Deer night-vision cameras in Welsh forests as culling increases

The number of wild deer being culled in Wales has doubled in the past five years, according to officials.

It follows an explosion in deer populations, increasing by an estimated 25% a year in some parts of Wales.

The Forestry Commission in Wales (FCW) says about 1,000 have been shot over this winter.

The various breeds of deer have now become such a problem in Welsh woodlands that night-vision cameras will be used to monitor them.

The FCW said the new cameras would provide vital information about the movement of deer in forestry, where the animals can damage vegetation and trees.

David Jam, the FCW's wildlife management officer, said: "We base our culling on woodland impacts, so if we are getting high impacts in an area for a number of years and we are seeing a pattern there, then we need to increase the level of culling.

"When the woodland regenerates to a level where it can sustain a good population of deer then you can ease that culling pressure off.

"There is a balance - we don't just cull and cull and cull.

Read on:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-17004403

African mystery surrounds Welsh-born osprey

No signal from Leri since OctoberJanuary 2012: Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of a young female osprey that migrated with her two brothers from their nesting home in Mid Wales to Africa .

Three young ospreys are all satellite tagged but the female, named Leri by staff at the Dyfi Osprey Project near Machynlleth where she hatched, have not received a signal from the transmitter in Senegal since late October last year.

Dyfi Osprey Project manager Emyr Evans and his colleagues at Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust (MWT) are keeping their fingers crossed that the tracker transmitter has developed a fault and that she is still alive. 

'We're hoping it's just a faulty transmitter'‘Leri's transmitter was sending back confusing and conflicting data before it stopped working,' explained Mr Evans. ‘We hope it's a case of a faulty transmitter rather than something happening to Leri.'

Wildlife workers in Senegal are keeping a close watch out for Leri and her brother, Einion, who has also made his home in the country. Transmitters on both Einion and his brother Dulas, who is in neighbouring Gambia, are sending data back to Wales regularly.

The ospreys were satellite tagged in partnership with the BBC's Springwatch and Autumnwatch programmes, which are using the neighbouring RSPB's Ynyshir Reserve as their broadcasting base in Wales .

Leri's parents are soon due back in WalesThe three young birds, the first to hatch alongside the River Dyfi since 1604, are not expected to return to Wales until 2013 when they will be mature enough to breed. In the meantime, their fortunes will be closely followed by the transmissions thousands of miles away in Africa .

Their parents, Monty and Nora, are expected to fly back to Wales this spring, with the Dyfi Osprey Project preparing to reopen on March 30. Last year, Monty arrived at Cors Dyfi Reserve, Derwenlas on April 6 and the first chick, Einion, hatched in June.

‘Because he bred last year, we are hoping he will come back a little earlier this spring,' said Mr Evans. MWT has created a new website with regular blogs for each of the ospreys at http://www.dyfiospreyproject.com for people wishing to receive the latest news about them.

Visitors to the Dyfi Osprey Project are able to see live, high resolution nest camera footage at the visitor centre on large plasma screens and view the resident wildlife from a specially built tower-hide with telescopes and binoculars.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/osprey-leri.html

Grey squirrel culling starts in Gwynedd

A CULLING programme of grey squirrels has started in Gwynedd as the march of the reds goes on.

Twelve years ago the red squirrel faced decimation in its last bastion on Anglesey as numbers dwindled to 40 and the colonies left were inbred.

But action to remove the rival greys and the introduction of new bloodlines has seen numbers surge to 400 and the native reds take over the island.

The past 18 months has seen them venture over the Menai Strait bridges to establish small colonies around Bangor.

Now a squirrel charity has announced plans to support this incursion by removing greys, which have traditionally destroyed red colonies by spreading disease and dominating habitats.

Dr Craig Shuttleworth, from Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels, said: “We're now starting a new program of clearing grey squirrels from Bangor through to Felinheli, up into the Ogwen Valley, and Tregarth, Pentir areas.

“There is a triangle of forest area that is discreet and there are only certain pinch points for access. If we can control these by setting traps then we can create a protected area for reds to flourish.

“When we started out on Anglesey more than 10 years ago I never expected we would be at this stage where they had spread to the mainland.

“But since our first sighting near Bangor back in 2009 we have had numerous sightings from Bangor, Felinheli, and even up to Bethesda. Now is the time to support this.

