Although we may not be aware of it, in the last few generations in the West we have increasingly become ‘indoor people’. Whereas once almost everyone was a farmer or a gardener and spent most of their time outside, we have overwhelmingly moved to a more comfortable culture of life indoors. If we analyse our time, most of us will discover that our daily routines are spent in a building or a vehicle. The majority of the UK population will travel in a car, bus or train to work in a school, office, shop, hospital, warehouse, factory, etc. The amount of time we are exposed to the elements is...
Devon Wildlife Trust is today celebrating the news that it has received a £13,340.00 funding award from SITA Trust for its project "Meadows for Everyone". Hay meadows are one of England’s rarest habitats. On Dartmoor, after many years of decline, there are now hopes that these spectacularly colourful landscape features could be on the verge of a real renaissance. A Heritage Lottery Fund project is promoting better management for surviving meadows, and a number of owners are cooperating to establish new flowering grasslands on private land. The Meadows for Everyone project will complement...
East Devon District Council’s Countryside Team has been overwhelmed by the commitment and generosity of local volunteers.
Throughout 2015, they dedicated an astonishing 4,500 hours of service to the East Devon Countryside team, maintaining and preserving important nature reserves.
Cllr Iain Chubb, the council’s portfolio holder for the Environment, said: “Volunteers offer a range of skills and experience and are an invaluable resource to the Countryside team.
“Without their work, the East Devon countryside and the abundance of wildlife we enjoy would be very...
Now that the festive celebrations are over, why not come and shake off the winter blues with a day of conservation work at Haytor.
Dartmoor National Park Ranger Simon Lee will be working with volunteers on 10 January 2016, near the National Park Visitor Centre, to benefit the extremely rare bog hoverfly.
The day begins at 10.30 and finishes at 3.30 but you are welcome to come along for part of the day if you wish.
In recent years the bog hoverfly (Eristalis cryptarum) has been found only within a restricted area of Dartmoor. It is identified in the UK Biodiversity...
A morning walk in the lower Exe valley, first visiting Matford Pools for ducks and waders, then exploring the Riverside Valley Park between Countess Wear and the Double Locks.
No toilets
Please note: this event is run by an RSPB volunteer group and is organised for interested members of the local community.
E-mail: richard.swinbank444@btinternet.com
Directions Meet at University Boat House car park off A379, Countess Wear SX940895. Alternative car parking by Countess Wear bridge...
Saturday 13 February 9.00 am Price: Free, but donations welcome
As part of a scheme to prevent coastal flooding, a large area of saltmarsh has recently been established on the Steart peninsula.
We will start early today, with the aim of seeing flocks of waders at high tide at the Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve. In the afternoon we will visit the new nature reserve, which is managed by the WWT.
Tuesday 9 February 7.30 pm Price: Local Group Members £3.50; Non Members £4.00
Prepare to be informed, surprised and entertained by Terry Bond's slant on bird identification. An illustrated, interactive talk that will challenge everyone's bird recognition skills. At the end of the evening you will approach bird watching in a new light.
Please note: this event is run by an RSPB volunteer group and is organised for interested members of the local community.
Sunday 31 January 9.45 am Price: Free, but donations welcome
In this all-day visit we will visit the RSPB Ham Wall reserve and the neighbouring Shapwick Heath. We will be able to visit the new Avalon hide at Ham Wall, and we hope to be lucky enough to see Marsh Harriers, Great White Egrets and Bitterns.
Bring packed lunch.
The new toilets at Ham Wall should be open.
Please note: this event is run by an RSPB volunteer group and is organised for interested...
Tuesday 12 January 7.30 pm Price: Local Group Members £3.50; Non Members £4.00
Nigel is Chair of the Somerset Wildlife Trust Marine Awareness Campaign and will talk about wildlife in the Severn Estuary. Somerset has 73km of coastline which Nigel believes is teeming with wildlife. The Severn estuary is actually one of the largest in the UK and Nigel will tell us about wildlife found both above and below water. The Somerset coast has the second highest tidal range in the world,...
A morning visit to Broadsands, hoping to see grebes and divers if the weather is favourable, plus winter visitors and the local Cirl Buntings. The trees at Broadsands can also be a good place to see Goldcrests and warblers including Chiffchaffs and the occasional Yellow-browed Warbler. Car park charge. Toilets on the sea front. Please note: this event is run by an RSPB volunteer group and is organised for interested members of the local community.
