Community

Cruelty reports involving wild birds rise in Wales as RSPCA warns of summer surge

Published

57 seconds ago

July 16, 2026

Charity says 31 incidents have already been reported this year, exceeding the total recorded across Wales during the whole of 2025

RSPCA CYMRU has raised “deep concerns” over an increase in deliberate cruelty towards wild birds, with more incidents already reported in Wales this year than during the whole of 2025.

The charity received 29 reports involving cruelty to wild birds across Wales last year, up from 27 in 2024.

However, 31 incidents have already been reported during 2026, with frontline teams preparing for a possible further surge over the summer months, when reports of animal cruelty typically peak.

Caerphilly recorded the highest number of incidents in Wales during 2025, with four reports, followed by Newport with three.

Across England and Wales, 359 incidents involving wild birds were reported during July and August 2025. That was almost double the 179 reports received during the same two-month period in 2024 and represented the highest summer total recorded in five years.

The figures have been released as part of the RSPCA’s Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues campaign, which highlights the increased pressure placed on the charity’s officers, rescuers and animal centres during warmer weather.

Pigeons, crows, magpies, ravens, gulls, swans and ducks were among the birds most commonly targeted last year.

Many of the incidents involved catapults, air weapons, crossbows or other deliberate acts of violence.

The RSPCA said there was no single explanation for the increase, but possible factors included the deliberate misuse of catapults and airguns, copycat behaviour, exposure to harmful online content and a lack of understanding about animal welfare.

Almost 40 per cent of all reports involving cruelty towards wild birds last year were received during the summer months.

Across England and Wales, the charity has already received 474 reports involving wild birds during 2026. That is more than half of the 876 incidents recorded throughout the whole of 2025.

Mike Scargill, the RSPCA’s wildlife partnerships manager for England and Wales, said: “We are deeply concerned by the number of reports involving deliberate cruelty towards wild birds.

“Day after day, our frontline officers and animal centres see the sickening consequences of weapons being used on animals, causing awful suffering, severe injuries and often leading to death.

“These figures are likely to represent only a fraction of the true scale of the problem because a lot of cruelty goes unseen and unreported.

“Wild birds feel pain, fear and distress, and deserve our care and respect. Deliberately harming them causes immense suffering and can have devastating consequences for both individual animals and local wildlife populations.”

Among the incidents investigated in Wales was the shooting of an adult gull in Merthyr Tydfil.

The bird was found repeatedly collapsing and dragging one of its wings. It was taken into RSPCA care but had to be put to sleep because of the severity of its injuries.

An X-ray later revealed an airgun pellet lodged inside the gull’s body and a fractured wing.

In Powys, a buzzard was found dead in woodland after being tied to a tree root with blue rope secured around one of its wings.

Evidence at the scene suggested the bird had struggled for some time before dying. It had also suffered injuries to one of its wings.

Elsewhere in England, reported incidents have included a swan shot in the leg with an air weapon, 25 dead pigeons abandoned in a crate and geese found with darts embedded in their bodies.

The RSPCA is working with police and conservation organisations through initiatives including Operation Lakeshot, which aims to tackle the illegal use of catapults and other wildlife offences.

The charity said education and early intervention were also essential to reducing deliberate animal cruelty.

Adults concerned about a young person’s behaviour towards animals are being encouraged to seek support through the RSPCA’s early intervention referral service.

All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is illegal to deliberately kill, injure or take a wild bird except in limited circumstances covered by a licence.

Anyone who witnesses deliberate cruelty towards wildlife is urged to report it to the RSPCA or police.

Community

Castle Pond set for summer of sport, spectacle and family entertainment

Published

28 minutes ago

July 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Pembroke Regatta, an international canoe polo tournament and the traditional River Rally will take place beneath Pembroke Castle

CASTLE POND will become the centre of Pembroke’s summer celebrations as three major events bring racing, water sports and family entertainment to the historic town.

The programme begins on Saturday, July 25, with the Pembroke Regatta, when teams will race against one another on the river beneath Pembroke Castle.

Businesses, schools, sports teams, clubs and other community groups are being encouraged to enter, with the event promising competitive racing and an entertaining day beside the water for spectators of all ages.

The action continues over the weekend of August 1 and 2 with the return of the Julie Morris International, also known as the 27th Welsh Open Canoe Polo Competition.

Hosted by Dragon Canoe Club, the tournament is expected to attract teams from across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Organisers are expanding the competition to three playing pitches this year, allowing as many as 30 teams to take part.

Canoe polo combines paddling, ball skills and physical competition, with players attempting to score in goals suspended above the water. The fast-moving matches will be staged in the striking setting of Castle Pond, directly below the walls of Pembroke Castle.

Pembroke’s summer programme will conclude on Saturday, August 8, with the town’s much-loved River Rally.

Boats are expected to begin arriving in Castle Pond from approximately 2:00pm, forming a colourful flotilla on the river.

The event will have a pirate theme, with children invited to take part in a fancy dress competition. Other attractions will include face painting, balloon modelling, a treasure trail and bacon butties.

Neil Thomas will compere the event and play music throughout the afternoon.

The annual rally is more than a community celebration. It provides a rare opportunity for the barrage gate to be lowered so vessels can enter Castle Pond, helping preserve the historic right of navigation along the Pembroke River.

The River Rally is being organised by the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society in partnership with Pembroke Town Council, Pembroke Dock Town Council and Pembrokeshire County Council.

Residents and visitors are being encouraged to support the events and enjoy three weekends showcasing Pembroke’s maritime heritage, sporting community and spectacular waterfront setting.

