LOVE NATURE? Our Wildlife Guide to the South West July to September 2009
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LOVE NATURE? Our wildlife guide to the South West July to September 2009 support the RSPB . details inside Love nature? So do we! Don’t miss your date with nature in . The RSPB is passionate about wildlife and wild places, Cornwall 4 and this is our guide to how you can get closer to nature on a Scillonian cruise 5 in the South West. at Tresco Abbey Gardens 6 Who are we? with the Cornwall Local Group 6 We’re the largest wildlife conservation charity in the UK. at RSPB Hayle Estuary nature reserve 7 We have a million members and together we speak out at RSPB Marazion Marsh nature reserve 7 for nature. Devon 8 celebrating East Devon Heath Week 10 Our passion for wildlife... with the Exeter Local Group 13 We own and manage nature reserves for their remarkable with the Plymouth Local Group 13 wildlife, such as our Somerset wetlands, home to orchid at RSPB Exe Estuary nature reserve 14 meadows, otters and water voles; our Wiltshire reserves’ at the RSPB Shop Darts Farm 15 stunning chalk grassland flowers, and our Dorset and at RSPB Aylesbeare nature reserve 16 Devon heathlands’ rare lizards and snakes. Our at RSPB Chapel Wood nature reserve 16 conservation staff carry out surveys, advise farmers and Dorset 17 fight planning proposals that threaten our most with the Blackmoor Vale Local Group 26 vulnerable wildlife sites. Their hard work means rare with the East Dorset Local Group 27 birds such as choughs, cirl buntings and stone-curlews with the Poole Local Group 27 are thriving once again and threatened heathland and with the South Dorset Local Group 27 chalk grassland are being restored. at RSPB Arne nature reserve 28 Connecting people with nature . at RSPB Lodmoor nature reserve 29 We’re passionate about showing people wildlife, whether at RSPB Garston Wood nature reserve 29 on a boat cruise, visiting our reserves or getting children at RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve 30 excited in the natural world. This summer, you can make Gloucestershire 31 a date with nature with us and see a variety of wildlife watching peregrines at Symonds Yat 31 including peregrines, nightjars, moths and bats. enjoying wild birds at Westonbirt 34 with the Gloucestershire Local Group 34 Nature needs a voice . at RSPB Highnam Woods nature reserve 35 We believe the environment should be at the top of the at RSPB Nagshead nature reserve 35 agenda when people plan where to build houses, put Guernsey 36 up windfarms, handle transport problems, put out with the Guernsey Local Group 36 fishing boats or educate children. We never give up. Somerset 37 We get things done, making changes for the better, for enjoying Cheddar gorgeous birds 37 wildlife and for people. We also save wildlife around the with the Taunton Local Group 40 world, from saving albatrosses in southern oceans to with the Crewkerne Local Group 41 setting up the Harapan rainforest reserve in Sumatra with the Weston-super-Mare Local Group 41 to protect tigers. with the Bath Local Group 42 at RSPB Ham Wall nature reserve 43 Why not add your voice to ours? at RSPB Greylake nature reserve 44 All this would be impossible without the remarkable at RSPB West Sedgemoor nature reserve 44 support of our million members and 13,500 volunteers. Wiltshire 45 Nature is amazing – to add your voice and help us keep it with the North Wiltshire Local Group 45 that way, go to the middle section of this publication or with the South Wiltshire Local Group 45 contact us on 01392 432691. Front cover: Richard Revels (rspb-images.com) Design by Freeline Graphics 01392 499455 2 RSPB Wildlife Events Diary 1 WELCOME Choose your date with nature . The South West is a fantastic place. We have 26 nature reserves, two shops, 15 local groups and hundreds of events Before attending any events, always check by phoning the contact number provided because: events may be cancelled or changed there may be specific clothing/footwear requirements the level of wheelchair access varies. Some of our events in Somerset have been supported by Detailed information about the reserves listed in this the Heritage Lottery Fund and Natural England as part of guide is available at www.rspb.org.uk/reserves or by the RSPB Somerset Community and Education Project contacting us on 01392 432691 for the relevant Trail Guide leaflet. The RSPB supports and encourages green travel. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Contact Traveline, 0871 200 22 33, or visit (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and www.traveline.org.uk for details of public transport. Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654. 