Spring is coming!

With the weather slowly improving, daffodils on the verges and blossom appearing on the trees we can start to look forward to the season of fresh, green growth, brighter colours, longer days and much more bird song.

With the changing seasons, our winter birds are heading back to all corners of the globe to begin their breeding and we might be lucky enough to see large flocks of Brent geese leaving the estuary. When we spot the first swallows arriving back from Africa, then we'll know spring is here!

Eyes down for Bird Breeding Season on the Pebblebed Heaths.

As the peak season for bird nesting arrives, it’s crucial for us all to play our part in helping East Devon’s wild birds raise their young and thrive.

From 1 March until 31 July, birds take advantage of warmer weather, availability of food and nesting materials to start breeding, making it essential to give them the undisturbed space they need. 

All about breeding bird season. 

What’s all this then? Spring is in the air, plants are growing, and the earliest of our joyful wildflowers are coming into bloom on nature reserves around the estuary and across the commons. Ah lovely, now if someone could just tell the weather!

The official date for the beginning of Breeding Bird Season (1 March) has arrived – and from here on in, certain activities – such as trimming or cutting trees, bushes, hedges and rough vegetation – are now restricted where birds are nesting, so that active bird nests aren’t damaged or destroyed, and specific bird species, such as nightjar and Dartford warbler, aren’t disturbed.

What to look out for?

Sand lizard

From late March onwards, the sand lizard will emerge from hibernation once again on Dawlish Warren. 

White-tailed bumblebee

The earliest and most active bumblebee, you can see them almost anywhere, from woodlands to farmland to gardens.

Dartford warbler

With a dark colouration, chestnut belly, red eyes and long tail, this small bird is resident to the Pebblebed Heaths.

Sand crocus

A small, rare, native flower only found at two sites in the UK and Dawlish Warren is one of them. They flower from April on sunny days.

Otter Estuary wetland awarded National Nature Reserve status

February saw us join our project partners, Clinton Devon Estates & The Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust, to celebrate the fabulous success of the Lower Otter Restoration Project – now recognised as the Otter Estuary National Nature Reserve!

A heathland update from the RSPB...

Alice, a residential volunteer on Aylesbeare Common with the RSPB sent us an update about what they have been up to over the winter.

A beginners guide to birdwatching.

When you first start, birdwatching can feel a bit overwhelming as there’s more than 600 species of bird in the UK, plus a few extra migrants. However it's worth looking at the type of birds that you get in different habitats.

For instance, in parks and gardens, birds you’re likely to see such as blackbirds, magpies and wood pigeons feed on short grass lawns, and small birds such as robins and sparrows are often found in trees and bushes.

Getting out & about on the Exe

Looking for somewhere to take the family over the weekend? How about the Exe Estuary trail? 

Sign blindness, a curious phenomenon

What is it and what can we do about it?

We’re all guilty of ignoring signs sometimes, how often have you driven past a ‘Road Closed’ sign or ignored a ‘No dogs’ sign? Sometimes we don’t even see these signs.