are not selective
and will often kill off the natural predators of
the very pest you are trying to get rid of. There
are a host of organic pest control methods
described online – try some of them and
watch your garden flourish!
· Go wild! While very few people would
consider a completely overgrown garden to be
attractive, a perfectly manicured one can be
very dull for wildlife. Try adopting a minimum
intervention strategy on a small part of your
garden and observe the results. (Many so
called ‘weeds’, especially ivy, are excellent
food sources for wildlife).
· Pick your plants carefully – try and include
as many native plants in your garden as you
(cont on page 5)
4
(cont from page 4)
Biodiversity on your doorstep
New/Notable
Wildlife Records
A Little Egret was spotted on 31st January by
Alan Wilson on the River Thaw at Cowbridge. This
is one of a number of sightings of this species
during the winter - thank you to everyone who has
reported them.
Greater Spotted
Woodpecker
Simon Clarke and Stephen Lowe caught a glimpse
of two Harbour Porpoise swimming past Nash
Point on Sunday 12th February.
Chaffinch
can because they support a much wider
range of species. Go for plants which are rich
in pollen or produce large numbers of berries
and seeds as these will provide valuable food
for insects, birds and mammals.
· Variety is the spice of life! Make your
garden as diverse as possible – different
species prefer different conditions (e.g. sunny
lawns are good for worms and thrushes,
shady bushes are good for insects and shy
birds like wrens, pollen-rich flowers are good
for butterflies and ponds attract dragonflies
and amphibians) so by having as wide a
range of habitats as possible, you will attract
the maximum amount of wildlife.
A Death’s Head Hawkmoth was found on the
Atlantic Trading Estate, Barry and reported by Dave
Cartwright. The largest moth found in the UK, the
Death’s Head get its name from the skull-like
markings on the back of its thorax. It achieved
notoriety when it was featured in the movie ‘Silence
of the Lambs’!
Paul Dunn and Simon Clarke spotted a Merlin at
Dunraven Park on 19th December.
An adult female Black Redstart was a regular
visitor to the Glamorgan Heritage Coast Visitor
Centre roof during November 2005. The Black
Redstart is rare in the UK, with only 100 breeding
pairs recorded.
If you see any
unusual or interesting
wildlife then please
contact Matthew Hamilton
c/o the Vale of Glamorgan
Council on
01446 704710.
2StarSpot
Ed Baker has recorded
an astounding 102
species of aphid in the
Vale during the course
of the last year – 17 of
these species were
previously unrecorded
in Wales!
Slow Worm
Rob Pritchard saw a grey seal off the beach near
Porthkerry on 14th January.
Photo: Ed Baker
· Be adventurous! If you fancy a bigger
project, create a pond in your garden. No
other feature will attract more species than
one of these – frogs, toads, dragonflies, birds,
newts – you name them, they all love wet
areas. There is loads of advice on the web
and in your local library on how to create a
great pond for wildlife. Do a little research,
then grab your spade!
This is only a small selection of the hundreds
of ways that you can improve your garden for
wildlife. If none of these take your fancy (or
you’ve done them all already!) then have a
look on the internet – there are loads of good
sites out there.
A particularly good site can be found at
http://www.englishnature.org.uk/Nature_In_The_Gar
den (English Nature are the sister organisation
of the Countryside Council for Wales). From
here you can download some superb leaflets
on all kinds of wildlife which give you
information on the species and details of how
you can encourage them in your garden. If
you don’t have access to the internet then you
can ring English Nature on 01733 455101
and they will send you the leaflets for free.
Matthew Hamilton
5
Green Apple
Award winners!
The work of RWE Npower, Aberthaw Power
Station in protecting and preserving the
environment has been recognised with a Green
Apple Award at a recent ceremony at the House
of Commons in London. The international award
scheme, run by the independent Green
Organisation, highlights and rewards
environmental best practice around the world.
reflect the magnificent effort of our staff
volunteers.
Dr. Mark Picton (Section Head Regulation,
centre) and Clive Smith (Station Manager, right)
are pictured below receiving the prestigious
award from former England cricketer
Allan Lamb.
The Station won a Bronze Award for its work
with trust and staff volunteers and local
residents encouraging biodiversity at the site’s
nature reserve and saline lagoon. The awards
Useful Website
| Space For Nature at www.spacefornature.co.uk
Space for Nature is a wildlife gardening website
which not only provides a great deal of useful
information, but also has links to many other wildlife
gardening websites. The website is easy to navigate and among other impressive features
includes galleries of birds and insects you may find in your garden and a discussion board where
you can swap hints and tips directly with other garden owners.
Also try www.asmallwildlifegarden.co.uk for a personal account (with photos) of one person’s
wildlife garden.
