Exeter Local Group

Exeter Local Group is involved in wildlife activities within the Exeter city boundary. This is a geographically small area compared to other Local Groups, but represents a densely populated administrative and cultural centre, with more of an urban wildlife environment.

The group organises:

• Events and talks on natural history, wildlife and environmental topics
• Opportunities for involvement with wildlife projects such as Exeter Wild City
• Practical conservation tasks at local nature reserves looking after wildlife habitats
• Joint events with other local organisations, including Exeter City Council Countryside Service, Devon Mammal Group, Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group
• Is there a green space in your life? Wildlife walks, visits, and ‘Green wedge’ informal survey workshops
• Wildlife Watch family events for younger wildlife enthusiasts ages 8-12

For many years the group ran a popular and successful annual wildlife photography competition, through the sterling efforts of Pat Bussell. Hopefully this event will continue in future years.

What we do

Presently the group focuses on active involvement in conservation projects, and making connections between local communities and wildlife. Most events are free, especially for those travelling by public transport, bicycle, and feet. Though donations, 100% of which go towards wildlife conservation in Devon , are very gratefully received.

We usually produce a separate mini-programme of events, which includes joint events with other natural history groups not always featured in the printed DWT events programme. Download the latest Exeter Local Group events leaflet pdf

Recent activities have included:

Practical conservation at nature reserves

• The Old Sludge Beds is the only DWT nature reserve within the city boundary (not including the adjoining Exe reedbeds reserve, which is only accessible by boat). This is our most local reserve, and Exeter Local Group takes part in regular practical conservation tasks, wildlife projects and other events at the site 
• This is not to overlook that Exeter City Council Countryside Service looks after a network of wildlife-rich Valley Parks. Exeter Local Group has helped with new hedge and wildflower plug planting at Ludwell Valley Park , and pond creation at Mincinglake Valley Park
• DWT’s Cricklepit Mill garden needs much work but has great potential as a showcase urban wildlife space. Exeter Local Group has run events constructing nestboxes and re-sowing the wildflower meadow area
  

Events

• Talks on various topics, for example Exeter Wild City , and, in partnership with other groups, on smooth snakes and hedgehogs  
• Natural history guided walks at The Old Sludge Beds and Exeter City Council’s Valley Parks
• Annual bat walks around the River Exe and Exeter quay, jointly with Devon Mammal Group
• Family pond dipping at Exeter City Council’s Riverside Valley Park , with Wildlife Watch and, each year since 2006, as part of Exeter Cycle Sunday. In 2010 we participated in the national OPAL pond survey through this event
• Wildlife pub quizzes
• Stall and activities at Exeter Green Fair
• Visit the events webpage for a list of upcooming events
  

‘Green wedge’ workshop walks and wildlife surveys

• Green Wedge workshop walks are informal surveys of less well known linking habitat spaces. Past investigations have visited Alphington flood relief channels, Hoopern Valley , and traced the course of the North Brook from Topsham Rd to Heavitree. The aim is to record wildlife and learn survey and natural history identification techniques. No special expertise is required, as we are all learning together as we go along. If you would like to join us, or know of a hidden green space or wild spot that we could survey, please get in contact
• In 2010 we joined with Ambios ‘Nature at Sundown’ project and Devon Mammal Group to carry out a repeat otter survey of the city. Otters are sometimes seen by the canal and Millennium Bridge , and have been filmed passing under DWT’s Cricklepit Mill
• Swifts are urban birds whose numbers nationally seem to be declining. A joint project between RSPB, Exeter City Council and Exeter Wild City seeks to record swifts in the city and to fit urban buildings with special swift nest boxes. If your building could support a swift nest box please let us know
• Surveys of woodland sites for dormice, also as part of the Golden Great Nut Hunt national survey in 2009-2010
• Opportunities to help with bat surveys
• Helping with a ‘Bio-blitz’ survey at the University of Exeter in 2010

Ongoing projects at other sites within and close to the city

• Poltimore House near Broadclyst comprises historic buildings and grounds, currently being restored by the Poltimore House Trust. The house is home to many bat species and the gardens are to include all sorts of wildlife features. Exeter Local Group has organised bat surveys, a fungus walk, and nestbox making events and will have opportunities to help with various wildlife activities as part of this ongoing project    
• Helping with habitat creation and enhancement schemes at green spaces, formal and informal, around Exeter
• Habitat creation and enhancement schemes at schools and colleges, community centres and business premises. If you would be interested in developing wildlife-friendly features in your school, community or business grounds, please get in touch

Outings to sites beyond Exeter

• Wild Daffodil walks at Dunsford nature reserve
• Guided walk at Dawlish Warren to look for sand lizards and sand crocuses with Teignbridge District Council Countryside Service 
• Fossil hunting at Charmouth, Dorset ,via the coastliner bus
• Visit to a traditionally-managed wildlife-rich farm and orchard in east Devon