Grant gives a close-up view of rare black grouse

THE secrets of one of Wales’ rarest and most spectacular birds will be on show thanks to a grant from landfill operators.

RSPB Cymru has been awarded almost £6,000 in funding from the Cory Environmental Trust in Britain towards improving black grouse viewing facilities at Coed Llandegla, a forest of planted conifers covering around 6.5 sq kms in Denbighshire.

The money will go towards installing new interpretation panels and leaflets at Coed Llandegla, explaining all about the iconic black grouse and its history in Wales.

The funding from Cory Environmental Trust in Britain is also being used to provide equipment for volunteers who lead guided walks around the area, and for maintaining the viewing hide from where the public can view the birds’ distinctive courtship displays, known as lekking.

RSPB Cymru conservation officer Martin Clift said: “We’re very glad to have been awarded new funding from Cory Environmental Trust in Britain. This funding allowed us to improve and update interpretation panels and leaflets, which will help improve the experience had by visitors to Coed Llandegla.

“Black grouse have been going through a recovery in numbers in recent years and although their distribution is still cause for concern, the hide at Llandegla is one of the best places in the country to see the birds and there is a substantial population in the area.”

Black grouse displays take place throughout the spring. The RSPB has been working with land managers in and around Coed Llandegla to ensure black grouse have the best conditions possible to carry out the displays.

Black grouse are a red-listed species. There have been largescale declines all across the UK and numbers have been recorded as low as 131 lekking males.

Visitors to Coed Llandegla can join one of the guided black grouse walks that run each Sunday throughout April until May 7.

Cory Environmental Trust in Britain is an environmental trust set up in 2003 under the Landfill Communities Fund, a tax credit scheme enabling landfill operators to contribute money to organisations enrolled as environmental bodies.

Angela Haymonds, of Cory Environmental Trust in Britain, said: “The trustees are delighted to have been able to offer funding to this worthwhile project.

“We hope that the project will not only help to raise awareness for black grouse in the local area, but also educate visitors about this iconic species.”

For bookings to join a black grouse walk, go to www.rspb.org