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Whilst we have been out enjoying the sunshine, wildlife has had some catching up to do. A cold wet start to the year delayed the growth of plants but fear not, they are here and ready for us to enjoy along with a whole host of wildlife that has been slowly emerging.
In this edition of Shores, Heaths and Dunes we will take a look at some of the changes that have been taking place recently, exciting news about the Clyst Valley Regional Park and, of course, some iconic wildlife to look out for! Have a great summer!
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We would like to start off by welcoming Sama back to the team after her maternity leave but we also have to wave goodbye to Will. He has started a new job with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) where he will spend the summer months surveying butterflies and plants on Dartmoor. He will be greatly missed but we look forward to hearing all about the fantastic wildlife that he will be surveying. We would also like to welcome Julie to the team. Many of you will recognise Julie as she already works in our team working as the project officer for Devon Loves Dogs, which she will continue to do alongside her new role as a Habitat Mitigation Officer. Julie has started the Waggy Walks again, so book and come along! If you see us patrolling on the heaths, beach or estuary, come and say hi!
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 We recently had a catch up with Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Saul Bunce and the Teignbridge rangers at Dawlish Warren to discuss our cross-team work. We are a part of the wider policing family and accredited as part of the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme. This accreditation enables us to share information with the local police force. It was a great opportunity to link up to with the neighbourhood policing team from Teignmouth and talk about how we can tackle the issue of anti-social behaviour on our nature reserves.
We have been busy talking to visitors on the Pebblebed Heaths about the wonders of our ground nesting birds. We pop up our gazebo and use it as an information point. It's a great way to get our wildlife messages across to people and to help them get
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the most out of their visit. The bird breeding season is in place until 31st July. However, species such as Nightjars will still be breeding into September so please do stick to paths at all times of year to avoid disturbing wildlife. It's also a great way to avoid the dreaded ticks!
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The Clyst Valley Regional Park is half the size of Exeter. Strategy 10 of East Devon District Council’s Local Plan gives this area protection. The Park will be high quality green spaces linked by trails. We want to create the best regional park in the world.
The masterplan was approved by East Devon District Council's Strategic Planning Committee on 27 April.
It now needs the support of developers, landowners, statutory agencies and the public to deliver agreed projects.
Read the masterplan
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Please be aware that fires and BBQs are not permitted on the Pebblebed heaths or Dawlish Warren due to the high risk of wildfire. These habitats are hot and dry and fires can spread quickly. Many of our special species like reptiles and young chicks aren’t able to avoid fire and it can take many years for these habitats to recover. If you just love a BBQ then there are designated BBQ areas: Dawlish Countryside Park is one of these and red rock beach is another. Or why not bring a picnic instead?
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 Thick-legged flower beetles are popping up in open-structured flowers at this time of year. Look out for their swollen thighs and shiny green bodies as they pollinate.
 Head out to the Pebblebed Heaths at dusk to catch a glimpse of a Nightjar. Fresh from their African winter holidays they can be heard making their distinct "churring" call at night. Careful where you tread during the day as these elusive and highly camouflaged rare birds nest on the ground, often just metres from a main path.
 The bee orchids are just beginning to bloom at Dawlish Warren. This sneaky mimic evolved to look and smell like a female bee to trick the males in to 'pseudocopulation', where the male bee comes into check her out and inadvertently pollinates the flower. Sadly we don't have this species of bee in the UK but the bee orchid is also able to self-pollinate. Phew!
 Striking sand lizards can be seen basking in open patches of ground in the sand dunes at Dawlish Warren. This Male has distinct green markings.
 Yellow rattle is a plant that is semi-parasitic upon the roots of grass. It feeds on the grasses nutrients and weakens them, this gives the plant and other wildflowers a better chance of survival with the main competitor (grass) out of the running.
 Beautiful Demoiselles can be found along streams and rivers. The females are a metallic green-bronze with translucent pale brown wings and males like this one are metallic blue with dark wings. Spot the males resting on vegetation waiting for a female to fly by.
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Print off our wildlife spotting sheet for your next visit to East Devon's Pebblebed Heaths. How many can you see?
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