Axe Vale & District

Conservation Society NEWSLETTER

No. 83

SPRING & SUMMER

2017

AXE VALE & DISTRICT CONSERVATION SOCIETY

President: Donald Campbell.

Hon. Vice-Presidents: Mr. G.A. Jones; Miss B. Lepper M.B.E.

Officers:

Chairman: Martin Drake, Orchid House, Burridge, Axminster,

EX13 7DF 01460 220650

Hon. Treasurer and Membership Secretary:

Ruth Gray, The Lodge, Windsor Mead, Sidford, Sidmouth,

EX10 9AJ 01395 578935

Hon. Secretary: Lesley Clarke, 78 Scalwell Lane, Seaton,

EX12 2DL 01297 20180

Executive Committee:

Rob Beard, The Old Mending Room, Sidmouth Rd, Colyton, EX24 6NP

01297 553966

Roger Critchard, Bytham, 2 Axeford, South Chard, TA20 4QL

01460 220756

Neil Croton, Gashay Farm, Hawkchurch, Axminster, EX13 5UU

01297 678139

Simon Gray The Lodge, Windsor Mead, Sidford, Sidmouth, EX10 9AJ

01395 578935

Jean Kreiseler, 17 Alleyn Court, West Acres, Seaton, EX12 2JX

01297 24323

Mike Lock, Glen Fern, Whitford Road, Musbury, EX13 7AP

01297 551556

Sara Loveridge 42 Coronation St., Chard, TA20 2ER 07980 304112

Doug Rudge 1 Armada Close, Seaton, EX12 2UT 07702 189914

Ann Smith, 18 Burnham Close, Seaton. EX12 2UW

01297 24049

Ian Waite, 38 Durley Road, Seaton, EX12 2HW

01297 20326

AVDCS Website: www.axevaleconservation.org.uk

A note from the Chairman

Martin Drake

Relief from sitting at a desk in winter was the reason I became involved

with the AVDCS - chopping down invading trees and scrub was more fun

than typing reports. Clearly this is not everyone's idea of fun, and our brief

experiment of describing 'work parties' as 'volunteer days' made no

difference to turnout at our tree-chopping events. So it's not the name but

the content that doesn't appeal. Roger Critchard and Doug Rudge have

written a piece in an attempt to entice a few more fit and able members to

enjoy a day out. On our website we have some pictures of what we get up

to, and although bonfires do seem to dominate the scenes you will see that

tea-break is an important part of proceedings – after all, no-one's paying us

for maximum productivity.

I've written a piece about a small change in the scope of what the

ADVCS tries to do, which includes a move to engage children with the

countryside. In the last Newsletter, Lesley Clarke told us about our start in

this direction, with Colyton Primary School at the Community Woodland.

We were asked to run some ecological events there for the grand Tea

Party organised by Colyton Parish Council in September last year, so this

kept the ball rolling in the right direction. We have to admit to being rather

overwhelmed. But we ran a quiz, some informal walks and DIY construction

of Neil's ever-popular bee and bird boxes - for about 150 children. They

certainly seemed to enjoy themselves, and we hope that some of what they

We have had a hiccup with our bank account which was closed

without warning or consultation. Many small businesses and charities

have had the same problem – the result of over-zealous procedures

to prevent money laundering and fraud. Some of you may have

already received a letter from your bank telling you that your bankers’

order payment cannot be made. We have opened a new account with

a different bank, and I'm afraid those who pay by bankers’ order will

have to send a new mandate to your bank. See Ruth Gray's separate

circular & p.29

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saw might stick with them for a while. From our perspective, we hope to

encourage future generations of naturalists concerned for the countryside.

We have not been very good at self-promotion despite having

members running excellent events. So we were very pleased that Sara

Loveridge has joined our committee with an explicit role for publicity. Sara

has a background in media, and in the short time she has been with us has

produced the first of a series of press releases for local papers. Ian Waite,

our principal bird-man, was featured, chosen first perhaps as the least

retiring of the committee (have you seen him in Seaton Pantomime yet?).

