Putting garden bird sightings on the map
UNIVERSITY STUDENT COLLATED RECORDS AND REPORTS
GARDEN birds were the centre of attention for the recent Big Garden Birdwatch, with the RSPB reminding participants to submit sightings via its website.
Among the more unusual visitors overwintering in north Anglesey are a probable Siberian Lesser Whitethroat at Carreglefn and a Rose-coloured Starling in Amlwch Port.
Many people have reported Blackcaps, visitors from mainland
Europe, in gardens recent weeks.
Bangor University student Toby Carter collated records from readers of our sister paper, the Daily Post, and reports on social media during January.
He received sightings of 263 birds in 158 gardens across North Wales.
Most were along the coast, with concentrations around Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, Bangor and Menai Bridge, whereas only a handful was reported on Llŷn and around in
Cardigan Bay.
Not surprisingly, there were none in the mountains, but there were some inland, as far south as Corwen.
Two Black Redstarts remain at Amlwch, with others in Beaumaris, near Llanfairfechan and at the tax office demolition site in Porthmadog.
A Long-tailed Duck and four Slavonian Grebes were on Anglesey’s Inland Sea, with another four of the grebes north of the A55 in Beddmanarch Bay and two off Aber Ogwen.
Three Snow Buntings are on the Great Orme, two remain on Holyhead breakwater and two returned to Horton’s Nose, Kinmel Bay, after a break of several weeks.
An Iceland Gull and Scaup remain at Rhyl’s Brickfields Pond, a Little Gull was reported off Rhos
Point and more than 30 Twite feed in saltmarsh off Flint Castle.
A flooded field near Gronant held 550 Blacktailed Godwits, an impressive count for North Wales, and presumably part of the flock of over 7,000 that feeds on the Dee estuary. Another flock of 58 was in Bangor harbour, where 53 Goldeneyes were counted the weekend before last.
Great White Egrets are off Porthmadog Cob and near Llyn Alaw.
ANEW Welsh language initiative aims to stress the positives about living and working in rural Wales.
Nerth Dy Ben (Strength of Mind) is a online project set up by six friends to give people the strength to cope with stressful situations.
It aims to give individuals a platform to share positive experiences through song, video, web chats, podcasts, stories and photos.
To mark its launch, a new Welsh single “Byw i’r Dydd” (Live for today) was released to coincide with Welsh Language Music Day last Friday.
The project was established by TV presenter and producer Nia Parry, from
Rhostryfan, Caernarfon.
It was inspired by the strength shown by friend Alaw Owen, of Llanddoged, Llanrwst, as she recovered from a serious road accident in 2018.
“It stems from ideas we’ve had in recent years about situations in which we’ve all experienced the sense of community that gives us the strength to cope and survive dayto-day situations,” she said.
Also supporting the venture is Alaw’s brother Ifan Owen, along with friends Elen Lois from Llangernyw, Nia Lloyd from Rhydycroesau, Oswestry and Amanda Harries from Plwmp, Ceredigion.
One person who has already contributed a video to the new website (www.nerthdyben.cymru) is Rhodri Siôn, a 25-yearold farmer’s son from Nebo, near Llanrwst.
In this he describes the importance he feels of being outdoors, and how he pushes himself to his limits when walking and mountaineering.
Through this he has learned to deal with challenging circumstances, such as wintry weather on a mountain, and the mental and physical well-being that this gives him when dealing with stress in everyday life.
Ifan Owen, an animal health manager, said the venture aims to inspire others in rural Wales to achieve similar “healthy minds”.
“This project is close to our hearts, as we all experienced inner strength of body and mind after Alaw was seriously injured,” he said.
“As family and friends, it was a difficult time for us all, but we were empowered by Alaw’s own strength as she improved and gained strength following the accident.”
As the scheme develops, its six founders hope to host post-Covid awareness events that emphasise the importance of keeping a positive mindset.
In the meantime the website will provide details about mental health charities and organisations.
This, said Alaw, acknowledges the reality that not everyone can feel strong all the time.
“Nerth Dy Ben is a place for everyone to visit when they need that little extra burst of energy and confidence,” she said.
“Instead of the things we can’t do, this project is a reminder of our own strengths.
“It is an extremely powerful energy we can use, acknowledge and share with others.”
The website also has a dedicated section for young people, “Nerth yr Ifanc” (Youth Strength).
This features blogs and vlogs from younger contributors discussing their own inner strengths, along with a top five play-list of upbeat music that “makes them want to sing and dance”.
Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych is working with the project and Ruth Williams, its chief officer, said the ability to share experiences through easily accessible platforms, was vital for positive minds.
“It is a breath of fresh air to work with a group of young people who are enthused about talking openly and positively about life experiences, through the medium of Welsh,” she added.
Composed by songwriter Rhydian Meilir, and cowritten by Llannefydd poet Ffion Gwen, the single and healthy
“Byw i’r Dydd” was produced by musician Mei Gwynedd. The song and accompanying video can be viewed at www.nerthdyben.cymru.
It can also be downloaded on iTunes and other platforms, with a percentage of the proceeds reinvested in the project, which is being funded by Brenig Wind’s Community Benefit Fund.