Bringing good news to your feed 👍 Across South and West Wales we are working hard to protect, restore and safeguard nature. These are our happy headlines from the past few weeks ⬇️

Make your butterfly sightings count 🦋 It's the last few days to take part in the Big Butterfly count. By uploading simple information, you can help experts better understand how our fluttering friends are doing, and better protect their futures.

Say hello to the ocean wanderer ✈️ Manx Shearwaters are some of the ocean’s greatest travellers. Each year, they journey 6,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. Twice. This epic yearly migration adds up - Manx Shearwaters fly millions of miles in their lifetime.

We’re taking care of a new island! The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales is pleased to announce the 20-year lease of Middleholm Island from National Trust Cymru. Middleholm, along with Skomer, Skokholm, Cardigan and St Margaret’s, will become the fifth island in our care.

Introducing the latest members of our team 🐮 We recently welcomed two new cattle to Parc Slip Nature Reserve. We use conservation grazing at a number of our nature reserves as part of our land management. These grazing animals keep Bracken and Brambles at bay, helping rarer plants to thrive.

Who has a spiky shell and travels to shallow waters every summer? Say hello to the Spider Crab! 🦀 Every summer, Spiny Spider Crabs travel from deep to shallow coastal waters to moult, gathering in large groups to help protect them from predators. Safety in numbers.

After the driest July on record, drought has been declared across Wales. During extended heatwaves and drought, the risk of wildfires increases. Whether visiting the countryside, your local park, or a nature reserve, remember these top tips. #Wales #Drought #Wildfires #ClimateChange

Are the Bluefins back? A positive story of species recovery! 🐟 In the last decade, sightings of Bluefin Tuna have been increasing, likely due to improved management of fisheries. Our Marine Conservation team have seen this change first-hand.

Our photo of the month 🐦 "Often overlooked, but always fascinating to watch, they are a reminder that every species plays its part in making Skomer so special", says photographer Tanya. And we certainly agree! 📸 Meadow Pipit on Skomer Island. © Tanya Liepins.

One of the most intriguing marine animals... they visit our seas each summer to feast on jellyfish 🪼 These Sunfish must have heard that it's National Marine Week and come along to join the celebration!

West Coast Birdwatching@westcoastbirds.bsky.social · last wk.

We recorded a total of 13 Ocean Sunfish off the Pembrokeshire coast during our pelagic trip on Friday. Amazing creatures! #NationalMarineWeek @wtsww.bsky.social

Think Limpets are boring? Let us change your mind! ⬇️ You might know Limpets as the cone-shaped shells that you find clamped onto rocks. But there's more than meets the eye...

Happy National Marine Week! 🐋 This year we celebrate the ocean's Incredible Journeys. Nature is full of amazing journeys. From molluscs battling across rockpools to Arctic Terns soaring from pole to pole. Over the next two weeks we'll dive in together and learn about some of these adventures 🐟

Marvelling at moths 🦋 Our Wilder Engagement Officer, Chris, shares his love for moths and some of his favourite recent finds from moth-trapping:

Battle of the Balsam 🌸 Which one wins? With the help of volunteers, our team have been busy removing Himalayan Balsam from our reserves. Why? It's an invasive plant which spreads along riverbanks and can out-compete other plants. And it grows quickly, and tall. Sometimes very, very tall...

Ocean science, art and activities 🌊 National Marine Week begins on Saturday 25th July and we have an unmissable program of events for you at our @cbmwc.bsky.social

Have you been keeping up with our Manx Shearwater burrow cam? 🐣 The chick has hatched is growing bigger every day! Watch the webcam, live from Skomer Island ➡️ champ.ly/LOS3BuRb

Join our Board of Trustees 🤝 Are you dedicated to the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and want to help us help nature? This year the Board has three vacancies. Previous Board or Trustee experience is not necessary. Find out more ➡️ welshwildlife.org/trustees Apply by Monday 24th August

Shirley's fundraiser for island access 🛥️ Earlier this month, Shirley Matthews completed an amazing fundraising challenge. She did five sponsored walks around our nature reserves, all in aid of improving access to Skomer and Skokholm Islands.

EVENT CANCELLED ❌ Due to staff illness, we unfortunately have to cancel our Meadow Moths at Pwll Waun Cynon event on Saturday 18th July. All signed-up attendees have been contacted and we apologise for any disappointment. 📸 Six-spot Burnet: © Neil Aldridge

Hot off the press 🦋 Your summer read is here! The summer edition of our Wild magazine has just dropped. If you'd like to receive our magazine, packed with exciting nature news from South & West Wales, become a member today. Become a member ➡️ welshwildlife.org/become-member 📸 Molly Johns

Our refreshed strategy is here 🦋 It sets out our targets for restoring nature and connecting people with wildlife, and how we will get there. This vision for people and wildlife in Wales will take us up to 2030. Read the full strategy in English and Welsh ➡️ welshwildlife.org/our-strategy

Good news for Gower habitats 🌳 Our conservation team recently carried out woodland and grassland condition assessments on two of our reserves in Gower, Gelli Hir Woods, and Prior's Wood and Meadow. The result... ➡️ All the habitats across the two sites came out as being in favourable condition.

Have you written your Will? If you are in the half of UK adults that has not yet written a Will, now is the perfect opportunity. You can ensure that your loved ones are provided for and the causes that you care about are supported. 📸 Jon Hawkins – Surrey Hills Photography

Wildlife Recording Day at Parc Slip Nature Reserve 🐛 Saturday 11th July, 10-3 Join us for a wildlife walk around Parc Slip, learning about the species found on the site and how to record them. A perfect way to celebrate Wales Nature Week! 🌿

Do you know your county flower? Wales Nature Week is here, and we're diving into the county flowers of South and West Wales! These wildflower species were assigned to the historic counties of Wales by Plantlife in a 2002 survey. 📸 Thrift, Lara Howe

Ever seen a Nightjar? It's no easy feat! 🐦 You might have spotted them as a silhouette flying across the sky at dusk. Or, heard their eerie mechanical call. Read about Nightjars, how to spot them and where they feature in folklore and mythology ➡️ champ.ly/LmLcN2k9 📸 David Tipling/2020VISION

Ahoy! 🏴‍☠️ The pirates have been up to good this time We'd like to say a big thank you to the Pirate Society at Aberystwyth University for their fundraising efforts. They recently held a community bake sale and raised £115.60 to support our work conserving seabird populations.

Afancod, da byw yn pori, chwilod y dom, y gylfinir, gwrychoedd a chyflwynydd cyfres ‘Ffermio’ S4C, Alun Elidyr. Fe welwch chi nhw i gyd yn Cynefin 2026 ym mis Medi! Mae'r rhaglen lawn bellach ar gael. 📅 12-13 Medi, Aberhonddu, Cymru 🎟️https://champ.ly/y86EVc6V Cyhoeddir mwy o siaradwyr yn fuan.

Which wildlife do you want to feature on the UK's new banknotes? 🐦🐬🦔 Don't miss out, you have until 3rd July to vote for your favourites. Choose the species you think should be celebrated (we wish we could pick them all!) Cast your vote ➡️ champ.ly/phddOZk8

Bringing nature into your life could look like spending weekends at nature reserves and becoming a bird identification pro. But it could also look like this. As 30 Days Wild comes to an end, think about ways of making your life a little more wild throughout the rest of the year.