“While the project is funded on Anglesey we are reliant on landowners and the public in Gwynedd to both report sightings and also assist with removing greys.

“For landowners though the damage that grey squirrels do to trees means that it is normally in their interest to take action.”

The group is also encouraging woodland owners to plant sweet chestnut, hazel nut and walnut trees to help red squirrel on Anglesey and in Gwynedd.

Report a red squirrel sighting on redsquirrels.info website or call 07966150847.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/12/27/grey-squirrel-culling-starts-in-gwynedd-55578-30015121/

Wales is home to 13 new sea sponge species

Skomer is now known as a sponge haven
October 2011: Thirteen of the UK's 30 newly discovered species of sea sponge have been found in Welsh waters.

The focus of the search in Wales was Skomer Island Marine Nature Reserve and the north Pembrokeshire coast, which are known to be sponge havens. A total of 132 species were found here.

Led by researchers from National Museums Northern Ireland, this ambitious three-year survey of the UK's sea sponges was completed in June 2011.

The scientists studied sponges from Wales, Scotland, The Scilly Isles and the Channel Islands by scuba diving and taking in-situ photographs of specimens before collecting samples.

'There is still much to learn and discover about our seas'As well as the new species found, 17 rare species of sponge were recorded in UK waters. Wales seems to be the northern limit for several sponge species including Homaxinella subdola – a conspicuous branching species which is common in Pembrokeshire.

Marine biologist Dr Claire Goodwin who works for the National Museums Northern Ireland's Department of Natural Sciences said: ‘By diving, we were able to sample bedrock habitats and encrusting species which have been overlooked to date. This might be one reason for the large number of new species discovered.'

The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) manages Skomer Marine Nature Reserve and Phil Newman, Senior Manager said: ‘We regularly survey and monitor marine life within the reserve, but it was great to be part of a UK survey of sea sponges. The information gathered shows that there is still so much to discover and learn about our seas. The data provides us with a good baseline for future studies.'

During the study, 218 dives were made. The scientists collected a total of 2,027 sponge specimens, representing 166 species.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/sponges-wales.html#cr

Wales is home to 13 new sea sponge species

Skomer is now known as a sponge haven
October 2011: Thirteen of the UK's 30 newly discovered species of sea sponge have been found in Welsh waters.

The focus of the search in Wales was Skomer Island Marine Nature Reserve and the north Pembrokeshire coast, which are known to be sponge havens. A total of 132 species were found here.

Led by researchers from National Museums Northern Ireland, this ambitious three-year survey of the UK's sea sponges was completed in June 2011.

The scientists studied sponges from Wales, Scotland, The Scilly Isles and the Channel Islands by scuba diving and taking in-situ photographs of specimens before collecting samples.

'There is still much to learn and discover about our seas'As well as the new species found, 17 rare species of sponge were recorded in UK waters. Wales seems to be the northern limit for several sponge species including Homaxinella subdola – a conspicuous branching species which is common in Pembrokeshire.

Marine biologist Dr Claire Goodwin who works for the National Museums Northern Ireland's Department of Natural Sciences said: ‘By diving, we were able to sample bedrock habitats and encrusting species which have been overlooked to date. This might be one reason for the large number of new species discovered.'

The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) manages Skomer Marine Nature Reserve and Phil Newman, Senior Manager said: ‘We regularly survey and monitor marine life within the reserve, but it was great to be part of a UK survey of sea sponges. The information gathered shows that there is still so much to discover and learn about our seas. The data provides us with a good baseline for future studies.'

During the study, 218 dives were made. The scientists collected a total of 2,027 sponge specimens, representing 166 species.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/sponges-wales.html

Guy Hawks: Ospreys return to Wales for first time since the Gunpowder Plot

With his wings outstretched and a satellite receiver on his back, Einion the osprey is unaware that he is making history –one of the first of the beautiful birds of prey to hatch in Wales for more than 400 years.

A trio of the majestic birds –named Einion, Leri and Dulas after local rivers – hatched three months ago in the Dyfi Valley, also home to their father Monty.

Majestic: Monty rests on a branch

Photo: Andy Rouse

He has soared in the skies above the valley for two years but it was only this year that he managed to attract a mate, a female named Nora.

After a rather hasty 16-day courtship, she laid her eggs in their nest on top of a 50ft telegraph pole.

