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After surviving the last few weeks weather, this bright week really feels like it’s brought energy to everything.
As part of my job this week I’ve been lucky enough to spend a couple of days experiencing and enjoying two equally wonderful yet completely contrasting habitats in North Wales.
On Monday I was out with two groups of local teenagers on a blanket bog just outside Ysbyty Ifan with Snowdonia National Park and National Trust staff. I have to say, that was a glorious day I couldn’t help but have a smile on my face with the sun shining and the backdrop of Snowdonia showing itself at its best in the distance. We were collecting data about the vegetation, water level, pH and peat depth, comparing areas of different elevation. The pupils were full of energy which added to the fun as they jumped up and down on the undulating bog, trying not to step into pools (a couple failed, I know how that feels! I’ve walked around with my feet squelching inside my wellies quite often enough!). Sadly I wasn’t surprised to hear how few of them had ever been up to the area before, even though it’s only half an hour up the road from their school! One of the highlights was seeing a spectacular Red Kite gliding over head just as we were heading back to the minibus. A stunning bird showing off its plumage in the midday sun.
Tuesday saw me out with our loyal volunteers at Llandegla Forest making preparations for this season’s Black Grouse Walks. They’re a great group to be with, with so many different experiences and interests we had a great time. I’ll hopefully get to joint them on one of the walks one week, and at last finally see my first ever Black Grouse after a lovely walk through the forest. I always feel like a cheat speaking to people about these magnificent birds and how lucky we are to have them in North Wales, without actually ever having seen one myself! So hopefully I can change that this year. If you would like more details about this year’s black grouse walks follow this link to the relevant webpage http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/146947-ghosts-of-the-forest-black-grouse-watch-
That’s not for a couple of weeks though, first I’m hoping for continued good weather and looking forward to tackling some conifers and brambles with volunteers at Llyn Brenig on Saturday (http://www.rspb.org.uk/volunteering/6963-practical-conservation-tasks-llyn-brenig-cerrigydrudion) before settling down to watch the rugby on Sunday! C’mon Cymru!