Safer Routes for Great
Crested Newts
Farmers help tree sparrow revival (cont from front page)
The Vale of Glamorgan Council has
undertaken a project which is saving
hundreds of rare newts from going down
the drain!
Modifications undertaken by the Council’s
Highways Division have centred on road
drains next to a local authority-owned
pond in the rural Vale and should ensure a
safe future for hundreds of previously
endangered Great Crested Newts.
Britain's largest and most spectacular
newt species, The Great Crested Newt is
protected by UK and European wildlife
law. Populations have declined
significantly over the last 50 years as a
result of the loss and fragmentation of
their habitat. The Great Crested (Triturus
cristatus) is distinguishable by its black
and often warty skin, speckled with tiny
white dots. Males are particularly
attractive in spring when they develop a
high crest along their back, with a
serrated edge, and silvery blue streaks
along their tail.
The newts frequently cross the road to
reach their hunting/sheltering grounds and
problems arise when they hit the kerb, are
forced to take an alternative route and fall
into gully pot drains.
The problem was first highlighted by Vale
Great Crested Newt surveyor Stephen
Lowe, who reported that at least 600
newts a year were starving and dying after
falling into the drains.
A helping hand for the Great Crested Newt.
Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member
Cllr Geoff Cox (right), Operational Manager
(Highway Maintenance) Keith Jones and
Ecologist Kate Pryor.
The tree sparrow is facing a rapid
decline all over Britain, with an
estimated 90% drop in population
over the past 30 years. The Vale of Tree Sparrows.
Photos: Dave Carrington
Glamorgan colony of four pairs
doubled this year following the discovery of the birds by bird
club member Richard Smith at several local farms.
The birds were nesting in wall cavities of farm buildings,
including a converted barn. Limited nesting space threatened
future breeding, so Richard hit on a plan to coax the birds
into jumbo-size nest boxes fixed on trees.
Every year selective reed clearance work is
undertaken at the pond to ensure the habitat
remains optimal for Great Crested Newts. This
work is carried out under license from CCW by
the Vale Councils’ Ecology and Heritage Coast
Teams and volunteers.
The work evolved from a partnership
project involving the Council's Highways
and Ecology Divisions, with match funding
from the Countryside Council for Wales.
Vale Operational Manager (Highway
Maintenance) Keith Jones said: "The pond
is home to the largest known Great
A Great Crested Newt NB As Great Crested
Crested Newt population in South Wales,
Newts are a European Protected Species a
license from the CCW is needed to handle one.
and drains were moved a short distance
from the kerbside to give the amphibians a
safe route alongside the kerb and stop them falling in."
Vale Cabinet Member for Sustainability Cllr Geoff Cox said: “These works were a
very positive step for wildlife, and demonstrate the commitment of the Council
to conserving Great Crested Newts which are an internationally threatened
species. I am delighted the Council has been involved with a project that is
helping to preserve such a rare and endangered species and it shows how
committed we are to environmental and sustainable issues.”
The Council's Ecologist, Kate Pryor, commented: "The drain modifications
should save hundreds of newt lives and help safeguard the future of the Great
Crested Newt in the Vale.”
“The tree sparrow is a quirky little bird, which prefers lots of
space to nest” said Richard, “so we provided quite large
boxes, and the sparrows built domed nests of dead grasses
inside. The plan is working and more nest boxes are going
up .”
At Ty’n-y-Caeau Farm, Monknash, farmer John Evans has
joined the scheme by allowing the bird club to set up two
winter feeding stations on his fields – land which is part of
Monknash estate, owned by Richard Hubbard. Mr Evans is
also setting aside a strip of land to sow selected weed
seeds, flax and sunflowers to encourage the sparrows to
maintain an over-wintering flock.
Mr Evans said he is delighted to be able to help the bird club.
“And it’s good to see that the birds are alive and well.” He
said. “The land I’m setting aside will also help other seedeating birds such as yellow hammers, skylarks and linnets,
whose numbers are decreasing.”
Premier mixed bird seed and sunflower hearts, donated by
Haiths Seed Manufactures, are proving attractive to a host of
bird species, including grey partridge, which is becoming
scarce on UK farmland. So far, a small group of tree
sparrows has joined the feast. The club has backed the
scheme with a bird ringing programme. Matched funding for
the project has come from the Countryside Council of Wales,
and a grant of £200 from HSBC helped to make an early
start.
“We are grateful to everyone who has helped to get the
scheme off the ground,” said Geri Thomas of the bird club,
“and we cannot praise the landowners highly enough for
their generosity.”
Richard Marks
The Vale of Glamorgan Local Biodiversity Action Plan Partnership
c/o Matthew Hamilton, Assistant Ecologist Tel: 01446 704710 E-mail mjhamilton@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
The Vale of Glamorgan Council, Dock Office, Barry Docks, Barry, CF63 4RT