RSPB-events-mar12-R18:Layout 1 19/03/2012 11:07 Page 1 Your South West England WILDLIFE GUIDE Places to go Things to do Ways to help April to September 2012 nature’s voice RSPB-events-mar12-R18:Layout 1 19/03/2012 11:07 Page 2 Places to go: Green Travel: For details contact The South West is a fantastic place. Traveline 0871 200 22 33, 26 nature reserves - a shop www.traveline.org.uk or visit www.transportdirect. 13 local groups - hundreds of events. Newport wetlands Isley Marsh Land’s End From re-introduced cranes on the Somerset levels to wild choughs tumbling over Cornish cliffs..... ....from the dragon and damselflies of Aylesbeare to the reptiles and colourful heathland of Arne, we think the South West is amazing Reserve locations: See RSPB website for full details. Websites such as www.streetmaps.co.uk make the most of it! support map references (eg SW 123456) as long as entered as SW123456. Sat Nav: Downloadable files on RSPB website. Some brands support map references. Most Unless otherwise stated, photos from rspb-images.com support latitude and longitude. See reserve pages. (Chris Gomersall, David Wootton, Ben Hall, Andy Hay, David Kjaer) Remember to phone the contact number for each RSPB South West Regional Office, Keble House, event in case of cancellation/changes and for extra Southernhay Gardens, Exeter EX1 1NT. Tel: 01392 432691 information (eg wheelchair access). www.rspb.org.uk The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no 207076 Scotland SC037654 Large print version available on request 1 RSPB-events-mar12-R18:Layout 1 19/03/2012 11:07 Page 2 Welcome! date with nature. Devon 4 Think you know the RSPB? Think again! RSPB Aylesbeare nature reserve 5 RSPB Chapel Wood nature reserve 6 RSPB Labrador Bay nature reserve 7 We're always looking for ways to get people close to RSPB Exe Estuary nature reserve 8 & 9 nature and help them make the most of our fantastic RSPB Shop Darts Farm 8 & 9 outdoors. Torbay and South Devon Team 12 Exe Estuary Wildlife Explorers 13 We've got all you need to know about visiting our Exeter Local Group 13 Plymouth Local Group 13 reserves in the South West. If you want to know more about your local reserve, why not try a guided walk? Our Dorset 14 local groups are a great way to make the most of the RSPB Arne nature reserve 15 countryside in your area. RSPB Garston Wood nature reserve 16 RSPB Lodmoor nature reserve 17 And don't forget the children! RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve 18 Poole Harbour birdboat cruise 19 The RSPB has the largest young people's wildlife club in Blackmoor Vale Local Group 25 the world, 'The Wildlife Explorers'. We love inspiring East Dorset Local Group 25 & 26 them with innovative ways to enjoy the outdoors and Poole Local Group 26 spot our wonderful wildlife. South Dorset Local Group 26 Cornwall 31 Go to pages 27 - 30 to be inspired and RSPB Hayle Estuary nature reserve 32 to find out why now is the best time to RSPB Marazion Marsh nature reserve 33 support the RSPB. Lands End 34 Scillonian Cruise 34 Membership supports the work we do. Tresco 34 Chough Watchpoint 35 Cornwall Local Group 36 Gloucestershire 37 RSPB Highnam Woods nature reserve 38 Radipole Lake - RSPB Nagshead nature reserve 39 Symonds Yat 40 redesigned Westonbirt 40 Forest of Dean Wildlife Explorers 43 Visitor Centre! Gloucestershire Local Group 43 Check out the wildlifecams and nestcams! See five of Dorset's Guernsey 44 Guernsey Local Group 44 reptiles at regular 'Show & tells'. (p23) Wiltshire 45 RSPB Winterbourne Downs nature reserve 46 South Wiltshire Local Group 47 East Devon Somerset 48 RSPB Greylake nature reserve 49 Heath Week RSPB Ham Wall nature reserve 50 Sun 29 July - Fri 3 August RSPB Swell Wood nature reserve 51 A week of exciting fun RSPB West Sedgemoor nature reserve 52 for all the family. Avalon Marshes Wildlife Explorers 55 Bath Local Group 56 Details on p11. Carymoor Wildlife Explorers 56 South Somerset Local Group 56 Taunton Local Group 57 Weston-super-Mare Local Group 57 Cheddar Caves and Gorge 58 Front cover credit: Sunflowers at Arne by BNPS 2 www.rspb.org.uk 3 RSPB-events-mar12-R18:Layout 1 19/03/2012 11:07 Page 4 Devon: Places to go RSPB Aylesbeare nature reserve Rolling hilltop heathland, sun-drenched and windswept... What to expect: Beautiful Demoiselle male Exley Peter Events - East Devon Heath Week (p11) Nature trails Devon Pushchair-friendly farm track crosses the heath Free car park at Joney's Cross Free entry - open at all times Places to go: Look for Dartford warblers and stonechats in summer on RSPB Aylesbeare nature reserve: this peaceful heathland site as well as smooth snakes and "What a magical heathland - and on a bus route!" carnivorous plants. See butterflies, dragonflies and Susan Lucas damselflies along woodland fringes, streams and ponds; nightjars at dusk in summer. RSPB Chapel Wood nature reserve: "A wee gem! And so peaceful!" Finding us: 8 miles east of Exeter. 