News
Increase in some sea bird populations across Wales
INITIAL national seabird census results from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) indicate a healthy increase in guillemots and razorbills around the Welsh coastline.
This included increases at large colonies, such as New Quay Head. Here almost 5,400 guillemots and 230 razorbills were counted compared to 3,835 guillemots and 126 razorbills in 2000.
The work by NRW specialists and volunteers, which is part of the UK-wide seabird census “Seabirds Count”, was completed this summer, with the final stretch covering the area from St David’s Head in Pembrokeshire to Tywyn in Gwynedd, approximately 150km, over 5 days.
In most count sectors with rocky cliffs, seabird species could be found nesting, with herring gull and fulmar commonplace and colonies of guillemot and razorbill tucked into protected gullies, out of the prevailing south-westerly winds.
There is less positive news for kittiwakes whose numbers are declining, which follows the UK-wide trend. At New Quay Head, the number of birds has declined from 375 to 335.
Kittiwakes are more susceptible to food shortages as they can only feed on prey near the sea surface, compared to diving species such as razorbills which can access prey at a range of depths. In the North Sea, increased sea surface temperature has been linked to climate change and a negative effect on the availability of the main prey of kittiwakes, the sand eel.
Matty Murphy, NRW Senior Marine Ornithologist, said: “Seabirds are an incredibly important part of our environment in Wales and give us really good information about the health of our seas.
“It’s great that we have finished the coastal part of Seabirds Count. This data about the health of the seabird population helps us to understand the effects of climate change and other pressures on the marine environment.
“This evidence is something we use to inform things like our planning advice and licensing, but also what we can do to improve our seas to make the best possible habitat for these fantastic birds.”
Charity
Tenby club raises £1,000 for Wales Air Ambulance
TENBY INNER WHEEL CLUB has raised £1,000 for Wales Air Ambulance after holding a popular fish and chip supper fundraiser.
The club has supported the lifesaving charity for 12 years, raising £8,600 in total.
The latest event, held at the Boathouse in Saundersfoot, included both lunch and evening sittings, as well as a raffle.
The Inner Wheel Club of Tenby is a women’s organisation focused on friendship and service. It currently has 23 members who raise money for a range of good causes.
Karen Tulley, from the club, said: “Our members use our skills to promote and help good causes, while having plenty of fun at the same time.
“We are all aware that Wales Air Ambulance relies totally on donations and receives no government funding, which is why we are always keen to make this a really good event and raise as much money as we can.
“The air ambulance service is essential, particularly in rural areas.”
Following the fundraiser, Mike May, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager, attended the club’s annual meeting, where he was presented with the £1,000 cheque.
He said: “A huge thank you to everyone at Inner Wheel Club of Tenby for raising a further £1,000 for our service.
“The members have fundraised for us for 12 years and in that time they have raised an incredible £8,600, which is amazing. We really do appreciate their ongoing support of our all-Wales charity.
“Fundraisers like these will ensure that the Wales Air Ambulance continues to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most.”
Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service which takes hospital-standard treatment to patients and, if needed, transfers them directly to the most appropriate hospital.
The charity must raise £13m every year to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
Pic: Mike May, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager, at the cheque presentation.
Community
Protest planned outside police station calling for Chief Constable’s removal
Campaigners accuse Dyfed-Powys Police of failing to safeguard children in Carmarthenshire
A PROTEST calling for the removal of Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis is due to take place outside Llanelli Police Station this weekend.
The demonstration, organised by campaign group Predator Awareness and activist Zack Griffiths, is scheduled for Saturday (May 23) at 11:00am.
Promotional material shared online claims the protest is being held because the current Chief Constable has “failed to safeguard the children of Carmarthenshire”.
Campaigners are urging members of the public to gather outside Llanelli Police Station under the slogan: “No more silence. No more excuses. Protect our children.”
The specific concerns behind the protest have not been fully outlined publicly, although organisers have linked it to wider safeguarding concerns.
When approached by The Herald, Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed officers were aware of the planned demonstration.

A police spokesperson said: “We are aware of plans for a protest in Llanelli this weekend.
“We will always seek to facilitate lawful peaceful protest while balancing it with the rights of others, keeping the public safe, and preventing crime and disorder — and we encourage anyone organising a protest to contact us so we can work together to ensure any demonstrations are done safely and with respect for the wider community.”
The protest is expected to take place outside Llanelli Police Station on Saturday morning.
News
Bank holiday rail works to affect Cardiff and Valleys passengers
PASSENGERS are being urged to plan ahead this bank holiday weekend as essential rail improvement works take place across the Cardiff and Valleys network.
Transport for Wales said all lines through Cardiff Queen Street will be closed on Sunday (May 24) and Bank Holiday Monday (May 25).
Rail replacement buses and service diversions will be in operation to keep passengers moving.
Services from Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil will continue to run into Cardiff Central via the City Line, through Ninian Park. Replacement buses will run between Radyr and Llandaf, Cathays, Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay.
The works come as warm weather is forecast and services to popular coastal destinations, including Barry Island and the North Wales coast, are expected to be busier than usual.
Passengers are also being reminded that a new timetable came into effect on Sunday (May 17), with some trains now calling at different stations and at different times.
Industrial action by West Midlands Railway is also expected to affect Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton and Hereford to Birmingham routes on Friday (May 22) and Saturday (May 23). TfW said its own services are likely to be busier as a result, with extra capacity provided where possible.
Sarah Higgins, Operations Director at Transport for Wales, said: “Transport for Wales will be running its normal timetable over the Bank Holiday weekend, but some services may be much busier than usual due to industrial action at West Midlands Railway affecting Shrewsbury–Birmingham and Hereford–Birmingham services on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 May.
“With high temperatures also forecast, customers are encouraged to take extra care when travelling, check for the latest travel information using the TfW website, mobile app, or social media channels, and to stay hydrated.”
On Sunday and Monday, buses will replace trains between Rhymney or Caerphilly and Cardiff Central, and between Radyr and Cardiff Central via Llandaf, Cathays and Cardiff Queen Street.
Penarth to Coryton services will terminate at Cardiff Central, with tickets accepted on Cardiff Bus routes 21, 23 and 27. On Monday only, tickets will also be valid on Cardiff Bus routes 92, 93 and 94 between Penarth and Cardiff city centre.
For the Cardiff Bay Line, tickets will be accepted on Cardiff Bus route 6, with an additional hourly bus running between Radyr and Cardiff Bay, calling at Llandaf, Cathays and Cardiff Queen Street.
Passengers are advised to allow extra time, carry water, and check before travelling.
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