The aim is to build up a slot in the papers that gives us a chance to discuss

events, issues, and the good things about our local countryside.

The AGM in November was enlivened by a talk by James Chubb,

recently appointed to Team Leader for sites in EDDC's Countryside Team.

We already have good relations with the rest of the team, as reflected in

our joint involvement in the Open Day at Seaton Marshes, children's events

and work parties. We value their welcoming approach to us volunteers in

whatever we do. The Open Day held jointly with the Countryside Team has

become an annual event. It may evolve and perhaps even move to a venue

other than Seaton Marshes (although that is so convenient) but the

principal of joining forces with the most hands-on team of people in the

area must be good for us. I should mention that, at the AGM, last year's

committee was voted back with the only change being the arrival of Sara.

We have made no important financial contributions to projects since

the last newsletter but we did have an excellent talk by Adrian Bayley who

talked about his bat-tracking study which used the equipment that AVDCS

had contributed to earlier. It is good to see people in bird hides at Seaton

Marshes, to which we contributed, and it is good to hear that our money

has been well used in the bat project. Adrian's data showing the path used

by foraging bats from Beer Caves to the wetlands contributed to the fourth

refusal of the Harepath Road housing development, which would have

formed a barrier across this passageway. While some of us would be

happy to know that the study just added to the ecological knowledge, this

applied aspect of the work confirmed that our money was well spent.

3

Our ‘Work’ Parties need you!

Roger Critchard & Doug Rudge

If you want to improve your physical and mental health, or if you just

want to try something new why not come along to one of our work parties?

At these you are sure to meet many like-minded and friendly people. You

may even learn some new skills that, if you are of employment age, could

lead you down a completely different career path.

The history of our Work Parties goes back to the early days of

AV&DCS’s existence when the late Norman Barns and others would meet

to clear scrub on the Undercliffs. This allowed sunlight to penetrate the

canopy which encouraged diversity of plant life in the understorey; this in

turn allowed increasingly diverse fauna to prosper. Outings nowadays

continue this tradition as we endeavour to improve these amazing places

for the benefit of both wildlife and people.

If you are put off by the word ‘work’ please don’t be because you can

do as much or as little as you like. There is normally something for

everyone regardless of age or level of fitness, although some locations are

well off the beaten track, deep in the Undercliffs, so the walk in and out can

be quite challenging. This and the fact that some of the locations are on

private land, means these are good opportunities to visit a variety of places

that are not usually open to the general public.

Start time is usually a really civilised 10am, and we normally finish at

or before 4pm, but it is totally up to you how much you do and you can

leave whenever you wish.

Appropriate clothing and footwear

are a must, and don’t forget to bring

a packed lunch.

The type of ‘work’ depends on

the site, but includes cutting and

raking grass, cutting down trees and scrub and burning the brash, clearing

ponds and occasionally laying hedges. All tools are provided and

instruction will be given if necessary. We work as a group so it is a great

opportunity to meet new people or simply to catch up with old friends.

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All of the work parties are listed in our Programme of Activities. Most

take place in the winter to minimise the effect on the local wildlife. However,

there are two notable exceptions to this, either of which would serve as a

gentle introduction to these wonderful days out.

The first of these is one of the best activities in the calendar when, in

mid-September, we spend three days cutting and raking Goat Island on the

Undercliffs. We are usually blessed with good weather and often complete

the task in the first two days, leaving the third free to do a bit of scrub

bashing.

The second is the Seaton Beach clean-up when happy volunteers

scour the seashore for litter as part of a national exercise in mid-

September.

If you have ever wondered whether or not to get involved in practical

volunteering, now is the time to find out. Any one of the ‘regular’ attendees

will tell you how rewarding these activities can be. Both members and non-

members alike will be welcomed with open arms so feel free to bring a

friend.

