Scandinavian Redwings arrive at Gelli Aur
The Scandinavian Redwing has found a snow-locked undisturbed home from home at Gelli Aur Country Park.
The 60-acre 600-year-old parkland managed by Carmarthenshire County Council has become a snow-bound winter wonderland for more than a week only accessible by 4x4 park rangers because of more than a foot of snow that is blocking entrance roads and park trails.
The redwings, just a little smaller than the song thrush, have been arriving in flocks to escape their Scandinavian homeland winter but have found the conditions at the Llandeilo park not much better.
Senior park ranger Mike Smith, one of only three rangers who have been able to access the park in their 4x4’s, said it had been quite amazing to see how the wildlife, birds and animals had adapted to the weather conditions where humans had failed.
He said: “The woodlands are a maze of animal tracks including fox, rabbit and deer and bird prints with on the odd ranger boot treads in contrast. It is a privilege to look after this 600-year-old estate parkland and especially see it in these unusual conditions.
“The redwings are foraging like other birds here for the winter berries and other food but must be surprised by the weight on snow adorning trees and carpeting the ground.”
One of the reasons why the snow has persisted so long at the park is that it has a northerly aspect catching little sun so there has been no thaw in the continuing freezing conditions.
The 20-acre deer park has around 20 fallow deer. During the hey-day of the estate the deer park was once 400 acres with 600 head of deer. There are two types of fallow deer at Gelli Aur those with dark brown coats and those with white-spotted light brown coats.
The Mansions, battlemented portico and tall polygonal chimney stacks, is an impressive building and especially more so in the snow.
The parks arboretum, or tree collection, is 10-acres of mature trees and shrubs. The arboretum was planted in the 1860's by the Cawdor's head gardener, William Hill. Mature trees include Giant Redwood, Monterey Pine and Fern-Leaved Beech. The rhododendrons and azaleas are at their best in May. Recent planting has been carried out by the County Council to ensure the continuity of this outstanding feature.
The arboretum, or tree collection, is 10-acres of mature trees and shrubs. Mature trees include Giant Redwood, Monterey Pine and Fern-Leaved Beech.
County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “Gelli Aur is one of the county’s treasured attractions and it such a shame that it has had to be closed for safety reasons because of the weather conditions. But it is clear the wildlife are enjoying the respite of human intrusion. I just home as many as possible get to the park to enjoy this magical place as soon as conditions allow.”
The 60-acre 600-year-old parkland managed by Carmarthenshire County Council has become a snow-bound winter wonderland for more than a week only accessible by 4x4 park rangers because of more than a foot of snow that is blocking entrance roads and park trails.
The redwings, just a little smaller than the song thrush, have been arriving in flocks to escape their Scandinavian homeland winter but have found the conditions at the Llandeilo park not much better.
Senior park ranger Mike Smith, one of only three rangers who have been able to access the park in their 4x4’s, said it had been quite amazing to see how the wildlife, birds and animals had adapted to the weather conditions where humans had failed.
He said: “The woodlands are a maze of animal tracks including fox, rabbit and deer and bird prints with on the odd ranger boot treads in contrast. It is a privilege to look after this 600-year-old estate parkland and especially see it in these unusual conditions.
“The redwings are foraging like other birds here for the winter berries and other food but must be surprised by the weight on snow adorning trees and carpeting the ground.”
One of the reasons why the snow has persisted so long at the park is that it has a northerly aspect catching little sun so there has been no thaw in the continuing freezing conditions.
The 20-acre deer park has around 20 fallow deer. During the hey-day of the estate the deer park was once 400 acres with 600 head of deer. There are two types of fallow deer at Gelli Aur those with dark brown coats and those with white-spotted light brown coats.
The Mansions, battlemented portico and tall polygonal chimney stacks, is an impressive building and especially more so in the snow.
The parks arboretum, or tree collection, is 10-acres of mature trees and shrubs. The arboretum was planted in the 1860's by the Cawdor's head gardener, William Hill. Mature trees include Giant Redwood, Monterey Pine and Fern-Leaved Beech. The rhododendrons and azaleas are at their best in May. Recent planting has been carried out by the County Council to ensure the continuity of this outstanding feature.
The arboretum, or tree collection, is 10-acres of mature trees and shrubs. Mature trees include Giant Redwood, Monterey Pine and Fern-Leaved Beech.
County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “Gelli Aur is one of the county’s treasured attractions and it such a shame that it has had to be closed for safety reasons because of the weather conditions. But it is clear the wildlife are enjoying the respite of human intrusion. I just home as many as possible get to the park to enjoy this magical place as soon as conditions allow.”
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