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Dorset and Plymouth Local Group 18 Devon Heathlands’ Rare Lizards and Snakes

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RSPB-events-oct-mar-030910:Layout 1 28/09/2010 10:27 Page 1 LOVE NATURE? Things to do • Places to go • Ways to help October 2010 to March 2011 Our wildlife guide to the South West nature’s voice RSPB-events-oct-mar-030910:Layout 1 28/09/2010 10:27 Page 2 Where to make your LOVE NATURE? So do we! date with nature. The RSPB is passionate about wildlife and wild places, and Cornwall 4 Cornwall Local Group 5 this is our guide to how you can get closer to nature in the RSPB Hayle Estuary nature reserve 6 South West. RSPB Marazion Marsh nature reserve 7 Who are we? Devon 8 We’re the largest wildlife conservation charity in the UK. Avocet cruises on the Exe 9 & 15 We have a million members and together we speak out RSPB Aylesbeare nature reserve 10 for nature. RSPB Chapel Wood nature reserve 11 RSPB Exe Estuary nature reserve 12 & 13 Our passion for wildlife... RSPB Shop Darts Farm 12 & 13 We own and manage nature reserves for their remarkable RSPB Labrador Bay nature reserve 14 wildlife, such as our Somerset wetlands, home to orchid Exeter Local Group 17 meadows, otters and water voles; our Wiltshire reserves’ Kingsbridge Wildlife Explorers 18 stunning chalk grassland flowers, and our Dorset and Plymouth Local Group 18 Devon heathlands’ rare lizards and snakes. Our Torbay and South Devon Team 18 conservation staff carry out surveys, advise farmers and fight planning proposals that threaten our most Dorset 19 vulnerable wildlife sites. Their hard work means rare Poole Harbour birdboats 20 & 26 birds such as choughs, cirl buntings and stone-curlews RSPB Arne nature reserve 21 are thriving once again and threatened heathland and RSPB Garston Wood nature reserve 22 chalk grassland are being restored. RSPB Lodmoor nature reserve 23 RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve 24 & 25 Blackmoor Vale Local Group 36 Make a date with nature . East Dorset Local Group 36 We’re passionate about showing people wildlife, whether Poole Local Group 37 on a boat cruise, visiting our reserves or getting children South Dorset Local Group 37 excited about the natural world. Gloucestershire 38 Nature needs a voice . Westonbirt 39 We believe the environment should be at the top of the RSPB Highnam Woods nature reserve 40 agenda when people plan where to build houses, put RSPB Nagshead nature reserve 41 up windfarms, handle transport problems, put out Gloucestershire Local Group 42 fishing boats or educate children. We never give up. Forest of Dean Wildlife Explorers 42 We get things done, making changes for the better, for wildlife and for people. We also save wildlife around the Guernsey 43 world, from albatrosses in southern oceans to setting up Guernsey Local Group 43 the Harapan rainforest reserve in Sumatra to protect tigers. Somerset 44 RSPB Ham Wall nature reserve 46 Why not add your voice to ours? RSPB West Sedgemoor nature reserve 47 All this would be impossible without the remarkable RSPB Greylake nature reserve 48 support of our million members and 13,500 volunteers. Avalon Marshes Wildlife Explorers 52 Nature is amazing – to add your voice and help us keep it Bath Local Group 52 that way, go to the middle section of this publication or Crewkerne Local Group 53 contact us on 01392 432691. Taunton Local Group 53 Carymoor Wildlife Explorers 54 Weston-super-Mare Local Group 54 Front cover: Robin, Nick Tomlinson Designed by Freeline Graphics 01392 499455 Wiltshire 55 RSPB Winterbourne Downs nature reserve 56 North Wiltshire Local Group 57 South Wiltshire Local Group 57 natures voice 1 RSPB-events-oct-mar-030910:Layout 1 28/09/2010 10:27 Page 2 WELCOME Where to make 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. Portland Land’s End Before attending any events, always check by phoning the contact number provided because: l Events may be cancelled or changed l There may be specific clothing/footwear requirements l Many of our reserves and events are now suitable for those with limited mobility. Our staff and volunteers are always happy to facilitate, wherever possible. We are continually working to improve access. Further reserve detail is available at www.rspb.org.uk/reserves or by contacting us on Unless otherwise stated, photos from rspb-images.com (Eleanor Bentall, Ben Hall, Andy Hay, David Kjaer) 01392 432691 for the relevant guide. Map references appear as XX 123456. RSPB South West Regional Office, Keble House, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter EX1 1NT Tel: 01392 432691 The RSPB supports and encourages green travel. Contact www.rspb.org.uk Traveline, 0871 200 22 33, or visit www.traveline.org.uk for details of public transport. 