It is always best to contact the leader in advance in case of any last

minute changes or cancellations, but if you wish to make general enquiries

about these or any of our other activities please contact a member of the

committee: telephone numbers are inside the front cover.

We look forward to ‘working’ with you!

Do you fancy helping us? As a Society we set up our stand at several local Festivals.

Members of the committee set up the stand, which is then

manned by two people for spells of two to three hours while the

event lasts – two days for the Axe Vale Festival.

As a committee, we are wondering if there are any local members

who fancy joining us at these events to help spread the word and

work of our Society. If you think this sounds like something you

would like to do please send an e-mail to Martin, our Chairman,

telling him a bit about yourself : martindrake2@gmail.com

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New directions for AVDCS

Martin Drake

Our role as a conservation organisation used to be well defined. We

overlapped in ethos with the East Devon branch of Devon Wildlife Trust, to

the extent that we both found it helpful to join forces with talks, and were

willing suppliers of volunteers on the local and national nature reserves.

There was no competition or disagreement with what we should be doing.

But our patch has got rather more crowded in the last couple of years.

Seaton Jurassic and Legacy to Landscape both need a volunteer force and

the newly formed Jurassic Coast Trust may also want to call on some

people who would have helped out elsewhere. One casualty of this

duplication of activity is the demise of the East Devon branch of DWT. With

low attendance at some of our own meetings, one wonders whether

AVDCS may follow. But we would rather keep the show on the road, so we

devoted a chunk of a committee meeting last summer to discussing what

AVDCS might do to keep itself useful and relevant to conservation.

We usually summarise our areas of activity as 'walks, talks, work

parties and funding', with responses to planning applications in the

background. Some of our events are popular and there is no intention to

change these. Under the umbrella of 'walks' are the successful bird, flower

and butterfly strolls. Work parties too are moderately well attended on local

nature reserves and the Undercliffs; as they are the only activity where we

are actually directly managing for wildlife, we should continue these to lend

support to the Countryside Team, Natural England and perhaps occasional

joint work parties such as with Devon Birds. A massive cut in Natural

England's budget for nature reserves makes our input increasingly relevant,

even if we achieve less than contractors would have done. AVDCS took on

formal management of Colyton Community Woodland where

disappointingly few local people join us but perhaps we need to be more

proactive in advertising around the town when sessions will take place.

Talks may well be dropped as they are not well attended now that we have

lost the DWT local branch supporters, and simple unthemed walks are also

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often poorly attended, so we may stop these too as there are plenty of

walking groups in the area.

What new activity should we take on? We have no shortage of ideas

but they all need willing helpers to make them happen. One big area where

we have not ventured before is trying to encourage young people to take

an interest in conservation. Several other organisations are already doing

this in our area, notably the Countryside Team, DWT and Charmouth

Heritage Centre. As the committee is not really geared up to getting

involved directly, we felt that we could use some of our funds to help

professional teachers to do the actual work, while we set things up. So this

coming summer we will run three events that will be advertised through

local schools as well as being open to families. This idea chimes with the

Countryside Team's programme of reaching young people so we have

good support from them. I see that DWT is hoping to set up a free school

where environmental aspects are brought much more to the fore than is

possible in many schools. So we are all thinking along similar lines.

We are uncomfortably aware at not being good at advertising what

we do. The idea of a publicity officer was mooted at our meeting and has

now materialised - brilliant! We now have Sara Loveridge on the committee

to do just this. Sara is streets ahead of the rest of us and has already

planned a series of press releases for local papers and other outlets. It

gives us the chance to spread the word even if attendance at events

remains low, but we are hopeful that greater awareness of what we are

doing will prompt some people to come along.

Small-scale management tasks were an area where we could do

more. Although Colyton Community Woodland is not working as well as

we'd hoped, there may be small parcels of land where some input could

benefit wildlife, notably churchyards. The shining example of how one keen

person can make a difference is Rob Beard's road verges at Beer Road on

the way out of Seaton (as Rob wrote about in the last newsletter).

