What's New in Wild Wales

Wildlife, ecology and conservation news and forthcoming events

November 2011 - as reported here in March, the Members of the Countryside Council for Wales agreed the proposal to extend the boundary of Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to include southern parts of the Clwydian Range, The Vale of Llangollen and the Dee Valley. The decision was forwarded to the Welsh Government for consideration and was confirmed by them on 22nd November.

Summer 2011 - New Orchid Hybrid confirmed in Wales - A rare orchid hybrid has been discovered at Kenfig National Nature Reserve, a site already well known for its orchid populations, and for the presence of the largest number of Fen Orchid (Liparis loeselii) plants to be found in the UK. The new orchid hybrid is a cross between the Southern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) and the Marsh Fragrant-orchid (Gymnadenia densiflora). Three plants were discovered by Michael Clark in 2009, and their identity was confirmed and reported in the Botanical Society of the British Isles's journal in June 2011. The name of the orchid is Dactylodenia ettlingeriana and recognises the work on British Orchids by Derek M Turner Ettlinger.

31st May - new nature reserves and information added to Waleswildlife.com - Glaslyn RSPB Osprey Project, Abercorris North Wales Widlife Trust Nature Reserve, Cors Goch Llanllwch National Nature Reserve, Teifi Marshes Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales Nature Reserve.

31st May 2011 - Cors Dyfi Ospreys. The Osprey that has been arriving at the nest at Cors Dyfi Mongomeryshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve since 2008 has found a mate and they have laid three eggs the first of which is due to hatch any day now. More information....

May 2011 - Three mobility scooters have been purchased and are now available at Newport Wetlands NNR which will enable disabled visitors to access parts of the reserve they have not been able to visit before. More information...

May 25th 2011 - a new bird hide has been constructed at Oxwich NNR. It overlooks a wetland just behind the the reserve's main sand dune system, and is the result of of a partnership project between the Countryside Council for Wales and Environment Agency Wales. It was built with the help of volunteers who cleared the site for the bird hide and assisted with the construction of the building. More information about Oxwich NNR...

29th March 2011 - Yesterday (28th March) Members of the Countryside Council for Wales agreed the proposal to extend the boundary of Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to include southern parts of the Clwydian Range, The Vale of Llangollen and the Dee Valley. The proposal will now be forwarded to the Welsh Assembly Government for their approval.

28th March 2011 - new nature reserve added to the Waleswildlife.com website is Dyffi NNR. Details...

24th March 2011 - we have just added Cae Blaen Dyffryn to our Nature Reserves section. Details...

24th March 2011 - just published - North Wales Wildlife Trust Special Events 2011. More information...