Focus Nature Notes. Butterflies at last…

Last hurrah ….last week. 

Congratulations to RHS Garden Rosemoor with parts of the garden awash with bees, dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies at last …last week. Amongst the Whites are flashes of yellow, not Clouded Yellow as I thought but newly emerged Brimstone. It was a hopeful sight after the sad news about alarmingly low numbers from the Butterfly Conservation. #butterflycount. Also spotted a Peacock, 3 Red Admirals and my first and only Tortoishell of the year. Watch the clip below, enjoy a tranquil moment, I love to know what flowers are planted here.

“The Butterfly Conservation are calling on the Government to:

1. Declare a nature emergency

2. Implement an immediate and permanent ban on butterfly-harming neonicotinoid pesticides, without exceptions. 

If you agree, sign our letter and join leading conservation figures in calling on the Government to take action now.” Add your voice at (butterfly-conservation.org)

Seen 14th September

Watch the video here on youtube

 

 

 

Pat Adams' North Devon Focus. My North Devon Coast & Country Chronicle

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Shining Light. North Devon Winter skies.

Despite named storms, high winds and torrential rain, the light shone through the window this Winter. Those dismal skies were interspersed with some colour full evening and morning light. Starting with the Cold Moon, aka the Long Night Moon, the first full moon after the Winter Solstice and ending with the Wolf Moon. 

Love nature - always expect the unexpected. Photo clips by Pat Adams North Devon Focus. Relax, reboot, reconnect while you watch this quick snapshot of the January skies.

#northdevon #sky #sunsets #sundown

Pat Adams' North Devon Focus. My North Devon Coast & Country Chronicle

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Explore the Coast and' Country' side of  Bideford Bay and Beyond 

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Dog walking In the frame. Good Friday pebble dash on the beach at Westward Ho!

The weather had cleared at last and what bettter way to spend a Good Friday than on the beach at Westward Ho! It was Easter Bank Holiday and we didn't really think we'd find a place to park near the slipway but we were lucky. Fantastic weather, billowing clouds amid blue skies and gleaming sands, a perfect dose of vitamin sea, the walk topped off by our first Hockings of the year. I was photographing the sky above the Pebble Ridge when the little dog walked into the frame, there were lots of dog walkers about enjoying the beach before the Summer season restrictions.

"From the 1st of May to the 30th of September Torridge District Council will once again be introducing a restriction for Dogs on sections of Westward Ho! beach and the promenade.

The restriction helps create different usage areas on the beach to ensure that different groups engaged in different activities can all safely access and enjoy this popular resort. It also helps the authority to meet the criteria for the annually assessed Blue Flag Award, which is highly prized and important to bathers and the local tourist industry." TAP HERE to visit torridge.gov.uk for Dog Walking Zones)

Before exploring the coast and countryside with your pets also see advice from Devon Wildlife Trust

Devon Wildlife Trust asks the public to keep dogs on leads to protect nature . > Read post

Photo copyright Pat Adams North Devon Focus

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Journey to the Sea film series set to make waves in North Devon

A new six-part documentary series starring the people and landscapes of North Devon premieres in the county this month - narrated by BBC Springwatch presenter Gillian Burke. Journey to the Sea has been produced in partnership between North Devon Biosphere, WWF, Sky Ocean Rescue, the National Trust, and the Environment Agency.

Journey to the Sea is a celebration of the connection between people, land and the sea - putting nature centre stage. A special Director’s Cut of the films will be screened on Tuesday 21st January in North Devon. The exclusive event will be hosted by science communicator, zoologist and star of one of the episodes, Sophie Pavelle. Following the launch, one episode per week will then go on general release.

Filmed in North Devon, and following the course of the county’s waterways, the collection of short films is a celebration of Devon’s stunning, diverse habitats - from the wild moors of Dartmoor, to the crashing surf of the coastline and out to the open water around Lundy’s shores. The series aims to inspire viewers to take action to protect the UK’s natural world wherever they live.

