Bird Surveys

Rangers from the Council’s Countryside Service have been working in partnership with staff and volunteers from the RSPB to carry out a series of bird surveys across some of the key countryside sites in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The surveys are a great way to gather baseline data about what birds are living in the areas we manage and what their distribution is. This information will help us plan up-coming habitat management and allow us to be more strategic in how we approach the work.

Baseline data is really important as it can highlight potentially sensitive areas and also areas that are of less concern. Continued surveying also allows us to evaluate the success of projects as any beneficial impacts will have a positive impact on bird numbers and distribution.

In order cover a larger area, we split into pairs and each pair had a section of the country park to focus on. As a Ranger I’m usually so busy that I don’t have the time to stop and take in the fantastic surroundings in which I work. The bird survey gave me a very welcome opportunity to visit some of the quieter areas and take the time to enjoy the beauty of the place.

Bird surveys can be very weather dependant, especially at Moel Famau Country Park. Luckily for us the conditions on the day were favourable and sightings included Red Kite, Skylark, Yellowhammer, Peregrine Falcon and lots of Meadow Pippets, among others.

The highlight of the day for me was seeing two Cuckoos – at two o’clock! You couldn’t make it up.

Further bird surveys are planned and if you would like to be involved, please contact the centre at Loggerheads on: loggerheads.countrypark@denbighshire.gov.uk

Saul Burton (Ranger)

Do your bit to help stamp out wildfires

Residents and businesses are being asked to take extra care this summer to avoid accidental wildfires.

“The recent dry weather has left many of the County’s moorland areas tinder dry and at higher risk to wildfires” said DCC Moorland Officer, Graham Berry. “A number of wildfires have already happened across Wales in the last month, including several within the Dee Valley. Wildfires at this time of year are incredibly damaging to wildlife and distressing to local communities and farmers.”

The Council and Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB are asking people to think twice about having a fire following another damaging wildfire on Llantysilio Mountain, burning over 100 acres of moorland in early June. Fire and Rescue Services across Wales responded to 2,253 grass fires in 2020, which saw an increase in the number of fires caused accidentally by 20%.

If you are planning a day out to the countryside, please do your bit to help eliminate the risk of wildfire by not having BBQ’s or campfires and bring a nice picnic instead. AONB Area Manager David Shiel said “we are excited to welcome visitors back to the countryside as Corona virus restrictions are slowly lifted, but we ask that visitors act responsibly and help us keep the AONB a safe and clean place for everyone to enjoy.”

               BBQ Damage at Bwlch y Groes, Llantysilio

If you have to have a fire, make sure you:

• Choose a day when conditions are suitable and less likely for fire to spread.
• Notify North Wales Fire & Rescue Service control room first on 01931 522006.
• Inform neighbouring land owners.
• Prepare the fire site to reduce risk of fire spreading.
• Have enough people and equipment to control the fire.
• Make sure the fire is out at the end of the day, it is illegal to leave a fire unattended.
• Check the next day to ensure it has not reignited.

Remember - If are out enjoying the countryside and you come across any suspicious activity, please call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or ring 101. In an emergency, always call 999.

New venture Drosi Bikes

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB’s Sustainable Development Fund is very pleased to support a new and exciting venture in Drosi Bikes Community Interest Company.

Drosi Bikes CIC seeks to address the lack of diversity in the cycling community and to offer accessible solutions to climate change. They do this by providing access to cycling education, support and equipment to empower more people to choose bikes instead of cars for everyday journeys.

Amongst other things the Sustainable Development Fund has supported Drosi Bikes to set up a Community Bike Workshop in Llangollen. The workshop aims to:

• promote bikes and e-bikes as a sustainable, low cost and low impact option for travel
• promote the circular economy and reduce waste going to landfill
• upskill, educate and empower underrepresented groups
• create an inclusive and accessible cycling community encouraging interaction and exploration of the local area

The Community Bike Workshop has all of the tools and information needed in order to achieve its two main purposes: repair, recycle and store discarded bikes and to run DIY workshops for members of the local community to learn about bike maintenance and the circular economy by using the tools and expertise to maintain their bikes and through access to information and volunteer opportunities. In addition to these, the workshop will be used to run cycle training classes and will have a small space dedicated to promoting other local community enterprises, particularly those focussing on environmental awareness.

Drosi Bikes also have an outreach programme holding pop-up bike repair workshops (Doctor Bikes) held in towns and villages across the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley and beyond and the first Doctor Bike workshop was recently held in Eryrs. These workshops are a prime opportunity to promote bikes and e-bikes as a low impact mode of travel.

To follow the good work of Drosi Bikes follow them via:

• Facebook: @drosibikes 
• Website: http://www.drosibikes.org/ 

Our new site in Llangollen - Wenffrwd Nature Reserve

A former landfill site at Wenffrwd on the outskirts of Llangollen has taken on a new lease of life.

The Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) team have worked together with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and European Rural Development Fund, to create a new nature reserve - or pocket park - on the former landfill site at Wenffrwd – just outside Llangollen.

Visitors are now able to use a small car park at the nature reserve and explore the new site by following the 0.5 miles of new surfaced path which winds through a variety of habitats and offers views of the River Dee and across the valley.

