#WorldWetlandsDay
 On 2 February it was World Wetlands Day. To celebrate we made a video of Wild East Devon Ranger James introducing us to Black Hole Marsh, one of the four areas that make up Seaton Wetlands. He outlines how the water level is regulated and gives us insight into how it’s connected to the tidal Axe Estuary.
View the video
Find out more on the nationally-important Seaton Wetlands Nature Reserve run by EDDC’s Wild East Devon team.
Creative Cabin Shorts
 As the Creative Cabin is grounded, our partners at the Thelma Hulbert Gallery in Honiton have launched Creative Cabin Shorts, an inspiring digital programme of art and nature activities, films and workshops. It is hoped that these will offer some enjoyment and light relief for people at this time.
Working with South West artists, rangers and practitioners the CC Shorts will connect to nature and the landscapes around us, creatively exploring everything from wild swimming to healing herbs, tidal patterns to tree planting, delivered in partnership with us at Wild East Devon, the Blackdown Hills and East Devon AONBs.
This week, Wild East Devon's James Chubb shares top tips on bird boxes.
See the full list of short films.
Valentine’s Day Grebe mating ritual
 Yesterday was Valentine's Day and love is still in the air, but humans aren't the only species celebrating love this month...
On lakes this month you may see the wonderful courtship of the Great Crested Grebe. The routine starts with them facing each other before exchanging a piece of romantic weed and meeting in an elaborate ‘penguin style’ dance.
Over a century ago the Grebe was almost brought to extinction by the demand for its feathers for hats. Thankfully now Grebes are more common in Britain, with around 4,600 pairs.
Spring Colour #noticenature
 Whether you’re out on your daily exercise or even looking out of a window, noticing nature can give us such a boost. Especially now natural colours are starting to make a comeback with the early onset of spring.
Verges and bare hedgerow bottoms will begin to see some colour returning in the coming weeks with clumps of Cow Parsley and Goosegrass, and shoots of grasses and nettles. The stunning Snowdrop will also start to emerge. Did you know that Snowdrops are thought to look like 3 drops of milk hanging from the stem? This accounts for its Latin name Galanthus which means ’milk-white flowers’.
February is also a good time to admire and appreciate trees in their bare form, especially on a frosty day. Look for the incredible shapes and sizes that they have grown into. Notice the twisting, interesting branches before leaves cover up their intricacies. A mature Oak tree can grow and shed 250,000 leaves and produce 50,000 acorns a year?
Wild Exmouth Map
We are excited to announce that our Wild Exmouth Project has finalised the new Wild Exmouth Map showing green spaces, paths and routes around the town. This will be a guide to an outdoor adventure within the town, each household in Exmouth will receive a free copy in early spring. Look out for it coming through your letterbox!
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