The films are told through the eyes of local people, who help bring these special places to life. During the series viewers will meet a range of characters, whose lives and livelihoods are intrinsically linked to the area’s waterways, including Ilfracombe’s harbour master and Lundy Island’s warden.

The six films are:

• ‘Wild camping with Trev’ - hiking through Dartmoor National Park
• ‘Farming for the future with Simon’ - connecting young people with wildlife on a working farm
• ‘Exploring the estuary with Sophie’ - paddleboarding on the peaceful Taw-Torridge Estuary
• ‘Surfing with Jasmine’ - disadvantaged young people learning to surf with the Wave Project at Saunton Sands and Croyde beach
• ‘The harbour with George’ - meeting the thriving harbour community in Ilfracombe
• ‘Lundy island with Dean’ - diving below the waves and exploring the island

Rose Stainthorp, Marine Pioneer Coordinator, North Devon Biosphere, said: “North Devon can be a magical place, packed full of wildlife and diverse habitats. We have world-class surfing conditions, which attract surfers from across the country and beyond. Along with the beauty and tranquility of Dartmoor National Park, and the wildlife found on land and at sea, North Devon supports a thriving tourism industry that employs thousands of local people. This should be celebrated and brought to life so we all understand why now is the time to take action and protect nature on our doorstep.”

Alec Taylor, Head of Marine Policy, WWF, said: “We know our oceans and waterways are under threat like never before, from plastic pollution and climate change, to overfishing and underwater noise. Nature is not just a nice to have - it’s our life support system and we can no longer ignore the pressures we’re placing on our environment. We hope these films will inspire people to join the fight for our world and take action to help protect and restore our precious oceans and waterways for the wildlife and communities that depend on them.”

#journeytothesea

  Journey to the Sea - Photos copyright @ninaconstablemedia (All Rights Reserved)

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 (Tap here for "Journey to the Sea" trailer)

"Films were written and produced by Nina Constable Media in collaboration with Mindfully Wired Communications"
#journeytothesea
Email: rose.stainthorp@devon.gov.uk
Facebook: @NorthDevonBiosphere
Twitter: @NDevonBiosphere
All images copyright @ninaconstablemedia (All Rights Reserved)

North Devon Focus Coast and Country Chronicle 2019

A colourful reminder of the year around the Bideford Bay area, Exmoor and beyond. Looking forward to a bright and beautiful 2020 on the North Devon Coast. Thanks for visiting and following. 

What better way to start off the New Year than the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch.Take part in the world’s largest wildlife survey on 25-27 January and do something great for nature. Just choose an hour any time over the three days and enjoy time with nature counting birds.

TAP HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH

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Explore the Coast and "Country"side of Bideford Bay with the North Devon Focus Picture Tour

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THE DONKEYS OF CLOVELLY LAUNCH NEW NORTH DEVON FILM PROJECT

The Donkeys of Clovelly are the stars of a new short film which launches the North Devon Moving Image (NDMI) film making project. NDMI is a long term project which has been established to create and share a collection of short films examining everyday life in north Devon today and preserve them for future generations. Amanda McCormack, founder of NDMI says “I was inspired to set up the North Devon Moving Image project after watching some fascinating archive films in the North Devon Movie bus a few years ago. It occurred to me that despite the fact that most people are regularly recording video on their mobile phones, tablets and digital cameras, no one is actually preserving this valuable resource.” Amanda added “Coming up with a bright idea is just the start, the tricky bit is actually doing something about it. It takes a lot of hard work and focus to get something like this off the ground but I was delighted to find that once I said it out loud I wasn’t the only one who thought the project was a good idea. With plenty of moral support and some practical help from Jerry Bix at North Devon Plus (who guided us through the business registration) and a grant from the North Devon Coast AONB Sustainable Development Fund, we are now up and running.” Amanda wanted NDMI’s first film to be a good example of how five minutes of video can capture a moment in time while being informative, entertaining and inspirational. “Working with Sue and Bart Kelly at Clovelly Donkeys was just wonderful. We felt really privileged to be given an insight into their lives with the donkeys. They are lovely people and it goes without saying that having big cuddles with the donkeys was quite a treat!” Richard Butler, Sustainable Development Fund Chairman commented “This project is an insightful record which reflects on an iconic part of Clovelly’s rich Heritage. We were very happy to support this inaugural film project by North Devon Moving Image and hope it will be the first of many which will provide an informative record of life in North Devon.” North Devon Moving Image will be building their short film collection in a variety of ways, working with individuals, community groups and film makers in north Devon. 2014 will be a pilot year where NDMI demonstrates different creative film making styles, launches community projects and hopefully inspires other local film makers to get involved. 

