My colleagues in Wales were delighted to host a visit by MEP Derek Vaughan (pictured on the right with RSPB Conservation Manager Sean Christian) to the Newport Wetlands national nature reserve.
Mr Vaughan was impressed with the reserve’s centre – thronged with half term families – and was keen to find out more about our work to save special places. Taking a walk onto the wider reserve, managed by The Countryside Council for Wales, he was amazed at how peaceful and tranquil the atmosphere was considering they were sitting on the edge of one of Wales’s largest cities.
The spectacular yellows and orange of the reed beds in the afternoon sun (yes the weather held out for them!) and the thousands of birds on the Severn Estuary was all they needed to convince him how much of a special site this is for wildlife and for people.
To mark the occasion he signed our Natura 2000 pledge – which highlights the need to protect our best wildlife sites and I’m sure he’ll agree Newport Wetlands is indeed one of our best.
Mr Vaughan said: “The visit was a real eye-opener for me. RSPB Cymru and its partners do a fantastic job, not only in helping the local bird and wildlife population thrive but also making the Reserve easily accessible to the general public from the surrounding areas. “We have some of the most beautiful places right on our doorstep here in Wales and I would encourage as many people as possible to sample what the Newport Wetlands has to offer.” To find out more about Derek Vaughan here.