Cylchgronau Cymru

Nature in Wales and the Marches 1976 The 'great' drought. The droughts of 1975 and 1976 combine to produce the severest in southern Britain since meteorological records began. They are variously described as, 'the greatest natural disaster to have hit the UK in modern times' and the 'costliest drought ever in Britain'. Every day from 25 June to 7 July 1976, for example, temperatures reach, or exceed, 32°C at one or more of the stations listed in the Daily Weather Report. This is easily the longest period on record. Not surprisingly, a large number of articles and reports are written. On the official side the NWC and CWPU both publish reports and, on the other, Evelyn Cox keeps a diary of life on a Welsh hill farm (Hutchinson 1978). The University of Bristol issues Effects of the 1975-76 drought on wildlife (1978), but the most comprehensive study is contained in the Institute of British Geographers' Atlas of the drought, by Gregory & Doornkamp (1980), probably the world's first systematic study of the nature, incidence and effects of a natural hazard. Ladybird invasion. One result of the unusual weather is the vast swarm of ladybirds. The 7-spot ladybird (Coccinella 7 -punctata), for example, is reported in vast numbers in many parts of the country, to the extent of becoming a considerable nuisance. A concentrated invasion at Ynyslas Dunes in July causes distress and alarm to hundreds of holiday makers. The reasons for the invasion are complicated, but the weather has certainly played a large part. The CITES (Washington) Convention. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Washington, March 1973) becomes operative in Britain on 1 January 1976 with the introduction of a licensing system to control the imports and exports of rare species. The delay is due mainly to the need to include as many as possible of the Dependent Territories. The Convention came into force in most other countries on 1 July 1975. The Wetlands (Ramsar) Convention. The Government ratifies its signature to the 1955-1985 (Continued) D. A. Bassett 'Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat' on 5 January; appropriately just as the European Wetlands Campaign is launched. The Convention, adopted at Ramsar in Iran in Febuary 1971, is unique in that the contracting parties undertake to replace as far as possible any loss of wetland resources caused by deletion or restriction of a listed site in the 'urgent national interest'. Among the thirteen wetlands listed in Britain are Cors Fochno and the Dyfi Marshes-the former being the largest and most important area of undamaged raised mire surface now remaining in Britain. European Wetlands Campaign. The theme of the biennial publicity campaign of the Council of Europe's Information Centre (for 1976) is the conservation and management of wetlands. The Campaign in Britain is launched in February. Among the events is a 'Wetlands Exercise' organised jointly by MAFF and FWAG at the Cheshire Agricultural College in April. SPNR becomes SPNC. The Society for the Promotion of Nature Reserves (SPNR), founded in 1912 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1916, is granted a new charter which broadens its objectives and renames it the Society for the Promotion of Nature Conservation (SPNC). Three new voluntary bodies are formed: the Joint Otter Working Group (set up by representatives of SPNC and NCC to consider the whole question of otter conservation); the Severn Estuary Conservation Group (established by fifteen local and national organisations to help safeguard the Severn estuary and its wildlife); and the Biology Curators' Group. The BBNP's Residential Study Centre at Talybont-on-Usk is opened; the FSC's field centre at Preston Montford is extended to provide a teaching and research laboratory and accommodation for staff and students; and WWNT announces that the Skokholm Bird Observatory-the oldest in Britain-is to close from 30 September 1976. New Statutory Bodies. Three new statutory bodies are created at this time: the Land Authority for Wales under the Common Land Act 1975; the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) under the Welsh Development Agency Act 1975; and the Development Board for Rural Wales (DBRW) under the Development of Rural Wales Act 1976. The purposes for which the WDA is established are fourfold: to further the economic development of Wales or any part of Wales; to promote industrial efficiency and international competitiveness in Wales; to provide, maintain or safeguard employment in any part of Wales; to further the improvement of the environment in Wales (having regard to existing amenity). Skomer Marine Reserve. Proposals put forward in 1972 during a period of rising concern over the increased impact of under-water activity (both by recreational divers and commercial fishing) upon the ecology of sublittoral areas, leads, in 1974, to the establishment of a Steering Committee to consider the possibility of establishing a non-statutory marine reserve around Skomer. The Committee contains representatives of RSPB, NCC, FSC, WWNT, Pembrokeshire Coast NP, British Sub-Aqua Club, The Welsh Association of Sub-Aqua Clubs and an observer from the South Wales Fisheries Committee. In August 1976 a non- statutory reserve is established and a Management Plan published. The boundary line of the reserve is approximately 0-4 km offshore, thus enclosing an area of about 4 sq. m. of sea around Skomer, Midland Island and the Marloes Peninsula. NCC purchases over 900 acres of the Cadair Idris NNR (previously managed under an agreement with the owner) and acquires Llyn Mire, near Builth Wells, by compulsory purchase order. Access for the disabled. The Disabled Living Foundation campaigns for greater access and facilities for disabled people on nature reserves. Among the responses in Wales, the Llanelli Naturalists organise two field meetings to which handicapped people are invited; and the Garth Falls Walk, near Betws y Coed (specially constructed with the handicapped and elderly in mind), is opened to the public by the FC.