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

North Devon otter video makes a splash at film festival!

A film capturing wild otters in their natural environment shot by Devon Wildlife Trust's Senior Nature Reserves Officer Gary Pilkington has been shortlisted for an award. Gary managed to film the family of otters one day when out working on Marsland Nature Reserve near Hartland. The footage which has already had thousands of views on You Tube was submitted to the Borderlines Film Festival at the end of the year. Now it has been shortlisted for the Under Open Skies Harry Williamson Award for the best amateur and professional films on Britain's natural world. This is the first time the competition has been run and it was set up in honour of Harry Williamson, a very dedicated and prolific amateur film-maker. The prize is sponsored by Wyevale Nurseries. Borderlines Film Festival runs throughout Herefordshire and Shropshire and will screen at 37 venues from 25 March to 10 April. With over 220 screenings and events it is the UK's largest rural film festival. Gary said: "It's great to be shortlisted for this award, I have managed this reserve for more than 20 years and never seen an otter so it was a shock and real surprise to be in the right place in the right time with my camera at hand. The otters didn't seem to mind me being around at all and as the footage shows the two young ones had probably not had any contact with humans, they seemed fully at ease playing about in the stream." Gary will find out in early April whether he has won the prize.

Here is the video for you all to enjoy

Good Luck Gary

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!