 A year like no other, 2020 has proved to be one of the more memorable for so many reasons and at the Warren it has been one of extraordinary contrast and change. With the huge issues surrounding Covid-19 the wider countryside has proved to be a huge release for so many people and the coast has witnessed some of the clearest examples of this: Dawlish Warren was no exception.
Phil Chambers, Site Manager
Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve
 Given how 2020 has panned out not quite as any of us would have predicted, I suppose it’s probably as good a time as any to bed in a new team. That’s certainly what has happened for us on the Exe Estuary, following the departure of Pete (Site Manager) and Becky (Assistant Warden) at the end of last year. Natalie Holt started as Site Manager in February, then I joined as Warden in March, just as the first lockdown started.
So for us on the Exe Reserves, 2020 has really been about a new start, and a new team.
Steve Edmonds
Warden, RSPB Exe Estuary & North Devon Reserves
RSPB Exminster and Powderham Marshes
 What a year we have had on the Pebblebed Heaths! I would like to start by saying thank you everyone that helps us care of this wonderful place during their visits by doing their bit. I think we can all agree that the countryside and local green spaces have been more important than ever for our health and wellbeing.
Our site team have been working hard to make sure important conservation work carried on and the heaths continued to be safe and accessible for people to use throughout these difficult times we have faced. For most of the year we have been blessed with good weather in East Devon which has enabled us to get out and explore our local places, it also looks to have resulted in a good breeding season for our special bird species that raise their young across the heath during the spring and summer. Dartford warblers continue to bounce back following the beast from the east in 2018 which greatly reduced the local population of this heathland specialist. We hope that the weather will stay mild this winter to give the population an extra boost this year.
Kim Strawbridge, Site Manager
www.pebblebedheaths.org.uk
 As always, we started the New Year in the middle of our scrub clearance season, and the word ‘coronavirus’ hadn’t yet entered our vocabulary. January and February saw our programme of scrub clearance focus mainly on Aylesbeare Common, and included thinning a few dense banks of holly along one of our main visitor trails to allow more light to penetrate to the ground to benefit more of our native flora.
Megan Godley, Residential Volunteer
 As this strangest of years draws to an end, it is a time to reflect on the year and look forward to the not too distant Spring and the awakenings that it stirs on our Nature Reserves.
My name is Edric Hopkinson and I am a Nature Reserves Officer for The Devon Wildlife Trust managing some of our East Devon Nature Reserves. Our popular Bystock Pools Nature Reserve lies at the southern end of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths, just outside of Exmouth.
To find out more about our Bystock Pools Nature Reserve visit:
https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/nature-reserves/bystock-pools
Edric Hopkinson, Nature Reserves Officer
 I think we would all agree it’s been a very strange year but as I sit and think about how I would sum up 2020 for Devon Loves Dogs three things come to mind, people, places and of course dogs!
Devon Loves Dogs is run by me, with a much bigger team of supporters behind the scenes. The difficulties that we are continuing to deal with on a daily basis can feel never ending, but these same shared experiences I feel, have brought us closer together. We’ve had to adapt our working procedures too, but one of the big benefits for me is that I’ve had the pleasure of working with Amelia and Will much more than I would in a normal year.
This has given me a really fascinating insight into the wildlife that we all work to protect. I’ve also missed the buzz of events and our Waggy Walks but I have still been able to chat to dog owners and meet their furry friends whilst out and about.
For more information or to join as a member either go to our website or follow us on social media @devonlovesdogs
Julie Owen, Project Officer
 Happy Xmas!
Explaining about the nature reserve and the migrating birds has become part of our watersports courses, especially for the windsurfers, kayakers and paddle boarders.
By introducing the reserve at an early stage of their learning it has become a very positive experience and re-enforced the need for protection of migrating feeding birds.
Exmouth Watersports team 2020
www.exmouthwatersports.co.uk
 This is the Exe Estuary Box produced by a new and exciting project called Tidelines. It is free to all residents around the Exe estuary and a lot of people are doing it now! It contains some simple enjoyable activities designed to explore what we, as residents, know and what we want to know about our changing estuary. Boxes are returned with the completed activities which will be part of a display in March 2021. You can do these activities on your own, with a friend or with a family member.
To get a box: email info@tidelines.uk or call 07890 244 012 and we will either drop one off to you or provide an easy pick-up point.
More about Tidelines activities and the Exe Box:
Tidelines.uk
As you are out and about over the Christmas holidays keep an eye out for these birds as they feed and rest on and around the estuary. Remember to always give birds space to avoid disturbing them. Bring binoculars with you for close up views.
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