6 miles east from M5 Nancy Boyce junction 30, on the A3052. Near National Cycle Network, Route 2. Exeter station (8 RSPB Labrador Bay nature reserve: miles); Honiton station (11 miles). Number "Wow - breathtaking views. So glad we stopped." Danny and June Cleave 52 bus, Exeter to Sidmouth/Honiton (Joney’s Cross request stop). RSPB Exe Estuary nature reserves: Map ref: SY 057898 "Such peaceful walks on both sides of the river." Sat Nav: Latitude: 50.700170N Longitude: 3.336648W Sahra Rogers Tourist info: Exeter, 01392 665700; Budleigh Salterton, 01395 445275; Sidmouth, 01395 516441. The RSPB Shop, Darts Farm: Contact us: 01395 233655; "So glad I took the time to search out this treasure [email protected] trove. I'll definitely be back." Jenny Jones Top 3 things to do: • Take advantage of the ferry that links our Exe Estuary reserves. (Ferryman 07801 203338). Great walks on both sides of the Exe - cafes and pubs. • Visit our shop at Darts Farm - beautiful gifts, bird care products, optics and family Saturday walks! (p10) • Book early for family fun during East Devon Heath Week. This is a partnership event. (p11) . Steve Nunn Steve Common lizard 4 www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves 5 RSPB-events-mar12-R18:Layout 1 19/03/2012 11:07 Page 6 Devon: Places to go Dorset:Devon: Places to go RSPB Chapel Wood nature reserve Labrador Bay nature reserve Beautiful woodland with chapel ruins Stunning coastal views... and Iron Age hillfort... What to expect: What to expect: Events - cirl bunting walk (p11) Events - Wildabout Schools programme (p10) Nature trails - some join the South West Coast Path Nature trails (some steep sections) some steep sections Free entry - open at all times Grazing ponies/cattle (part of a working farm) Access through corner of farmer's field Free entry - open at all times (by permission) Limited roadside parking Teignbridge District Council Pay & Display car park Seasonal ice cream van at car park A small, tranquil North Devon broad-leaved woodland containing 13th century chapel ruins. Its steep hillside has A beauty spot managed to protect cirl buntings, a rare streams flowing down each side. Impressive variety of little bird whose population is almost entirely restricted to woodland birds plus red deer, brown hares and rare South Devon. dormice. Finding us: 1.5 miles south of Teignmouth on the A379 Finding us: 2 miles north of Braunton. Signposted from coast road towards Torbay (between Spreacombe. Near National Cycle Network, Shaldon and Maidencombe). Not on Route 3. Barnstaple station is 8 miles away. National Cycle Network. Teignmouth station Closest bus stop, Headon Mills is 1.5 miles 2 miles. Number 11 bus Teignmouth to away (Barnstaple, Braunton and Ilfracombe Torquay, (Dean Cross request stop). services) Map ref: SX 931705 Map ref: SS 482414 Sat Nav: Lat: 50.524487N Long: 3.509436W Sat Nav: Latitude: 51.151670N Longitude: 4.171840W Tourist info: Shaldon, 01626 873723; Tourist info: Barnstaple, 01271 375000; Braunton, Teignmouth, 01626 215666 01271 816400; Ilfracombe, 01271 863001. Contact us: 01392 432691; [email protected] Contact us: 01392 824614 Brown hare Cirl bunting 6 www.rspb.org.uk/reserves www.rspb.org.uk/reserves 7 RSPB-events-mar12-R18:Layout 1 19/03/2012 11:07 Page 8 RSPB-events-mar12-R18:Layout 1 19/03/2012 11:07 Page 10 Devon: Things to do Devon: Things to do Every 1st Saturday of the month 10 am-2 pm Sun 10 June 10 am-2 pm Up Close! At the RSPB Shop, Darts Farm Photography workshop on Exminster Marshes Binoculars/telescope/digi scope? We're trained to help! Great close-up views of birds/insects/wildflowers - and Test drive before you buy by joining our 2 pm walk get the most from your camera. £20 (includes lunch at (excludes Leica/Swarovski). Tel: 01392 879438. Turf Hotel). Booking essential on 01392 432691. Every Saturday (April - Sept incl) 2 pm-3 pm Sat 23 June 9 am-12 noon Wetland stroll with our staff at Darts Farm Cirl buntings at Labrador Bay walk Family friendly walk. Learn who's who in farmland birds. Expect cirl buntings singing as a prelude to pairing up Wear suitable clothing/footwear. Tel: 01392 879438. and breeding (an RSPB reserve exclusive). Meet us at the Teignbridge DC (pay & display) car park. Members free, Wed 4, 11 and Thurs 5, 12 April non-members £3. Tel: 01392 432691. Wildabout Forest Schools: Easter at Chapel Wood Children's activities! Contact Lou/Matt, 07805 717578; Jo, Sun 1 July 12 noon-2 pm 07881 915665/ visit www.wildaboutforestschool.com.