Blogs

Living in the middle of nowhere is difficult at the best of times. But when a global pandemic hits and you’re not allowed near civilisation, different challenges arise. Limited to brief once-weekly interactions with our boss and farm research assistant Marlies, and the occasional grunt and wave from the farmer Allan, it would be easy to start losing your mind a bit. Thankfully, spring was on hand.

We may be cooped up but lets take the opportunity to attract and nurture some of our garden friends, learning while we do.  I have written this from my own self isolation using what I can from around the house.

Find out more about our new collection of case studies of pioneering conservationists in the uplands.

We would like everyone in the community to know that we are here for anyone in these uncertain times during the Coronavirus crisis
Our helpline is open 24/7 and our support is available for any issue affecting a gamekeeper in work and at home, their families or in retirement and later life.

Here's a round-up of all the news from the GWCT last week.

We have just seen the publication of another journal paper from the Water Friendly Farming project, our collaborative project with the Freshwater Habitats Trust. The paper demonstrates for the first time the effect of creating new ponds on the number of aquatic plant species present in the landscape.

On 1^st April Lesley Griffiths the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs published a press release stating that there are a series of emergency measures to support Welsh farmers during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. 

Over the past month, thrush surveys have been the primary job here at Auchnerran. Luckily we have been able to continue this study despite the COVID-19 pandemic as we are based on the farm, which is in a remote location, and no travelling is required.

With many of us confined to our homes, much has been made of wildlife ‘returning’ to urban areas – mountain goats roaming the streets of  Llandudno for example – but what of the British countryside they usually call home?