To find out more you can visit the NDMI website at www.northdevonmovingimage.org.uk or catch up on twitter @NDMovingImage and Facebook North Devon Moving Image CIC.

Photos: Amanda McCormack with Sarah the Clovelly Donkey, Bart and Sue Kelly of Clovelly Donkeys

What viewers have said about the film

Colin Shaddick “A beautiful and quirky film from North Devon.”
Jos Goulding “An absolute delight … well done Sue & Bart” 

Dion Sears “I loved it! Perfect music at the start and I loved how the donkey was part of the interview and kept trying to nibble things, it must have been hard not to laugh. Hope they find someone to pass the job onto … Great stuff, what's next?”

WATCH THE FILM/LEAVE ACOMMENT ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtHE0hF4szA

EMPTY NEST SYNDROME.......

Finally get to see where all the action has been coming from. Feel a little sad, a bit like when my son left home for the first time. I expect lots of Mums and Dads will be feeling the same as they tentatively drop their toddlers off for their first day of school or wave their bigger toddlers off to university . This masterpiece was tucked away in the Apple Tree, it just caught my eye after the light flooded the area after hedge trimming. It was still very much camouflaged but I recognised the dry Ornamental Grass and Monbretia that I had left out for just such a purpose earlier in the year. I think the nest belonged to the Blackbirds that have been keeping me so amused in the garden this summer. I have been watching them leaving the nest, ducking, diving and dodging cats. Here are just some of the stars of the summer show. Hope they have a safe journey, I will miss them.

Royal Wedding Watch

North Devon prepares to celebrate William and Kate's Big Day with a host of Street Parties around the Region. Clovelly are holding a street party to celebrate the occasion and you can watch the Royal Wedding on a widescreen TV at 11:30 am. The Royal Street Party starts at 2:30 p.m. with a complimentary glass of Bucks fizz or fruit cocktail to toast the happy couple. There follows a children's tea party with jelly and ice cream, BBQ burger or hotdog for adults, a scone with jam & cream, all for just £1 each. Children can have their faces painted, enter a fancy dress prize competition for the best Prince and Princess and enjoy a treasure hunt. There'll be a specially brewed real ale on sale, a prize draw in aid of the S.W. Children's Hospice and live music. The New Inn will also be hosting a cocktail party with disco and karaoke in the evening.

Royal Wedding Street Party Date: Friday, 29th April Location: New Inn, Clovelly Normal admission charges apply Visit Clovelly Web Site
NORTH Devon is getting ready to break out the bunting and celebrate the Royal Wedding in style......Visit the North Devon Gazette for more events around the region 

The wedding of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton will be available to watch on the Royal Channel Live Stream, accompanied by a live multi-media blog put together by St. James's Palace......visit The Royal Wedding Official Site
BBC Royal Wedding Features, Wedding Route, Updates & Video

