The first talk was by Chloe Powell-Jennings of Natural Resources Wales who discussed the risk of introducing and spreading marine invasive non-native species in Welsh waters, particularly in reference to the Special Conservation Area, Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau, in northwest Wales. This SAC covers 230km of coastline, making it one of the largest in the UK and vital to the protection and preservation of our marine species.
Next, Malcolm Frazer, retired Bute Park arboriculturist, took to the stage to discuss the history of Bute Park, ‘the green heart of the city’. Dating back to the 1800s, Bute Park has formed a central role in shaping the wildlife in and around Cardiff and is unrivalled in the UK for its significant tree population. The park is home to over 3,000 specimens, with native, rare and ornamental species all represented.
Afterwards, the focus shifted to native insect species, particularly the Diptera families Tephritidae, Ulidiidae, Platystomatidae, and Pallopteridae. David Clements described how to identify these Picture-Winged flies by their biology and behaviour.
After a short break, Dawn Thomas of North Wales Wildlife Trust discussed the Wildlife Trust’s rocky shore surveys – Shoresearch. These are a set of surveys which study the space revealed each day by the outgoing tides. The data collected by this project helps experts to monitor our fragile sea life and better understand the effects of pollution, climate change and invasive non-native species on our shores.
Finally, Sarah Purdon, Red Squirrel Officer of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, spoke about Red Squirrels – the UK’s only native squirrel species. Once a common sight, these creatures are now effectively extinct in all but a few locations in Wales – making their conservation more important than ever. Sarah discussed our Mid-Wales Red Squirrel project and the population of the squirrels there, as well as their history and what the future holds for one of the UK’s most charismatic creatures.
Overall, the day brought light to lesser-known Welsh wildlife and prompted discussions surrounding managing native sea squirt, spruce tree buffer areas, and the problems surrounding genetic data collection.
Join us next year to have all of your wildlife, conservation, and nature-related questions answered!
With thanks to the players of People's Postcode Lottery for funding staff time to coordinate this WILD Cardiff event.
