Charity opens new chapter with reserves book

A new book featuring some of Devon's top beauty spots has been released this month. Devon Wildlife Trust - Nature Reserves is the result of nearly 50 year's work by the charity caring for the county's environment. The new book offers portraits of 20 of Devon Wildlife Trust's most stunning nature reserves in every corner of the county. It uses beautiful landscape and wildlife photography - many of its pictures have never been seen before. The book's author and DWT's Communications Co-ordinator Stephen Hussey said: "Devon contains some of the most spectacular wildlife and wild places in the UK, Devon Wildlife Trust has the responsibility of caring for these. This book shows just what a special place our county is and the work that we do as a charity in looking after it." The book has been made possible thanks to sponsorship from South West Water. The company's Chief Executive, Chris Loughlin, said: "South West Water has supported the work of the Devon Wildlife Trust for many years, and it is a pleasure to sponsor this beautiful book celebrating some of our region's best-loved nature reserves."By working in partnership with organisations such as the Devon Wildlife Trust, we hope to play our part inpreserving and protecting the environment forfuture generations to enjoy." The book means there has never been a better time to become a member of Devon Wildlife Trust since every new member will receive the 100 page guide as part of their joining package. Membership of Devon Wildlife Trust costs from as little as £2 per month. People can join by visiting http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/ or calling DWT on 01392 279244.

Charity awards volunteers at AGM

Volunteers from around Devon have received awards this month as part of Devon Wildlife Trust's Annual General Meeting. The awards were set up to celebrate local people who give their time to help wildlife. The event was held at The Watermark, Ivybridge on Saturday 30 October. Appropriately, this was national Make a Difference Day an annual celebration which is held each year and aims to promote the idea of volunteering to more people. Eight volunteers were given awards including Dan Best from Torbryan, Graham Curtis from Exmouth, David Fitter from Dolton, Paul Madgett from Braunton, Libby Ross from Whimple, Peter Smith from Exeter, Terry Ackland from Kingsteignton and Sandy Backus from Lustleigh. Dawn Lenn, DWT's Volunteers Officer said: "These volunteers have been singled out as shining examples of people that give their time freely and cheerfully to help with conservation work throughout the county. They give time regularly to help DWT in many ways from helping with DWT's website, fundraising, Local Groups, nature reserves and Wildlife Watch groups for children. The volunteers selected this year are just a handful of the hundreds of volunteers without whom the charity would not achieve so much as we do for Devon's wildlife." For more information about volunteering and how to get involved, visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Severn Sands - last passage through the Marshes

After being tossed by stormy seas, the Severn Sands dredger has finally come to rest at Yelland. The massive hulk was originally docked at Fremington Quay in March 2007 and remained there until 2008 until it broke its moorings during storms, by January 2009 it had become a wreck beached beyond the Quay. This year it broke its moorings once again when exceptionally high tides flung it across the far side of the estuary where it settled on the riverbank at Heanton Court. The floundering wreck and it’s perilous cargo has put local shipping and the environment in jeopardy and the problems have been highlighted in the local news for some time. Last week, in an operation overseen by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the dredger was towed back across the estuary to the big old jetty at Yelland where it is planned to remove all hazardous materials and clean it up before it is safely dismantled. The hulk, pictured Sunday 10th October, is located, just off the Tarka Trail, in a peaceful, scenic spot beyond the RSPB nature reserve Isley Marsh. Isley Marsh is made up of saltmarsh and intertidal mudflats on the southern edge of the Taw Torridge estuary and lies largely within the estuary SSSI. It is an important haven in the busy estuary for undisturbed feeding and resting birds, especially the wintering flocks of ducks (such as teal) and waders (including significant numbers of curlew, greenshank and dunlin). In recent years, numbers of little egret have increased and, in winter, it is often possible to see spoonbills. NB. RSPB Isley Nature Reserve: Visitor access is restricted to public footpaths, largely outside the reserve itself, but allowing expansive views across the estuary and the surrounding farmland. There is no public parking within two miles, although the Tarka Trail runs along the south side of the reserve, allowing easy foot and cycle access along this former railway track. Click here to find RSPB Nature Reserves in Devon and Cornwall

Alongside "Severn Sands" photo copyright B. D. Adams



Click here to view more photos of the Severn Sands at Fremington Quay

In the Area and across the estuary Home Marsh Farm, Instow, Lower Yelland, Braunton Biosphere

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