Good News Day for Northam Burrows Country Park Visitors

It was announced in the local press yesterday (18^th July) that the Northam Burrows Visitor Centre will be re-opening in time for the Summer holidays after the major fire which occurred over the Bank Holiday in May 2017. 

Although the centre was badly damaged the rangers adapted well while the reconstruction work was underway as can be seen in the photo below taken on a sunny Saturday in June. The North Devon Biosphere Foundation loaned the events trailer which served as a temporary display area and information point. If you know the name of the happy ranger please leave a comment

The re-opening will coincide with the launch of the Burrows’ Summer programme of events including talks and walks, rockpool rambles, herbal potions, dinosaur days, underwater crafts, circus skills and more. 

Happy to Help - temporary display area and information point - Photo Pat Adams

Walk beside the sea beside Northam Burrows Country Park - Photo Pat Adams

Walk beside the sea beside Northam Burrows Country Park - Photo Pat Adams

 The saviour of the Sand Dunes is Marram Grass - Photo Pat Adams

Braunton Burrows across the Torridge Estuary - Photo Pat Adams

"Business as usual" while reconstruction work is underway on the fire damaged Northam Burrows Visitor Centre - Photo Pat Adams 

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 Tap here for information on Northam Burrows Country Park & latest event details

Tap here to read article/view pictures of the damage in the North Devon Gazette

Tap here for news about the opening from Torridge District Council

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Northam Burrows Country Park lies at the mouth of the Taw Torridge Estuary and is protected from the raging Atlantic Ocean by a famous Pebble Ridge which runs the length of the two mile stretch of beach at Westward Ho! The Burrows consist of over 600 acres of coastal grassland, sand dunes and salt marsh known as The Skern. This area certainly appears to be a bleak, barren wasteland, but looks can be deceptive. It is a designated site of scientific interest and although there is a dearth of vegetation on the actual pebble ridge save the odd sprig of sea spurge, the Burrows supports a variety of plant life including Dune Pansy, Glasswort, Sea Holly, Sharp Rush and Storksbill. The saviour of the Sand Dunes is Marram Grass which grows vigorously in this inhospitable landscape. This common land is shared happily by all manner of tiny creatures, birds, butterflies, horses and sheep as well as golfers and walkers. The oldest links course in England is sited within the park and a separate section is set aside for local horse riding stables.(Article North Devon Focus on Northam Burrows)

Spring flowers mark launch of free Plant-ID Courses for local verge management project

As the snowdrops seed-heads begin to form, and the daffodils and primroses are in full splendour, the Life on the Verge Biosphere Project, made possible by National Lottery players through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), has been busy finalising the dates for its summer programme of free plant identification courses.

These courses are a key part of the project’s ambition to coordinate a network of volunteers to identify, restore and manage species-rich verges across the North Devon Biosphere. A number of ‘special verges’ along roads or other public right of way have already been identified by Devon County Council and require re-surveying as most haven’t been surveyed for several years. Elsewhere there are likely to be many other verges known to local people for their summer displays or particular species of interest which could also be included in the project or a less interesting but prominent Parish verge which could benefit from ‘livening-up’. 

In addition to a splendid display of flowers and enhanced provision for native pollinators under threat, species-rich verges need cutting only once or twice per year, which may help reduce maintenance costs for verges managed by parish or town councils. 

Co-ordinator Clare Manning said 

‘After ensuring all volunteers are aware of necessary Highways Safety provisions to keep them safe, the first step in our project is to get out and survey verges to identify which are already in wildlife rich and in good condition and which will need more significant practical management to restore or create wildlife interest. Verge surveying will form an ongoing part of the project in order to assess the impact of practical management we undertake. Whilst our current focus is to establish our survey programme this summer, we have exciting plans developing for practical activities later in the year. I would encourage people to get in touch if they know of a verge that could benefit from the project, or are simply interested in volunteering with the project’. 

The free plant identification and survey training sessions are located across the Biosphere Reserve to minimise travel distances for volunteers as far as possible. Training dates are:

• May 30th 5.30-8.30pm at Fremington Quay
• June 3rd 2-5pm at Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve 
• June 10th Winsford Bridge East (meet at Arlington Court carpark) 2pm - 5pm 
• July 1st at Marsland Nature Reserve 2pm-5pm
• July 12th Meshaw Nature Reserve (near Rackenford) 5.30-8.30pm . 

To book or express interest in the project contact Project Coordinator Clare Manning on 07392 239719 or email verges@tarkacountrytrust.org.uk 

Adrian Culley, manager of Marsdens Devon Cottages which is raising money for the project by asking anyone who books a holiday through the agency to donate £1 said 

‘Though it can sometimes be easy to take floral displays on our roadside verges for granted, they have a positive impact on our lives; whether you are local person or tourist, it’s hard not to feel uplifted when you walk, cycle or drive past a verge bursting with life and colour during spring, summer and early autumn.’ 