We are hoping to spend more of our funds rather than just sit on

them. It's hardly a large pile of gold, admittedly, but it could go a long way

as matching funding to bolster grants. We've done it before, for instance at

the Borrow Pit and for tools, and are currently working on plans to complete

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the path around the Borrow Pit. If we can show that our money is being well

spent, maybe more will flow in. There is a limit to how far we can change

our mindset about spending our funds, for instance we could offer to

employ contractors to undertake some essential reserve management, but

we'd quickly empty the piggybank and reduce the willingness of volunteers

to give their time for free.

None of our deliberations was startling but it gave us an opportunity

to change our emphasis a little rather than ploughing the old furrow until we

exhaust ourselves. As always, the constraint is people with the drive to get

out there and drag the rest of us with them. Anyone interested?

Situation Vacant – October 2017

At our 2016 AGM Lesley advised the Society that this year would be her last as our Secretary, so we are now looking for someone to take on the role from the 2017 AGM.

We realise that many people shy away from committees and the various roles within them, but we are hoping that one of our members would be happy to take on the job. This is a sample of the tasks Lesley carries out:

- Minute-taking at the committee meetings. - Sending out the minutes via e-mail to committee members after

the meeting.

- First point of contact for other organisations and festivals - Arranging rotas for volunteers on our stand at festivals and

other events.

- Preparing and distributing monthly posters for our events. - Booking halls for meetings and talks.

Lesley has kindly said that she will be happy to work with a new secretary for the first year so that you will not be going it alone.

If you think that you would be interested but would like to know more about all that is involved please do contact Lesley via e-mail Lesley.clarke3@icloud.com or speak to any committee member.

8

E-News is on the way!

Sara Loveridge

AVDCS is about to launch its very own e-newsletter. This new venture will be available in addition to our much-loved printed newsletter and is intended to be a way of keeping members informed of the latest news and events in between issues.

It will also enable us to share photographs of our endeavours and hopefully encourage AVDCS members to submit their own photographs and snippets of news and sightings from the area that can be shared with others.

The intention is to send out e-newsletters no more frequently than once a month and we hope that they will become an interesting and engaging source of information between printed newsletters.

To receive our e-newsletters simply email Sara Loveridge at findalittlewood@yahoo.com. Please include your email address and write in the subject line of your email: Subscribe to AVDCS E-Newsletter. Your email will only be used to send you the e-newsletter and you are free to unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the end of the e-newsletter.

As we develop this new venture we very much welcome ideas and feedback from members. Please email your comments to: Sara Loveridge at findalittlewood@yahoo.com.

9

Duck Fantastic – 28 November 2016

Simon Gray As we arrived at the RSPB farm on the Somerset levels, I knew it

was going to be a good day when I looked up to see a Merlin fly over. What a shame that it was just on a training flight from Yeovilton!

Ian had had his arm twisted again to organise a trip (not that he needs much persuading) and this year not only did he manage to organise the birds, he was also spot on with regard to the weather.

For those of you who have not experienced this corner of the Levels, the RSPB own approximately 1600 acres and manage it solely for the birds. Nigel (an RSPB employee) showed us around and after a brief ascent of a not insignificant slope, we stopped to admire the view. He explained a little of the RSPB vision and stewardship of the area. With the sun behind us looking down on a huge expanse of water it was hard not to be impressed. We had little idea of the numbers of birds we were likely to see but it looked promising. We all wandered down to the hide and took our seats on the first floor overlooking the water. Once in the hide, Martin took the opportunity to collect a few flies from the windows.

The view from the hide was outstanding; an incredible expanse of sparkling water and flooded meadows stretched out in front of us. The birds did not disappoint either. A solitary Crane was on the bank; it was very obliging and stayed in view for most of the stay.

Grey Wagtails chased around in the mud below the hide, but it was

on the water that you got the impression that the RSPB must be doing something right! Thousands of ducks, Wigeon, Mallard, Pintail, Teal, Gadwall. and one or two Tufted Ducks made a huge spectacle. Coupled

10

with the significant numbers of Golden Plover, Lapwings and Black-tailed Godwits in the adjoining, we always had wall to wall birds.

