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.

Beavers win top BBC Countryfile award

The remarkable story of Devon's wild beavers goes on with the announcement that the Westcountry rodents have now won a top national award.

Readers of BBC Countryfile Magazine have selected the River Otter Beaver Trial based in East Devon, along with the Scottish Beaver Trial, as their 'Wildlife Success Story of the Year' for 2017. The public poll attracted 56,000 votes across its 12 award categories.

The accolade is recognition of the work being done with the East Devon beavers by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust. The beavers are the first wild population of the animals to exist in England for 400 years. Devon Wildlife Trust leads the River Otter Beaver Trial in partnership with Clinton Devon Estates, University of Exeter and the Derek Gow Partnership.

Devon Wildlife Trust's Mark Elliott manages the River Otter Beaver Trial and said:

"We're delighted to have won this prestigious BBC Countryfile Magazine Award. The fact that thousands of members of the public have taken the time to vote for beavers in Devon and in Scotland shows the wide support these charismatic creatures enjoy."

A breeding population of beavers was first discovered on the River Otter in 2014. No one knows how the beavers came to be living wild in East Devon. In 2015 Devon Wildlife Trust was granted a five-year licence from Natural England. This allowed the beavers to remain after they were initially threatened with removal. The licence also allowed the charity to establish a project which will monitor the beavers until 2020 when a decision about their long term future is to be made by the government.

Devon Wildlife Trust's Mark Elliott added:

"The BBC Countryfile Award stands as a tribute to the strong partnership we've established to conduct the trial. Our research is now beginning to show the important role that beavers could play across our wider countryside in improving water quality, mitigating against the worst effects of flooding and drought, and in benefiting other wildlife. The trial has a long way to go, but this is a very public endorsement of the work we've done with beavers here in Devon and of the trial that has already been carried out in Scotland."

News that Devon's beavers were in the running for the BBC Wildlife Magazine Awards was announced in February. Nominations were made by a panel of judges which included the author Bill Bryson, along with broadcasters John Craven and Anita Rani. Other nominated projects in the same award category included conservation work done with dormice, cirl buntings, bumblebees and bitterns.

Prof Richard Brazier, University of Exeter, project partner and Chair of the River Otter Beaver Trial's Science and Evidence Forum welcomed the public recognition:

"Undertaking research into the impacts of beavers is a challenging yet highly rewarding field of study, made all the more fascinating via the genuine partnership approach that Devon Wildlife Trust is leading and the huge interest in this keystone species shown by the general public."

Dr Sam Bridgewater, Conservation Manager for Clinton Devon Estates, said:

"There was a lot of stiff competition. The award is testament to the hard work of all the partners involved. Clinton Devon Estates recognises that the beavers can have great benefits for wildlife and society and this award is affirmation that these benefits are being recognised nationally. We are very grateful to everyone who has voted for this project."

Devon-based mammal expert and project partner Derek Gow said:

"I am over the moon that the Devon Beaver Trial has been given this recognition.  I have worked with this magnificent species for 22 years. It is just brilliant that BBC Countryfile Magazine have recognised the importance of beavers in the presentation of this award."

Chairman of Natural England, Andrew Sells, said:

"I would like to add my congratulations to Devon Wildlife Trust for their work on this programme. Their careful planning and monitoring of England's first wild population of beavers for 400 years continues to provide us with important evidence on any impacts which a potential reintroduction might have. This is an exciting time for conservation and their award success is a clear indication that many people are very supportive of this scheme."

It is thought that around 20 beavers now live on the River Otter which winds its way through 20 miles of East Devon countryside. Last year one breeding pair of the rodents established themselves on land owned by Clinton Devon Estates close to the village of Otterton. Throughout the summer the adults along with their five offspring, known as kits, were seen most evenings. The family drew hundreds of visitors to the area.

The River Otter Beaver Trial receives no government funding. People can learn more about its work help and give their support via www.devonwildlifetrust.org/make-a-donation

Female (mother) and kits on the River Otter, East Devon, August 2016. Photo copyright Mike Symes (All rights reserved)