Bird Watching opportunity - with Rhys Jones, Gwynedd Council Senior Biodiversity Officer, Tuesday 16 February 2010 -10:30a.m

Come and see a rare winter treat. Great Northern Divers - large water birds with black and white feathers and a powerful dagger bill - can be seen just off the Gwynedd coast in Caernarfon Bay, over the winter months.

According to Gwynedd Council Senior Biodiversity Officer, Rhys Jones: "We have been monitoring the numbers of Great Northern Divers over the past few years and are delighted to see them return in greater numbers each year. More than 50 have been counted recently. The habitat in Caernarfon bay is ideal as they need shallow water so they can catch small fish and crabs."

Great Northern Divers head south for the winter, having spent the summer months nesting in lakes in northern Canada, Greenland and Iceland. They come to enjoy the UK's milder winters. Although they are rarely seen in numbers away from Scotland's isles and west coast, increasing numbers are being seen off the North Wales coast.

Gwynedd Council's biodiversity team, grant aided by the Countryside Council for Wales, monitor the movements and habits of the Great Northern Divers, along with a variety of other rare birds in the area.

The Countryside Council for Wales's North Region Partnership Officer Euros Jones said: "Gwynedd's varied natural environment is a massive attraction to thousands of visitors every year - there are strong economic as well as conservation reasons for conserving our wealth of local wildlife. Gwynedd's Local Biodiversity Action Plan provides a strong framework to conserve the area's natural heritage."

If you would like to participate in this event please contact Rhys Jones directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Notes

 CCW is supporting the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity, declared by the United Nations. Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. It is essential for sustaining the natural living systems or ecosystems that provide us with food, fuel, health, wealth, and other vital services. To find out more visit http://www.biodiversityislife.net The Countryside Council for Wales is an Assembly Government Sponsored Body, working for a better Wales where everyone values and cares for our natural environment. More information about our work is available on www.ccw.gov.uk