#GowerWatch

Welcome to #GowerWatch, a small series dedicated to the wonderful Gower Peninsula in South Wales, U.K. Across this ongoing series, I'll be exploring the various ecosystems and their incredible biodiversity across the 70 square miles Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the first in the UK may I add! I'll be discovering some of the species I love to look out for during different seasons, delving into the history and geology of Gower and why it's important for the wildlife that lives here and uncovering the reasons why Gower is unique and the importance of keeping it this way. Not only do I want to show my adventures across Gower through this series, I want to showcase the diversity of wildlife here. Some of which can be found across Europe, but Gower is a stronghold for a variety. I hope you enjoy the series and stay tuned for episode updates! Happy GowerWatching! Thank you to weCREATE.

Welcome to #GowerWatch, a small series dedicated to the wonderful Gower Peninsula in South Wales, U.K. Across this ongoing series, I'll be exploring the various ecosystems, habitats and the incredible biodiversity across the 70 square miles Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the first in the UK may I add! For the first episode, I'm raising the sails and heading out to explore the South Gower cliffs, the only way I know how! I'll be chatting about a particular species of seabird that nest on the most westerly point of Gower and of course, keeping a close eye out for other (and rather social!) marine wildlife you can encounter whilst exploring this magnificent coastline. Make sure you stay tuned for a Spring Special, where I delve into my all time favourite wildflower with quite the interesting conservation story! A huge thank you to Vinny Stelzer and Bob Wells.

A story of how a passionate team of residents are not only working to advocate and protect Gower's seal populations, but nationally with other organisations to ensure grey seals are protected for the future. Across this ongoing series, I'll be exploring the various ecosystems, habitats and the incredible biodiversity across the 70 square miles Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the first in the UK may I add! For this seal-y special, join me as I delve into the grey seals of Gower and chat to Gareth Richards, founder of the newly established community group, Gower Seal Group. The Gower Seal Group are dedicated to the education and conservation of grey seals in Gower. With their passionate team, they not only work to advocate and protect Gower's seal populations, but nationally with other organisations to ensure grey seals are protected for the future. A huge thank you Vinny Stelzer at Sky and Tide Films for filming this episode, James Weaver for the edit and Gareth Richards for his wonderful seal clips. Follow #GowerWatch behind the scenes over on my instagram: @madison_wildlife

For this episode of #GowerWatch, I chat to the Dynamic Dunescapes project team all about the beautiful Oxwich National Nature Reserve (NNR). Oxwich is a fantastic mix of habitats, from woodlands, wet woodlands, marshlands, coast, beach and of course the remarkable and extensive sand dune ecosystem. The Dynamic Dunescapes team work across the board to form a collaborative effort of parters to monitor, manage and protect sand dunes across the UK. In this episode, I sit down with Pippa and Hannah from Natural Resources Wales and Plantlife to learn more about the reserve, sand dunes, dune wildlife, dune management and how we can all get involved to advocate and protect precious sand dune ecosystems for the future. Thanks to co-producer Vinny Stelzer at Sky and Tide Films and Natural Heritage Lottery Fund for funding this episode. Camera trap footage under licence of NRW. Follow #GowerWatch behind the scenes over on my instagram: @madison_wildlife.

For PART 2 of this #GowerWatch Winter Special, I'm on the look out for the Witches Butter or more commonly known, Yellow Brain fungus! Across Wales and the UK, you can spot this fungus fruiting year round, but it's best seen in autumn and winter. The best places to find this fungus are on fallen wood or gorse and as fungus goes, it has such an interesting way of life! Stay tuned for more #GowerWatch coming soon... Thank you to weCREATE.

Welcome to #GowerWatch, a small series dedicated to the wonderful Gower Peninsula in South Wales, U.K. Across this ongoing series, I'll be exploring the various ecosystem, habitats and the incredible biodiversity across the 70 square miles Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the first in the UK may I add! In this #GowerWatch Spring Special, I'm delving into the Yellow Whitlow-grass, a species of wildflower native to Britain, but is quite unique in Gower! It also has a unique conservation story and is a species I always make sure I catch a glimpse of every year along the South Gower cliffs. A huge thank you to weCREATE www.wearewecreate.com for filming and editing this episode. Follow #GowerWatch behind the scenes over on my instagram: @madison_wildlife Thanks for watching!