Media release 03 August 2006
Rare bird footage goes live at Afan Forest Park Exclusive live footage from a honey buzzard nest - one of the UK’s rarest breeding bird species - will be shown at the Afan Forest Park visitor centre in the Afan valley in Port Talbot from today (Thursday 3 August). The Honey Buzzards – Raptors of the Forest project is one of five 'Aren't Birds Brilliant!' projects in Wales and is run jointly between RSPB Cymru, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Forestry Commission Wales and the Wales Raptor Study Group. The adult birds featured in the project are currently raising two chicks, which hatched at the secret south Wales nest sometime around Tuesday 11 July. Visitors to the project will be able to watch footage of the birds as they feed on the nest, and will see the chicks grow over the coming weeks before eventually taking their first flights. In 2005, more than 5000 people enjoyed the project, which featured a different honey buzzard pair raising their two chicks. Sadly, neither chick survived. In the first few weeks after hatching, one chick was blown from the nest in high winds, the second was predated. Cathie Hasler of RSPB Cymru said: ‘We need to be secretive about the location of the nest as honey buzzards are a prime target for egg collectors and could be unintentionally disturbed by over-enthusiastic bird-watchers. They are spectacular birds but very elusive, which is why this project is so unique. It gives people the chance to get close-up views of the birds as they go about life in their natural habitat. The chicks are already getting very active, stretching their wings and exploring their nest. It will make fascinating viewing! ’ The birds are called honey buzzards because they are the only bird of prey to predominately feed on the nests, larvae, pupae and adults of wasps, bees and hornets. The birds follow flying insects to the nest and dig as deep as 40cm with their feet to reach their prey. They have bristly, well-packed feathers on their faces to protect them from stings. The two chicks at the south Wales nest will have rings placed on their legs by an experienced team of licensed ringers on Friday 04 August, so that they can be identified if they return in the future. Experienced field workers estimate that there are around 100 pairs of honey buzzards breeding in the UK. The inconspicuous behaviour of the birds means a thorough survey would require specialist field skills and many people are also reluctant to report sightings of the birds in case they are then disturbed or persecuted. ‘Honey Buzzards – Raptors of the Forest’ will be open to visitors at Afan Forest Park until the end of August. It is free of charge, but there is a small car park fee at the centre. This project is part of Aren’t Welsh Birds Brilliant!’ a partnership between RSPB Cymru, Forestry Commission Wales and the Countryside Council for Wales, which is funded by the European Union’s Objective One programme, through the Welsh Assembly Government, and Enfys.
Anyone wishing to catch up with the nest action from home, can log onto http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6S9HK8 where live images from the nest cam are being shown. Ends
For further information, or to arrange interviews, please contact Chris Tucker, FC Wales Conservation Manager
Tel: 0845 604 0845
Email: chris.tucker@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Clive Davies, FC Wales Information Officer
Tel: 0845 604 0845
Email: clive.davies@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
The Afan Forest Park visitor centre is in Port Talbot, on the A4107, six miles from junction 40 of the M4. Notes for editors For more details about Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, please telephone Pam Creecraft (01639) 763308 email media@npt.gov.uk or visit www.neath-porttalbot.gov.uk For more details about Forestry Commission Wales, please telephone 0845 604 0845 email fcwales@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or visit www.forestry.gov.uk/wales For more details about Wales Raptor Study Group, please contact Steve Roberts on 01873 840279.
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