Welcome!
Izzi da Silva, Seaton Wetlands Assistant Warden, introduces our July update:
"As we are now well and truly into summer you may see fledglings appearing in your gardens and around our green spaces. At the Wetlands the bird hides may have been closed to the public but that doesn’t mean the wildlife hasn’t been making use of them! In three of our bird hides swallows have established nests and raised chicks, sharing the Island Hide with a wood pigeon who set up home in there."
Breeding success at Seaton Wetlands
 We have had exciting sightings of a pair of swifts that have been using the swift tower at the Seaton Wetlands, this is the first year they have regularly used the nest boxes we've provided. Along with the swallows, it has been great to watch the swifts whizzing through the air with their amazing aerial agility.
Out on Black Hole Marsh the oystercatcher chicks have been doing well. Shelduck and mallard ducks have hatched adorable ducklings which have been growing rapidly, although many fall prey to herons, foxes and even gulls.
Wild East Devon Art Competition 2020
We’re delighted to launch the Wild East Devon Art Competition 2020!
We’re on the lookout for talented artists of all ages to get creative and inspired by nature. The competition is open to all ages and any medium including paint, pencil, textiles, collages. The chosen winners will have their artwork included in Wild East Devon’s 2021 calendar, included in an exhibition at Seaton Wetlands and shown across our nature reserves!
Whether you are a little nature explorer looking for an arty project over the summer holidays, or an adult with a flair for the artistic, this competition is open to everyone.
Our events are back!
While our regular events programme has been on hold since March due to the impact of Covid-19, in July we have decided to adapt and provide for the first time socially-distanced, bespoke, guided tours of our Seaton Wetlands nature reserve. Each tour will include one household of up to five people, to comply with the latest government advice.
Path Cutting in Holyford Woods
Holyford Woods is a beautiful place to walk, at any time of year. With its circuitous network of paths, at 24 hectares it is large enough to go for a decent stroll. One of the lovely things about the woods is how it changes throughout. The variety of paths, the many different things they offer and their conservation are the focus of Jon Gardner, Wild East Devon's Nature Reserves Ranger.
Wild Exmouth reboot
Wild Exmouth is back and ready to continue the exciting activities for nature and people. We have redesigned some elements of our engagement programme as a result of Covid 19. From a crisis comes an opportunity for the wild spaces in Exmouth!
 Geocaching at The Maer
Wild East Devon has been working with local Geocaching group the Sixexers to introduce a new Geocache to The Maer Nature Reserve in Exmouth. Part of the 'Exmouth; a Sea Side Saunter', the bonus cache for this adventure can be found hidden at The Maer after sauntering along Exmouth sea front, answering questions at 5 different locations along the way.
News from our friends at the Pebblebed Heaths
Kate Ponting, Countryside and Communities Officer on the Pebblebed Heaths, provides a timely reminder for the many people who enjoy the Heaths. "Woodbury and surrounding commons are a popular place for people to take their regular 'air and exercise', to escape from a troubled world and to clear the head and experience nature. Access became even more important during the Coronavirus outbreak; the period between mid-April to mid-May, was probably the busiest month ever seen on the commons and visitor numbers remain high.
Our partners at South East Devon Wildlife team are back
I’m Amelia (pictured right), one of the habitat mitigation wardens for the South East Devon Habitat Regulations Partnership. With my colleague Will, we patrol the nature reserves in south east Devon that are designated as Special Protection Areas.
We are welcoming lots of new visitors to our nature reserves as people are looking for new quieter areas to walk and enjoy nature. We've been explaining why it's important to keep dogs on paths during the bird breeding season on the Pebblebed Heaths and please don't have BBQs on nature reserves.
Read more from Amelia and an update from Julie at Devon Loves Dogs below.
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