Einion, Leri and Dulas are now fully fledged and will soon migrate 3,600 miles to spend the winter in Africa. The trip is fraught with danger for young ospreys, and only one in three lives to make the journey back to Britain.

To track their progress, the trio have been fitted with the tiny solar-powered transmitters.

The osprey is Wales’s rarest bird and to see them take flight is a truly incredible sight,’ said Emyr Evans, of the Dyfi Osprey Project, which fitted the transmitters. ‘We hope they will fly back to us safely after spending the winter in Africa.’

Also known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, ospreys live mostly on a diet of fish and have a 6ft wingspan.

In common with other birds of prey, they had been hunted to extinction in Britain by egg-collectors and trophy-hunters.

In the Fifties, conservationists reintroduced them to parts of Britain – most notably, the birds have re-established themselves in Scotland, where there are now some 200 pairs.

There is also another breeding pair at Glaslyn, Gwynedd, North Wales. It is suspected that Monty may have been born there and that he has returned to Wales to breed.

The last reported sighting of an osprey in the Dyfi Valley came in 1604 – the year before the Gun¬powder Plot – when a Flemish engineer wrote of ‘fishy hawks’ on the Dyfi Estuary.

Since the young ospreys hatched, they have been seen by more than 40,000 birdwatchers.

By Emily Hill

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2030973/Guy-Hawks-Ospreys-return-Wales-time-Gunpowder-Plot.html#ixzz1WQEcXS1g

First ospreys fledge at Cors Dyfi in over 400 years

Ospreys in Wales

July 2011. The Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust is pleased to announce that on Wednesday July 27th at 14.22, the first of the three Dyfi osprey chicks fledged the nest at their Cors Dyfi reserve near Machynlleth. This is the first time that ospreys have successfully bred on the Dyfi since 1604 and marks a milestone in the conservation of ospreys in Wales.

Wales' rarest bird
Project Manager for the Dyfi Osprey Project, Emyr Evans said "The osprey is Wales' rarest bird and to see the first of the three youngsters take his maiden flight this afternoon was truly an incredible sight - to think that James I has just taken over from Elizabeth I on the throne the last time ospreys successfully bred in the Dyfi valley feels almost unreal. Centuries of persecution led to the extinction of the osprey as a species in the UK but thankfully now we have two breeding pairs in Wales. Almost 40,000 people have visited the Dyfi Osprey Project since we opened in April - I wish all of them could have seen this seven and a half week old osprey launch himself off the edge of the nest this afternoon and take his first flight around the Dyfi"

40 second flight
"It was Einion, the eldest male chick that was the first to fledge - he pushed himself off the side of the nest and flew towards the Dyfi River before turning around, circling the nest three times and finally landing back next to his parents on the nest. It was a 40 second flight that we have been waiting years to see"

Satellite tags
In partnership with the BBC and Autumwatch, all three osprey chicks were ringed and satellite tagged on Tuesday, 19th July. World renowned osprey expert Roy Dennis OBE flew down from Scotland to oversee the tagging accompanied by Tony Cross of the Welsh Kite Trust.

Roy Dennis said "Tiny satellite trackers weighing just 30g were placed on each youngster and these will send a signal back every hour for around five years of the osprey's life that records the birds' altitude, speed if they're flying and global position accurate down to just 18 metres. This is the first time that Welsh ospreys have been satellite tagged and the information gained from these three birds will be invaluable in gaining a better understanding of where these birds go in winter. Scottish ospreys generally fly to West Africa - Senegal and Gambia; because the Welsh ospreys will begin their migration from a more southerly and westerly starting point, we really have no idea whether they will over-winter at the same grounds as other ospreys or end up somewhere completely different."


First Welsh osprey for centuries fledged in 2004
Tony Cross from the Welsh Kite Trust said "I tried to ring the first osprey chick to ever fledge in Wales at a nest near Welshpool in 2004 but couldn't quite reach the nest to get to the bird, unfortunately that pair never returned. To be able to ring all three of the Dyfi ospreys seven years on makes the wait all the more rewarding. The ringing and tagging process was carried out when the chicks were around six weeks old and all three looked in excellent condition; we have one female and two males, the female being around 10% heavier than her brothers which is what we expected."

The Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust is currently developing a brand new website to allow people to follow the exact routes and position of the three young Dyfi ospreys as they start their migration south in September. The three osprey youngsters have been named after local rivers; Einion and Dulas for the two males and Leri for their sister.

Still open for viewing
The Dyfi Osprey Project is open between 10am and 6pm until Monday 12 September. It is based at Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust's Cors Dyfi nature reserve in Derwenlas just south of Machynlleth, SY20 8SR. Visitors can see live, high resolution nest camera footage at the visitor centre on large plasma screens and view the ospreys from a specially built tower-hide with telescopes and binoculars.

The Dyfi Osprey Project is supported by Communities and Nature (CAN) which is a strategic project led and managed by Countryside Council for Wales and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government. The Dyfi Osprey Project is also funded by Heritage Lottery Fund. The osprey nest cameras are powered by Network Rail.

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4348728589329576621

Runaway cow herd takes over Tredegar street

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-13949070

A quiet street in Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent, was invaded by a herd of cows which trampled on gardens and peered into windows, say residents. The 20 cattle escaped from their nearby paddock and decided to feast on front lawns and flowers in Peacehaven. Residents are used to straying sheep but say the rogue cattle have become a nuisance.

Read on...

No cull of badgers in Wales during scientific review

Controversial plans for a badger cull in west Wales have been put on hold while a review is carried out. The Labour-run Welsh Government says an independent panel of experts will examine the science involved.

The cull had been part of an attempt by the previous Labour-Plaid Cymru coalition government to combat bovine TB. But Environment Minister John Griffiths said there would be no cull while the panel carried out its work.

The Labour-Plaid coalition had planned the cull alongside other measures to control TB in cattle in an area of north Pembrokeshire - the so-called Intensive Action Area.

Read on...

UFO, zombie, ghost and witch sightings revealed

Published date: 28 April 2011 |
Published by: Thomas Morton

DYFED Powys Police has revealed how many sightings of UFOs, zombies, ghosts, witches and vampires occurred in the county in the past five years.

The figures, made public because of a Freedom of Information Request Act, reveal 14 recorded UFO sightings in the past five years, along with 26 reports of ghosts, 11 witches and two of zombies and vampires respectively.

One zombie report turned out to be in a horror film being shot in Pembrey; the other a person acting suspiciously wearing a zombie mask in Haverfordwest.

Of the witch reports many of the calls were apparently from the same individual identified as having “mental health issues”. Others simply refer to someone looking “like a witch” but one drunk caller “rang regarding a gang of witches that want to sacrifice him.” There were no reports of werewolves.

Dyfed Powys Police said that they did not find any evidence of supernatural or paranormal activity in any of the cases – however this does not mean every case had an explanation.

UFO sightings included such reports as an “Oblong shaped, bright yellow” object “going horizontally across, about 10 to 15ft off the ground” in Llandrindod Wells in 2005; a “triangular shape in sky with different coloured lights in each corner” in Meifod in 2007; to “three orange lights thought to be UFOs” in Llanidloes in 2009, which ends: “Object seized and discovered to be a night lantern.”

Phil Hoyle of the Shrewsbury-based UFO Research and Investigation Unit said that such statistics were only a fraction of sightings, many of which go officially unreported or are hard to classify.

“Wales has got a lot of UFO hot-spots, particularly on the Shropshire/Welsh border and down around the Radnorshire forest, Knighton, Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells” he said, saying he had reports from ex-military and police themselves, “The police go through a process of elimination to try to classify it, but people often can’t describe what they have seen - lots of people have reported structured devices, 20 to 30 feet across, quite close up - these are not just lights, and can’t be confused with chinese Lanterns.”

Between 2005 and 2010 there were 36 incidents of big cat sightings or animal deaths where big cats were suspected.

According to the British Big Cat Society’s statistics Wales ranks number four in the UK’s top 10 areas for big cat sightings. Scotland is number one, followed by Kent and Yorkshire.

In response to another request about how much the force had spent on mediums, clairvoyants or other psychics during the last five years it said it did not use such services.

The force has had 3,300 freedom of information requests costing it over £500,000 in the last five years, and has begun to publish these on its website.

Other figures show that in 2010 the force received 21 allegations of crime involving the website ebay and 47 allegations involving the social networking site Facebook.
As of 31 March 2010 there were 294 registered sex offenders living in the force area.