2 3 RSPB-events-oct-mar-030910:Layout 1 28/09/2010 10:27 Page 4 Cornwall: What we do We look after the wetlands at Marazion Marsh so that a wide range of wildlife flourishes (and hopefully bitterns may eventually breed). At Hayle, we work to maintain the estuary as a feeding/roosting refuge for waterbirds. • We help to safeguard Cornish choughs - the number of breeding pairs of choughs in the Duchy has steadily increased over the past decade. We work with farmers and many partner organisations including Natural England and the National Trust. • We work with farmers on the north coast to protect a vulnerable population of corn buntings. • We protect the many different seabirds that nest and feed Chough Mike Anders off the coast. The Marine Bill became law last year and we hope will reinforce our work. Make your own date with nature with us in jgh • We also look forward to working with many different Cornwall organisations so that Marine Conservation zones benefit not only birds, but also the county's diverse sea life. Our nature reserves: Marazion Marsh: Overlooks St Michael’s Mount and is Cornwall’s largest reedbed (p 7). Things to do: Cornwall Local Group Hayle Estuary: Regionally important estuary for a wide A friendly, volunteer-led group who hold regular walks, range of migrating and wintering birds. Adjacent to Hayle talks and promote the work of the RSPB. All welcome. town (p 6). Talks: 7.30 pm at Chacewater Village Hall (near Truro). Entry £2. Things to do - a quick snapshot Local group leader: Roger Hooper • In the run up to the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Tel: 01209 820610. choughs' natural return to Cornwall we will be holding E-mail: [email protected] some events in the Lizard and West Penwith areas Website: www.rspbcornwall.org.uk including guided walks and talks. For details e-mail Sorry, event details not available at time of printing. [email protected] or contact Cat Lee-Mar on 01736 711682. • Visit our reserves anytime (details above). • Contact our local group/go to an event (page 5). Chough family Hide at Ryan’s Field, Hayle 4 5 RSPB-events-oct-mar-030910:Layout 1 28/09/2010 10:27 Page 6 Cornwall: Places to go Cornwall: Places to go RSPB Hayle Estuary nature reserve RSPB Marazion Marsh nature reserve A wonderful wildlife haven - the hidden heart of an In some years large flocks of continental starlings arrive historic industrial coastal town. In cold winters, as many and use the reedbeds for roosting overnight. When this as 18,000 birds have been seen here, because this most happens you can witness one of nature’s wonders from south westerly estuary in the UK rarely freezes. the seafront pavement but often the flocks keep on flying to roost in other areas. • Take a leisurely stroll along the King George V Memorial Walk, enjoying close up views of a variety of waterbirds • Enjoy the views overlooking the 'sanctuary area' from the in the heart of Hayle. seafront pavement. • Hide at Ryan’s Field - for views of roosting waterbirds in • Dusk is the time to see a wintering bittern - providing early evening when they are forced off the estuary by the the weather has been cold enough abroad to bring rising tides. Walkable from town. Free car park plus them here. 'What's about' noticeboard. • More than 250 bird, 500 plant, 500 insect and 18 mammal • Look out for a variety of waders and wildfowl including species have been recorded here. teal, wigeon, lapwings, snipe, curlews and oystercatchers. Finding us: SW 510312. Marazion is 2 miles east Finding us: SW 551364. Ryan’s Field car park is 1 mile of Penzance. from Hayle town centre (off B3301). By train: Penzance station is 2 miles away. By train: Stations at Hayle and Lelant Saltings. By bus: Penzance to Marazion service. By bus: St Ives/Hayle service or Penzance/Truro. By bicycle: On National Cycle Network, Route 3. By bicycle: On National Cycle Network, Route 3. Tourist info: Penzance, 01736 362207. Tourist info: Hayle Library, 01736 754399. Contact us: 01736 711682. Contact us: 01736 711682. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] John Anderson Colin Scott Grey heron Golden plovers 6 7 RSPB-events-oct-mar-030910:Layout 1 28/09/2010 10:27 Page 8 Devon: What we do On our Exe Estuary reserves’ marshes, water levels are carefully controlled and ensure the ditches play host to a huge range of plants and rare insects. At Aylesbeare, Dartford warblers breed and there are newly returned smooth snakes. Local Dartmoor ponies help our habitat work at Labrador Bay by keeping the grass short - essential for cirl buntings. All this reflects the wonderful diversity of the county. Avocet cruise commentary • Advice from the RSPB (supported by Environmental Stewardship) helps farmers bring about a resurgence of Make your own date with nature with us in jgh wildlife including barn owls, bats and insects.
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