Wildlife experts have revealed that a wood currently part of a fundraising campaign to secure it for the people of Montgomeryshire has become home to two new firsts in the area.
Habitat and species surveys undertaken at Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust’s (MWT) Dolforwyn Woods Nature Reserve, have revealed Wood Warblers and Pied Flycatchers which have never been recorded at the wood before.
The Trust, which is has mounted a fundraising campaign to buy the woods from private landowners, after leasing it from them, believes the sympathetic management of the nature reserve undertaken by staff and volunteers from MWT has made the site more attractive to these declining bird species.
Tammy Stretton, Conservation Officer for Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, said: “Having both of these species at the reserve is great news as they are both birds of conservation concern. Their presence indicates that it is a healthy site with good woodland habitat and structure; the best indicator that we can have that we’re doing things right."
Wood Warblers have declined by more than 60 per cent since 1995 and have a red listing (the most concerning) on the Birds of Conservation Concern report produced by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and partners. The reasons for the decline are unknown. Pied Flycatchers have an amber status on the report.
Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust currently lease Dolforwyn Woods from the landowner. That lease expires in December this year and unless the Trust is able to raise £140,000 to purchase the woodland, it will be put up for sale commercially.
There would be no guarantee that any new owner would continue to manage the site as a nature reserve.
Estelle Bailey, Chief Executive of the Trust, said: "We are urging the public to help us raise the £140,000 needed to purchase the wood so that we can safeguard its nature reserve status. From Wood Warblers to Dormice, we know that many rare species are dependent on Dolforwyn Woods."
If you would like to support the Dolforwyn Woods Appeal you can do so online at www.montwt.co.uk; send a cheque for your chosen amount payable to ‘Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust’ or text your donation to Mont03 with your chosen amount, to 70070.
The Trust is also asking people to consider fund raising activities that could support the appeal and would love to hear from anyone on 01938 555664.