The Dyfed-Powys Police helicopter made 481 flights in 2009 and the force spent £299,078 on its press and communications office and officers in 2009/10.

http://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/101792/ufo-zombie-ghost-and-witch-sightings-revealed.aspx

21 February 2011 Last updated at 08:54
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12521541

Study shows Welsh sheep 'more clever than thought'

Sheep aren't viewed as the cleverest of creatures, but new research has found they might be a lot more intelligent than previously thought.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge found that Welsh mountain sheep can map their surroundings, and may even be able to plan ahead.

The discovery shows they have the brainpower to equal rodents, monkeys and, in some tests, even humans.

The study was part of wider research into Huntington's Disease.

Professor Jenny Morton from the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge says the beasts' 'stupid' reputation may be unwarranted.

She told BBC Wales: "Our tests showed they can do what is known as executive decision making.

"We looked at whether they were able to understand rules and got them to do what is known as a choice discrimination task.

"But when we changed the rules, they behaved pretty much as a human in that they got bothered about us changing those rules."

Professor Morton put a flock of Welsh mountain sheep through a series of tests to measure their intelligence.

One saw her using coloured buckets to see how long it would take the sheep to work out they could find food in the same-coloured bucket every time.

The colour of the buckets was then changed, so the sheep had to re-learn the association. They were able to do this in the same amount of time it takes monkeys and rodents in similar tests.

In a more complex task the sheep had to learn where the food was according to coloured shapes and were able to learn the new rules within 32 attempts.

Professor Morton added: "We expected that looking at sheep wouldn't be that helpful but they are actually reasonably similar to humans in many ways.

Mutant gene

"They're very good animals and very enthusiastic subjects.

"If you talk to farmers they'll probably tell you that they have a very good spatial memory - they're not as daft as they look."

Her research, which is published in the journal Public Library of Science One, is part of a wider attempt to use sheep as an animal model for examining Huntington's Disease (HD).

The disease, which is genetically inherited, affects muscle co-ordination, often causing involuntary writhing movements called chorea, and it leads to cognitive decline.

It currently affects at least 6,700 people in England and Wales.

Anyone who carries the mutant gene will go on to develop HD, and their child has a 50% chance of inheriting it.

"Sheep have great potential, not only for use as a large animal model of HD, but also for studying cognitive function and the evolution of complex behaviours in normal animals," added Professor Morton.

She has also conducted trials to test the spatial memory of sheep and found they are able to navigate by forming memories of their surrounding environments.

She is now conducting tests to see whether sheep are able to plan ahead.

Previous research at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge has also shown that sheep have the ability to recall human faces and react to different facial expressions.

They can also recognise other sheep by their facial features.

Invasive 'killer' shrimp found at two sites in Wales

The shrimp has spread across western Europe over the past 10 years


A "killer" shrimp that feeds on native counterparts, young fish and insect larvae has been found at two sites in Wales, says the Environment Agency.

The predatory Dikerogammarus villosus alters the ecology of habitats it invades, and can cause extinctions.

It was found in the UK at a reservoir in Cambridgeshire in September.

Environment Agency Wales said it has now been confirmed at Cardiff Bay and Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir in Port Talbot. It is not known how it arrived there.

Originally from the steppe region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, D. villosus has spread across most of Western Europe during the last 10 years.

The alien invader can be as small as 3mm but may grow up to 30mm long, making it much larger than native freshwater shrimp.

Dubbed the killer shrimp by biologists for its appetite, it often kills its prey and leaves it uneaten.

Spreading
The Welsh Assembly Government has set up an all-Wales group to contain the species as much as possible.

It includes Environment Agency Wales, the Countryside Council for Wales, Cardiff Harbour Authority and the owners of Eglwys Nunydd.

People using the waters are urged to clean and dry equipment when leaving the water to prevent the species from spreading.

Environment Agency Wales director Chris Mills said: "Despite the fearsome name, these are not a threat to people, but the damage they can cause to our environment here in Wales is a very real danger.

"Because of what they eat and the rate that they eat it, it can alter the food chain and our ecosystem by increasing the competition for food and the native species that rely on the insects could go elsewhere.

"We will continue with our monitoring work across Wales to identify any other water recreation spots where they could be to see how widespread the problem has become."

