Wetlands project sees first feathered guests arrive

A makeover of a Denbighshire wetland is already providing popular with feathered visitors.

The Council has worked in partnership with Balfour Beatty to develop land at the Morfa, a 35-acre wetland in Prestatyn.

Three ponds have been created at the site opposite the Morfa Woods with the aim to protect and support local biodiversity, invertebrates, mammals, birds and plant life.

And the new-look site has already been visited recently by Egrets and Mallards.

Balfour Beatty, who worked on Rhyl East Flood Defence Scheme, provided support as part of their commitment with the Council in providing local community benefits.

And contractor Arwyn Parry dug out and profiled the ponds on site.

Welsh Government via their ENRaW grant scheme contributed towards the actual purchase of the land and to develop it as an important wetland resource over a three year period.

The land had previously been in private ownership

Councillor Tony Thomas, the Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “We are grateful for all the work on this site by everyone involved. It is good to hear that already the work is playing its part in attracting wildlife to the area

“We do hope that this site becomes a firm fixture in the local community and we also welcome support from nearby residents who want to get involved in managing the wetlands. For example, we have already run volunteer events to help with seeding, surveying the ponds and looking for what animals may take up residence in the new look landscape.

“We also would welcome support for a survey of our sustainable grazing project involving Belted Galloway cattle who are helping us to manage the landscape by keeping the grass length down.”

A wooden viewing platform already in place on the site boundary is soon to be joined by two others to provide wide views of the wetland life.

Plans are also in motion to clear a series of draining channels on the site to help support local Water Voles by bringing back a natural habitat for the endangered species.

The wetland also sits next to the Prestatyn gutter and forms a natural sink during times of high rainfall, acting as an important flood defence. As the site returns to its natural form, without all the current vegetation, its water storage capacity will increase.