TV presenter Chris Packham visited the Cae Lynden nature reserve near Ystradgynlais at the weekend as part of his UK Bioblitz tour, which aims to create a snapshot of the country’s wildlife.
He was joined by fellow TV star Iolo Williams during their visit to see Brecknock Wildlife Trust’s Wild Communities Project on Saturday (July 21).
Cae Lynden was one of 50 places Chris was visiting during his Bioblitz tour, which ran all last week.
The former BBC Springwatch presenter was also at Gilfach Nature Reserve near Rhayader on Friday (July 20).
While at Cae Lynden, Chris chatted to young naturalists who had helped his Bioblitz by catching insects in pots.
Through a UK-wide team effort, the Bioblitz tour aimed to record as many species as possible on each site it visited.
At the end of the tour the findings from all 50 sites will be added together to show which species are doing well and which species are in decline.
Chris told the naturalists at Cae Lynden that he is particularly worried about the plunge in the population of hedgehogs and some species of butterflies and birds.
He said: “We need to wake up to the fact that we are using the planet as if it is a limitless resource and that we are pushing wildlife to the fringes where they cannot survive and (some species) will soon become extinct.”
Cae Lynden managed to record 260-plus species in just a few hours.
The reserve in Ystradgynlais is a former football pitch, which has become a refuge for rare butterflies as well as other insects.
Sarah Ogilvie, from Brecknock Wildlife Trust, said the recording of so many species at Cae Lynden was only possible because of help from many people. She said: “Everyone, from volunteers and local schoolchildren to university students and county species recorders gave their time, knowledge and enthusiasm for free.”
The Bioblitzers were also treated to the surprise arrival of Powys-born TV presenter Iolo Williams, who was supporting the Bioblitz in Wales and helping to boost the profile of the Welsh language during the event.
Iolo chatted enthusiastically with Brecknock Wildlife Trust Wild Communities Project manager Chris Jones about the reserve’s marsh fritillary butterfly.
As a further bonus, Darren Rees, a much respected wildlife artist, also popped by, getting the young naturlaists involved in making a paper butterfly meadow to highlight the importance of meadows to survival of pollinators.