Invasive 'killer' shrimp found at two sites in Wales

The shrimp has spread across western Europe over the past 10 years


A "killer" shrimp that feeds on native counterparts, young fish and insect larvae has been found at two sites in Wales, says the Environment Agency.

The predatory Dikerogammarus villosus alters the ecology of habitats it invades, and can cause extinctions.

It was found in the UK at a reservoir in Cambridgeshire in September.

Environment Agency Wales said it has now been confirmed at Cardiff Bay and Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir in Port Talbot. It is not known how it arrived there.

Originally from the steppe region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, D. villosus has spread across most of Western Europe during the last 10 years.

The alien invader can be as small as 3mm but may grow up to 30mm long, making it much larger than native freshwater shrimp.

Dubbed the killer shrimp by biologists for its appetite, it often kills its prey and leaves it uneaten.

Spreading
The Welsh Assembly Government has set up an all-Wales group to contain the species as much as possible.

It includes Environment Agency Wales, the Countryside Council for Wales, Cardiff Harbour Authority and the owners of Eglwys Nunydd.

People using the waters are urged to clean and dry equipment when leaving the water to prevent the species from spreading.

Environment Agency Wales director Chris Mills said: "Despite the fearsome name, these are not a threat to people, but the damage they can cause to our environment here in Wales is a very real danger.

"Because of what they eat and the rate that they eat it, it can alter the food chain and our ecosystem by increasing the competition for food and the native species that rely on the insects could go elsewhere.

"We will continue with our monitoring work across Wales to identify any other water recreation spots where they could be to see how widespread the problem has become."

'Panther' attacking sheep in Wales

A big cat is thought to be behind a string of savage attacks on livestock in Wales, some of which involved limbs being ripped from the animals' bodies.

Farmers in the Pembrokeshire region have reported nine sightings of the 'beast', which is believed to resemble a large black cat.

Malcolm MacPhee, of Great Redford Farm, said he believes the animal is behind a recent gory attack on one of his sheep.

'The sheep had its shoulder ripped off, with the flesh stripped off to expose its ribcage, while claw marks could be seen along its carcass,' Mr MacPhee said.

He added over the past few years, farmers have reported a number of cases of a panther-like creature in the Narberth region, one of which was said to be at least 4ft long.

Referring to the latest violent attacks, Mr MacPhee said: 'Experts have now pointed out to us it was a clean kill, not something synonymous with a fox, dog, badger or any other predator.'

John Mathias, a local dairy farmer, also suspects the beast is behind a recent attack on one of his calves.

'I also saw it carrying a big lamb in its mouth across my yard. It left a paw print in the slurry, and it was the width across of my glasses,' he added.

Earlier this year, two schoolgirls claimed they were stalked through the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire by a panther-like creature.
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/848727-panther-attacking-sheep-in-wales#ixzz16heHgwQv




Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/848727-panther-attacking-sheep-in-wales#ixzz16heFFqDz





Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/848727-panther-attacking-sheep-in-wales#ixzz16heCvTWi



Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/848727-panther-attacking-sheep-in-wales#ixzz16he9Lx1p

'Panther' attacking sheep in Wales

A big cat is thought to be behind a string of savage attacks on livestock in Wales, some of which involved limbs being ripped from the animals' bodies.

Farmers in the Pembrokeshire region have reported nine sightings of the 'beast', which is believed to resemble a large black cat.

Malcolm MacPhee, of Great Redford Farm, said he believes the animal is behind a recent gory attack on one of his sheep.

'The sheep had its shoulder ripped off, with the flesh stripped off to expose its ribcage, while claw marks could be seen along its carcass,' Mr MacPhee said.

He added over the past few years, farmers have reported a number of cases of a panther-like creature in the Narberth region, one of which was said to be at least 4ft long.

Referring to the latest violent attacks, Mr MacPhee said: 'Experts have now pointed out to us it was a clean kill, not something synonymous with a fox, dog, badger or any other predator.'

John Mathias, a local dairy farmer, also suspects the beast is behind a recent attack on one of his calves.

'I also saw it carrying a big lamb in its mouth across my yard. It left a paw print in the slurry, and it was the width across of my glasses,' he added.