Ponies used to help restore rare grassland habitat at Bridgelea

Four hardy moorland ponies have this month been brought in to graze a rare Culm grassland site in central Devon as part of Devon Wildlife Trust's Working Wetlands project. The 2.5 hectare site at Bridgelea near Sampford Courtenay had been in need of attention for several years. The Working Wetlands project awarded the landowners a grant to carry out scrub clearance and install stockproof fencing which has enabled the re-introduction of grazing. The four ponies are part of the Devon Wildlife Trust's Grazing Links scheme, an initiative which brings people with livestock together with landowners in need of grazing for their holdings. It is hoped that the ponies will help to open up the habitat and allow a broad range of wild flower species to become more widely established across the site. This increase in the range of wild flowers will benefit a host of insects, which in turn will support healthy populations of birds and small mammals. This initiative was only made possible by the generous funding of Devon Waste Management. Their support has enabled the Working Wetlands project to set up and administer a small grant award initiative which offers landowners financial support to carry out capital works on wildlife-rich sites in the Culm Measures. Devon Wildlife Trust's Mike Symes oversaw the introduction of grazing and said: "Bridgelea is a great site but its value for wildlife was being lost due to scrub encroachment and a lack of grazing. Now, as a result of the funding provided by Devon Waste Management, the important Culm grassland habitat will be restored through improved, sympathetic land management." Bob and Joy Tucker, the landowners at Bridgelea, added: "When we moved here we knew that the land was in need of some careful management, but we didn't know where to start. Devon Wildlife Trust has enabled us to embark on this exciting project and we are really looking forward to seeing the field transformed year by year, allowing  the more delicate and vulnerable species that could not compete with the rushes to  establish themselves."

Ponies at Bridgelea photo copyright Devon Wildlife Trust 

Working Wetlands is a seven year landscape scale project working across 65,000 hectares of the Culm Natural Area. It has been supported by South West Water, Tubney Charitable Trust, The Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Devon Waste Management, GrantScape and Natural England.

Devon Reptile & Amphibian Group calls for sightings of rare newt!

Although frogs and newts are familiar from ponds and gardens, globally amphibians are one of the most threatened creatures on earth. In order to help conserve one of the UK's rarest amphibians the Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group, with funding from the Devon Biodiversity Partnership and help from the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre, has recently set up a Great Crested Newt Project. As part of this they are looking for help in locating records of the rare and protected Great Crested Newt, which is currently only known to exist in a few ponds in the county. Great Crested Newts are much larger (up to 17cm long) than the small newts (around 10cm long) more commonly found in our ponds. The body is dark brown to black in colour with a warty appearance. Male Great Crested Newts can be identified by the jagged crest running along their back. Newts have a similar life cycle to frogs and toads, hibernating through the winter months and returning to breed in ponds in the spring. Nicky Green, Chair of the Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group (DRAG) said: 'The Great Crested Newt is thought to be virtually extinct in Devon. However, there have been new recorded sightings across the county, which suggest that there are more of them out there than previously thought. In order to help conserve this rare and fascinating species we need as many records of sightings as possible'. If you think you may have seen Great Crested Newts in your pond please contact Julia.clark_DRAG@hotmail.co.uk or 01626 834422 with the location, post code and date of the sighting. A Great Crested Newt identification and conservation pack is available for respondents.

Photo copyright James Grundy: (All rights reserved)

About Devon Reptile & Amphibian Group
DRAG is the county’s amphibian and reptile voluntary body, with more than 100 members. The group aims to promote the conservation of amphibians and reptiles and their habitats in the county. DRAG record, monitor and survey amphibians and reptiles in Devon.The Great Crested Newt Project has been funded by the Devon Biodiversity Partnership and the Devon Biodiversity Record Centre. The project aims to increase our knowledge of the distribution of Great Crested Newts in the county so they are better able to promote their conservation and ensure they are not adversely affected by development activities.The Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) is Britain’s largest and most threatened newt. The body is dark brown to black in colour with a warty appearance. It has a bright orange belly with black markings.

Peppercombe Chronicles - Brighter days and babbling brooks

26th February. The sun has come out at last. The recent heavy rainfall has resulted in the formation of many rivulets forging channels as they travel down the valley to the sea. The surplus water runs off the upper meadows on both sides of the valley and the two main streams merge just under the bridge at the Coastguard cottages. Mini babbling brooks are also created alongside the path all the way down occasionally pooling where leaves have blocked the way. The odd bird chirps but the main action today seems to be the hundreds of starlings roosting along the electricity wires on the A39 at Horns Cross.  Down by Peppercombe Meadows two buzzards are battling above the coastpath. Although Clovelly is visible across Bideford Bay, Lundy is not. Spring is breaking now in earnest and the first spikes of the ransoms are pushing through on the banks beside the track which, sadly, are still being eroded. Soon Peppercombe will take on a yellow glow when carpeted by flowering primroses, lesser celandine, daffodils and lofty Alexanders. As February draws to a close the early morning frost has returned, so it seems Spring is not quite here yet!. The starlings are a regular sight now swirling aloft like a cloud then settling on the hedgerows around the field.

