Viewing entries tagged
Water Vole

Mimicking Continues

Last week I introduced a Firecrest mimicking a Goldcrest song and this week I wanted to show you another example of a classic mimicking species, the Sedge Warbler! Now the recording isn’t very good with high winds and noisy planes that have been filtered out, that and the fact that the bird was only singing at quarter volume which is often called ‘sub-song’ but you can still make out the pitch perfect attempt at a Blue Tit song, eventually weaving back into it’s typical chattery mixture of notes. It also attempted to fit in a few phrases of Blackcap and Wren but the Blue Tit was by far the best I’ve heard for a while.

This Sedge Warbler was spotted at a new location along the Gwent Levels.

Sedge Warbler

Sedge Warbler

I also spotted a Water Vole in a rhyne. Testament to the hard work of the Wildlife Trust at Magor Marsh and NRW. It’s great that they’ve spread this far across the levels. Unfortunately this spot is directly threatened by the proposed M4 ‘Black Route’ so all this hard work could be lost. If you haven’t already, check out ‘CALM’ https://savethelevels.org.uk/ to learn more about what you can do to help protect the Gwent Levels from development.

Water Vole

Water Vole

#No New M4!

As distracting (and devastating) as the imminent disaster of Brexit is, there are some other really important things happening right now that need our attention. To save the Gwent Levels and the Wildlife within, we need to fight for it, otherwise the bulldozers WILL move in. Please contact your local AM’s and let them know that tearing up the Gwent Levels for this ridiculous plan to choose the most environmentally damaging route they could have possibly picked, IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!


Enter your details using one of the links below and if you’re on Twitter, use the hashtag #NONEWM4 to share your thoughts.

https://action.wildlifetrusts.org/page/30798/action/1?fbclid=IwAR09CdJf0JizzKlDCQKVkEhgsX7F0QohNeVPG3CP59Sw9MYKH_Qf2jENd5A

https://act.friendsoftheearth.uk/act/no-new-m4-dim-m4-newydd?fbclid=IwAR2TEovtY4HbQmNssdFI9x29swazTc7Fwl9-wdbP-yMP5cI4oaUsQFDwbXQ

Water Vole have only been re-introduced in the last couple of years and upon making their comeback to the levels, already their habitat is set to be destroyed. These and many more species that benefit from the Levels, like our first breeding pair of Cranes for our 400 years! Read all about it HERE. It’s not acceptable. Please use one of the links, learn more about it and see how you can help, time is running out.

Water Vole

Magor Marsh Stop-off

Had to pick something up for the car from Devon today, so the plan was to stop off to one of the many recommendations I had for nature places to visit. Once we arrived at Devon however, I was pretty tired and had a lingering headache so we ended up driving straight back home. A very quick stop off at Magor Marsh on the way back seemed to save the day for photography as the Water Voles were showing well. One thing I love about Magor Marsh, the locals use it regularly, not just for wildlife watching, but a place of solace, and more recently... as part of a the trending game 'Pokemon Go'. (Google it if you don't know yet). It's also used for exercise as people regularly use the tracks as part of their daily run. This doesn't diminish the place though, in-fact for me, it makes it better, as it means the wildlife gets used to the sound of people and therefor, makes them more approachable for me to photograph. The water voles are prime examples of that. So long as you don't move suddenly or make a loud noise, they'l happily carry on with their business. 

Water Vole

Water Voles

Great to see that the Water Voles of the Gwent Levels are doing well (for now). It goes to show that with Mink control and the right introductory plans, surrounding conservation of habitat ect, we can do great things. This is a good example of conservation, an example of bad conservation comes in the form of Natural England's recent decision to create a licence for everyone to shoot Buzzards.. What are the reasons for wanting to shoot Buzzards you say? Well.. that's so more shooters can carry on killing Pheasants.. an introduced species for sport hunting. Drives me nuts if I'm honest that shooting culture should shape our future wildlife for their own selfish benefits. Anyways, back to these cute fluffy creatures. Enjoy.