Earlier this year, two schoolgirls claimed they were stalked through the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire by a panther-like creature.
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/848727-panther-attacking-sheep-in-wales#ixzz16heHgwQv




Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/848727-panther-attacking-sheep-in-wales#ixzz16heFFqDz





Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/848727-panther-attacking-sheep-in-wales#ixzz16heCvTWi



Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/848727-panther-attacking-sheep-in-wales#ixzz16he9Lx1p

Rare smelly fungus found in Gower

A rare foul smelling fungus with an odour of 'rotting flesh' has been found in a Gower nature reserve.

The Latticed Stinkhorn or Red Cage has erupted in a blaze of colour at Bishop's Wood near Caswell Bay.

It has been known to show up in coastal areas of southern England but Swansea council biodiversity officers believe it is the first recorded one in Wales.

Native to warmer Mediterranean countries the nearest recorded sighting to date is in Somerset.

It is still regarded as an alien species in the UK but there have been sightings in the West Country and Channel Islands.

The Association of British Fungus Groups is not aware of one being found in Wales before.

It said the tiny spores could have been carried on the wind or possibly by birds.

What has stopped it growing in the UK before is the summers have not been long enough or warm enough for it to survive.

Bishop's Wood, near Caswell Bay car park, was declared a local nature reserve in 1975.

Jo Mullett, Swansea council's biodiversity education officer, said: "It's quite an exciting find.

"The reserve is protected because of its priority species and habitats.

"The fact that the reserve is now the first site in Wales to record an example of the Latticed Stinkhorn makes it even more special."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-11775363

Rare smelly fungus found in Gower

A rare foul smelling fungus with an odour of 'rotting flesh' has been found in a Gower nature reserve.

The Latticed Stinkhorn or Red Cage has erupted in a blaze of colour at Bishop's Wood near Caswell Bay.

It has been known to show up in coastal areas of southern England but Swansea council biodiversity officers believe it is the first recorded one in Wales.

Native to warmer Mediterranean countries the nearest recorded sighting to date is in Somerset.

It is still regarded as an alien species in the UK but there have been sightings in the West Country and Channel Islands.

The Association of British Fungus Groups is not aware of one being found in Wales before.

It said the tiny spores could have been carried on the wind or possibly by birds.

What has stopped it growing in the UK before is the summers have not been long enough or warm enough for it to survive.

Bishop's Wood, near Caswell Bay car park, was declared a local nature reserve in 1975.

Jo Mullett, Swansea council's biodiversity education officer, said: "It's quite an exciting find.

"The reserve is protected because of its priority species and habitats.

"The fact that the reserve is now the first site in Wales to record an example of the Latticed Stinkhorn makes it even more special."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-11775363

Marsh Fritillary boost in South Wales

August 2010. The Marsh Fritillary butterfly is fighting back. After good weather during its flight period, this rare butterfly has been seen at new sites nearby its stronghold in Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire.

Declines of this pretty orange chequered butterfly can be mainly attributed to the loss of flowery meadows abundant in Devils-bit Scabious - the caterpillars' food plant. Butterfly Conservation and the Countryside Council for Wales have been running the Mynydd Mawr project, to protect and enhance Marsh Fritillary habitat in Carmarthenshire, for the past six years. Despite 78 hectares of land, mainly belonging to private landowners, being brought in to sympathetic management, numbers of the butterfly had remained low because of poor weather.

Good year for Fritillary butterflies
This Spring's dry sunny weather, enjoyed by many across Carmarthenshire, also brought out the butterflies in force. New records show that, along with many other Fritillary butterflies, the Marsh Fritillary had a really good year in Wales. In addition to high counts of adults, the butterfly was also seen flying at new sites.

After sightings of the butterfly, Scientists hope that this September's caterpillar searches will reveal them breeding on the land recently restored by the project.


Russel Hobson, Head of Butterfly Conservation Wales said "It was heart warming to see the butterfly searching across fields that were previously unsuitable. And it is equally exciting to think we may find the caterpillars on new sites this year. This butterfly is an excellent indicator of the health of these marshy grasslands. These sites are still threatened by development in the Cross Hands area and elsewhere in South Wales.

The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) District team leader Huw Williams said "The work we do in partnership with the Butterfly Conservation will ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to see these beautiful creatures across a wide area Carmarthenshire and south Wales coalfields."

