Grazers return for first time in generation

For the first time in many years cattle are roaming the heathland landscape of one of south Devon's top nature reserves. Bovey Heathfield Nature Reserve, close to Bovey Tracey, is now home to six Galloway cattle. The job of the cows will be to munch their way through the some of the grasses, brambles and scrub that threaten to take over some areas of the delicate heathland. When the cattle are removed later this year it is hoped that they will leave the nature reserve in a better state to help rare wildlife including reptiles, birds, butterflies and wildflowers. Bovey Heathfield Nature Reserve is managed by leading environmental charity Devon Wildlife Trust. Its Nature Reserves officer Jackie Gage said: "This heath would once have been grazed by cattle belonging to local people. This grazing helped to keep it in balance, allowing its unique heathland wildlife to thrive. However these old ways of land management largely ceased in the first half of the 20th century and many heathlands were lost as a result of this. After a break of many years, introducing grazing animals means that Bovey Heathfield should now remain as a wonderful place for wildlife and people." The nature reserve needed investment before it cattle could roam again. Large parts of the 24 hectare site's perimeter had to be improved with stock-proof fencing. The cost of this was significant but Devon Wildlife Trust was able to do the vital work using a generous grant from Biffa Award, a multi-million pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives through awarding grants to community and environmental projects across the UK. Jackie explained the difference that cattle will make to the nature reserve's wildlife: "The cattle will feed on some of the young scrubby bushes, brambles and trees that could otherwise easily smother the delicate heathland. They also munch through a lot of the dead purple moor grass that will also dominate if unchecked. This process of clearing is vital for a whole range of heathland specialist plants and animals that call the nature reserve their home.' Among the plants which are set to do well from the cows stay are wildflowers including heath milkwort, tormentil and lousewort. Birds set to prosper include stonechats and nightjars. While the cattle will also create bare spots in the heath for reptiles including common lizards, adders and grass snakes to bask in. The cattle should not put people off visiting this popular nature reserve which sits as a green oasis on the edge of the busy Heathfield industrial estate. Jackie added: 'The cattle are calm animals but we do ask people to be sensible around them. In particular that means keeping all dogs on a short lead. That way the cows can get on with their vital job of work keeping the reserve in good shape for local wildlife.' Bovey Heathfield is one of 50 nature reserves managed for people and nature by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust.

'Cattle are once again roaming the heathland of Bovey Heathfield Nature Reserve. near Bovey Tracey' Photo copyright DWT (All rights reserved)

'Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area making a huge difference for nature - but more support needed

Representatives from a major conservation project in Devon are attending a special event in London today to mark two years of England's Nature Improvement Area (NIA) programme - and to ask the Government to continue its support of its crucial work in North Devon. The Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area covers 72,000 hectares in the river Torridge Catchment. It is one of 12 partnership projects which were created in 2012 following a competitive bidding process for a share of £7.5million new funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Natural England. The aim of Nature Improvement Areas is to improve the landscape for people and nature through restoring, expanding and joining up wildlife-rich areas. The South West only has two NIAs, one in Northern Devon and one in Purbeck. Today's Forum in London will enable the 12 NIA partnership groups from across England to share details and learning on the wide-ranging work they are doing to restore nature on a landscape scale, and their plans for the future. But NIAs may not continue into 2015 without further Government support. The Northern Devon NIA Manager, Lisa Schneidau, said: 'Thanks to the efforts of a huge number of farmers, communities and organisations working with us, the Northern Devon NIA has made a real difference for the river Torridge catchment in its first two years. The project has generated over £4 million to support action for the environment by local people. Without the catalyst of financial support from Government, none of this action would have happened. "Yet we have barely started, and there is much yet to do. Our current funding finishes in March 2015. We urge the Government to continue its financial contribution to Nature Improvement Areas. This support is crucial for the restoration of a healthy, wildlife-rich landscape in the Torridge catchment in the long term." Since April 2012 the Northern Devon NIA has worked with local landowners throughout 72,000 hectares of the Torridge catchment, within the North Devon Biosphere Reserve. Devon Wildlife Trust is the lead partner. Effort has been concentrated on offering advice and resources, to help local landowners manage wildflower (Culm) grassland, wetland and woodland, improve water quality in local watercourses, and engage local people in all aspects of the environment. So far the project team has helped 226 landowners, who in turn have restored over 1,200 hectares of land for wildlife. The project's work with communities so far has generated over 100 events, 33 school visits, over 3,000 volunteer hours and two theatre projects. Lisa and project partners will be presenting the main achievements of the project to an audience at the Forum which includes Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Natural Environment and Science Lord de Mauley, Professor Sir John Lawton and Natural England Chair Andrew Sells. Lisa said, "We still have 6 months of the current project to go - and everyone can get involved. 

