Welcome to Mid Devon Wildlife
Aims and Objectives of Mid Devon Wildlife
"The objects of the Society shall be to encourage interest in natural history; to study natural history in its environment; to protect species of wild life and the environment; to promote the exchange of ideas and interests with other natural history societies and conservation bodies and to conduct field study expeditions to places of interest".
July Outdoor Meeting
Blackdown and Sampford Commons and Little Breach Nature Reserve (Butterfly Conservation)
Sunday 24th July: 10.00am - 2.00pm (bring picnic lunch)
Meeting point: O.S. Grid Ref: ST126166 or nearest post code: TA21 9QH (about 1 mile from Wellington Monument). Meeting point near Crossways Farm.
In the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty and an SSSI, this area contains a range of habitats including a large area of dry heath, carr woodland, springline mire and marshy grassland. The area is particularly stunning in the late summer when the heather is in bloom. It is an excellent site for lizards.
September Outdoor Meeting (Special)
Bovey Heathfield (near Bovey Tracy) with John Walters
Sunday 11th September 2022, 2.30-5.30pm (please not change of date and time from originally advertised).
Meeting Point: O.S. Grid ref SX824764, nearest Post Code: TQ12 6FJ (in the industrial site)
Fee: £5 cash payable at the start
Despite its rather inauspicious location on the edge of an idustrial area, DWT's Bovey Heathfield reserve is a fascinating heather and gorseland site. Lizards, grass snakes, slow worms and adders are all found there as is the potter wasp.
August Outdoor Meeting
Tuesday 9th August Aylesbeare Common
Meet at Joney's Cross car park (SY057897) on the A3052 at 10:00am
A visit to this Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) which is part of the larger East Devon Pebblebeds. Habitats include heathland, wooded margins and ponds
The reserve is managed by the RSPB from the Clinton Devon Estates and is well-known for the many different species of butterfly, dragonfly and damselfly. It is also home to a number of the secretive Nightjar which can sometimes be seen at dusk but rarely seen during the day.
Some of the other bird species which may be seen at this time of year include the elusive Dartford Warbler (generally heard rather than seen), Linnet, Stonechat, and Yellowhammer. For the flora enthusiasts there are various types of heather, plus Bog Asphodel and Sundews among many others.
The going is generally good although there are some areas of uneven patches. Remember you may be walking on pebbles of various shapes and sizes.