Background information about the images

This section of the website is about information where the images have been taken, organisations that might be of interest and links to other websites for you get further information. I would advise you check these websites out before you visit so you can gain the most out of your time spent there.

It is important that when visiting the countryside that you follow the countryside code:

1. Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs
2. Leave gates and property as you find them
3. Protect plants and animals and take your litter home
4. Keep dogs under close control
Consider other people

For further information go to www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk.

Many of these sites are near water so watch for the tides and be prepared for the weather. For more safety advice go to www.rnli.org.uk. Details of tide times can be found on www.bbc.uk/weather/coast/tides.

Tell somebody where you are going and what time you are expected back and have fun!

Barn Owl Trust

The Barn Owl Trust was started in July 1988 and its priority has been to ensure that existing nest sites continue to be occupied and that they produce more young to repopulate other sites. Practical and advisory work is targeted at occupied sites.

I recommend that you look at their excellent website www.barnowltrust.org.uk, which is full of information on how this hard working charity works for the Barn Owls.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was started in July 1957. It has become so popular that in 2006 there was 783 appearances. The Flight consists of one Lancaster Bomber, Seven single-seat fighters types, five Spitfires and two Hurricanes. There is a Douglas C-47 Dakota and two De Havilland Chipmunks. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight website contains more information on the aircraft and diary dates.

Bempton Cliffs and Flamborough Head

The massive peninsula of Flamborough is situated on the east coast of Yorkshire, England, and forms one of the most impressive landscapes of this stretch of coastline. To the north, spectacular chalk cliffs (Bempton) stand proudly up to 400 feet high. They are home to the largest nesting sea bird colony in England. In "North Landing" are coves, sea caves and stacks where I found puffins, guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes all within easy viewing. Rocky outcrops reach out into the sea and have claimed many a passing ship in the past. To the south, the cliffs become smaller, but look out across Bridlington Bay.

Flamborough has much to offer the rambler, historian, geologist, archaeologist, ornithologist, day-tripper and local. The headland is a peaceful place, full of interest and enjoyment, which can often be missed by the casual observer. Go to the Flamborough Village Community website which has lots of information about a great place.

I stayed close to the "North Landing" in a hotel called the North Star Hotel which I found to be very friendly and I was well looked after as they don’t believe in small portions!!!!!!!!!!

Bempton Cliffs nature reserve is run by the RSPB and is about a 10 minute drive from Flamborough. More information about the nature reserve can be found on the RSPB web site.

Bempton cliffs is easily the best place in England to see, hear and smell seabirds! All your senses are used with the sound of not only the birds but the sound of the waves crashing into the bottom of the cliffs. Watching all these birds flying and playing in the thermals I found a joy to watch. More than 200,000 birds at any one time (from April to August) make the cliffs seem alive. The reserve is 3.5 miles long and is Englands largest seabird colony. Eight species nest here and is home to the largest number of breeding gannets on the UK mainland. With huge numbers to watch, beginners can easily learn the difference between gannets, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars and the easily recognisable puffins. Specially-created clifftop viewpoints are wheelchair accessible with care.

There is adequate parking and there is an information centre, where I found the staff and volunteers very helpful and welcoming.

Word of warning - the cliffs are dangerous so stick to the paths and follow directions of the signs, I found it very easy to get distracted away from the safety of the path, 400ft is a long way down!

British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)

The BTO's Mission statement is:

To promote and encourage the wider understanding, appreciation and conservation of birds by:

1. Conducting high quality, imperial research in field ornithology.
2. Providing scientific evidence and advice on priority issues in bird conservation.
3. Basing the work on a partnership between armatures and professionals conducting field work that is both enjoyable and scientifically rigorous.

The BTO is not a campaign organisation or pressure group. The trust exists independently of both the conservation campaigns and the government agencies responsible for environmental protection. That means that data they gather and the survey results they provide are objective and unbiased. Hence both government agencies and conservation campaigners can rely on them.

The British Trust for Ornithology website contains more information about the Trust and how to volunteer and support their work.

