Verity Picken
veritypicken.bsky.social
Verity Picken
@veritypicken.bsky.social
Reposted by Verity Picken
(1/) The distinctive Curlew, with its evocative, bubbling calls declined by 51% between 1995 and 2023 across the UK. This decline was particularly significant in Wales, where it declined by 76%. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology
November 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Verity Picken
It’s almost crunch time. Next week Peers will vote for or against swift bricks. To help swifts, please email steve.reed.mp@parliament.uk & james.cleverly.mp@parliament.uk who are crucial to the decision. Ask them to SAVE OUR SWIFTS ‼️put SWIFT BRICKS in the subject line 🙏
October 23, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Reposted by Verity Picken
The Swifts don't know (they're whizzing around over Africa now) but it's their big day @senedd.wales. I'm on BBC Radio #Wales in a few minutes talking about the petition to mandate Swift Bricks in new buildings, started by @juliabarrell.bsky.social

www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/take-action/...
October 1, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Reposted by Verity Picken
A reminder that we will be holding an indoor meeting this coming Saturday. All are welcome. #gwentbirding #birdingwales
September 29, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Reposted by Verity Picken
GOS is excited to announce we will be resuming our indoor events next month, beginning with a talk, The Wonders of Botswana, presented by the bird book author and wildlife expert, Nev Davies. #birdingwales
www.gwentbirds.org.uk/2025/08/05/i...
August 5, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Gwent's first Curlew fledgling of the year took to the skies today! Fingers crossed for more. #gwentbirds #birdingWales #curlew @curlewaction.bsky.social
July 16, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Reposted by Verity Picken
Not a nice one to write today…

New findings have revealed extensive environmental damage from a solar farm on the protected Gwent Levels.
nation.cymru/news/new-fin...
New findings reveal extensive environmental damage to sensitive Gwent Levels
Emily Price  New findings have revealed extensive environmental damage from a solar plant on a sensitive wetland landscape in south-east Wales. Newport’s protected Gwent Levels stretch along the banks...
nation.cymru
July 9, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Another Curlew chick spotted! That's the 4th Gwent site where chicks have been confirmed and we're watching several more where we suspect chicks; they're very adept at hiding so don't make life easy for Curlew observers! #gwentbirds #birdingWales
June 24, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Reposted by Verity Picken
Great to hear @senedd.wales #Curlew champion Mark Isherwood asking @welshgovernment.bsky.social how farmers will be empowered to save species through the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

Heartened to hear @huwirrancadaviesms.bsky.social support for Curlew Recovery Plan.

www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Clip...
Plenary
The Senedd is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people, makes laws for Wales, agrees Welsh taxes and holds the Welsh Government to account.
www.senedd.tv
May 22, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Two Curlew nests found in Gwent today! #gwentbirds #birdingWales
May 9, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Reposted by Verity Picken
Hi All, The Society will be hosting its next indoor event this coming weekend on Saturday 5th April 2025. Jon Avon will be talking about Curlew conservation. All are welcome.
March 30, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Reposted by Verity Picken
It's back! The government have announced that the GCSE in Natural History is going ahead!
March 21, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Curlews reported from 13 locations in Gwent over the last few days! I'm sure there are still more to come so please keep sending your sightings to curlew@gwentbirds.org.uk . #gwentbirds #birdingwales
March 9, 2025 at 7:08 PM
A second Curlew back on the breeding grounds! Please send all sightings (and calls heard) to curlew@gwentbirds.org.uk . If we know where they are we can do our best to save them. #gwentbirds #birdingWales
February 25, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Gwent’s first Curlew of the year is back! A week earlier than usual. #Gwentbirds #Walesbirding
February 22, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Reposted by Verity Picken
A powerfully-worded report from the @senedd.wales committee that reviewed @welshgovernment.bsky.social progress on halting and reversing loss of nature by 2030. #Curlew is a well-chosen symbol of the extinction risk. Save them, lots of other nature is saved too.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Wales failing to tackle alarming decline in nature, report finds
One in six Welsh species threatened with extinction but report says Welsh government lacks ‘action and investment’
www.theguardian.com
January 20, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Greenfinch numbers definitely increasing - at least 27 in the garden just now. #gwentbirds #birdingWales
January 19, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Goldeneye pair on the river south of Usk #gwentbirding #birdingWales
January 3, 2025 at 8:36 PM