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Summer update from the Wildlife Wardens

A selection of photos from our moth event.

As we whizz past the solstice, emerging from a soggy Spring into splendid Summer, here’s an update from our Warden, Sama.

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Heath Week 2024

Heath Week is back for 2024!

If you didn't already know, Heath Week is a week of low-cost/free events for the whole family to enjoy from pond dipping and 'dog day' to a range of guided walks.

This year it's taking place from Monday 29th July to Friday 2nd August and all the events will be bookable through the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust website from 1st July. 

To receive live updates follow @HeathWeek on Facebook.

Pond dipping at Heath Week.

New tech on the Heaths

A cow wearing a GPS collar.

Fenceless grazing using GPS collars is proving to be revolutionary for conservation. 

This technology is being embraced by those who want to mimic the grazing behaviour of wild herds, ensuring animals “mob graze” specific areas - this creates a mosaic of habitats. Another use of the GPS collars is that they allow land managers to restrict access to particular areas, such as freshwater, where they don’t want livestock to spend any time.

So how does it work you may wonder?

What to look out for?

Heath Spotted Orchid

Orchids are notoriously difficult to identify and easily hybridise.  In this instance, forget flower colour (which is variable), and look closely at petal shape. Spotted heath orchid is distinguished from its more common cousin the ‘Common spotted orchid’ (note the clue in the name there) by the unevenness of lobes on the lower lip. The three lobes on the lip are of equal size on the ‘common’, but the central lobe is notably smaller on the ‘heath’. Good luck budding botanists!

Small Heath (butterfly)

Now on the wing in numbers throughout the valley below the grenade range – it lives in discrete colonies from which adults rarely venture far, so this sheltered space must be ideal. This charming little butterfly always settles with its wings closed and titled, a master of disguise at rest, vanishing instantly into its surroundings. Disturbed by your shadow as you search for it, it flutters moth-like orange and grey, like a tiny tropical sunset.

Wasp Spider

This spider is a clever mimic with a wasp-like yellow/black striped abdomen and legs. These can be found in grasslands such as Dawlish Warren, building large orb webs and laying eggs in grasses.

Bell Heather

One of the three types of heather we have here in the UK. Bell heather is distinguished by its bright, pink-purple coloured bell shaped flowers. It flowers between July to September so keep an eye out this summer on the Pebblebed Heaths and see whether you can pick this one out!  

Cuckoos in decline

A Cuckoo on a wire.

Cuckoo is a brief visitor to our sunny shores, the males arriving in the latter weeks of April and leaving again as early as the first week of June - which is why I was so surprised and delighted to hear one at Woodbury Castle recently. 

Reptile talk

A female Adder.

So much more than its spikey exterior exudes, heathland supports a huge variety of remarkable wildlife – and for our native reptiles, it’s a vital habitat.

A seasonal update from RSPB Aylesbeare

A young Stonechat.

Hello all, I hope the wet start to summer is not causing too much dismay. As of mid-June, the weather still seems to be shaking itself out of winter. It will surely seem retrospectively refreshing in a few months when we are all caught up in the British pastime of complaining about the heat.

Volunteer with us!

Katie, Julie and Imo at a pop-up.

Want to contribute to local wildlife conservation?

We're currently seeking volunteers who can help with any of the following:

• Events - engaging the public in conversations about wildlife and assisting with the smooth running of events and pop-ups.
• Foot patrols - walking with our wardens across our three key sites.
• Boat patrols - accompanying our wardens on the Exe Estuary, driving the patrol boat (Powerboat Level 2 required). 

If you are interested in helping our team in any of these roles please get in touch at: sedwildlife@eastdevon.gov.uk to find out more.