18th January 2026

 Bore da pawb

Some exciting new projects beginning to come together.

This past week myself and some of the volunteers went out to look for suitable sites to place Pine Marten "nesting" boxes, a challenging task needing to mix solitude with accessibility; both for the animals and ourselves. We couldn't work to the suggested parameters, being limited to the size of Pembrey Country Park, but with three good sightings over the last few years the most recent of which was in May 2025 its worth doing what we can.

Due to the  weight of the boxes we will require additional help when we come to actually place them out, that's going to be interesting! Entrance is at the rear against the tree. 

Staying with the nest box theme we also put up a nesting box designed for Barn  Owls to use, I've also placed a remote camera nearby to record what species use it, some Jackdaws were already eyeing it up a few days after it was placed out!

(made of recycled plastic and donated, by the Carmarthenshire Bird Club several years ago, our box is orientated differently to the image)

Due to the recent cold spell, I delayed the monthly Snipe count, however an opportunity presented itself one morning last week when I was out with NRW officers, so when they left I counted the upper marsh with 98 Common Snipe and a single Jack Snipe recorded - sorry to my usual gang of helpers it was  spur of the moment decision.

[Jack Snipe to the left, common Snipe to the right]

I am still unable to reveal to much of conservation projects for 2026, just waiting for the final sign off from the funders! but watch this space!!!

January 1st 2026

 Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi i gyd.

Roedd 2025 yn flwyddyn brysur iawn, gyda phymtheg o brosiectau wedi'u cychwyn a thri ar ddeg wedi'u cwblhau, rydym wedi ymestyn caeau pori, gwella cynefinoedd presennol, creu cynefin newydd, plannu coed brodorol a blodau gwyllt, atgyweirio neu ailosod ffensys, gwarchod Ystlumod Bedol Fwyaf a mwy!

Mae ein gwirfoddolwyr cadwraeth anhygoel wedi cyfrif, ymlusgiaid, gwenyn a gloÿnnod byw, gwella cynefinoedd, ymgysylltu ag ymwelwyr ac wrth gwrs wedi codi sbwriel pobl eraill.

Rwyf eisoes yn gwybod bod 2026 yn mynd i fod yn flwyddyn gyffrous i gadwraeth yn Sir Gaerfyrddin, ni allaf ddatgelu gormod nawr felly gwyliwch y gofod hwn am y newyddion mawr, yn y cyfamser mae gen i naw prosiect yn barod i'w cyflwyno i gyllidwyr!

Shimmering Ruby-tail Chrysis fulgida (image from BWARS)

Happy New Year to you all.

2025 was a very busy year, with fifteen projects started and thirteen completed, we have extended grazing fields, improved existing habitats, created new habitat, planted native trees and wildflowers, repaired or replaced fences, protected Greater Horseshoe Bats and more!

Our amazing conservation volunteers have counted, reptiles, bees and butterflies, improved habitats, engaged with visitors and of course picked up other people’s litter.

I already know that 2026 is going to be an exciting year for conservation in Carmarthenshire, I cannot reveal too much now, so watch this space for the big news, in the meantime I have nine projects ready to submit to funders!

                                          ------------------------------------------------------

A visit to the, proposed, Ffynnon Helyg LNR saw me miss an Otter by seconds but I did find where it had been lying up, its often the signs left behind that are seen rather than the animal itself.

Otter "day nest"

Otter spraint

  

The Sand Martin nesting box structures seem to have survived being 50% submerged for weeks at a time, the next stage is preparing the nesting burrows for the returning birds, which really will not be long! A mix of sand and fine gravel will be used to fill the tunnels and nesting chambers allowing any adventurous Sand martins to create their own nests, I'll let you know how that goes !

Please don't expect a Blog every week in 2026, I will write one as and when I can.