The East Devon District Council (EDDC) Countryside team, which manages the Seaton Wetlands nature reserve, is calling for enthusiastic volunteers to join the Discovery Hut team during the busy summer period.
Volunteers at the Discovery Hut play a crucial role in enhancing the visitor experience. Volunteers work in pairs to greet visitors, provide up-to-date information about recent wildlife sightings and serve simple refreshments.
From the Discovery Hut visitors to the wetlands can view live footage on the seasonal nest cams, hire pond dipping equipment and explore the...
An East Devon beauty-spot has become the venue for a new ‘mindfulness trail’, promising visitors the chance to get away from some of the worst stresses and strains of modern life. The trail has been established at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Bystock Pools nature reserve, in East Devon, and is the brainchild of local woman Clare Carter. The 46 year old from Exmouth created the mindfulness trail because she wanted to help other people to “slow down and switch off” from the demands of 21st century living. The trail leads participants to 25 points around the varied nature reserve which features...
Volunteers and Countryside rangers welcome nesting kestrels to Seaton's local nature reserve
In the spirit of spring cleaning, the East Devon District Council Countryside team, with the support of three volunteers, has replaced a kestrel box at Seaton Wetlands. Seaton Wetlands is a popular breeding ground for kestrels and has several boxes located across the reserve. These boxes are mounted high on poles and are therefore challenging to check, clean and repair. Site Manager for Seaton Wetlands, James Chubb said: "Each year checking the kestrel boxes is a tough task, so I set out to...
Visitors to a well-loved east Devon nature reserve will see some improvements this year, thanks to a winning vote by local shoppers. Devon Wildlife Trust is delighted to announce that Bystock Pools nature reserve has bagged £12,000 from a Tesco funding scheme. Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch the second round of its Bags of Help funding initiative, which sees grants of £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to local outdoor community projects. Millions of shoppers voted in stores up and down the country. And it can now be revealed Devon...
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.
Four Exmoor ponies will spend the summer grazing the heathland at Trinity Hill. The ponies, which arrived on Monday April 25, are on loan from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in Aylesbeare, which look after the animals during the winter. The ponies will spend the summer at Trinity Hill, bringing new life to the heathland through conservation grazing.
Countryside Ranger, Nathan Robinson said: ‘’Livestock has been used throughout history as an essential component of heath land management. Selectively grazing vegetation helps to create a variety of ecological...
The popular BBC Stargazing Live series has inspired people across the UK to spend an evening gazing at the stars! The TV show which aired last week (January 12th – 15th) introduced viewers to the wonders of the night sky.
East Devon District Council is proud to offer two sites which are designated ‘Dark Sky Discovery Sites’. Knapp Copse Local Nature Reserve near Putts Corner and Trinity Hill Local Nature Reserve near Axminster are officially recognised as fantastic places to discover the night sky.
Steve Edmonds, EDDC Countryside Team Leader (Sites) said: “TV programmes...
Members of Axe Vale and District Conservation Society (AV&DCS) have been celebrating the installation of a new board at the Borrow Pit nature reserve.
This interpretation panel gives visitors an insight into the history and wildlife of the site. With a wonderful map, vibrant illustrations and engaging information, it adds to the quality experience for visitors to this part of Seaton Wetlands.
This is a great place to see birds such as Kingfishers as it has an important area of deep water used for feeding. The site has a pond dipping platform, seating, a section of easy...
Seventy hectares of wildlife-rich land close to one of Dartmoor’s most popular recreation sites is set to become a brand new nature reserve thanks to a partnership between Devon Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission.
The nature reserve, which is to be called Bellever Moor and Meadow, is owned by the Forestry Commission and is close to the moorland village of Postbridge and the well-known Bellever Forest picnic site. The land, which is made up of a patchwork of traditional hay-meadows, wet grassland and moorland, is set to become the latest of nearly 50 nature reserves cared...
Education rangers from the East Devon District Council Countryside team will be running a Woodland Craft session on Tuesday 26 May between 1 and 3pm at Honiton Bottom Community Nature Reserve.
Activities on offer will include creating natural wooden jewellery, charcoal making on the camp fire, hammering plant flags and clay play.
The event is suitable for all ages, so come along for some creative fun in a beautiful green space. The nature reserve is at the junction of Honiton Bottom Road and Battishorne Way, and there are picnic tables and a natural play trail to enjoy....
