NEWS & VIEWS ABOUT NORTH WALES WILDLIFE
LATEST:
11/03/2026 A worrying report has found elevated levels of the chemicals used in spot on flea and tick treatments for dogs and cats in Welsh rivers and streams. This is shown to be killing aquatic insects. Concentrations were sometimes up to 45 times above the safe level. The research, led by Prof Steve Ormerod together with Natural Resources Wales, indicates that this may be from people applying spot on and afterwards either washing the animal in the shower or washing their bedding. Drains can route the chamicals into small urban streams in particular.
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We should all think about when and how we apply spot on treatments - our rivers and streams don't need any further problems. Read the full article here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cze0j2dgkx4o
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SPRING NEWS: A lone Sand Martin has been spotted over Cors Ddyga on Ynys Mon and Frog Spawn is appearing in ponds, a sure sign the season is changing.
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PLEASE BE AWARE that now is the time many birds and animals are being their breeding season so make sure to give them space and don't be tempted to approach. Raptors, Black Grouse, Adders and many others need that space to be successful. Thank you
04/02/2026 Would you like to volunteer to help our rivers and streams. The North Wales Rivers Trust is asking for volunteers to become River Ambassadors.
If you're interested - go to their website https://northwalesriverstrust.org to find out what you can do
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EARLY 2026 has been good for birdwatching in North Wales and we have had some interesting visitors!
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A Lesser Yellowlegs on the Afon Clwyd in Rhyl; Surf Scoter amongst the Common Scoter off Colwyn Bay and a Mediterranean Gull giving a fly past here; Black Redstart at Horton's Nose Rhyl and a Shore Lark on the Great Orme Llandudno.
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If you are planning to come to the area, here are some suggestions for places to visit:
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Rhos Point, Rhos on Sea has the annual gathering of Purple Sandpipers now together with Oystercacher and Turnstones amongst the rocks - all busy as the tide turns.
The RSPB Reserve at Cors Ddyga, Pentre Berw Ynys Mon (Anglesey) is now busy with geese, waders, ducks, raptors and much more - well worth a visit as it's easy to get around on well laid paths.
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Llyn Celanedd Reseve (formerly known as The Spinnies) at the mouth of the Afon Ogwen is almost certain to give good views of the "resident" Kingfisher and has comfortable hides although at the time of writing (early February) one is flooded!
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Big Pool Wood at Talacre has a Cetti's Warbler showing itself near one of the hides and here too is a regular Kingfisher.
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If you want to see Red Squirrels, visit the Dingle Reserve at Llangefni Ynys Mon. This is another delightful area with boardwalks laid to get you around. Another top squirrel spotting location is Llyn Parc Mawr, Newborough Forest, again on Anglesey which has 60% of Welsh Red Squirrels.
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There is so much more to share about North Wales and its wildlife and landscape so please visit again as the seasons move on and we update this roundup of what to see.
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WARNING - This report does not make easy reading
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04/02/2026 Published today the Wales Habitats Regulations 9A Summary Report (2019–2024) — is an important document that deserves far more public attention than it is likely to get.
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This report from Natural Resources Wales gives the true picture of what is happening to wildlife, habitats and biodiversity in Wales. Things need to change and organisations like the North Wales Rivers Trust need all the support they can get.
Some bad news about Welsh rivers
We all know about phosphates - think Wye and Usk - but now it seems more of our SAC (Special Areas of Conservation) rivers are in trouble.
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In north west Wales the Afon Eden and Gwyrfai have now missed the phosphate target according to NRW. These two lovely small rivers join the Teifi, Cleddau, Dee, Usk and the Wye on this sad list.
This is a significant deterioration since the last assessment in 2021and puts water quality and even more wildlife at risk.
Afon Eden
