Community

Calling all otter spotters

Published

11 years ago

November 27, 2013

OTTER sightings on the Pembrokeshire coastline are on the increase, but extra help is needed to find out more about this furry wildlife favourite.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has teamed up with Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Officer Sue Burton to ask people to report coastal otter sightings for a county-wide research project.More than 60 sightings have been recorded by members of the public on the Pembrokeshire Coast since the project began two months ago.

National Park Ranger Ian Meopham said: “We only have one type of otter in the UK – the Eurasian Otter – which is most commonly found living in freshwater, but in Scotland these otters make constant use of the sea, and it seems that in Pembrokeshire they are spending a lot of time on the coast too.

“People have spotted them around St Davids, Stackpole, and Abermawr. Quite a lot of the reports so far have been from sea kayakers, surfers and people out coasteering. Someone was even lucky enough to spot an otter with a guillemot [sea bird] in its mouth.”

Ian is inviting people to report sightings to Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre in St Davids, where you can pinpoint your otter spot on a map. A logbook will then be passed on to Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer Sue Burton for the project, which is a repeat of a 2002 coastal survey and looks to establish whether the otters making use of the coast are a separate population to those using the inland waterways.

Sue said: “We already know there are otters using this part of the coastline for foraging and even breeding. What we want to know now is whether they are using it seasonally or whether the same otters are active on the coast all year.

“As well as new otter sightings, we are interested in sightings going back to 2002, especially any sightings north of Newport, and east of Bosherston as we currently have few recorded sightings in these areas. We do rely heavily on sightings from the public so the more otter spotters, the better!”

The Park Authority also uses information about current sightings to advise outdoor activity providers about particularly sensitive areas of coastline, so they can avoid disturbing the otters and their habitat. Report your otter sightings at Oriel y Parc (open daily, 10am-4.30pm) or call Sue Burton on 01646 696108 or email [email protected], giving the date, time and place where you spotted your otter.

Sue Burton is giving a talk with Geoff Lyles, of The Otter Consultancy, at the Marine Wildlife Sightings event on November 20th, run by Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum at the Merlin Theatre, Haverfordwest.

Climate

Pembrokeshire group plans for larger community wind turbine

Published

4 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A NORTH Pembrokeshire group which has raised more than £76,000 from its community wind turbine for local projects is hoping to expand with a bigger turbine.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd is hoping to get permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.

The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one being 45 metres.

In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.

“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”

In 2015, TBG raised its 50 per cent share of capital funding for the project by means of loans from 28 local individuals and four community groups, contributing a total of £286,500, the other 50 per cent contributed by landowners Parc-y-Morfa Farms Ltd.

The statement added: “Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine. By the end of 2022, all loans had been repaid, allowing the launch of TBG’s Community Climate Fund. This year we have awarded our third round of grants bringing the total amount granted to £76,036.”

In 2022, £15,274 was awarded to seven projects, including Fishguard Sports AFC to install solar panels on their clubhouse as part of their Tregroes Park development, Ysgol Bro Gwaun for their Increasing Biodiversity and Bees project, and Nevern Valley Veg / Llysiau Cwm Nyfer to install a solar powered vegetable irrigation scheme.

In 2023, £39,85 was made available for seven projects, including Sea Trust Wales to part fund the installation of solar panels on the Ocean Lab roof and to produce a display on solar technology, Letterston Memorial Hall to part fund the installation of an air source heat pump heating system, and Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club to install solar panels on their clubhouse.

2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun to insulate their loft to reduce heating loss, Parc Cerrig Growers for developing a rainwater harvesting system with a pond to irrigate their allotments, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture for an electric cargo bike for delivering organic vegetables in the Fishguard and St Davids areas, and Nevern Valley Veg to develop wildlife ponds and rainwater harvesting for food production.

The supporting documentation concludes: “The repowering of the existing turbine at Trebover would require a limited increase in turbine size which would result in a very limited change in landscape and visual effects in comparison to the existing Trebover turbine.”

The application will be considered by planners at a later date.

Community

Council warns of icy conditions as temperatures drop

Published

10 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ROAD users in Pembrokeshire are being urged to exercise caution tonight as temperatures are forecast to dip below freezing.

Pembrokeshire County Council has announced that road surface temperatures could reach as low as -2°C, with the possibility of sleet or snow on higher ground. In response, precautionary salting of the county’s primary routes will be carried out this evening and overnight.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Road users are advised to take care if travelling on untreated roads.”

Motorists are reminded to plan ahead and drive carefully, particularly in areas that may not have been treated.

Stay tuned to The Herald for updates on road conditions and weather warnings.

Community

Stallholders wanted for Milford Haven Christmas Market

Published

10 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN BUSINESS CIRCLE is calling for stallholders to join the town’s festive Christmas Market, set to bring holiday cheer on Friday, December 6, and Saturday, December 7, 2024.

The market will take place at the Lower Charles Street Car Park, promising a vibrant mix of stalls and attractions. Organizers are seeking a variety of vendors, including those offering gifts, children’s toys and games, food, cakes, flowers, and more.

There’s also an open invitation for someone with small children’s rides to add to the festive fun. A highlight of the event will be the Grinch’s Grotto, offering an entertaining twist to this year’s celebrations.

If you’re interested in having a stall, contact the Milford Haven Business Circle via email at [email protected] for more information.

Mark your calendars and join the excitement as Milford Haven celebrates the season in style!