Butterflies, moths, dragonflies and other insects

There are some very good and helpful websites which help with identification, sites to visit and volunteering etc. The include:

• UK Butterflies
• Butterfly Conservation
• Butterfly Conservation - Devon Branch
• UKMoths
• Devon Moth Group
• British Dragonfly Society
• Buglife - the Invertebrate Conservation Trust
• British Arachnological Society
• Bees, Wasps & Ants Recording Society

Dartmoor National Park

Dartmoor in Devon was designated a National Park by statue in 1951. It is 368 square miles (954 km²) in area and has about 33400 people living in it as well as millions of people visit each year.

The Dartmoor National Park Authority was set up in 1974 to manage the park and is committed to working with and through others to ensure the conservation, sustainable development, understanding and enjoyment of the area for you and for future generations.

I recommend you visit the excellent website www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk before you visit as it is packed with information.

Dawlish

Dawlish is situated on the western coast of Lyme Bay in Devon in the south west of England. It sits on the coast 12 miles south of the county town of Exeter and 10 miles north of Torquay and the English Riviera. To the west by 15 miles is Dartmoor National Park.

There is a great website www.dawlish.com, which is packed with information about accommodation and there is an informative section about the history of Dawlish.

Another site is www.dawlish.gov.uk, which gives you many links to leisure and tourism in the area.

Dawlish Warren

Dawlish Warren is a National nature reserve which is at the mouth of the river Exe in Devon. The reserve covers some 210 hectares and the site supports up to 190 species of visiting birds, 620 plants and 250 fungi of which many are national rarities, there are also many mammals, amphibians and reptiles. 31 species of butterflies, 21 species of dragonflies and numerous records of moths have been reported here.

The Warren is also a very important tourist destination. In recent decades, levels of tourist numbers making 850,000 annually has increased the potential for conflict between the needs of the wildlife and wishes of visitors.

I recommend you look at www.dawlishwarren.co.uk, which is an extremely informative website packed with information which is worth a read before you visit.

East Dartmoor Woods and Heaths - Yarner Wood, Trendlebere Down and the Bovey Valley Woodlands

East Dartmoor Woods and Heaths, which are approximately 10km north-west of Newton Abbot to the west of the A382 and north of the B3387 consists of three adjacent sites: Yarner Wood, Trendlebere Down and the Bovey Valley Woodlands. They are a National Nature Reserve and the Natural England website includes more information on this reserve and others.

Together they provide an excellent example of internationally important Western Oakwood with its associated bird and lower plant communities. The heathlands at Yarner Wood and Trendlebere Down help provide further diversity whilst the Bovey Valley Woodlands has a boulder strewn valley with steep rocky tree covered slopes.

There is a limited public car park at Yarner Wood which is open from 8.30am until 7pm. Access on foot from Trendlebere Down car park is possible at all times.

At Yarner Wood there are two circular nature trails, one 2.5km long, the other 3.5km. There is a hide where birds are fed from November to March. At Trendlebere Down access is centred round the car park on the road leading to Manaton village. The area has largely recovered from a serious fire which swept through the Down in 1997 and bird-life - including nightjars, linnets, stonechats and skylarks - has returned to the area. Butterfly populations, including the pearl-bordered fritillary, have also recovered.

The woods at Bovey Valley are served by public footpaths and are home to diverse fungi, lichens mosses and ferns. The woods are also home to a number of rare butterflies and are a breeding and wintering site for birds. The River Bovey provides an important habitat for otters, dippers, grey wagtails and dragonflies.

Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club

Exeter Chiefs Rugby club existed as early as 1871/72, the first recorded match being against the training college on 26 October 1873. Since then, the club has built up a proud record of achievement on the field. In 1997 the Chiefs played in National Division One and have stayed there ever since with a best league placing of second in 2004/05.

The club moved to the current facilities at Sandy Park in September 2006 at the cost of £15m. At the moment the capacity is 8000 with an hoped expansion up to a capacity of nearly 14000.

The Exeter Chiefs website has more information about the club, including details of fixtures.

Exminster Marshes

Exminster Marshes are on the Western bank of the River Exe and the opposite side to the Bowling Green Reserve in Topsham which are both run by the RSPB.

You can walk from Powderham along the river to the reserve but parking the car can be a problem. There is a car park by the Swans Nest pub which I would recommend as the roads and paths can get quite busy with walkers and cyclists especially over the weekend. It is a great place to visit but would recommend you do the same as me and visit on weekday.