Dave Edgcombe from North Devon Coast AONB said 

‘Having lost 97% of our species-rich grassland since the 1930s, verges along our roads and other public rights of way are one of the few remaining places where our native wildlife can thrive. But species-rich verges do need to be managed to prevent dominant species and scrub from out-competing our wildflowers and that’s where Life on the Verge Biosphere Project comes in, supported by a grant from our Sustainable Development Fund’ 

Other project supporters are Devon County Council Highways, The Devon Biodiversity Records Centre and The North Devon Biosphere Service and Biosphere Foundation.

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Website: Life on the Verge 'Biosphere'

Facebook: Life on the Verge - Biosphere   

Tarka Country Trust was set up in March 1999. Following a successful application to the Millennium Commission, the Trust ran the Tarka Country Millennium Awards from 2000 to 2004.  The Objectives of the Trust are: 

• To preserve for the benefit of the public the natural features of northern Devon whilst respecting any historical features. 

• To advance the education of the public about conservation and the protection of the environment in northern Devon.

Combe Martin Bioblitz – 4 schools and 300 schoolchildren

A survey of coastal wildlife at Combe Martin attracted over 300 children from four Devon schools to celebrate British Science Week. The children moved round three different activities on their Bioblitz day to survey and find out more about coastal wildlife. They started with wildlife surveys in the rock pools and on the beach. Then they studied creatures and seaweeds under the digital microscopes in Combe Martin Museum. Finally they visited four stands with different science activities on the school field. The event was hosted by Combe Martin Primary School, one of the major partners in the Coastal Creatures project led by North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“The children lived and breathed science for a day,” said AONB officer Cat Oliver. “Their knowledge and enthusiasm was infectious, whether delving into rockpools, magnifying shells and seaweed or drawing the coastline with a long piece of rope. We would like to thank our major funder the Heritage Lottery Fund and our sponsors of the day, North Devon Council through their councillor grants. Without their support, this fantastic event would not have been possible.”

“Seeing the children from different schools working collaboratively and fully engaged with discovering our coastal wildlife was truly inspirational," said Combe Martin Primary's Sea School teacher Graham Hockley. "Such a large number of children working as mini inter-tidal ecologists, each one helping to find and identify coastal species will hopefully inspire them to go on and study STEM subjects, becoming the next generation to understand and protect our stunning coastline."

The day was attended by Combe Martin Primary School and Tiddlers Nursery, Bampton CE Primary School, Woolacombe School and Caen Community Primary School from Braunton. The activities provided on the school field included matching animals with their habitats on the AONB stand, making wildlife badges with the National Trust, identifying what bats eat with the Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat project and drawing the coastline with Exmoor National Park’s rangers.

All the wildlife survey forms completed by the children, Coastwise members and Museum volunteers from the day were checked by the Marine Biological Association. These will contribute to science nationally by being uploaded as records on the National Biodiversity Network.

Combe Martin Bioblitz - Dave Edgecombe, surrounded by fascinated children, explains the life of limpets

Combe Martin Bioblitz – AONB team on their stand, Combe Martin primary school children on Combe Martin beach
Photos copyright North Devon ANOB (All Rights Reserved)
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Coastal Creatures is a project hosted by the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is a partnership project working with Combe Martin Primary School, the National Trust, Coastwise North Devon and Northam Burrows Country Park. It is funded by the AONB, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Tesco Bags of Help and the four partner organisations. Grants from several Councillors of North Devon Council are supporting the Bioblitz and equipment for wildlife surveys. Contact: Cat Oliver on 01271 388893 or find out more about the Coastal Creatures project at www.northdevon-aonb.org.uk.

Extreme Beach Cleans

Reaching the parts that are hard to reach, the North Devon Coast AONB team, Skern Lodge and local volunteers are planning several events to remove marine litter washed up on the more remote parts of our coast.

“We are delighted to have funding from Tesco Bags of Help to involve the local community in protecting our wildlife and beaches by removing litter washed in from the sea,” said AONB Education Officer Cat Oliver. “Reaching the more remote beaches presents a number of challenges so we hope that combining the offer of a bracing walk or a chance to scramble down a cliff will inspire more people to help us clean up the beaches.”

The first ‘walk and beach clean’ is on Saturday 3rd December at Cockington Mouth from 10.00am to 3.30pm. This stretch of beach is a 45 minute walk south of Greencliff and north of Peppercombe, where the South West Coast Path dips down onto the beach (west of Abbotsham). Due to the remote location there is a phenomenal amount of marine litter stranded there that rarely gets taken away as there is no vehicle access. This is where Skern Lodge Outdoor Activity Centre comes in to provide the staff and a boat to remove the litter by sea. The National Trust, Keep Britain Tidy and Surfers Against Sewage are also supporting this event.

