Neath Port Talbot

Rebecca Sharp
Ecologist and Biodiversity Forum Co-ordinator

NPT Local Biodiversity Action Plan

In 2014 a new way of prioritising wildlife conservation in NPT was launched. The new Local Biodiversity Action Plan – LBAP – has a commitment to enhance all biodiversity in NPT.

The plan contains spreadsheets for individual habitats and species or collections such as pollinators. These show the current status and trends in NPT, known threats and record all projects that contribute to the conservation and enhancement of the habitats and species. All work, however small, is recorded here. This is mapped and compared with other information such as known distribution of a species. These maps show how much work is being done in NPT by all partners; it also allows the Biodiversity Forum to focus resources where most needed.

The plan is a fluid document. At each NPT Biodiversity Forum meeting project information is collected. The Biodiversity Team maintain the data and highlight any issues that need to be addressed. The document is not published because it is constantly changing. If you would like any information on a species or habitat please contact the team directly.

Habitats and Species
The Welsh Government has published a list of habitats and species of principal importance in Wales, known as the Section 7 list this forms the basis of the LBAP. Any of these habitats and species found in NPT will be protected and enhanced where possible, particularly through the planning process. Any habitats or species not on this list, but important to NPT, will also be dealt with through the LBAP. For more information on the species found in NPT please contact the South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre.

Neath Port Talbot Biodiversity Forum

The Biodiversity Forum is made up of representatives from a wide range of organisations plus individuals with an interest in local wildlife and land management. It is open to anyone to join and is responsible for the delivery of the LBAP. The Biodiversity Team provide the secretariat and there is an independent chair.

Countryside and Wildlife Team

The role of the Countryside and Wildlife Team is to give attention to the pressure on biodiversity in Neath Port Talbot. Working closely with other departments, external organisations and volunteers, positive changes have already been made. The Unit provides the secretariat for the Neath Port Talbot Biodiversity Forum.

Deptford Pink © NPT CBC

Bryn Tip © Maggie Elsey

Honey buzzard © NPT CBC

Deptford Pink is a beautiful pink flower and usually grows in open sites such as in pastures, roadsides, field margins and, occasionally, on waste ground. It is becoming increasing rare in Wales and work has been undertaken by the NPT Biodiversity Forum to establish new populations of Deptford Pink at suitable locations in Neath Port Talbot.

Bryn Tip is one of 4 Local nature reserves in the county and is the site of the former Bryn Navigation Colliery now restored to natural habitat and home to a number of rare and protected species. These include linnets and skylarks, golden-ringed dragonflies, slow worms, common lizards and dark green fritillary butterflies.

Honey buzzards are secretive and rare birds of prey in the UK and we are very privileged to see them here in the county. Wintering in Africa, honey buzzards are rare breeders in the UK. They are well known for their adaptation for eating wasp grubs. They also take amphibians, principally frogs, small mammals and reptiles and can raid the nests of pigeons and thrushes. They can be seen from May through to August. In Neath you are most likely to see them soaring over the Resolven valley.