North Devon Coast and Country Chronicle: Charity provides unique opportunity to explore wildlife haven from the water.

Wednesday, 24 August 2016

Charity provides unique opportunity to explore wildlife haven from the water.

A conservation charity is promising a day of water sports and nature discovery on one of its top North Devon reserves.

Devon Wildlife Trust is teaming up with Encompass Training SW to explore the lakes at Meeth Quarry nature reserve near Hatherleigh by canoe, kayak and raft! This is a unique opportunity as the lakes are not normally open to water sports activities.

The event takes place on Thursday 1 September with two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Sessions cost £12 per person and booking is essential.

Devon Wildlife Trust's Jasmine Atkinson said:

"The upcoming Water Sports Day is a unique opportunity to get out on the lakes and explore Meeth Quarry from a watery angle. Families will have the chance to kayak and canoe around Woolladon Lake and test their creative abilities with raft-building!"

"We'll be on the lookout for some of Meeth's amazing wildlife. Dragonflies will be patrolling the lake edges and we'll be joined by many water birds including little grebes and tufted ducks!"

A free family day will run alongside the water sports activities. Visitors can explore the wildlife of Meeth with pond -dipping, bug hunting, trails and crafts. There will also be two guided walks at 11am and 1pm to delve deeper into nature.

Devon Wildlife Trust's Lucy Flatman is looking forward to welcoming visitors:

"Our Open Day at Meeth aims to introduce families to this wonderful reserve and it's diverse wildlife. Meeth is a reserve with an unusual history which we feel makes it all the more special. We will have activities, trails and crafts available to visitors on the 1st September and we hope to see a good turnout."

Meeth Quarry only became a Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserve in 2013. It was formerly a clay quarry but ceased work in the early 2000s after 100 years of production. Despite its industrial past the reserve is a wildlife hotspot being well-known for its dragonflies, butterflies, birds and deer.

At 150 hectares Meeth Quarry is one of Devon Wildlife Trust's biggest nature reserves. It is also one of its most easily accessible. The Tarka Trail cycle route runs through its heart. Bike trails, footpaths and easy access trails allow visitors to explore. The reserve is also served by toilets and a large car park, located via an access lane from Meeth village and the A386, four miles north of Hatherleigh
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