12th April
GWENT Wildlife Trust (GWT) says
rare cranes have returned to the Gwent Levels to breed on the route of the
proposed M4.
Common cranes died out across the
UK 400 years ago, so their return to the Gwent Levels has been welcomed, but
GWT warns another manmade threat is threatening their future - the proposed M4
motorway.
GWT have been contacted by a
number of members who have sighted the cranes in the past week or so, on and
around the Gwent Levels and their nature reserve at Barecroft Common, areas
where the proposed new M4 route will be built over.
It is thought the cranes spotted
come from The Great Crane Project, a reintroduction scheme which released 93
hand-reared cranes between 2010 and 2014 on the RSPB West Sedgemoor Reserve in
Somerset.
Thanks to the success of the
scheme for the past three years, a pair of cranes have flown from Somerset, to
breed on the Gwent Levels during the spring.
GWT’s deputy chief executive
Gemma Bodé said: “It is really exciting news that the cranes have chosen to
return to the Gwent Levels to breed once again. The precious habitat we have
here on the Levels is perfect for them as they need very quiet, secluded, wet
areas to breed successfully.
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