“We’re delighted to be able to work with the AONB team to share our skills, knowledge and equipment in looking after our outstanding coastline,” said John Watson, Skern Lodge General Manager. “We rely on the exceptional quality of the coast to bring people to North Devon.”

Plans for next year include a general beach clean, plus rock scrambling with Skern Lodge staff, at Hartland Quay on Saturday 25th February 2017. 

Marine litter on Cockington Mouth beach. Photo Copyright North Devon Coast AONB (All Rights Reserved)

Further information is on the AONB website calendar at www.northdevon-aonb.org.uk 

or contact catherine.oliver@devon.gov.uk

Are you the next Attenborough? Wildlife Film Making Workshop at Northam Burrows

Could you be the next David Attenborough? Come and learn the principles and get some hands-on experience of wildlife film making with professional film makers and local wildlife experts at this one day intensive wildlife film making workshop.

Torridge District Council and the Northam Burrows team are working with community film makers North Devon Moving Image (NDMI) to run this one day workshop for ages 16 and over at Northam Burrows Country Park on Sunday 11 September 2016.

Amanda McCormack, Creative Director of NDMI says "The event is part of our Wild Shorts wildlife and environment competition project. This intensive workshop would normally cost £50 per person but thanks to our funders The North Devon Coast AONB, Fullabrook CIC and the Tarka Country Trust we are able to offer places at £10 for adults and £5 for 16 and 17 year olds. Parking on the Burrows is £3.50 but if you get there before 9.30am it's free."

"Participants can expect a real hands-on, interactive experience. There are only 10 places available, which will allow everyone to gain as much as possible from the event."

 One day workshop for ages 16 and over at Northam Burrows Country Park on Sunday 11 September 2016

Booking is essential.   

Tap here to findout more and to book a place 

or contact Amanda McCormack at northdevonmovingimage@outlook.com or telephone 01271 860610. 

Butterfly Effect Films 'Captures the Magic' with their first film

Following the success of the boat stories film series, Jo Stewart-Smith (producer) and Simon Vacher (director of photography) formed the partnership Butterfly Effect Films to make more powerful short films which will fly far and wide. They've delivered their first film, 'Creating New Farm Wetlands' for North Devon's Biosphere

The film covers the hot topic: how to prevent agricultural runoff which can pollute the river system, force closure of fledgling shellfish businesses in the estuary and lower water quality on bathing beaches. The teams made a decision early on to ask the farmers to tell the story in their words (just like Boat Stories did with the fishermen.) Jo Stewart-Smith says, "I did wonder whether farmers working in the hills would want to talk about pollution in the estuary, but as soon as I listened to the farmers, a different picture emerged and I realised we rarely hear their side of the story."  As Phil Morrish from Stoneyard farm, near Barnstaple says "the last thing we want to do is lose precious sediment and nutrients into the river. By digging a simple sediment trap, we can actually return this nutrient-rich soil to the farm."

Jo adds, "initially the farmers may have felt outside their comfort zone speaking on camera, but their passion for the project overrode any worries and they were walking and talking us through like professional presenters." As Phil digs a series of ditches, he explains "the important thing I learned is slowing the flow of water gives the sediment and nutrients time to settle out and at the same time reduces the flash flood risk to nearby Barnstaple." The result is a positive, inspiring film which reveals that creating new wetlands brings numerous other benefits to the farm like saving electricity on the dirty water pumps or needing less bedding in the sheds. Andrew Mather's new wildlife ponds now form one of the attractions for caravaners visiting Hallsdown farm on the fringes of Exmoor. Tom Hynes, biodiversity officer for the biosphere, outlines the long term gains for all of us as the patchwork of new wetlands matures and the water quality in the estuary improves. As Phil Morrish says "this project benefits the farm and the river environment so it's a win win situation." Director of Photography, Simon says, "To make the link between the hills and the estuary we followed the course of the river Yeo weaving its way through some of the most scenically beautiful parts of North Devon to the wide open ocean. This area of the South West is a film-makers dream." Dawn Murphy from Morte Wildlife Group said "I thoroughly enjoyed watching the film and was interested to learn about the win win perspective the created wetlands have achieved.  The film has captured the ' magic ' of Boat Stories all over again!"

Simon Vacher filming Tom Hynes & Andrew Mather by the new pond - Photo copyright Jo Stewart-Smith (All rights reserved)

Simon Vacher filming Chris & Phil Morrish for North Devon's Biosphere 

Andrew Mather in the sheep sheds and Digging the new ponds

All Photos copyright Butterfly Films (All rights reserved)

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 The film can be viewed on the biosphere's estuary project page http://www.northdevonbiosphere.org.uk/estuary-project.html  or on butterfly effects http://www.butterflyeffectfilms.com   

It was made to inspire other farmers to create wetlands and take up available grants so don't forget to watch and share.