Species 'at risk of vanishing' from area of Eryri National Park

Some of Wales' most endangered species are "at risk of vanishing" from a part of Eryri National Park. Experts warn that Nant Ffrancon, a valley in the park, is facing "serious ecological decline." Species like the mountain blackbird and mountain finch are in danger of disappearing.

Restoring Habitats in Eryri

A new £1 million project aims to restore and protect over 4,000 acres of habitats in Eryri, also known as Snowdonia. Simon Rogers from the National Trust said the situation is serious, calling it a "nature emergency." Many species in the valley are "on the brink of extinction."

Nant Ffrancon is a unique landscape, stretching from the high peaks of Cwm Idwal to the deep valleys of Dyffryn Ogwen. However, its habitats have declined. The project, led by the National Trust, will work with local communities, farmers, and volunteers.

Rogers highlighted the "unique variety of habitats" and the critical state of many species.

The ring ouzel, a bird on the red list, is a key focus. Its numbers have dropped significantly across the country, and Nant Ffrancon is one of its last strongholds. The project will study how these birds use the landscape and manage the land to help them survive.

Rare alpine flowers are also at risk. For example, the Tufted Saxifrage, found only in Cwm Idwal, had only seven individual plants at the start of the year. After a summer drought, only three survived in all of Wales. This puts them at a very high risk of extinction without intervention.

Another initiative benefiting from this work is Tlysau Mynydd Eryri (Mountain Jewels of Eryri). This project, led by Plantlife Cymru, aims to protect Wales' rarest alpine plants.

Innovative Solutions and Community Involvement

Ecological surveys and regular monitoring will track the project's impact. They will use species like the woodcock and otter, and plants such as aspen and juniper, to gauge the valley's health.

The project will also use GPS livestock collars for more precise grazing management. Rhys Wheldon-Roberts, Cwm Idwal Partnership Officer, explained that monitoring helps farmers graze cattle in the right areas, at the right densities, and at the right time. The collars allow farmers to move cattle around and see live data on their apps, making grazing more effective for both livestock and nature.

Community involvement and volunteering are also central to the work. Wheldon-Roberts noted opportunities for people to help with monitoring, volunteer, and learn about the landscape. School visits to Cwm Idwal will allow children to see the project's effects and how cattle contribute to conservation grazing. This aims to help people appreciate and protect the special landscape.

The Nature Networks Fund is providing nearly £1 million for the project. This fund is delivered by the Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh government, in partnership with Natural Resources Wales. Rogers believes the project will "set a foundation for the future," allowing recovery to continue for decades.