Llyn Brenig- BBQ and Moonlit evening organized by North Wales Wildlife Trust

On Saturday (24^th), my partner and I ventured to Llyn Brenig at 6 in the evening. I had found about a month ago whilst exploring the North Wales Wildlife Trust’s (NWWT) website, an event that caught my eye. It described itself as a BBQ and Moonlit safari evening to be enjoyed in and around the visitor’s centre at Llyn Brenig. I tried to search for more information and, although advertised on many a “What to do in North Wales” website, the same info was presented to me; “Come join us for some food and a moonlit trail to find some bats, moths and other wildlife”. Therefore, we were expecting to either be the only ones there, the only young ones there or the only couple there without children. When we arrived it was a mixture of the two latter. There were around 20 people present, already being served at the BBQ or taking in the magnificent sunset view of the calm waters and surrounding hills. An admission fee was not in force. Food was charged for but given the quality of the evening this was not even a second thought. The BBQ served the typical fair and hot, fluffy chips were eagerly munched on. After 1 hour, the guy in charge deemed it dark enough to start our trail. He was a very happy chap, bouncing around with a smile plastered on his face and talking a bit too loudly. My partner and I decided he resembled a Welsh Darren Beasley (from Animal Park). Unfortunately however, I cannot remember his real name. He introduced himself to the group along with his co-worker (Rhian maybe? I vaguely remember her name due to “Darren Beasley” repeating it over and over in his over- enthusiastic manner) and what we hoped to find. We then set off in the direction of the yacht club. On our way over, “Darren” and the children, closely followed by a few parents who failed to keep up in the long grass and muddy terrain, inspected various reptile traps. One held a tiny frog which was held by the kids until it hopped to freedom. Once at the yacht club, we were given Bat Detectors and told what frequency to set them at. Eager as any other kid, I raced to get one. Walking back towards the Visitor’s Centre, we didn’t seem to be picking up any bat- like signals. “Darren” then decided to lead us through a designated path through the now pitch black forest. I must admit, I really liked this part. Trekking though the mud and crossing bridges with trees all around you and only your torch for light was quite exciting and I felt like quite the adventurer! All being said, it would have been a different story on my own!

After, we decided to walk the opposite direction and carry on our search for bats. Due to it now being officially night-time, our detectors came to life. As the bats flew overhead, the noise they emitted through the machine sounded like blowing bubbles in water. Rhian told us that when they made a raspberry sound, they had caught their prey (moths). My partner and I became quite adept at spotting the bats; I would follow the sound on my detector and tell him where it was coming from and he would follow them with his super strength torch (the light didn’t bother them). Rhian told us what frequencies would pick up what species of bats but we still weren’t sure what we were seeing as she didn’t announce this information to the whole group.

Back at the Visitor’s Centre, my detector wouldn’t stop beeping, but now was time to also inspect the moth traps. These consisted of huge, bright lights covering the “trap” which was made up of cardboard egg containers which were crawling with wildlife. A man was standing vigil, explaining and handing out these “traps”.

All in all, this event was superb. The organization of the walk, the traps and the food was very well thought out and prepared. The people were friendly and everyone’s enthusiasm was infectious. However, the one drawback was the lack of information from our two guides “Darren” and Rhian. We were well equipped with our detectors, but a bit more wildlife knowledge from them would’ve made for a more rounded experience. On the other hand however, there were a lot of kids there and the hands on experience that was on offer allowed them to touch nature, to feel and see it and thus get excited about it. They need this passion first as a child before being bombarded with too much information.

I fully recommend to anyone, family or not, to take part in one of these events. It makes you realise how much is on offer in your local area and that there are other people who share our passion.

North Wales Wildlife Trust- Events

This link contains info about Llyn Brenig and other nearby lakes and woods:

 Llyn Brenig

Sing A Little Whale To Me

Again, I find myself writing about the recent, and last, episode, of Ocean Giants. This week was entitled Voices of the Sea and so focused on the beautiful vocal abilities of the dolphins and family. Each noise they utter is meant with purpose and is just as beautiful as any other human language. Amazon dolphins “talk” in order to make sense of the world around them whilst in Spotted dolphins they seem to converse socially with each other just as we humans do. There is more mystery however, surrounding the reason as to why blue whales “sing”. The fantasy is dead that they sang their mates to them, but I refuse to let my fantasy die that they sing for pleasure: watching them move their colossal fins in order to “feel” the music they were making, a sort of whale ballet dance hints to me that they enjoy music just as we do. To be honest, I’ve never been one to find whale music relaxing. Yes, I have always found it inspiring, magical and sometimes even eerie but I have never willingly thrown on a CD of relaxing whale music to chill out to whilst the stresses of the day slowly melt away. Yet, when I watched these massive mammals seemingly dance to their own music I found my shoulders relaxing, my thoughts stopping and there seemed to be no other sounds or images other than those of the whales. To me, relaxation is watching the world’s largest creature move with delicate grace to its own symphony.