An ‘off-the-cuff’ farmland bird survey in East Devon last week suggested how habitat improvements can help some of our most threatened birds. Devon Wildlife Trust land advisor David Rolls was visiting three farms in the Otter catchment in one day. As it was the beginning of the Big Farmland Bird Count, organized each February by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, David decided to do a short survey on each land-holding. All three sites contain areas of wetland that are being improved for wildlife through DWT’s Upstream Thinking work, funded by South West Water. The 30-minute survey...
The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking people across East Devon to comment on its draft proposals for new council ward boundaries.
An eight-week public consultation on the recommendations begins today and will end on 3 April 2017. The consultation is open to anyone who wants to have their say on new council wards, ward boundaries and ward names across East Devon.
The Commission’s draft recommendations propose that the East Devon should have 60 councillors in the future (one more than the current arrangements), across 30 wards (two fewer...
During half term families can join the East Devon Countryside Rangers at Seaton Wetlands on Tuesday 14 February 2017 for a day of fun learning how to make gardens more wildlife friendly, followed by bird watching for children.
During the Wildlife Gardening event, which will take place between 10am to 2pm, one of the Countryside Rangers will demonstrate willow coppicing and refreshments will be served from the Discovery Hut. No booking is required for this event. Cost for materials: £7.50 per bird box kit, £3 for other craft activities.
Jack Bennett, a young person from East Devon District Council’s SWITCH club on the Millwey Rise Estate in Axminster, had his outstanding service to sport in the community rewarded by a place at the regional final of the prestigious Tpas awards 2017, which was held at a ceremony in London on 3 February.
Finalist Jack, aged 17, made the shortlist for the young tenant of the year category at the finals having been nominated for the award by Victoria Robinson, East Devon Community Development worker and lead worker of the Millwey SWITCH club. She was determined that Jack should receive...
Local bird watcher spots rarely seen bird at East Devon managed heathland site near Axminster
At the end of January, a rare Little Bunting bird was spotted by a local bird watcher at Trinity Hill Local Nature Reserve, a heathland managed by the East Devon District Council Countryside service.
Little Buntings are rarely seen in the UK, they breed in the far North East of Europe and across Northern Asia, typically spending winter in Southern Asia, China and India. Easterly winds, which dominated Autumn 2016, resulted in only a few being detected in the UK.
Nature watchers are excited by the sighting of Sika deer which were spotted at the New Year at Trinity Hill Local Nature Reserve near Axminister.
Although the Sika deer is well established in the UK, it’s never been seen at Trinity Hill, a site which is managed by East Devon District Council’s Countryside Service.
It was sighted by local resident and keen bird watcher Sue Murphy who spotted three Sika deer, including an impressive mature stag, on one of her regular trips to the popular reserve. She managed to take a photo of the deer too.
Schools are being reminded that they can arrange year-round outdoor sessions with education rangers from East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) Countryside Team who will help children get the most out of learning about nature and the outside world.
Evidence shows that giving children the opportunity to discover, learn about and experience the natural world is hugely important and the education rangers believe that outdoor learning shouldn’t be limited to summer alone.
Meg Knowles, a ranger for EDDC, said: “Winter provides some excellent outdoor learning opportunities which...
A THRIVING business support group has reported excellent growth for its members this year.
The Blackdown Hills Business Association, which was formed around 30 years ago, supports a range of companies, including new business start-ups, sole traders and SMEs, right up to large corporations all providing key services, based in the area on the Devon/Somerset border.
Claire Stepney, BHBA Coordinator, said: ‘The Blackdown Hills are well connected on the borders of East Devon, West Dorset and South Somerset. Local companies recognise the importance of supporting one another,...
East Devon District Council urges community and voluntary groups to register with Action East Devon and receive support
Community and voluntary groups across East Devon who feel they are in need of more support or who want to learn how to work more effectively, will have the opportunity to receive assistance if they register with Action East Devon (formerly East Devon Voluntary Support Agency).
East Devon District Council is helping this local charity identify and reach out to community and voluntary groups who would like to benefit from the range of free support services...
