4 hours Ago
Wyn and Lisa Morton, who run a farm in the Rhydtalog area near Llandegla, have joined a group of farmers to support curlews. This initiative is part of the 'Curlew Connections Wales' project, spearheaded by Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscapes. The project aims to protect the bird, which has been severely threatened and is on the 'Red List' of UK Birds of Conservation Concern, having lost more than 80 per cent of its breeding population since the 1990s.
The Mortons have been operating their farm, which consists of semi-improved pasture on undulating loam and peat over silica rock, for 40 years. Having taken the reins from his father, Wyn now farms with his son, John, the fourth generation on this family farm. Reflecting on their first year of supporting the project run by local curlew and people officer Sam Kenyon, Mr Morton said: "I’ve always enjoyed having the wildlife aspect of our farm over the years and being aware of the variety of wildlife on different areas of the farm, both native and migrating species.
" "We’ve been encouraged by the passion of our newly appointed curlew officer. "It’s inspired us to play a more active role in managing for the curlew." The project is part of a broader, collaborative effort across the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscapes area to protect the birds.
It is funded by the Welsh Government through the Heritage Lottery Fund and covers a large area of Denbighshire, as well as parts of Flintshire and Wrexham. This year, approximately 36 curlew pairs were located, and electric fences were put up around a few nests to protect the birds and eggs from predation. Mr Morton said: "Sometimes simple management can help on peripheral areas of less productive land.
"Unfortunately in the more modern agricultural climate it has become that full utilisation of agricultural land is essential for the well-being of the farming enterprise. "Obviously practical experience of project staff and financial incentives soften the blow to encourage the involvement of interested farming families." As the project looks towards its second breeding season in 2025, more farming help is needed to give curlews the best chance of survival.
Mr Morton added: "If you found that you have the habitat for ground nesting birds, you might find the land is earmarked by the curlews and if like our situation, it may be some of your less productive land which lends itself to a few simple management changes. "Changes which the Curlew Connections Wales project are more than happy to help implement." Local curlew and people officer Sam Kenyon said: "I want to thank Wyn and all our supportive farmers on the project, we couldn’t monitor and protect the local population of our endangered, and practically hefted, curlew without them.
" Councillor Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport and biodiversity champion, said: "This is an important project for a bird that was once a popular sight not just in Denbighshire and North Wales but across the whole of the UK.".
