Rare birds warm to Welsh weather

Choughs have been bred in south Wales for the first time in 150 years

Birds once rare in urban south Wales may be growing in numbers due to global warming, according to a new guide.

Birding in Glamorgan says Dartford warblers, little egrets and choughs seem to be thriving in warmer weather.

Broadcaster Iolo Williams says the area is a "birdwatcher's dream."

"The first thing that struck me about the old county of Glamorgan was the incredible variety of different habitats contained within its boundaries," he says in the foreword.

"From the rocky shores and seabirds of the Gower peninsula to the green parks of Cardiff where all three species of woodpecker live alongside Dippers and Cormorants, to the high moorland of the southern Beacons with their Skylarks, Ring Ouzel and Merlin. It is a birdwatcher's dream".

Daniel Jenkins-Jones of the Glamorgan Bird Club tells us more:

The fortunes of bird populations in Glamorgan, like the rest of the UK, are constantly changing.

Some species are becoming increasingly scarce, but there are also some new exciting arrivals who have only recently colonised the area.

Britain's rarest crow, the Chough, bred in the county in 2006 for the first time in over 150 years and can now be regularly seen along parts of the Heritage Coast.

The Dartford Warbler and Little Egret (pictured right) on the other hand may be the first signs of the effects of global warming.

Once extremely rare in south Wales, both species are now doing well in Glamorgan as our warmer weather helps them move north from their traditional southerly strongholds.

The book is aimed at everyone who enjoys birds - from the casual observer and beginner to the expert.

Authors/Editors Alan Rosney and Richard Smith have produced a book which includes 53 site guides of Glamorgan's best birdwatching sites.

Much of the information was provided by local birders who have written accounts of the areas they visit regularly and know intimately.

This means that the book contains invaluable information not only about popular nature reserves, but also lesser known 'local patches' which are equally precious in terms of their birdlife.

Birding in Glamorgan will be launched on 18 October between 10am and 1pm at Kenfig National Nature Reserve Centre where you will also be able to enjoy guided bird walks around the reserve and a demonstration of bird-ringing.