Wales Farmer July 2012 COUNTRYSIDE 35


Lighthousedealmeans bright future for birds


■ Protection for vital nesting sites By Elizaveta Young


ANEW purchase by the Wildlife Trust has cast abeacon of hope over the future of one of the most important seabird


colonies in the world. The Wildlife Trust of South and West


Wales has bought the lighthouse and surrounding land on Skokholm Island, which is nowentirelyowned by the trust. The deal will ensurethe futuresecuri-


ty of the rare Manx shearwaters,storm petrels,and puffins on the 260-acre piece of land. Wildlife Trust of South and West


Wales CEO Sarah Kessell said: “With thousands of seabirds,including asig- nificant population of stormpetrels and the densest colonyofManx shearwaters in the world, it wasofparamount importance thatwepurchased the last bit of the island’sjigsaw. “When we were offered the opportu-


nity to buythe last bit of the island we knewwecould not risk it going into pri-


vate ownership forfear of risking the precious cliffs and their stunning wildlife.” The trust bought the majority of the


island in 2007 after raising £650,000. And after asuccessful appeal last year, £156,000 wasraised allowing the trust to buythe land from Trinity House. But afurther £100,000 is nowneeded


so work can begin to makethe light- house fitfor overnight residents,and to reinstate the birdobservatory on the island. The Wildlife Trust’sLyndsey Maiden


said: “The Wildlife Trust is celebrating its centenary this year,and with this purchase we can continue preserving the wildlife formanymoreyears.” Lyndsey said thatthe mile-long


island, with its nearbysister island Skomer,was thought to the breeding home of about half of the world’spop- ulation of Manx shearwater. She said arecent survey found thatit


washome to 300,000 nesting pairs of the birds. “The reason the islands aresopopu-


lar is because thereare no rodents here thateat their eggs,” said Lyndsey. “And if someone bought the light-


house privately, whodidn’t takeenough careand introduced rodents onto the island, it could have devastated the bird population.” To support the Wildlife Trust call


01656 724100 or visit www.welsh wildlife.org.


BRIGHTER FUTURE: Skokholm Island lighthouse now has anew protection role.


Petition sign-up call in bid to safeguard ancient trees


COED Cadw, the Woodland Trust, has launched apetition calling forgreater protection forthe oldest living things in Wales –ancient, veteran and heritage trees.


The charity is calling forastrengthen-


ing of Tree Preservation Order legisla- tion, and also wants the soon-to-be creat- ed Single Environmental BodyinWales to be givenaduty to promote conserva- tion of ancient, veteran and heritage trees through the provision of advice and sup- port fortheir owners,wherenecessary. KenSkates AM said: “The Clwyd


South constituency,which Iamproud to represent in the National Assembly, includes asignificant concentration of ancient and veteran trees,around Chirk and Pontfadog. “Tome, these areahugelyimportant


part of Wales’ natural heritage,asimpor- tant in their ownway as Caernarfon Castle or St David’sCathedral. “I’m keen to see the Assembly use its


newpowers to ensurethatthis wonderful part of our heritage is protected.” JonStokes,ofthe Tree Council, said:


“Markers of time,guardians of biodiver- sity,subjects of folkloreand repositories of history: ancient and veteran trees have aplace in the heritage of Wales compara- bletoits greateisteddfodau and mines from which were brought forth gold, slate and coal. “However,inthe life of atree, it takes


onlyone person to neglect, mutilate or destroy it since,incontrast to historic buildings and landscapes,safeguards spe- cific to trees of heritage significance are not by design. Manycould be felled tomorrow without penalty. “With agroundswell of public support


behind us,wehope we will be able to per- suade the Welsh Assembly thatthese spe- cial trees need proper protection.” The campaign is being spearheaded by


FRIENDLY GIANT: Ken Skates AM with Angharad Evans of the Woodland Trust, under the boughs of an ancient tree.


Angharad Evans of Coed Cadw. She said: “Therehavebeen anumber


of occasions in recent years when impor- tant trees have been felled unnecessarily in Wales,which might have been savedif the changes we arecalling forhad been in place.


“But the Assembly’s newpowers,and


the decision to create anew Single Environmental Bodyoffer an amazing opportunity forWales to lead the wayfor- ward in the UK by properly protecting these trees. “Through this petition, everyone has


the chance to maketheir voice heard, by going to our website and signing up.” Coed Cadwwill collect signatures for


the petition at shows and events this year, including the RoyalWelsh Show. Youcan also sign up online at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/saveourtrees.


For the latest Wales farming news: walesfarmer.co.uk


Crayfish numbers given a boost


ENVIRONMENT Agency Wales has released 500 juvenile crayfish into a tributary of the River Irfon as part of continued efforts to save the species from extinction. The one year-old crayfish, reared at the agency’s fish hatchery near Brecon, have been released into a carefully selected site on the river to breed. The crayfish were released in conjunction with the Wye and Usk Foundation, as part of the European Union’s Life+ funded Irfon Special Area of Conservation Project (ISAC). Work to reintroduce crayfish into the area began in 2009, when egg carrying females were caught and transported to the hatchery from selected wild populations. After ayear in captivity the juvenile crayfish are stocked into carefully selected ‘ark’ sites. These sites are chosen for their good habitat and water quality and because they are free from non-native crayfish and crayfish plague, alethal fungus-like disease. The white-claw is Britain’s only native crayfish.


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