The arrival of a Peregrine and fly-pasts of Marsh Harriers ensured that the birds frequently took to the skies, wheeled around and settled back on the water. The ducks make quite a sight but the changing shape and colours of the mass of plovers in the air was fabulous.

We all enjoyed the couple of hours we spent in the hide, kept warm by the hot coffee and chocolate biscuits supplied by Nigel and his wife. We then wandered back to the farm yard along the lower path, spotting Redwings and Fieldfares on the way.

Back at the cars we decided to see if we could find the Cranes. We parked at Aller Moor and quickly found three Cranes, (including a youngster). They were quite a way off but we all had good sightings through the telescopes. They eventually took off and flew out of view.

Lunch was calling, so we wandered along to Ham Wall, had a cake and then walked down the old railway line to the benches where we sat and munched our way through our sandwiches.

On the pond were a few Gadwall, some Tufted Ducks and a pair of Mute Swans. On the way back Doug managed to find a white plastic bag amongst the reeds that turned out, with the help of binoculars, to be a Great White Egret.

As the afternoon progressed we walked back to the cars, stopping at the loos (where I managed to lose Ruth she did subsequently turn up) and arriving at the viewing area ever hopeful that we would be rewarded with views of the Starlings. Ian told us they would start arriving at 4 p.m. And, right on cue at 4 p.m., small groups started to appear. The sky had been clear all day, and as the number of starlings increased we were rewarded with significant numbers. Very impressive. As they started to settle the reeds began to go black, and by the time we left there were still a few flying around although the majority had started to settle for the night.

We walked back to the car park, said our farewells and drove home. All that is left is to thank Ian for organising another great day, to thank all those who supported the day and, personally, on behalf of Ruth and myself, to thank all of you for your company on a day spent doing something we all enjoy.

11

The Great British Beach Clean in Seaton

Sara Loveridge

27 volunteers collected more than 2,000 items weighing a total of 16kg

from Seaton Beach as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s Great

British Beach Clean on Sunday 18th September 2016.

Ian Waite, who co-ordinated the operation at Seaton reported that,

once again, items of plastic were in abundance and unfortunately several

deposits of dog faeces were noted, including in the area designated as ‘dog

free’.

All the items collected on the day were logged and details passed

onto the Marine Conservation Society who recently published its report on

the nationwide event, which saw around 6,000 volunteers clean 364

beaches across the UK.

According to their report, across the UK there has been a huge rise

in balloon-related litter - up by over 50% from 2015, with drinks containers,

bottle caps and lids up by more than 4% on the previous year. There was

some good news, however - the number of plastic bags have almost halved

in just one year, suggesting that the 5p charge for plastic bags at the

checkout, now in place across the whole of the UK, has had a positive

effect on the environment.

The Marine Conservation Society report showed that the top 10

items found on beaches in 2016 were as follows:

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1. Plastic / polystyrene pieces (0-50cm)

2. Cigarette stubs

3. Packets (crisp, sweet, lolly, sandwich)

4. Caps and lids

5. String / cord (thickness 0-1cm)

6. Cotton bud sticks

7. Glass

8. Wet wipes

9. Fishing line

10. Plastic drinks bottles

You can read the full report at www.mcsuk.org.

Sadly the levels of beach litter have doubled over the last two

decades and this rising tide continues to present not only a serious hazard

to wildlife, but a danger to humans too. For example, micro plastic beads

(found in many cosmetics) get flushed down the drain and are too small to

be filtered out by waste water treatment plants. These particles can then

enter the food chain through marine organisms such as fish, lobsters,

oysters and mussels.

By monitoring the levels and types of litter found along our coastlines

we can help organisations such as the Marine Conservation Society find

ways to tackle the problem and hopefully find a solution to what is largely a

preventable issue.