Whether you are a land manager, a budding wildlife surveyor, a parish or community group, a school, or you simply want to find out more about your local environment - if you live or work in the river Torridge catchment, we'd love to hear from you." The Northern Devon NIA team can be contacted on 01409 221823 or info@northerndevonnia.org
For more information, visit: www.devonwildlifetrust.org/northern-devon-nature-improvement-area/ 
A report on achievements of the NIA project in its first two years can be foundhere:

 Deptford Pastures near Bradworthy has been one of the many parts of the Devon landscape helped by the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area  - Photo copyright DWT (All rights reserved)

River health checks off to flying start!

A river monitoring project established to check on the 'health' of North Devon's River Torridge has got off to a flying start. Set up earlier this year, the project now has 34 trained volunteers who are carrying out vital regular monitoring. The initiative, known as the 'Riverfly Partnership', is part of a national project monitoring the long term health of our rivers and helps to pick up on pollution incidents. The Devon version was set up earlier this year in the Torridge catchment. It was put in place by the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area (NIA). So far it has generated a good deal of local interest. After an initial call for 'river monitors' 34 local people came forward to help. They come from a range of backgrounds and include teachers, anglers, farmers, students and an acupuncturist! Members of the team have each been given their own stretch of the river and are now surveying it on a monthly basis, looking for freshwater invertebrates (minibeasts), hence the name 'riverflies'. Louise Davis, the NIA's Riverfly Co-ordinator, explained: "The invertebrates found in our streams and rivers can tell us a lot about their health. Their presence or absence gives us vital clues as to what is going on beneath the water's surface. By counting the invertebrates on a monthly basis, we are able to look at long term water quality, and if all the invertebrates disappear, we know that something has gone drastically wrong. The volunteers have been sampling over the summer months, making sure that vital fish spawning grounds are not disturbed over the winter. We're also careful to ensure that the volunteers are safe and that they are not swept away by floods!" The Riverfly project is being support by North Devon Fisheries Local Action Group, and Torridge District Council. Their generosity allowed the NIA to purchase equipment for the volunteers. Using hand nets, sampling trays and magnifiers, the volunteers are tasked with identifying eight different groups of invertebrates. Louise explained: "The work of the volunteers is not too technical, and the Riverfly monitoring scheme is one that anyone can take part in, with no previous experience required. It does however take an eye for detail and a certain level of patience to identify the different flies that are found." 

The project is keen to hear from other local people who might want to get involved. If you would like to find out more about the Riverfly scheme, or to register your interest as a volunteer for 2015, please email info@northerndevonnia.org , or call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01409 221823. 

The monitoring scheme is part of wider work being undertaken by the NIA in NorthDevon. The project is one of 12 nationally important landscape scale wildlife schemes across England. It is delivering an impressive and ambitious range of work to restore Culm grassland and woodlands, create new wildlife habitat and improve water quality in the Torridge catchment. It is a partnership project within the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with Devon Wildlife Trust as the NIA's lead partner and at least 16 other project partners making active contributions to the project's outcomes.

 "Riverfly training takes place on the River Torridge. The scheme is getting local people to provide regular health-checks on their river."- Photo copyright DWT (All rights reserved)