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Reserves - Bystock Pools
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Bystock nature reserve leaflet
Key Information
Grid reference/Postcode
SY 030 849 / EX8 5EE
Location
Four miles north of Exmouth
Access
Open
Habitat
Dry and wet lowland heathland, broad-leaved woodland, conifer plantation, semi-improved neutral grassland, small pools and man-made reservoir.
Supporters
DWT gratefully acknowledges the generosity of Devon Cliffs Holiday Park in supporting the management of Bystock Pools Nature Reserve.
Pennon Environment Fund
In 2010, DWT received £4980 to fund work at this site creating new habitat for the silver studded blue butterfly which has recently begun breeding on the reserve after a long period away.
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Bystock Pools
Bystock is a nature reserve of two contrasting faces, with both a heathland and grassland side, providing a delightfully varied place to explore.
What to see:
- Dragonflies and damselflies including hairy dragonflies (March-August)
- Butterflies including grayling, small heath, meadow brown and marbled white
- Bog plants including sundews
- Fieldfares and treecreepers (Dec-Feb)
There is so much to see in a reserve such as Bystock which offers a combination of habitats. Wet and dry heathland, grassland, scrub, woodland, pools and even a small reservoir can all be found at Bystock, each habitat containing its own distincitve character and wildlife. A series of boardwalks allow you to get a closer look at the lakes and wet heathland, whilst climbing the slopes of the nature reserve's valley sees heathers dominate as the terrain becomes drier, before entering a huge meadow alive with butterflies.