BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH – SATURDAY 28 – MONDAY 30 JANUARY

BE a part of the world’s biggest garden wildlife survey. To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2017, watch the birds in your garden or local green space for one hour over the Birdwatch weekend. We’d also like to know about the other wildlife that settles in your home throughout the year, such as grass snakes, hedgehogs, stag beetles, stoats and moles. Register on The Big Garden Birdwatch webpage to receive your 2017 FREE activity pack, full of fascinating facts, tips and advice, a survey form, garden bird identification guide, and much more. Visit www.rspb.org. uk/birdwatch or text BIRD to 70030

THIS is a very special year for RSPB South Stack because we are celebrating our 40th birthday this year. To mark this special year we are both excited and grateful to the Holyhead and Anglesey Mail for the opportunity to share our stories with you every month, on what life is like at our nature reserve and most importantly how you can all get involved. By joining us, you’ll be able to make a big difference by taking small steps to give nature a home.

With its fascinating history, breathtaking landscape and wonderful wildlife, this reserve is one of Anglesey’s treasures. Whether you’ve visited our reserve previously, or have never been before, then this is the year to experience what it has to offer. Get ready to enjoy, to laugh, to learn, to experience, and to be amazed by the very best of Welsh coastal wildlife.

Fill your lungs with fresh air, by walk- ing our nature trails and enjoying breathtaking views of Snowdonia across Anglesey, or over the Irish Sea towards the Llyn Peninsula. Did you know that a rare plant called the spathulate fleawort grows on the reserve – and that it cannot be seen anywhere else in the world? Late spring and early summer is the best time to see them.

Their clusters of bright yellow flowers and fleshy leaves and stalks are easy to spot once you know what to look for.

You’ll also get to know the variety of seabirds that make the cliffs here their home – did you know that up to 8000 pairs of guillemot nest on the cliffs each year? One of the biggest colonies in the UK! Our guided tours offer the ideal opportunity for us to tell you more about all the rich wildlife that make their home on the reserve and give you tips on the best time and place to see them.

You can get an even closer view on our spectacular seabird city if you visit Ellin’s Tower, and if you’re lucky you might spot porpoises, dolphins or seals on our live cameras.

This is just a taste of what makes RSPB South Stack a virtual paradise.

Young ones will soon be able to enjoy our brand new playground - it boasts one of the most scenic backdrops around while you can relax with a wel- coming cuppa and a bite to eat in our cosy café.

Over the year we’ll be bringing you all sorts of stories from the reserve - the long history of the RSPB from our earliest days campaigning to saving nature at RSPB South Stack. Read about the conservation work we carry out on Penrhosfeilw Common - The Range, and our work with the species that need our help the most, like the iconic choughs and the much loved puffin.

Our wonderful volunteers will share their experiences and lots more.

We’ll also provide seasonal advice, and ideas on how you can help to create homes for nature in your garden or backyard. We hope you will join us in making 2017 a legendary 40th year for RSPB South Stack.

We would also love to hear direct from you with your own stories, experiences and local knowledge of the site.

Visit us at the reserve South Stack, Holyhead, Anglesey LL65 1YH, give us a call 01407 762100 or send us an email at south.stack@rspb.org.uk.