East Devon District Council Countryside Team Celebrate a Year of Wildlife and Community Success

The East Devon District Council Countryside Team are reflecting on an extraordinary year of conservation, education, and community engagement, with exciting achievements in wildlife protection, programming, and volunteering.

The East Devon District Council Countryside Team are reflecting on an extraordinary year of conservation, education, and community engagement, with exciting achievements in wildlife protection, programming, and volunteering.

Wildlife Success

This year saw remarkable wildlife activity across East Devon's nature reserves, demonstrating the positive impact of careful site management.

Highlights included baby dormice "pinks" being found for the first time at new monitoring site Knapp Copse Local Nature Reserve. Protected species work continues with an adult male Bechstein's bat being discovered in a bat box at Seaton Wetlands, and a juvenile barbastelle being radio-tracked to a roost in Holyford Woods. These two exceptionally rare bat species, listed under Annex II of the Habitats Directive, are indicators of extremely healthy habitats.

The summer saw the wildflower meadow at Knapp Copse go from strength to strength and a dingy skipper butterfly spotted at Delderfield. There were also record numbers of ospreys at Seaton Wetlands, a brown hairstreak butterfly spotted and an estimated 150 sand martin chicks hatching from 38 nests built at the site, showcasing the reserve's suitability for breeding birds.

Engaging Events

The year's Wild East Devon programming continued to encourage families and individuals to connect with nature.

Bluebell Day was a resounding success, with the Countryside team and volunteers coming together to celebrate Holyford Woods' carpet of bluebells. Family activity sessions such as stream dipping and seasonal crafts sold out and inspired families to enjoy outdoor adventures with easy to replicate activities.

The team added new events to the schedule including a partnership with a local willow weaver; a community BioBlitz in partnership with the Axe Vale and District Conservation Society (which saw 238 species recorded in a single day) and a bi-weekly Guide in the Hide at Seaton Wetlands.

Volunteer Contributions

Throughout the year volunteers played a vital role in conservation and site improvements, contributing over 5100 hours of participation in countryside work. The Seaton Wetlands Tuesday Taskforce volunteer efforts included a major rebuild of the boardwalk at Colyford Common and creating a new viewpoint for visitors arriving via the tramway. Elsewhere the East Devon Conservation Volunteers collaborated with the National Trust and Axe Vale and District Conservation Society to continue clearing invasive rhododendron at Trinity Hill. Prompted by a recruitment drive, the Discovery Hut at Seaton Wetlands has seen an influx of new volunteers which has enabled extended opening hours and visitor engagement.

Education and Partnerships

The Countryside Education Ranger inspired over 2000 school-aged children to spend time in nature and care for the natural world through outdoor education sessions. The team also worked with local organisations including partnering with the Thelma Hulbert Gallery, to provide community events; Seaton Tram to support The Memory Tram activities and Age UK Devon to provide nature-based activities for older adults.

Councillor Geoff Jung Portfolio Holder Coast, Country and Environment, enthused:
''2024 has been an exceptional year for the Countryside team. The site management choices being made by the team, such as leaving standing dead wood and enabling sensitive conservation grazing regimes, are having a truly positive impact which is demonstrated by the diverse wildlife at our sites across the district. I'd like to extend my thanks to all involved, particularly the 160 strong volunteer base whose efforts enable the team to make such an impact on the landscape.''

Looking Ahead

James Chubb, Countryside Managersaid:

''I am extremely proud of the Countryside Team's achievements in 2024 and look forward to building on this success in the year to come. With continued conservation work, an exciting programme of activities and community engagement, East Devon's nature reserves will continue to stand-out as vital spaces for wildlife and special places for people to experience and explore.''

For upcoming events and news, visit wildeastdevon.co.uk where you can sign up for the newsletter.

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