Wildlife charity promises Mother’s Day treat

Devon Wildlife Trust is offering a very special Mother’s Day treat – and the good news is it’s free.

The charity cares for 50 of Devon’s top places for nature and at one of these – Dunsford, near Exeter – this year’s Mother’s Day is set to coincide with the peak of its famous display of wild daffodils.

Devon Wildlife Trust’s Steve Hussey said: "Dunsford nature reserve contains one of England’s biggest collections of wild daffodils. Every March these flowers bloom and together their delicate yellow flowers provide a spectacular natural spectacle. This year the signs are that the flowers will be at their best in the middle of the month, making it the perfect place for a Mother’s Day stroll on Sunday 15 March."

Steve Hussey said: "With the River Teign running through its heart, picturesque woodland walks and wonderful wildlife Dunsford attracts more than 40,000 visitors a year. It’s a very special place at any time but in spring with the daffodils on show it makes the perfect place to take Mum and the rest of the family."

The scene at Dunsford wasn’t always so rosy. In the 1960s the wild daffodils were in steep decline as many were picked by unthinking visitors. There were even regular advertised ‘daffodil picking’ trips run by coach companies to the beauty spot. However, concerted campaigning by local people and a change in law to protect wildflowers means that this problem is largely a thing of the past.

Today it is the job of Devon Wildlife Trust’s Andrew Bakere to look after Dunsford. Andrew said: "We find that visitors today are very respectful of the wild daffodils. I think many realise just what a special natural event they are. Today people are content to just come and marvel at them."

Recently Andrew has been hard at work with the help of volunteers and funding from the English Woodland Grant Scheme to clear glades in Dunsford’s riverside woodland. These glades are now providing light and space for the daffodils to grow.

Andrew said: "It’s been hard work but rewarding. The wild daffodils last year were the best I’ve seen for years and we’re hoping to top that display for Mother’s Day this year. And it’s not just the flowers that have benefited – birds including pied flycatchers breed here and use the glades to hunt insects in, while butterflies including silver-washed fritillaries bask in the warm, sheltered spots which they provide."

Dunsford’s wild daffodils will be in bloom until the end of March.

Dunsford nature reserve is on the B3212 just inside the Dartmoor National Park boundary between Moretonhampstead and Exeter. Its main entrance is close to Steps Bridge over the River Teign.

Like all of Devon Wildlife Trust’s 50 nature reserves it is free to enter. For more details on Dunsford nature reserve visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org