Flocks of visitors will soon be joined by flocks of birds enjoying the water and riverbanks of the Exe Estuary.
This annual event means that from 15 September to 31 December, the Exmouth Wildlife Refuge becomes active, marked with signage and yellow “WR” buoys. The Dawlish Warren Refuge is active all year round. South East Devon Wildlife ask everyone to avoid these refuges from land and water to give birds the space they need to survive.
Cllr Jackie Hook, Chair of the South East Devon Habitat Regulations Executive Committee and Executive Member for Climate Change, Trees...
Princesshay are inviting you to explore their hidden oasis for insects and plant life, giving access to the Princesshay Bee garden through tours from May to September.
12 years ago, the team at Princesshay created a rooftop bee friendly garden high above the shops as a sanctuary for honeybees. Over the last decade the space has matured and grown and the team tend weekly to the three - four bee hives (depending on the time of year) housing over 240,000 honeybees.
The tour will start at ground level outside 'The Hive' on Bampfylde Lane before heading up to the rooftop to...
Since 2018, two wildlife refuges have protected water birds on the Exe Estuary. Exmouth Local Nature Reserve’s wildlife refuge operates from 15 September to 31 December every year, while Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve wildlife refuge operates year round.
As Exmouth’s wildlife refuge is due to start again this month, people are asked to avoid entering both refuges at this crucial time of year when thousands of birds start their annual migration to feast on the rich food provided by the Exe. Both wildlife refuges are marked by yellow buoys.
The Devon branch of the countryside charity is once again on the lookout for award-worthy churchyards across the county. Since Devon CPRE launched its Best Churchyard Competition six years ago, the charity has come across inspiring stories of communities pulling together to make the most of the green spaces around their churches and chapels.
Last year’s winner, All Saints in Kenton, near Exeter, and the runner-up, St Michael the Archangel in Chagford, were both fantastic examples of how local people can transform their churchyard when they draw on their individual strengths in...
Ambitious plans to turn Clyst Valley Regional Park into a wildlife haven, supporting East Devon’s aim to be carbon neutral by 2040, have been nominated for a national accolade.
East Devon District Council (EDDC) is thrilled to announce the park’s 25-year masterplan has been shortlisted in finals for the ‘Excellence in Plan Making’, as part of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards 2022.
The award recognises the value of plan making coupled to community engagement. EDDC has carried out extensive community work through two £200,000 lottery projects - ‘Great trees...
Three thousand miles away in the northern arctic tundra, the iconic Brent Geese are on their way to Devon in search of food and milder climates. Their arrival heralds a spectacular time of year for wildlife on the internationally important Exe Estuary.
Brent geese are social animals. Feeding flocks can be several hundred strong and family groups stay together from one breeding season to the next. As they migrate each winter, the adult pair may have this and last year’s young birds with them. Watching them as they arrive in the autumn on the Exe Estuary and at Exmouth Duck Pond is...
A joint campaign is underway to inform members of the public about the need to give both pregnant or nursing deer and their young plenty of space when out enjoying the countryside.
Over the coming weeks, from mid-May to July, people may discover newly-born deer hidden in the grass or undergrowth and might mistakenly assume that they have been abandoned Please do not touch, disturb or move them as usually their mothers will not be far away.
It is quite normal for newly born deer to be left hidden in grass and other undergrowth while their mothers feed nearby, returning at...
National Highways and The Wildlife Trusts have joined forces to launch a new £6 million Network for Nature programme that will improve habitats across the South West of England benefitting people, nature and wildlife.
The projects will help create, restore and connect places for wildflowers, trees and wildlife, where the environment has been impacted by activities from previous road building. Natural solutions such as wetlands and reedbeds will help filter polluted run-off from roads.
Wild areas which have been fragmented by highways will be improved and restored for...
The RSPB is calling for everyone in the South West to join the wildlife-planting revolution after a YouGov survey revealed that three quarters (78%) of people are now doing at least something in their garden or outside space to help wildlife (with 23% trying a lot, 28% trying a fair amount, and 27% trying a little).
The survey, commissioned by the RSPB as part of their Nature on Your Doorstep campaign, also revealed the wide range of ways that people in the South West are already gardening with wildlife in mind – 47% consider how a plant can benefit pollinators when choosing what...
Independent charity Devon Communities Together (DCT) has announced the launch of a new Community Wildlife Grant scheme, which has been developed by the Devon Local Nature Partnership (DLNP) to provide small grants of up to £500 to community wildlife projects.
Applications are open to parish and town councils, community groups and community partnerships that wish to fund initiatives that will benefit local wildlife. This includes funding a new idea, continuing an existing project or starting a new group.
The scheme is being managed by Devon Communities Together and has been...
