East Devon Local Group

Indoor events

Illustrated talks in Kilmington village hall cover a wide range of topics.  Species-related talks - whales, otters, dormice, bees – are always popular especially if the speaker comes with living specimens such as snakes and falcons.  Other subjects often have a conservation theme: the need for a Marine Bill to protect of Lyme Bay; the future of water voles; DWT’s response to climate change.

Outdoor events

In East Devon, along the Rivers Axe and Exe, we are very privileged to have exceptionally valuable estuaries for over-wintering birds and arrange outings to watch them. Other activities include fungal forays, visiting flower-rich meadows, watching butterflies and dragonflies, fossil hunting, listening to the dawn chorus.  

Hawkswood nature reserve
Hawkswood lies to the south of Honiton.  Members of the group regularly visit to record species and to help with conservation work.  It has diverse habitats from heath and mire to woodland.  It is rich in fungi – over 300 species have been recorded.  It is also noted for its butterflies – over 30 species have been recorded.  Buzzards and green woodpeckers breed here. Read about the history of the site.

Fundraising

Every year, the group sell DWT Christmas cards at the Cards for Good Causes shop in Honiton.  

Future events

• Friday 11 May 4 -6.30pm - The Undercliff and Lyme Bay from the sea. Meet at sea end of the Cobb, Lyme Regis.  Experience the Jurassic Coast from the boat from which all the DWT and Plymouth University surveys of Lyme Bay have been done with owner John Walker, diver, fisherman, conservationist.  Bookings essential with Christina Bows 01297 23822. Tea and cake provided.   £ 15p.p. + donations to DWT invited. Very limited numbers.  Organised by East Devon Local Group. 
• Friday 15 June 5 pm to dark - Beavers and Water Voles.    Upcott Grange Farm, Broadwoodwidger, Lifton PL16 OJS (G.R.SX 389 907).   Visit the specialist breeding units for beavers and water voles for re-introduction programmes with Derek Gow and staff .  Booking essential before June 8 with Christina Bows on 01297 23822. £ 7.50 pp+ donations to DWT. Bring picnic supper.  Organised by East Devon local group.
• Saturday 14 July 9.00am–5.00 pm - Intriguing insights – a general introduction to the invertebrates of Aylesbeare Common”  Meet at Aylesbeare Common RSPB Car Park  (G.R. SY 058 897).  Collect specimens in the morning and take them to Harpford Village Hall in the afternoon to identify under microscopes with help and explanations from Pete Smithers of Plymouth University. All welcome but prior booking necessary with Una Garland on 01395 568230.   £5pp + donations to DWT. Bring picnic lunch.  Organised by East Devon local group.
  
• Saturday 11 August 10.00 am-1.00 pm - In Search of the Chalkhill Blues and other Rarities.  Meet at Branscombe Mouth Car Park SY 207 882.  Strenuous walk led by Phil Parr Butterfly Enthusiast.
  

NEWSLETTER No 51 APRIL 2012

An Invertebrate Identification Workshop was held at Plymouth University in February.  Ann White reports on a wonderful day:  “The day was introduced by Andrew Whitehouse from the conservation charity Buglife, and led by an enthusiastic Tony Barber with Pete Smithers. Tony wanted us to be able to identify the order of
invertebrate by the end of the day.

We were each assigned a microscope, given handouts and books and with the help of a well-presented slide show, were told how to identify millipedes (relatively large number of pairs of legs, with two pairs per body segment) from centipedes (one pair of legs per body segment). One other significant difference is that the centipede is a predator, known as the gardeners’ friend, whereas the millipede is a herbivore and is
consequently the gardeners’ enemy. In the afternoon we moved on to identifying various woodlice species.

It was an excellent day, enjoyable and informative, but for me, the highlight was being introduced to Spiro the Giant Train Millipede. What a wonderful creature he is.”

In March, we showed the BBC film ‘A Farm for the Future’, about sustainable farming and peak oil.  It was made by Rebecca Hosking, who now farms in South Devon, and she led a very lively and interesting discussion about her approach to farming.

In April, Marjorie Waters led a very enjoyable walk from Dorset to Devon and back.  Highlight of the morning was the sighting of the rare spurge laurel (Daphne laureola) which is neither a spurge or a laurel.  They also passed the mill where Beatrix Potter set Little Pig Robinson’s house.