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Latest phase of Welsh seabirds count completed

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Screen Shot 2016-07-26 at 10.10.13THE LATEST phase of the massive effort to count all seabirds along the Welsh coast has just been completed. 

Over the last month, Natural Resources Wales’s (NRW) counts focused on the Anglesey coast and Llyn peninsula.

The seabirds count started last year.

It will be completed next year when the last pieces in the jigsaw are filled, with seabird counts in South Wales.

The information will feed into the latest census of Britain and Ireland’s breeding seabirds – a programme that started 45 years ago to identify long-term trends in seabird populations.

Having accurate evidence means that NRW can provide the best possible advice on the marine environment and issues that could affect it.

Matty Murphy, NRW’s Senior Maritime Ornithologist said: “Protecting wildlife is fundamental to our aims as an organisation.

“Gathering this information is really important to assess long-term trends in our seabirds and the biodiversity they rely on.

“Already this year we’ve recorded local changes including the disappearance of a colony of 500 kittiwakes on the east coast of Anglesey, and a doubling of guillemots from 2,500 to 5,000 on Middle Mouse, an island off north Anglesey.”

Since 2000, auk species have increased, with guillemot, razorbill and puffin increasing by 69 percent, 80 percent and 62 percent respectively.

However, some of Wales’ most iconic species of seabird have declined: shag by 24 percent, fulmar by 16 percent, lesser black-backed gull by 35 percent and kittiwake by 41 percent.

This census work is being done more efficiently these days, using NRW’s survey boat ‘Pedryn’, which allows monitoring staff to cover a lot of the coast in one day and react quickly to changes in the weather.

Over the years, the programme has also relied on the help of volunteers including staff from RSPB Cymru and local authorities.

The seabird data covering Britain and Ireland, collected by various organisations and groups, are collated by the UK’s Joint Nature Conservation Committee and are available on their Seabird Monitoring Programme database.

The first census, Operation Seafarer, took place in 1969 to 1970, the second The Seabird Colony Register in 1985 to 1988, whilst Seabird 2000 was carried out between 1998 and 2000. The current Seabirds Count started last year and will be completed next year.

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Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

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THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

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Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

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PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

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Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

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ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

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