Community

Seal pups at Ramsey bring in wildlife tourists

Published

11 years ago

October 29, 2014

THE ATLANTIC grey seal (Halichoerus Grypus) is one of Wales’ iconic species, and is attracting wildlife tourists to Pembrokeshire with the start of the seal pupping season at RSPB’s Ramsey Island reserve.

South west Wales, which includes RSPB Ramsey Island just off the coast of St David’s in Pembrokeshire, has an estimated grey seal breeding population of 5,000 individuals, which is around 4% of the UKs population. The grey seal is one of the least common seals in the world. The male adult can grow over 2 metres and weigh up to 230kg (or around 36 stone) while the females are smaller at 1.8 metres and 150kg. They can dive up to 70 metres in search of food and can remain submerged for up to 13 minutes.

Every year between 500-700 pups are born on the reserve, with several hundred more on Skomer and around the Pembrokeshire coast path. The hope is that there will be a good number this year. Lisa Morgan RSPB warden on Ramsey said: “We had 656 born here last year and although the season looks slightly later than last year the signs are positive that we will have a similar number again in 2014″ The seals are born weighting a hefty 14 kg, just over 2 stone. But birth is the easy bit. Survival rate to adulthood is around 2 in 3.

One of the main threats to the pups’ survival are storms. Lisa said: “I always hope that the weather won’t be too stormy during the pupping season as some of the pups can get washed out to sea and then washed up on other beaches which makes it hard for the mothers to find them again”. Fortunately for hose that don’t get lost progress to independence is rapid. Lisa explains: “The milk of the females is very rich, around 60% fat which means that the pups put on an incredible 2 kg (the equivalent to two bags of sugar) of weight a day.

At 18 days old the pup has amazingly tripled its birth weight. At this stage the mothers head back out to sea leaving the pups to find their own food. They are fully independent at a very young 4 weeks old and start eating solid food. It’s a very short upbringing.” Although visitor numbers are limited on Ramsey, the grey seal is one of a number of iconic species that could help Wales hit the Welsh Assembly Government target of seeing an increase of 10% in tourism in Wales by 2020. Wildlife tourism has become an increasingly important way of attracting visitors with an increase of 10% across the world each year.

Visitor numbers to Natural Resources Wales’ Bwlch Nant yr Arian site in mid Wales before the start of red kite feeding were 30,000. But after five years of feeding, as well as opening a visitor centre, play areas and bike trails visitor numbers increased to 130,000 a year. There are multiple benefits to developing wildlife tourism. A report entitled ‘Wildlife Economy Wales’ commissioned by the then Environment Agency Wales (now NRW) with the support of the Welsh Assembly Government and the Countryside Council for Wales published in 2007, pointed out that wildlife tourism could have considerable knock on effects. Not least that increased awareness as a result of greater wildlife tourism has the potential to bring not only an increase in the number of conservation volunteers but also and most importantly an increase in actual conservation activities. So in this case an economic driver can create conservation as well as an economic benefit.

The report also rightly points out that ‘it is essential that any development of the sector will need to be managed in a way that safeguards and invests in the wildlife resource upon which it is based’. Indeed, without strict controls and codes of conduct, albeit on a voluntary basis, these activities can be detrimental to the very wildlife we are trying to promote. If wildlife tourism continues to grow as it has done over the last decade or so, and Wales can take advantage of the growing market, then we may see more habitat created, and in an ideal world more red squirrels scampering in the woodland canopies of Anglesey, ospreys swooping for fish in Machynlleth, black grouse burbling on the Berwyn and not least young seal pups being born on the spectacular rugged shoreline of Pembrokeshire. Indeed Lisa Morgan has no doubt as to the best place to seals. She said: “Ramsey for me is one of the best places in the UK to see young seal pups as the public are able to get close to them looking down on the beaches from the cliff tops without disturbing them. It’s a great sight for the public but also a real privilege for me to live with these great animals every day.” To find out more about seals and RSPB Ramsey visit the website http:// www.rspb.org.uk/ramseyisland And for the latest seal season news you can follow the island wardens on Twitter @RSPBRamsey

Community

Community meeting planned to secure future of historic Boncath building

Published

1 day ago

February 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Residents invited to support bid to buy former WI meeting room for community use

A PUBLIC meeting has been called in Boncath as residents prepare plans for a community buy-out of a historic corrugated iron building that has served local people for generations.

Villagers will gather at Boncath Village Hall on Tuesday (Feb 24) at 7:00pm to discuss proposals to purchase Bwthyn Boncath — the former Women’s Institute meeting room — and transform it into a community heritage space for the village.

WI members support community purchase

Local WI members have already agreed to offer the community first refusal on the building, paving the way for a potential community-led purchase.

