I have continued to focus on the new project, Land of the Curlew, this month. Curlew chicks are beginning to venture from their nests, and it’s my job to monitor them until they fledge.
Land of the Curlew – update
This season of the new project has been about reintroducing the new team to some of the landowners and farmers we wish to work with. This includes contacts from the last project, Curlew Connections Wales, and new contacts with new curlew territories.
Therefore, whilst we settle into the new project, my role has mostly consisted of monitoring known breeding grounds of this year, and observing breeding and fledging successes. This month, I have seen Curlew chicks running across fields for the first time! There has been some special sights, and I wish the chicks luck in fledging next month!
Da Byw Livestock Farming Conference
Da Byw was an excellent way to hear from new members of the Senedd, whilst also learning some interesting sides to agroecology.
The key message from this conference was clear: a correct balance between nature and agriculture must exist to maintain important economic input for farmers and a sustainable working farming system.
There were many panels throughout the day discussing many agricultural topics. However, the most interesting for me is when the politicians took to the stage, including the current cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, Llyr Gruffydd. There were some particularly relevant questions put to this panel surrounding how to tackle the major issues in Welsh farming today, such as funding through SFS (Sustainable Farming Scheme) and helping to tackle agricultural pollution. The responses from Llyr were positive, as he showed understanding of the urgency of moving forwards with farmers. However the opposition on the panel highlighted the ‘glass half empty’ view of the SFS uptake, saying that about 50% uptake of the scheme showed lack of trust and involvement from farmers. It will be interesting to see the direction a Plaid Cymru majority Senedd will take, and whether they can gain the trust of the Welsh farming community.
The day ended for me with a walk of the host farm near Dolwen. My group stopped off at learning stations across the way, including my favourite delivered by Claire Whittle from Dung Beetles for Farmers. I never knew there were so many kinds of dung beetles in the UK and their wide ecological roles they play. Something I definitely did not expect to learn about that day, but very thankful I did!
