Cudyll Cymru – Monitoring Raptors in Wales

About Cudyll Cymru

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Raptors (also known as birds of prey) are engaging, charismatic birds, and Wales is fortunate to be home to 17 of the 20 breeding raptor species found in the UK. In fact, raptors are designated features of a number of Protected Areas in Wales, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Special Protection Areas.

Cudyll Cymru is a Welsh raptor monitoring initiative which monitors the populations and breeding productivity of five raptor species which are widespread in Wales: Buzzard, Kestrel, Raven, Red Kite and Sparrowhawk. Although technically a Corvid species, Raven is included because of its ecological similarities to raptors. 

Cudyll Cymru will help us to:

• Collect robust data about raptor population trends to enhance our understanding of raptors across Wales, and within its Protected Area network
• Provide essential information to support raptor conservation efforts and inform the Welsh and UK Governments’ legal commitments to wildlife protection
• Empower local communities to learn more about their raptors, foster a sense of stewardship for their habitats, and encourage active involvement in their preservation

Cudyll Cymru’s focal species

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Why do we need this project?

Current bird monitoring approaches often struggle to provide information on raptors, which typically have low population densities and are often not active during dawn breeding bird surveys! 

Cudyll Cymru aims to address the gaps in the current data provision for these iconic birds in Wales.

To do this, we need to expand our volunteer network, which will increase the geographical coverage across Wales and the expertise within the volunteer team. That’s why there is such a big focus on training and upskilling in Cudyll Cymru. 

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Supporting raptor conservation efforts

Wales is suffering the combined pressures of land use change and climate change, and birds of prey find themselves at the forefront of both ecological pressure and human interventions. 

We need more data about raptor populations to understand how and why they are changing, and how we can help them. 

The data collected from Cudyll Cymru will serve as a baseline for monitoring future population trends, and will provide essential information to underpin effective conservation strategy and aid the Government’s legal commitments to wildlife protection.

Informing Protected Area management in Wales

Because many raptors sit at the top of the food chain, they are vital biotic indicators which provide insight into the general health of the local environment.

Raptors are highly sensitive to changes like habitat loss, prey availability, pollution, and human activities, which means we can use changes in raptor populations as early warning systems for detecting these shifts.

By prioritising the monitoring of these ecological keystone species within protected areas, such as SSSIs and SPAs, relevant agencies are better equipped to assess the effectiveness of current management strategies. Ultimately, this will enhance the effectiveness of Wales’s protected area network.

Take part in Cudyll Cymru

Can beginners take part?

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We have developed Cudyll Cymru to be as accessible to everyone as possible!

The project is fully flexible to suit your availability and experience level, and there is plenty of training available, so even those with no prior experience can confidently participate in this important work. 

What skills are required? 

You need to be able to confidently identify one or more of the project’s five target species.

• The five species monitored by Cudyll Cymru are Buzzard, Kestrel, Raven, Red Kite and Sparrowhawk. You can monitor more than one species if you wish, but you don’t have to. 

You need to be able to count birds to survey your chosen area.

• If possible, you can also attempt to map territories, find nests and determine the number of chicks reaching fledging age from each nest (known as breeding success recording).

We provide training on all aspects of the project, from raptor identification and survey methodologies through to using the online project portal and data entry – so you don’t need to have these skills already to sign up!

How much time does it take? 

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Time commitment varies depending on the extent of your chosen surveying and the size of your monitoring area, but the minimum amount of time required is just a few hours per month. 

• Monitoring will take place during the breeding season, which is typically early March through to late August for most raptors.
• Data should be submitted to the data entry portal (Cudyll Cymru Online) by the end of September.

Project timeline

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• Spring 2024 Project receives funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund
• Summer 2024 Our Raptor Monitoring Coordinator (Wales) arrives in post and work begins
• Autumn 2024 Pre-registration of participants begins
• Winter 2024 Site selection and participant training 
• Spring 2025 First breeding season surveys (Buzzard, Kestrel, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk)
• Spring 2026 First breeding season surveys (Raven)

Where does the survey run? 

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You are free to choose your survey area within Wales to monitor: this may be a place that’s local to you, perhaps a part of your favourite dog walk or daily commute.

• You will be able to choose your survey area after you sign up.

Training and support

Identification and survey methodology

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Raptors can be challenging to identify in the wild – some soar at great heights, while others are elusive and difficult to observe. That’s why we provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to all new volunteers, ensuring that even those with no prior experience can confidently participate in this important work.

A suite of materials, such as bird ID videos and written guides, survey methodologies and how to correctly record locations using grid references will be available to participants, along with personal support from our Welsh Raptor Monitoring Coordinator.

Furthermore, virtual and in-person workshops will be regularly hosted to develop skills complementary to monitoring these incredible birds, such as feather ID and fieldwork. 

Data entry

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Cudyll Cymru features an easy-to-use online portal where you can store and manage your personal records. Our Welsh Raptor Monitoring Coordinator will be on hand to help you get started, and throughout the duration of your participation, ensuring you can quickly and easily enter your data for analysis by BTO scientists. We also have tailored tutorials about data entry, as well as a comprehensive guidance manual.

An important element of this project is to make the methodologies, data entry and reporting as simple as possible for raptor enthusiasts beginning their monitoring journey.

Project partners and funding

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This project is funded by the Nature Networks Programme.

It is being delivered by the Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government.