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.