The next Great British Beach Clean at Seaton takes place on Sunday 17th September. To get involved contact

Ian Waite on: 01297 20326.

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Programme of Activities

Spring and Summer 2017

Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear; bring a picnic to events marked with an asterisk (☼). Car share where possible, contacting leader if

need be. Contact numbers: Work Party details: Donald Campbell 01297 552945; for Bird Watch details: Ian Waite 01297 20326; walks: Mike Lock 01297 551556; EDDC Countryside Service 01395 517557; other queries, including problems with grid references and meeting points: Martin Drake

01460 220650. At the end of a walk or birdwatch the leader will ask for a donation to

Society funds.

APRIL 2017 Tue. 11

th

14.00 - 16.00

Family explorer day, Trinity Hill LNR

Join Penny Evans at Trinity Hill for an afternoon of outdoor fun. Explore the site, find out about the wildlife that lives there and get creative using natural materials. Parents too, please. Meet at Trinity Hill car park (SY307959). Book with EDDC at

Wildeastdevon.co.uk or 01395

517557. £3 per family.

Wed. 12

th

10.00 - 13.00

An Introduction to Seaton Wetlands

With Doug Rudge. A 5 mile walk around the reserve with a brief history of each part from someone who was involved in their creation. Meet at Seaton Wetlands car park, through Seaton Cemetery on the Colyford Road (SY248914).

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April 2017 ctd

Mon. 24

th

8.00 - all day

Bird Watch. Portland for migrants

With Ian Waite. Portland Bill and Observatory visit. Inform IW if attending. ☼

Sat. 29

th

10.00-13.00

Walk on the Undercliff, Chimney Rock and the new permissive footpath

With Donald Campbell. Meet at Holmbush car park in Lyme Regis (SY336920. ☼

MAY 2017

Mon. 1

st

NOT Sun. 7

th

11.30-16.00

Holyford Woods Bluebell Day, walks, displays We got the date wrong in the printed version!

Free shuttle bus from Colyford Memorial Hall 11.15; last returning bus at 16.15. No parking at Holyford Farm. Details from EDDC Countryside Service.

Wed 3

rd

8.00 - all day

Bird Watch. Somerset Levels (Bitterns, Hobbies, etc.)

With Ian Waite. Meet Ashcott Corner (ST449397). Inform IW if attending. ☼

Mon. 8

th

10.00 - all day

Dartmoor stroll for moorland birds.

With Ian Waite. Meet King’s Oven C.P. (SX676811). Inform IW if attending. ☼

Wed 10

th

10.00-13.00

Musbury Castle Stroll, mainly for spring flowers

With Mike Lock. Meet Musbury Village Hall car park (SY271945)

Tue. 16

th

14.00 - 16.30

Botanical Stroll, Great Trill Farm, Musbury

With Mike Lock. Meet Great Trill Farm (SY291957). Donations to Trill Trust.

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JUNE 2017

Sun. 4

th

10.00 - 16.00

Axe Vale Wildlife Day, Seaton Wetlands

AVDCS & Countryside Team event - moths, flowers and insect strolls, cream teas!

Sat. 17-18

th

10.00 - 17.30

AXE VALE FESTIVAL

Visit our stand!

May 2017 ctd.

Sat. 27

th

10.00 - 15.00

Expedition to the Plateau, chalk grassland hidden within the Undercliffs overlooking Lyme Bay. 5 mile strenuous walk.

Booking essential: online at jurassiccoast.org/shop. Meet at Stepps Lane (SY266903). Strenuous walking in remote and isolated environment. Rough terrain. Walking boots essential. You must be physically fit and able. Please declare any medical conditions when booking. Cost will be confirmed upon booking. Tom Sunderland 07899 731404. ☼

Tue. 30

th

14.00 - 16.00

Family explorer day, Pennyhayes Farm, Shute

Join Penny Evans at Pennyhayes Farm for an afternoon of outdoor fun. Explore the site, find out about the wildlife that lives there and get creative using natural materials. Parents too, please. Meet at Pennyhayes Farm (SY241970). Book with EDDC at

Wildeastdevon.co.uk or 01395

517557.. £3 per family.