Lundy high, sign of dry

Lundy plain, sign of rain

Lundy low, sign of snow

First Footing! - Spring breaks at Welcombe

20th February. A trip down to Welcombe Mouth, one of my favourite secluded coves on the wild North Devon Heritage Coast. Stong winds, good light, heavy ocean spray above high rolling surf. The first sighting of a number of Coltsfoot peeking through the undergrowth, sure sign that Spring is on the way. The flower heads, similar to a Dandelion, appear before the leaves on this hardy little plant which was once used as a remedy for coughs and colds. Coltsfoot is prevalent on the boggy grassland above the beach. Looks like it is also the first flight for an orange tailed bumble bee and two caterpillars are out for a walk. I am hoping that the motionless bumble bee hiding in the grass is just enjoying an afternoon siesta. Welcombe Mouth is located on the outer limits of the North Devon Area of Natural Beauty. A quiet spot, popular with surfers, photographers and walkers. The secluded beach has good sand at low tide and is surrounded by high cliffs. There is a superb panorama from high on the Southwest Coast Path. Welcombe Mouth is accessed by car from the A39, the road winds down to the scattered village of Welcombe which is home to the Yarner Trust, Welcombe Pottery and the Old Smithy Inn. The last part of the road is not surfaced so great care must be taken.

Welcombe Bytes: Spectacular rugged rock formations, big stepping stones across the mouth of the fast running stream linking one side of the South West Coast Path to the other. The water cascades down over the rocks. Waterfall visible from the beach and from the coast path. Site of Special Scientific interest.  In 1970, at the height of their fame, the band Deep Purple stayed at the Hermitage while writing their second album "Fireball". St. Nectan's Church St. Nectan was the first Devon Saint and Martyr. He was venerated in the Hartland area and the churches at Welcombe and Stoke are dedicated to him. Across the road from the Church is St. Nectan's Well. If you know what type of butterflies these will become leave a comment!

Appeal launched to extend charity nature reserve At Dunsdon

Devon Wildlife Trust has launched an appeal to its members and local people in the hope that it can raise money to extend one of its nature reserves and preserve some of the county's rarest wildlife. The charity has just been given the chance to add new land to its Dunsdon National Nature Reserve, which lies at the very heart of the Culm Measures in the north west of Devon. The five hectares of SSSI land for sale abut the eastern end of the existing 63 hectare site. The charity has been offered £43,000 towards the purchase by GrantScape, who have funded a wealth of groundbreaking conservation work in this area over the past four years. Devon Wildlife Trust is now looking for another £10,000 in order to complete the purchase. Gary Pilkington, DWT's Senior Reserves Officer said: "Dunsdon is a large reserve that buzzes and bursts with wildlife. Damp acid soils and a history of traditional, sympathetic farming provide ideal conditions for such rare plants as the lesser butterfly orchid, wavy-leaved St John's wort and three-leaved water crowfoot. This rich flora supports an amazing array of other wildlife. Twenty-six species of butterfly make their homes here, including a large nationally important population of rare marsh fritillaries. Breeding birds include herons, skylarks, spotted flycatchers, willow tits and grasshopper warblers. Barn owls hunt over the fields and can sometimes be seen roosting in the trees. The new parcel of land has fantastic potential for these and many other species." The site is also a strategic point on the map for DWT's Working Wetlands team who are helping neighbouring farmers to restore and re-create a network of wildlife habitats on their own holdings around Dunsdon. This gives the new land huge importance as a key link in a chain of joined-up Culm grassland sites. To donate to the appeal either call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244 or visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Peppercombe in the Mist.