2 3 Cornwall A date with nature… . At this time of year, our coastal valleys and headlands . on the Scillonian lll can host large numbers of migrant birds such as Scillonian lll swallows and martins, wheatears and warblers on their Fri 3 July - Friday 30 October 9.15 am return to Africa. The food-rich estuary mud on our Hayle Join one of our guides for a return trip (Fridays only) to nature reserve makes this a ‘highway services station’ look for gannets, guillemots and other seabirds (and few waterbirds can ignore. Marazion Marsh is the last possibly dolphins too) from on board the Scillonian lll as remaining part of a once large reedbed between it crosses to the island of St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly. Departs Penzance and Marazion. Under the RSPB’s care it is home Penzance 9.15 am (10.45 am Fri 21 Aug). Trip time 2 hours to a variety of wetland creatures and a well known 40 min. Return sailing departs 4.30 pm. Discount price stopping off point for migrants. £25 only available if RSPB membership number quoted at The chough, Cornwall’s emblem, returned naturally to time of booking. Non discount price £35. Contact Isles of breed. Nest protection has ensured they are now Scilly Travel, 0845 710 5555. regularly seen around Southerly Point on the Lizard and Nick Tomalin working with farmers and partners over the years means there is suitable feeding habitat. Under special licence with partners, we are rearing and releasing cirl buntings (absent for decades) into a suitable farmland area – they are thriving and raising chicks of their own. The Isles of Scilly are one of the UK’s most important seabird sites. We are working with partners, local people and schools on Tresco to protect and monitor the birds Common dolphin and to promote enjoyment of the island’s special wildlife without harming it. Wed 8 July 10 am-12 noon Jenny Parker Discover wildlife on the marsh walk RSPB Marazion Marsh nature reserve It’s a wonderful time for a walk on the Jenny Parker marsh. Flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing and birds are singing. Summer is good for seeing sedge warblers, Cetti’s warblers, reed buntings and grey herons. Meet at reserve entrance opposite the small private car park (SW 514312) to join the warden. Suggested donation £1.50. Booking essential. Contact the RSPB, 01392 432691. red capion Wed 12 August and 10 am-12 noon Wed 9 September Migrating birds walk RSPB Marazion Marsh nature reserve West Cornwall is well known as a place to see rare birds “As a city kid, childhood holidays always started with that and unusual migrants. Meet at reserve entrance (SW first glimpse of the sea. To this day spending time at the 514312) opposite the small private car park. Members £1, coast, especially the Cornwall coast, is a delight and a non-members £1.50. Contact the RSPB, 01392 432691. reminder of those halcyon summer days”. Tony Whitehead, Education Officer, South West Regional Office 4 5 A date with nature . Make your own date with Jenny Parker . at Tresco Abbey Gardens nature in Cornwall at: Sun 6 - Fri 18 September 10 am-4 pm RSPB Hayle nature reserve The start of the summer is always a Join the RSPB on Tresco, Paul St Pierre quiet time on the reserve as, in Isles of Scilly, for this common with all British estuaries, our two week event, which wildfowl and waders are away breeding includes regular guided in the Arctic. Towards the end of June, walks to look for wading waders such as redshank, curlew and birds at the Great Pool dunlin start moving south again. and Abbey Pool. See linnets and stonechats • Hide open at all times – best viewing Little egret on the heathlands, and at high tide. garden birds in tranquil • Free car park at Ryan’s Field (close to hide). surroundings. This is a • Seasonal birdwatching events. partnership project with Location: SW 551364. Ryan’s Field car park is 1 mile Tresco Abbey Gardens. from Hayle town centre (off B3301). There is an entrance By train: Stations at Hayle and Lelant Saltings. charge for the Gardens. By bus: St Ives/Hayle service or Penzance/Truro. Contact the RSPB, 01392 432691. By bicycle: On National Cycle Network, Route 3. Tourist info: Hayle Library, 01736 754399. Contact us: 01736 711682 RSPB Cornwall Local Group RSPB Marazion nature reserve This busy and friendly volunteer-led group organizes Overlooking St Michael’s Mount, regular walks and talks and caters for all wildlife lovers Jenny Parker this reserve has Cornwall’s largest whether just starting or quite knowledgeable. Full details reedbed. In summer, damselflies on our website. and dragonflies hover over the Cornwall Local Group leader: Roger Hooper marshes and the Phragmites Tel: 01209 820610 reeds’ new green growth really E-mail: [email protected] accentuates the yellow flag. Look Website: www.RSPBcornwall.org.uk for young warblers in the marsh and willows plus the young of Walk: every Wed until 30 September.