Community

Government scraps plan to cut Coastguard Rescue Officers’ payments

Published

50 minutes ago

July 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Current arrangements will remain in place after ministers admitted consultation work failed to properly assess the impact on volunteers and coastal operations

PLANS to move Coastguard Rescue Officers to an expenses-only volunteer system have been abandoned following widespread concern from crews, MPs and trade unions.

The Department for Transport confirmed on Thursday (July 16) that the proposed change, which had been due to take effect in September 2026, will no longer go ahead.

Current payment arrangements for Coastguard Rescue Officers will remain in place while the Maritime and Coastguard Agency carries out further consultation on the future of the service.

The reversal follows warnings that removing modest payments could force experienced officers to leave, placing additional pressure on teams responsible for responding to emergencies around the UK coastline.

Coastguard Rescue Officers are trained volunteers who attend incidents including cliff rescues, searches for missing people, flooding, maritime emergencies and casualties cut off by the tide.

The proposed expenses-only model was announced on June 1 following a Court of Appeal ruling in the case of Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Groom.

The judgment found that the payment of modest remuneration had inadvertently created a worker relationship between the MCA and Coastguard Rescue Officers.

The Government said the ruling meant it would either need to restore a fully voluntary model or formally adopt a worker model to remain legally compliant.

Transport minister Keir Mather said the expenses-only option had initially been considered the most appropriate response, based on advice provided by the MCA.

However, he said further scrutiny had revealed that two surveys used to inform the decision had not been detailed enough to properly assess the consequences for individual officers, their families or the wider service.

Mr Mather said: “I can confirm that plans to move to the expenses-only volunteer model in September will not go ahead and current arrangements will remain in place.”

He said ministers had listened to concerns raised by Coastguard Rescue Officers, MPs and trade unions, including during parliamentary questions, an urgent question and a Westminster Hall debate.

Mr Mather also visited a Coastguard station in Southampton, where he met members of the Hill Head and Portsmouth teams to hear directly how the changes could affect officers and their families.

He added: “Coastguard Rescue Officers must feel that their views have been heard and that they are valued, respected and empowered to carry out their duties.

“I am committed to ensuring that we now take the time to robustly gather the information required to understand the full operational implications of future decisions.”

Over the coming months, the MCA will consult directly with Coastguard Rescue Officers, trade unions and MPs before deciding on the longer-term structure of the service.

The Department for Transport will also examine how officers can continue to be properly recognised and rewarded while retaining the flexibility needed to serve their local communities.

Mr Mather said protecting the public around the coastline and recognising the work of Coastguard Rescue Officers remained his key priorities.

Community

Swimmers warned of hidden dangers in Wales’ rivers, lakes and coastal waters

Published

52 minutes ago

July 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Natural Resources Wales and Public Health Wales urge people to check conditions and take precautions as temperatures rise

People heading to Wales’ beaches, rivers and lakes are being urged to take extra care as warmer weather encourages more families and swimmers into open water.

Natural Resources Wales and Public Health Wales have issued joint safety advice ahead of the school summer holidays, warning that conditions in natural waters can change rapidly and may present risks that are not immediately visible.

Although outdoor swimming can provide physical and mental health benefits, officials say rivers, lakes and coastal waters are very different from managed swimming pools.

Potential hazards include cold-water shock, strong currents, sudden changes in depth, underwater obstacles and blooms of blue-green algae.

Even during hot weather, water temperatures can remain dangerously cold. Entering too quickly can trigger cold-water shock, affecting breathing and movement and increasing the risk of drowning.

Water that appears clean may also contain harmful bacteria, viruses or other contaminants from agricultural runoff, urban drainage, wildlife, wastewater or storm overflow discharges.

The risk can increase after periods of heavy rainfall, although officials stressed that water quality can vary at any time.

While a number of coastal areas and a small number of river locations in Wales are designated bathing waters and regularly monitored between May and September, most rivers, lakes and inland waters are not routinely tested for bathing purposes.

Bathing water designation provides information to help people make informed choices, but it does not guarantee that the water will always be free from pollution or other health risks.

Hamish Osborn, Environment Team Leader at Natural Resources Wales, said: “We know more people are looking to rivers, lakes and coastal waters to cool off and enjoy the outdoors during periods of hot weather.

“Wales has fantastic places to connect with nature, but natural waters are different from managed swimming environments and conditions can change quickly.

“Most rivers and lakes in Wales are not designated bathing waters, so we encourage people to make informed choices about where and when they enter the water, follow the Wild Swimming Code and take sensible steps to protect their health and safety.”

Alice Munro, Consultant in Environmental Public Health at Public Health Wales, said weather, tides, currents and water depth could all change quickly.

She said: “Even in summer, the water can be extremely cold and cause cold-water shock if you get in too quickly, which can lead to drowning.

“You may also not be able to see underwater dangers, especially if you dive or jump in. Getting in slowly and wearing a flotation device can reduce these risks when swimming in unfamiliar waters.”

People are advised to choose known and suitable swimming locations wherever possible, including designated bathing waters, and to check the weather, tides and local conditions before entering.

Swimmers should avoid swallowing water, cover cuts and grazes with waterproof dressings and wash their hands before eating or drinking.

They should shower as soon as possible after swimming and regularly clean wetsuits and other equipment.

Anyone who has recently suffered from diarrhoea or vomiting should stay out of the water. Medical advice should be sought if symptoms such as stomach cramps, fever, vomiting or diarrhoea develop after swimming.