Peppercombe Chronicles 19th February Yet another dank, dismal February day but mid-morning a sea mist rolled in, not great light this time of year for photographs but there is always something happening down Peppercombe Valley. The grey mist made for a very ethereal experience. A single yellow flowering lesser celandine amidst the new green shoots beside the path was the only colourful sign of Spring. The catkins and smattering of snowdrops have been out for a couple of weeks now. An occasional flaming red elf cup can be seen snuggling down amongst fallen twigs and branches. I hardly recognise the place which seems strangely empty due to fallen or lopped trees and flattened bracken. For the first time ever I am aware of the precipitous drop from the path and unusually can see clearly over to the lower track and the fast running stream. Spring Beauty, Wood Sorrel, Bluebell Spikes, Daffodil shoots and Dogs Mercury rising.

Bideford Railway Tracks…..

I thought I would share these pictures with all you Bideford Railway history enthusiasts. The photos are dated 1976 and 1993 and were contributed by Philip Lindhurst, whose lifelong interest in Railway Stations was instigated in 1976 while on holiday at his Aunt and Uncle’s in Landcross. His Aunt took him on a trip to see the old Bideford station and Philip, who lives in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire has “walked many an old railway line” since. One of the photos taken on that day was of the old Booking Office which was, for many years occupied, by the Midland Bank. In the photo you can see the name over the door. This building is now the Bideford Railway Heritage Centre and the local office for the North Devon AONB. Many of the old stations across the country are now private homes but Philip finds that people are only too happy to share memories or show him round. One such occasion was in Frongoch, North Wales when a lady allowed him to go round the back to photograph the platforms. He was especially pleased to see the old signal box was still standing and she kindly opened it up so he could take more pictures inside. She said that at one time this particular station had two waiting rooms, one for the ladies and one for the gents. The “Gents” is now her front room and the “Ladies” is now the kitchen!  Philip has worked on the London Underground for the past forty years but still enjoys hunting out old railway stations and has built up an extensive archive of photographs, remnants of a bygone age when the Railways were the most important mode of transport especially in rural areas. Some of Philip’s photos are on display in the old Bideford Railway Carriage which is open for refreshments in the holiday season. Philip has taken pictures of Bideford Railway Station in 1976, 1993 and 2008. The old Bideford railway line now forms part of the 180 mile Tarka Trail. Click here to Explore Bideford Railway Station and the Tarka Trail with the North Devon Focus - All images, articles on this site copyright North Devon Focus. Photos of Bideford Station copyright Philip Lindhurst

Later this year Philip and twelve friends will be taking photographs "off the beaten track" on a trip to see the old nuclear power station at Chenobyl. They will also be visiting what is now the ghost town of Pripyat which once had a population of around 49,000.

The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear accident that occurred on 26 April 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine (then in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, part of the Soviet Union). It is considered the worst nuclear power plant accident in history and is the only level 7 event on the International Nuclear Event Scale. Click here for Chernobyl Disaster Wikipedia Stub

Ruined farmstead uncovered in conservation project at Knowstone Moor

Scrub clearance work currently being carried out at Devon Wildlife Trust's Knowstone Moor nature reserve has uncovered a long-lost farmstead hidden from view for decades. The 120 hectare reserve near Rackenford is a mixture of grassland, heathland and bog is split by the A361 Devon Link Road. It was known that the ruins known as Little Comfort Farm existed at the site, but work this month to remove scrub as part of the GrantScape funded Culm restoration project has unveiled a large area of walls and foundations thought to date back to Elizabethan times. Ian Chadwick, the nature reserves officer for the site who has been in charge of the  work said: "We knew there was suppose to be a farmstead in the area, but until now had never had the funding to really get on top of the thick scrub in the area and fully discover it. Now with the help of contractors and volunteers the site has really opened up and we can see the layout of the farmstead, its out buildings and walls." Along with opening up this ruin, the conservation work is due to benefit a widerange of rare species that exist on the nature reserve including birds such as curlew, nightjar, whinchat and hen harrier. Its insects include two rarities; the marsh fritillary butterfly and the narrow-bordered bee hawkmoth. The charity is now interested to hear from local historians who may be able to shed more light on this ruin.

Leave a comment if you know anything about the history of Little Comfort Farm