The area is good for birds of prey with peregrines and buzzards regularly seen and the odd hobby. Butterflies and dragonflies are plentiful as well as some great plant life. Hen harriers and short-eared owls have been seen in winter. Otters are also known to frequent this area, but are very shy so best of luck!

Of special interest on the mud flats in winter is the flock of hundreds of avocets. They remain out on the open estuary, floating in a group at high tide, and can be seen upstream of the Turf Hotel at the lower end of the ship canal. One of the best ways to view the waders and wildfowl of the estuary and to be sure of a sighting of avocets is to obtain a place on an RSPB 'Avocet Cruise'. These trips run at certain times between November and March. Full details can be obtained from the RSPB South-West Regional Office (01392 833632). Details of other river cruises in the area can be found on the Exe 2 Sea Cruises website.

Gigrin Farm

Gigrin farm is a Red Kite feeding station close to the town of Rhayader, Powys, Mid Wales. It feeds the kites 365 days of the year and the number of Kites using the feeding station can vary, anything from a dozen to 400+ depending on the weather and time of year.

When I visited there was 300+ kites, 10 buzzards, and crows of every description. There must have been 1000 birds scrapping for food which was quite a spectacle if not very cold! I would advise that you wrap up if you are using the more open hides in cold weather as I got caught out and should have known better. I found it a friendly place to visit as well.

For more information visit the Gigrin Farm website.

Haldon Forest Park

Haldon Forest park is just off the A38 by the Exeter Race course, 15 minutes from Exeter. It has 3500 acres of woods with 25 miles of trails where you can safely walk, jog, cycle and ride.

Various well signposted trails lead off from the main car park at Haldon Gateway, where you will find all the facilities you need to an hour or a whole day in the park.

The Forestry Commission organises a wide variety of events at Haldon Forest park. Go to the Haldon Forest Park website for more information.

Isle of Mull

From Oban, the Isle of Mull is just a 40 minute ride on the ferry. I found it easy to book and the staff very helpful, go to the Caledonian MacBrayne Hebridean & Clyde Ferries website for times and fares, not only to Mull but to the many other Islands around the west coast of Scotland.

The island itself reminds me of New Zealand with its wild beauty, the mountains, the wildlife and the sheep! It's a birdwatcher's paradise with every kind of bird with a hook bill you could think of! Apart from birds there is plenty of other things to see, red and fallow deer, otters and seals. Many butterflies such as the Marsh Fritillary and Green Hairstreak and dragonflies such as the Four-spotted Chaser and Azure Damselfly.

There are boat trips to other islands and whale watching trips, which unfortunately I didn't do as I ran out of time which I plan to do next visit. A trip to the Island of Iona is a good idea. I went over to see the Corncrake, but although I heard loads they were just too crafty for me and didn't get a view!

Also on the island are the two largest birds in the UK the Golden and White Tailed Eagle. The latter is heavily protected as they have been a target for egg thieves. They are a fantastic sight to see them soaring in the sky. I don't think you realise how big they are until you see them with a crow or buzzard.

If you are there just for a day, there are plenty of guided wildlife tours around the island. Although I didn't go one any the trips, the people on the trips I saw all looked happy enough with their experience.

A great web site is Mullbirds Online run by Alan Spellman, which has lots of great information on and for those going bird watching. Get the bird report for the island which also has lots of great information about the birds and where to see them. While the birds don't read the book and don't turn up on queue the information is pretty accurate!

I met lots of great people on the island such as the only 'Geordie Scotsman' I've ever met - Bryan Rains from Pennyghael stores who also runs Wild About Mull Wildlife Tours who was very helpful. (I recommend the steak pies from the stores :o) kept me going all week!) Scott from Scoor House was incredibly helpful. Mike Story and his family made my stay just wonderful, I stayed in their self catering at Achnadrish House which is close to Dervaig in the north of the island for the week and was just great value for money! I certainly will be making a visit back, just brilliant.

One moan is some of the driving that goes on. There are many single track roads with passing places and the trouble is some people don't know how to reverse and the other which really winds me up is how rude some people are. It takes no time at all to put your hand up to say thank you, but some people are just ignorant! Apart from that I thought the place was just heaven especially as the sun goes down over the sea, just magical.

The National Trust

It has been 100 years since Parliament passed the first “National #034;Trust Act". This legislation defined the National Trust purpose and gave the Trust unique powers to protect property forever for the benefit of the nation. The National Trust is a charity and completely independent of Government. The Trust rely on income from membership fees, donations and legacies and revenue raised from commercial operations.

