In Cardiff Bay, there is a small area of wetlands that's been designated as a nature reserve. It was formerly a salt marsh, and is now a protected 8 hectare plot through which wind gravel paths and a boardwalk. St David's Hotel looms across the water, along with high-rise apartment buildings. This spot at the end of the boardwalk is quietened by the reedbed, and seems a world away from those bustling commercial and residential parts of the bay. The only noises are the gentle chimes of boats in the marina beyond, mallards quacking, and the occasional cry of a gull. If you're lucky, from the boardwalk you might spy a heron, or a bird of prey such as a kestrel. I joined the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (
RSPB) at the start of this year (I pick a different charity each year), and I am slowly starting to learn more about identifying different birds. In Cardiff city centre itself, you might get to see a peregrine falcon as they nest at the top of City Hall. That's how I ended up joining the RSPB - one of their wildlife champions had a telescope set up when I was walking past one day, and I was able to see a female peregrine falcon ripping a pigeon to pieces with its beak. I signed up there and then!
Sadly, nature reserves such as this wetland are becoming increasingly under threat. A little further along the coast, there is an area of important biodiversity called the Gwent Levels that is currently at the centre of a longstanding environmental campaign. The region is at risk from a new motorway being built right through the middle of it, impacting on two nature reserves and an area of the Wales coastal path. It seems ludicrous in the age we're living in that building more roads is still thought of as an acceptable solution to traffic congestion, rather than investment in public transport and other measures. The
petition is here, for all to sign, whether you live in Wales or not.
Dress is vintage Marion Donaldson (via Ebay), silk scarf is from Clogau, Prada boots (via Ebay), vintage bag and sunglasses via charity shop
It is scary how quickly we are destroying species on this planet, animals and birds included.
ReplyDeleteThat handbag was a great find!
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
It's frightening indeed. Got to keep being noisy about it!!
DeleteIt's been a super bag, think my husband gets credit for finding it. Xx
Isn't it just awful that they give up nature! I love to spot birds of prey, they are fabulous. Beautiful dress your wearing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nancy. I have been really cross about the stupidity of the whole situation! Xx
DeleteI'll sign the petition if I can! Good on you for supporting a different charity each year, and the RSPB is an admirable one. That said, I'm not sure I could stomach watching a peregrine falcon ripping a pigeon to pieces! I agree that it's unbelievable that in this day and age, more thought is given to building new roads and houses than to the protection of what there is left of nature. It's the same here in Belgium - it might even be worse. I regularly support Natuurpunt, which is a nature conservation organization, which protects important habitats, species and landscapes. They deserve every penny they can get! Oh, and I love your blue vintage dress and tooled leather bag! xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann, I appreciate your support! Good to know you donate to a nature charity too, they need all the help they can get. Your photos of Belgium's nature spots are always so lovely. Xx
DeleteI signed the petition as soon as I read your post on IG, I really do hope that they rethink the development.
ReplyDeleteThat dress is a fabulous colour on you - and a perfect fit. I love it with the stunner of a tooled leather bag and the boots. I don't think I've seen you in blue before, it really does look good. xxx
Thanks again for your signature! I do like blues but don't wear them as much as reds. Nice to have a change every now and again! Xx
DeleteBeautiful dress Porcelina.
ReplyDeleteAgh, to hear this feels like you are talking about our wetlands. Here they have destroyed most of them to bring in apartment buildings, its a terrible sight to see.
Oh no, that's such a tragedy! We have to fight for these little green spaces that are left.
DeleteI hope they don't spoil the area with a motorway. Public transport needs massive improvements everywhere. Bath council keeps trying to take measures to limit traffic coming into the city, but the obvious one - quit building overpriced student housing and start making it affordable for people who work in the city to live there - doesn't seem to occur to them.
ReplyDeleteSuch a common and frustrating problem. I am very skeptical about the new housing estates (very nice looking some of them) popping up on the outskirts of Cardiff presently. Unfortunately not one of them will have a shop, pub or any other central focus of community, so residents will have to leave anytime they want to post a letter or buy some milk. They're being built on routes that will not be served well by buses, and are next to roads that are so busy and fast and poorly lit that nobody will be able to walk anywhere either. Thereby trapping all inhabitants into relying solely on their cars forever...
DeleteI always love the retro look of almost every single outfit you wear, especially dresses. This dress is so so pretty, Porcelina. Love the style, the collar and that fabulous bright cobalt blue on you. The dress looks great paired with chocolate brown. Great scarf and kerchief scarf, too!
ReplyDeleteWelcome by and linkup with me this Thursday and every week for the Moda Linkup. =) Have a Fab, Fab Weekend!
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