Week 7: 19th – 24th November

Monday

Sally and Michaël spent the morning out at Silent Valley with the reserve officer felling small trees in a lower section of the reserve.  As well as giving a safety talk, the reserve officer demonstrated how to do various cuts with a chainsaw. 

Due to an ankle injury, Beth was unable to join and so spent the morning completing various office tasks.

In the afternoon, everyone sat in the warm for the weekly welsh lessons; this week going over basic introductory conversation such as where we live, and where we work.

Tuesday

Today we had a team day out to Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s Slimbridge Wetland Centre.

Founded in 1946 by the late Sir Peter Scott, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust now have nine reserves across Wales, England, and N. Ireland, totalling 2,600 hectares of nationally and globally important wetland habitat.  The reserves help to sustain valuable wildlife and by opening them to the public, WWT also aim to enthuse people about wetlands - an important mission since the last millennium saw about 90% of the UK's wetlands disappear.

Slimbridge Wetland Centre was the first reserve created by Sir Peter is located on the estuary of the River Severn. 

Find out more: http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/slimbridge/

View of the River Severn estuary from the Holden Tower hide.

The aim of the visit was for the team to spend some time together enjoying estuary wildlife that we don’t see so often in the Eastern Valleys.  It was also a chance for us to work on our identification and practice observing and collecting wildlife sightings whilst having members of staff available to help if needed.

The weather was a little damp so it was a bit of a challenge.  The birds have been very late arriving this year due to the prolonged wet weather so the usual numbers of wildfowl for November were not on show.  However, this didn’t dampen our spirits and we still had some marvellous wildlife sightings:

Wildlife Sightings

Mute swan; Bewick swan; Canada goose; Greylag goose; Barnacle goose; Mallard; Gadwall; Shelduck; Pintail; Shoveler; Wigeon; Teal; Pochard; Tufted duck; Coot; Moorhen; Golden plover; Lapwing; Black-tailed godwit; Ruff; Black-headed gull; Lesser black-backed gull; Greater black-backed gull; Herring gull; Woodpigeon; Blackbird; Robin; Goldfinch; Redwing; Buzzard; Peregrine falcon

A pair of Greylag geese feeding near the Holden Tower hide.

A small group of  male and female Wigeon.

Wednesday

Today was spent at Magor Marsh on the Gwent Levels as there was a whole staff meeting.  A few newcomers (including ourselves!) were introduced to all, and then everyone gave updates about the work they’d been doing over the last couple of months. 

It was great to hear that the Trust is still growing, currently having 10,153 members and over 400 volunteers! 

Luckily by the time the meeting had finished, the weather had brightened up and we were able to have a guided walk around the newly acquired lands at Magor – though the large amount of rain flooded some areas, meaning a few soggy socks for some!

After this, Sally and Michaël went out with the work team to continue removing willow and putting in a new fence in one of the new fields.  Beth stayed at the Magor office and sat in on an education team meeting.

Wildlife sightings at Magor

Starling; Robin; Blackbird; Great tit; Jackdaw; Woodpigeon; Mute swan; Buzzard; Sparrowhawk; Goldfinch; Field vole.

Thursday

Sally started the day with a fence line check; this consisted of walking a set area of Silent Valley to see what parts of the fence line needed repair or replacing. This was all in aid of grazing.

After completing the task at Silent Valley we traveled to various local stores to buy some tools and get quotes for fencing supplies.

Flower-rich grassland at Pentwyn Farm.

Michaël spent his day helping the reserve officer at Pentwyn Farm, near Monmouth. 

Pentwyn Farm is a SSSI site of approximately 11 hectares.  It has survived virtually unchanged for centuries and includes one of the largest areas of flower-rich grassland remaining in Gwent.  The Trust’s restoration of the farm’s historic barn (using traditional methods) and the traditional management of the hay meadows and hedges maintain a historic farm rich in wildlife.

Find out more: http://gwentwildlife.org/reserves/Pentwyn.htm

Due to an ankle sprain, Beth spent today in the office keeping up to date with project paperwork.  In the afternoon she joined our community education officer on visit to a local primary school to promote the environmental education available from being offered by GWT.

Saturday

Gwent Wildlife Trust participated in a Christmas market which was held at The General Offices in Ebbw Vale.  We made willow and dog wood wreaths which were available for the public to take with a request of a small donation to GWT.  Children had the opportunity to make stars out of the willow or recycled materials.  This event gave GWT the opportunity to spread the work of the people and wildlife project. Overall, the day was a complete success! We informed many people about nature in the locality of Ebbw Vale, as well as promoting Gwent Wildlife Trust.