This money goes to protect 300 historic houses and gardens, 49 industrial monuments and mills. They also look after forests, woods, fens, beaches, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, castles, nature reserves and whole villages.

Go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk for more information.

Point to Point

Point to point horse races were known originally as steeplechases and these were first run in Ireland. The earliest known references to one in print is from a 1793 edition of the "Sporting Magazine" although there was other reports which suggest the practice dates from 1752. Today point to point races are a form of amateur horse racing over fences for hunting horses.

Point to point regulations in the UK and Ireland require all races to be run over 3 miles, but there are exceptions. Certain important races are run over longer distances, e.g. the Lady Dudley Cup (3 miles 2 furlongs) and the Heythrop Men's open (4 miles). Maiden races for young horses (aged 4 to 7) can be run over 2 miles 4 furlongs.

A three mile race is almost invariably 2 circuits of a typical point to point course, although there are one or two exceptions (e.g. Larkhill in Wiltshire). Every course must have a minimum number of fences and at least 2 fences must have ditches. The fences are made of birch and are approx 4 foot 6 inches high.

Horses that are eligible to run in points are also eligible to run in hunter chases, i.e. races run under rules over regulation fences open only to horses with a current hunter certificate.

For more information go to www.jumpingforfun.co.uk. For the Devon and Cornwall area a great website is www.fredsampson.co.uk.

River Teign Rowing Club

The River Teign Rowing Club formed in 1994 and was solely for Seine boat racing up until 1998 (which in fact there had been Seine boats racing on the Teign for 200 years), when the club added its first Cornish Pilot Gig to the fleet of over 30 Seine boats.

Throughout the summer there is racing on the River Teign. You can find dates and times of races on their website www.teignrowers.co.uk.

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

The RSPB was formed in response to a real conservation problem, the threatened extinction in 1860 of the Great Crested Grebe by the Millinery trade as their breeding plumage was highly sought after for ladies hats.

Throughout its history, the society has been guided by sound conservation principles rather than by emotion, they have progressed from the early success to become one of the most influential conservation organisations. The RSPB have 200 nature reserves covering 130,000 hectares home to 80% of our rarest or most threatened bird species.

Go to their website for more information on reserves and other conservation news, www.rspb.org.uk.

Scramble!

Classic and Twinshock Scramble Racing at Widworthy, Wilmington, Nr Honiton by courtesy of Landowner Brian Chidley.

It is a friendly scramble club who are always looking to provide a first class days racing for all. They have approx 45 members at present but who would always welcome and encourage more riders and non-riders to help with the workload in making the scrambles the best possible.

I went there and had a great day, as I've already said very friendly and even though the weather was awful the riders (who I thought where certifiable) put on a good show.

The Devon Classic MCC Ltd website gives details of events of this club and others around the country.

Somerset Levels

The great, flat expanses of land which stretch inland from Bridgewater Bay to the Mendip Hills in the north and the Quantocks in the west. These wetlands bearly reach 25 feet above sea level, to the north of the Polden hills, the Rivers Axe, Sheppey and Brue cross the Peat Moors and Avalon Marshes, while the southern levels, including Sedgemoor, are crossed by the Parrett, Yeo, Cary and Tone. In most cases, the courses of these rivers have been changed to form part of a man-made drainage system, which helps control extensive winter flooding. Ditches criss-cross the area, acting as "wet fences" and helping form a unique landscape of farmland, wetland, fens and mires.

The county's ancient name, "Somerseata" - Land of the Summer People - originates from the time when much of this wetland landscape was only accessible in summer.

The levels and moors are steeped in history and myth. Glastonbury with its Tor, visible from high points all over Somerset, is central to the Arthurian myths and legends. Many claim it to be the Isle of Avalon and Glastonbury Abbey to be the final resting place of King Arthur and his wife Guinevere.

King Alfred in the 9th Century concealed his armies on a defended island fortress amongst the marshes at Athelney, before sallying forth to defeat the Danes.

The Battle of Sedgemoor in 1685 saw the Duke of Monmouth's uprising against King James II end with his defeat - the last battle fought on English soil.