Counts for the caterpillars' distinctive ‘webs' will take place at important sites in Wales from late August. The surveys are part of a Wales wide monitoring programme to assess the health of the Marsh Fritillary in Wales.

The Marsh Fritillary butterfly is protected across Europe. In Wales the butterfly has declined by 32% between 1970-82 and 1995-2004. Much of the decline is through loss of habitat to development and unsympathetic management (e.g. regular cutting or neglect).


The caterpillars' only feed on Devil's-bit Scabious, a plant associated with the flowery marshy grasslands distinctive of the South Wales Coal Measures.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/wales-fritillary.html

Marsh Fritillary boost in South Wales

August 2010. The Marsh Fritillary butterfly is fighting back. After good weather during its flight period, this rare butterfly has been seen at new sites nearby its stronghold in Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire.

Declines of this pretty orange chequered butterfly can be mainly attributed to the loss of flowery meadows abundant in Devils-bit Scabious - the caterpillars' food plant. Butterfly Conservation and the Countryside Council for Wales have been running the Mynydd Mawr project, to protect and enhance Marsh Fritillary habitat in Carmarthenshire, for the past six years. Despite 78 hectares of land, mainly belonging to private landowners, being brought in to sympathetic management, numbers of the butterfly had remained low because of poor weather.

Good year for Fritillary butterflies
This Spring's dry sunny weather, enjoyed by many across Carmarthenshire, also brought out the butterflies in force. New records show that, along with many other Fritillary butterflies, the Marsh Fritillary had a really good year in Wales. In addition to high counts of adults, the butterfly was also seen flying at new sites.

After sightings of the butterfly, Scientists hope that this September's caterpillar searches will reveal them breeding on the land recently restored by the project.


Russel Hobson, Head of Butterfly Conservation Wales said "It was heart warming to see the butterfly searching across fields that were previously unsuitable. And it is equally exciting to think we may find the caterpillars on new sites this year. This butterfly is an excellent indicator of the health of these marshy grasslands. These sites are still threatened by development in the Cross Hands area and elsewhere in South Wales.

The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) District team leader Huw Williams said "The work we do in partnership with the Butterfly Conservation will ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to see these beautiful creatures across a wide area Carmarthenshire and south Wales coalfields."

Counts for the caterpillars' distinctive ‘webs' will take place at important sites in Wales from late August. The surveys are part of a Wales wide monitoring programme to assess the health of the Marsh Fritillary in Wales.

The Marsh Fritillary butterfly is protected across Europe. In Wales the butterfly has declined by 32% between 1970-82 and 1995-2004. Much of the decline is through loss of habitat to development and unsympathetic management (e.g. regular cutting or neglect).


The caterpillars' only feed on Devil's-bit Scabious, a plant associated with the flowery marshy grasslands distinctive of the South Wales Coal Measures.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/wales-fritillary.html

WELSH VULTURE

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/10317355.stm

A vulture has swapped the wild landscapes of Africa or America for the rooftops of a south Wales town. The winged scavenger, estimated at around 3ft (91cm) tall, was spotted surveying the landscape from a rooftop in Bridgend.

Experts believe the bird may have escaped from a falconry centre or a local bird collector. Neighbour Simon Keenor said: "It was a bit of a shock to see a vulture staring around looking for its next meal." Mr Keenor was able to snap a photo of the vulture before it took to the air again. He added: "Normally we get a few sparrows and magpies around here - not giant birds of prey. 'Handler' "But it seemed quite at home even though he must be thousands of miles away from his usual haunts."

Vultures, which are not native to the UK, are among the largest birds in the world. They feed on the carcasses of dead animals. The RSPB said birds found in the UK are "usually quite tame" and urged people to report sightings of it. A spokeswoman said: "It's more than likely that it's a captive bird.

"From the photograph this one looks like an American Black Vulture, which are commonly kept in falconry circles. "The bird poses no threat to the public as they are purely scavengers. They are usually quite tame so if they do fly down to land on someone it is because they think it's their handler and not because they are attacking that person."

Escapee

She said further sightings of the bird should be reported to the Independent Bird Register, which keeps a record of lost birds and will help capture and return them to their owners. The RSPB said the last sighting of a vulture in Wales was in Carmarthen in 2006, which again was presumed to be an escapee. The closest population of wild vultures to Wales are Griffon vultures which reside in southern Europe, north Africa and Asia.