Huw Rees, Countryside and Heritage Services Manager, said: “It’s hard to imagine now that this whole mound of land is the result of several decades of tipping household waste from the Llangollen area” 

Up to 75,000 tonnes were dumped each year until it stopped receiving rubbish in the 1980s, although the transfer station was available for the local population until 2008. Since then, nature has done an excellent job at reclaiming the site, with lush wildflower meadows providing food for pollinators, and thick bramble offering safe areas for birds to nest and forage. Visitors can now enjoy views over the Dee Valley from the sunny meadow, as well as the cool shade of the woodland on a hot day.

Further work is planned this year, as we continue to work on creating links from this site to the canal and back to the Health Centre in Llangollen along the old railway line.

Dogs in the Countryside

With the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and the increase in visitor numbers into the country parks, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB was able to run it’s ‘Take the Lead’ campaign over the half term week at Moel Famau. The campaign encourages responsible dog walking in the countryside, by keeping dogs on leads around livestock and cleaning up all dog poo and taking it home if no bins are available.

The campaign emphasises that not only is it important to keep dogs on lead around livestock to prevent grazing animals being attacked, but there could also be ground nesting birds around, it’s important these birds are not disturbed, especially during the spring and summer months. Leaving your dog’s poo in a field where livestock graze can spread disease that can harm the animals. Bagged poo left hanging on trees or in a field are not only unsightly but also poses a risk to wildlife and grazing animals who can consume the plastic or get caught up in it.

The campaign has proven to be successful over the years, with this year being exceptionally important due to many puppies bought during lockdown being introduced to the countryside for the first time. The country park is a large open area of heathland, over 2000 acres with grazing sheep, lots of wildlife and other visitors. Many dogs are calm and focused when walking their usual local walk, however they can become distracted and behave differently when in a new environment where their sense of smell and chase instinct are easily stimulated. Although most dogs are not kept as pets, all dogs were originally bred to do a specific job and as such still have instinctive behaviour traits, their chasing and hunting instincts can still be present.

Staff were on site to promote the dogs on lead campaign meeting many visiting dog owners and offered free dog poo bags and leads to ensure all dogs were being walked responsibly in an area where livestock and ground nesting birds are present. As well as promoting responsible dog walking around livestock, staff were able to advise dog walkers about planning ahead before setting out on walks, being aware of heatstroke in dogs, offering information on different walk and other safety tips that they should be aware of, including checking dogs for ticks - owners should check for pea sized parasites when grooming after walking through heathland and grassy areas. Staff spoke to many new dog owners who had brought a puppy during the lockdown period, they were interested and thankful for the advice and freebies!

Launch of Dark Night Skies consultation

A public consultation has been launched on ‘Planning for Dark Night Skies: Supplementary Planning Guidance for lighting in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”.

The Council in partnership with Flintshire County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are seeking views on a draft Supplementary Planning Guidance note (SPG) for lighting in the AONB.

The SPG will provide advice and guidance for developers and others on good lighting design in the AONB.

The AONB is designated as a landscape of national importance and the primary purpose is to conserve and enhance its natural beauty.

One of the recognised special qualities of the AONB is its tranquil nature, which includes the opportunity to experience dark night skies. The AONB has some of the darkest skies in Wales and the draft SPG seeks to conserve and enhance this special quality by providing guidance for developers and others on dark sky friendly lighting design.

When approved by each of the Local Planning Authorities the SPG will be a material planning consideration in determining planning applications and appeals.

Cllr Tony Thomas, Chair of the AONB Joint Committee, said: “The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB is one of Wales’ most cherished landscapes. The area enjoys some of the darkest skies in Wales and provides opportunities to experience the wonders of a dark night sky.

“The SPG will help to conserve and enhance this special quality by raising awareness of the issue and promoting dark sky friendly lighting design.  We want to know what you think, and I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation process and to have their say on the draft SPG before the deadline on August 9.”

The three Local Planning Authorities and the AONB are keen to hear from a wide range of statutory and non-statutory organisations, town and community councils, voluntary groups and the general public as well as local planning consultants and agents.

Comments should be forwarded to Denbighshire County Council who are coordinating the consultation on behalf of the three Local Planning Authorities and the AONB.

Comments should be submitted by 5.00pm on 9 August 2021 using one of the following methods:

• by e-mail to: clwydianrangeaonb@denbighshire.gov.uk
• via the Denbighshire Consultation Portal, or in writing to Huw Rees, Countryside and Heritage Services Manager, Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, PO BOX 62, Ruthin LL15 9AZ

Any queries relating to the draft SPG or the consultation can be directed to the following contacts at each of the Local Planning Authorities:

• Denbighshire: planningpolicy@denbighshire.gov.uk phone: 01824 706916
• Flintshire: developmentplans@flintshire.gov.uk phone: 01352 703213
• Wrexham: planning_policy@wrexham.gov.uk phone: 01978 298994
• AONB Partnership: clwydianrangeaonb@denbighshire.gov.uk  phone: 01824 712735

The document can be viewed on the Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham or AONB websites and hard copies are available for inspection at Denbighshire’s public libraries.