Greylake reserve

Greylake is a series of low-lying former arable fields within a vast expanse of floodplain grassland known as King Sedgemoor, which covers some 6000 acres. The entrance to the reserve is on the A361 between the villages of Othery and Greinton. It has a 700 metre nature trail suitable for wheelchairs and a viewing hide. There is a car park at the entrance.

Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath reserves

Both these reserves are old peat workings which have provided an excellent opportunity for the RSPB to create important habitats for many vulnerable wetland animals and plants. These wetlands are internationally important for wintering wildfowl and wading birds and support at least 64 species of breeding birds and thriving populations of both Water Vole and Otters.

West Sedgemoor reserve

West Sedgemoor Reserve comprises an extensive system of wet fields, nationally important for flower-rich hay meadows, aquatic plants and insects. Large numbers of wading birds breed here and the winter floods attract tens of thousands of Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Pintail, Lapwings and Golden Plovers. On the southern edge of the reserve is Swell Wood which is home to one of the largest Heronries in the UK, which also has nesting Little Egrets.

Slapton Ley and Torcross

Slapton Ley Nature Reserve (NNR) is recognised as a wetland with an important place in Britain's Natural Heritage. The main feature is the lower Ley, which is the largest natural lake in South West England. Although it is only separated from the sea by a narrow shingle bar, it is of geological interest, and harbours a wealth of colourful flowers in summer.

Surrounding marshes, reed beds and woodland add to the variety of habitats. These provide excellent feeding and breeding ground for rich and varied wildlife. Much is accessible by public footpath and is a major attraction for birdwatchers and naturalists. Go to www.slnnr.org.uk for more information.

The village of Torcross which sits on the south of the Ley and the beach has a memorial to over 900 US troops killed during a D-day exercise called "Exercise Tiger" in Lyme bay when Landing craft where attacked by patrolling E boats in the early hours of 28 April 1944.

It is a 32 ton Sherman Tank which was lost in Exercise Tiger, it was found and brought to the surface in November 1984 as a fitting tribute to the men that where lost.

Go to www.shermantank.co.uk for more information about Exercise Tiger and the battle to get the memorial.

Start Point and Prawle Point

These two most southerly points of Devon are must see places to visit. The views are stunning and wild, especially when the sea is rough. They are also two jumping off and receiving points for migratory birds (Especially Prawle Point).

*Please Note* while it is a beautiful place, it is hazardous. You need sturdy boots and to be careful especially the footpath from Start point to Lanacombe beach.

Stover Country Park

Stover Country Park contains over 114 acres of woodland, heath land, grassland, lake and marsh and a substantial variety of wildlife.

The country park is historically Part of the Bovey Heath, an expanse of wet boggy lowland heath, which covered the majority of the Bovey Basin. Following the decline and sale of the estate in the 1930s the site was bought by the Forestry Commission and stands of Scots pine, Norway spruce, Douglas fir, Western hemlock, Sitka spruce and larch were subsequently planted. The Country Park is now owned and administered by Devon County Council having been purchased in 1979 from the Forestry Commission. The Country park was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1984 by the Nature Conservancy Council (now English Nature) due to its rare dragonfly species and invertebrates. It was added to the register of Historic Parks and Gardens in 1995, and was declared a Local Nature Reserve in 2001.

I recommended you check out the Stover Country Park website for further information on the Templer Way, the historical and wildlife information.

Topsham

Topsham is at the top end of the Exe estuary in Devon, it has a rich and varied history. First documented as a Roman settlement, it was granted a charter as a town on 22nd August 1300 by Edward I developing into a major British port and shipbuilding centre that in its heyday rivalled London. There are Dutch houses from the maritime past, and fine examples of Georgian and Edwardian Architecture. In the year 2000 Topsham celebrated its 700 year anniversary with the Queen visiting a pub in Topsham for the first time.

I recommend that you visit their excellent website www.topsham.org before you visit for places to stay or eat.

Bird watching at Topsham

Bowling Green Reserve is behind Topsham. There is a hide which overlooks a large grass area and a lake which gets populated by waders and other water birds at high tide.

The Platform is a structure a little way down from Bowling green and it gives a great view of waders feeding on the river. It's best to see birds here when the tide is just coming in or on the way out as the birds move with the edge of the tide.

The Goat Walk is great, as you can sit down and watch as waders come up close without a care in the world. I took my first pictures of avocets from here.

© Simon Thurgood 2008
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