An appeal has been launched to help connect curlews with much needed protection this season.

The Clwydian Range & Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is taking part in the ‘Curlew Connections Wales’ project, a Curlew Recovery Wales partnership project working with Bannau Brycheiniog and GWCT.

It is under the all-Wales partnership project Gylfinir Cymru an all-Wales partnership project that aims to help breeding curlew across the country, including Denbighshire.

This work to protect the curlews across 12 areas in Wales is funded by Welsh Government through the Heritage Lottery fund (HLF).

The projects covers the current AONB area which includes large areas of Denbighshire, parts of Flintshire and parts of Wrexham.

To help get the right support and protection to the birds in the area, the project team is keen to work with community volunteers to monitor sights and sounds of curlews on the land.

Local Curlew and People Officer Sam Kenyon explained: “The curlew is under threat across the whole of the UK due to habitat loss, earlier forage cuts during nesting season and the impact of predation on the birds.

“What we will be doing shortly is monitoring and surveying this Spring to get a good idea of where we need to target our efforts rurally. As it’s such a big area to cover, we are looking for support from local community members to help us locate curlews through sightings and sounds off public access areas and also take part in monitoring throughout the season.

“We would support anyone interested in volunteering to help these rare birds survive in the area and it’s also a great opportunity for getting outdoors to help not just the curlew’s wellbeing but your own as well.”

For further information on the project or to report any sightings or hearings of curlews in the areas listed through using What 3 Words please email samantha.kenyon@denbighshire.gov.uk

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and Biodiversity Champion, said: “This is a very important project for the curlew that was once a popular sight not just in Denbighshire and North Wales but across the whole of the UK. I’m grateful that this project and funding allows the AONB to really push forward with protecting the curlews we have, and I would encourage those interested to volunteer to help the populations to survive and hopefully grow in the future.

Keen walkers are being invited to put their best foot forward to explore a country park.

Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB countryside rangers are continuing a series of guided walks around Loggerheads County Park to help people explore the area and enjoy the benefits of the outdoors for their mental and physical well-being.

The park sits below the limestone cliffs of the Alyn Valley where the river enters steep wooded gorges, and open and secluded grasslands. Limestone influences all parts of the park shaping the look of the landscape and influencing plants that grow there.

Loggerheads also holds a rich heritage history with the rock in the area mined for lead during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The rangers team recently held a Winter Ranger Walk which guided a group around the current seasonal influence on the park giving people a chance to enjoy the benefits of being outdoors and learn about the area.

Countryside Ranger Imogen Hammond explained: “We recently welcomed members of the public for what we’re hoping to make a quarterly weekend seasonal walk round Loggerheads Country Park.

“We had a great turnout of 19 people and had a great discussion on winter plants, ongoing ash dieback works, habitat management works and the vital role of our team of volunteers!”

The next guided walk by the rangers at Loggerheads Country Park will be on Thursday March 28 from Loggerheads to Devil’s Gorge to lean about the legacy of lead mining in the area. The following month on Saturday April 20 there will be a guided springtime walk at the park.

For further information or to book onto a walk, contact imogen.hammond@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Councillor Win Mullen-James, Denbighshire Cabinet Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “Getting outdoors is so important for boosting physical and mental health and I would encourage anyone to join these fantastic guided walks by the rangers to learn about the management and history of Loggerheads while enjoying the benefits being outdoors can bring to your own well-being.”