Supporters say the project would preserve an important piece of local heritage while creating a flexible space for events, exhibitions, and activities in the heart of the village.

PLANED helping lead initiative

The meeting will be led by Cris Tomos of PLANED, the community development charity that previously helped facilitate the community purchase of Tafarn Sinc in Rosebush in 2017.

Mr Tomos said the Boncath project could become another example of successful community ownership in North Pembrokeshire.

He said: “It would be great to have another corrugated building owned by the community in North Pembrokeshire — especially in 2026 as Tafarn Sinc celebrates its 150th anniversary.”

Organisers estimate that around £12,000 will be needed to secure the purchase, with further fundraising planned to support restoration and future use.

How to get involved

Anyone interested in supporting the project or learning more is encouraged to attend the public meeting.

Further information is available via the Bwthyn Boncath Facebook page or by contacting PLANED on 01834 860965.

Photo caption: Community members gather to support plans for the purchase of Bwthyn Boncath (Pics supplied).

Community

Community spirit shines as Wiseman’s Bridge Inn supports Saundersfoot Runners’ food bank event

Published

1 day ago

February 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Fourth annual run raises donations for Tenby charity

SAUNDERSFOOT Runners have once again demonstrated the strength of local community spirit after hosting their fourth annual Food Bank Run in aid of The James Criddle Foundation, a Tenby-based food bank.

The popular event attracted a strong turnout of runners and walkers of all abilities, with participants gathering at Wiseman’s Bridge on Sunday morning. Although early rain threatened to dampen proceedings, the weather cleared just in time for the 10:00am start, with even a hint of sunshine greeting those taking part.

Undeterred by puddles along the Heritage Trail towards Pleasant Valley, participants completed multiple laps of the route, collecting discs which were later exchanged for raffle tickets. Alongside generous food donations, the raffle helped further boost support for the Foundation’s work helping local families.

Organisers paid special tribute to Wiseman’s Bridge Inn for once again providing shelter before and after the event, ensuring donations stayed dry and offering much-appreciated refreshments to participants afterwards.

The James Criddle Foundation was established in 2022 in memory of James Criddle, who tragically died in a motorcycle accident while living in Bali. His mother, Rachael, one of the Foundation’s organisers, said the event continues to reflect his legacy.

“James would have been so proud of what has been achieved in his name,” she said. “We love working with Saundersfoot Runners on the annual Food Bank Run — they are one of our biggest supporters and their support means such a lot to local families, particularly at this difficult time of year.”

The Food Bank Run concept was originally created by Sarah Don through her running club in Fareham, Hampshire, as a way to collect donations for a local food bank. Following its success, the initiative grew into a national — and later international — movement in 2023, after a Facebook group encouraged clubs across the UK and beyond to organise similar events for their own communities.

Organisers say details of the 2027 Saundersfoot event will be announced on the Saundersfoot Runners Facebook page in due course.

Community

Suspicious cold-calling van reported across south Pembrokeshire

Published

1 day ago

February 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

RESIDENTS across several south Pembrokeshire communities have reported encounters with a suspicious cold-calling van, prompting warnings for householders to remain vigilant.

Reports shared on local community groups describe a man arriving uninvited at homes in areas including Llanteg, Pembroke Dock, Penally, St Florence and Saundersfoot over recent days.

One resident in Llanteg said she saw the driver get out of the van and head towards the rear of her property before being challenged. She said he claimed he was looking for homes with large gardens to sell items from the van, before leaving quickly when questioned.

The incident has been reported to Dyfed-Powys Police. Other residents have since reported sightings of what is believed to be the same vehicle, including along Hopsill Lane in Saundersfoot.

Some householders alleged the driver offered discounted garden furniture or plants, sometimes claiming he was working locally for hotels or venues and needed to sell surplus stock before returning to England.

The vehicle is described as carrying branding for “Greengrove Garden Centre,” which appears to correspond to a company registered in Cranleigh, Surrey in 2024.

A website linked to the business advertises teak garden furniture and lists a mobile contact number, but contains limited information about any physical retail premises. The Herald has contacted the company for comment.

There is currently no suggestion that the registered company itself is involved in any criminal activity, and it is not known whether the vehicle seen locally is legitimately connected to the business.

At this stage there is also no confirmation that any criminal offences have taken place. However, police and trading standards authorities regularly advise residents to be cautious of unexpected doorstep sellers, particularly where individuals attempt to access private areas of a property or use persuasive sales tactics.

Residents are advised not to allow unknown callers into their homes or gardens, to verify businesses independently, and to report suspicious behaviour via 101, or 999 in an emergency. Quote police reference number DP-20260219-148.

Anyone with information, dashcam footage or vehicle registration details is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police quoting the reference number.

Photo caption: Residents shared images of the van on social media after reports of cold-calling across south Pembrokeshire (Pic: Facebook).