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June 2017 ctd.

Sun. 18th

10.00 - 14.00

Guided walk to Goat Island, perhaps the most famous part of the Undercliffs reserve. 3 mile walk.

Booking essential: online at jurassiccoast.org/shop. Cost will be confirmed upon booking. Meet at Stepps Lane (SY266903). Some steep steps and uneven ground. Rough terrain. Walking boots essential. You must be physically fit and able. Please declare any medical conditions when booking. Tom Sunderland 07899 731404. ☼

Wed. 21

th

10.00 - 12.30

Botanical Stroll: Lynch Meadow and the Crimean Seat, Undercliffs

With Mike Lock. Meet at Whitlands (SY306911).

Mon. 26

th

10.00-15.00

Bird Watch, stroll around Fernworthy Reservoir, Dartmoor

With Ian Waite. Inform IW if attending and for details. ☼

JULY 2017

Wed. 12

th

10.00 -

1300

Wambrook area - a slow ramble. ‘Green lanes and fine trees’.

With Graham Jones. Meet Cotley Inn car park (ST297077). Phone 01297 35725 beforehand for parking details

Sat 15

th

10.00 -

16.00

Natural Seaton Festival

Thury Harcourt Place, Seaton. See what we and others are doing in this great area!

Sun. 16

th

14.00-16.00

Insect stroll, Pennyhayes Farm, Shute

With Martin Drake. Joint with Legacy to Landscape. Meet at Pennyhayes (SY241970)

Sun. 23

rd

11.00 - 16.00

Butterflies on the Undercliffs

Butterfly Conservation will lead a walk at Goat Island. Meet at Stepps Lane (SY266903). Booking essential - ring 01460 220650. ☼

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July 2017 ctd

Tue. 25

th

14.00 - 16.30

Botanical Stroll, Great Trill Farm Musbury

With Mike Lock. Meet Great Trill Farm (SY291957). Donations to Trill Trust.

Sun. 30

th

14.00-16.00

Insect stroll, Woodend Deer park, Shute

With Martin Drake. Joint with Legacy to Landscape. Parking Haddon Road, Shute, EX13 7QR. Meet in front of Shute Barton entrance (SY251975)

AUGUST 2017

Fri. 18

th

14.00-16.00

Family explorer day, Lower Bruckland Ponds reserve

Join Penny Evans at Lower Bruckland Farm for an afternoon of outdoor fun. Explore the site, find out about the wildlife that lives there and get creative using natural materials. Parents too, please. Meet at L. Bruckland Ponds (SY272929). Book with EDDC at Wildeastdevon.co.uk or

01395 517557. £3 charge. £3 per family.

SEPTEMBER 2017

Sat. 9

th

10.00 - 15.00

Chimney Rock and the Crimean Seat, Undercliffs NNR. 5 mile strenuous walk.

Booking essential: online at jurassiccoast.org/shop. Cost will be confirmed upon booking. Meet at Holmbush Car Park, Lyme Regis (SY336920). Some steep steps and uneven ground. Rough terrain. Walking boots essential. You must be physically fit and able. Please declare any medical conditions when booking. Tom Sunderland 07899 731404. ☼

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Sept 2017 ctd Tue. 12-14

th

10.00 - 16.00

Goat Island grassland management, cutting and raking.

Tom Sunderland 07899 731404. Meet at Stepps Lane (SY266903). Wear walking boots, bring drink and lunch. ☼

Sun. 17

th

10.00 - 12.00

Seaton Beach Clean-up (Beachwatch Big Weekend)

Meet Fisherman’s Gap, Seaton sea front. Wear gloves; bring a pencil.

Wed. 20

th

10.00 - 16.00

Plateau (Undercliffs) grassland management, cutting and raking.

Tom Sunderland 07899 731404. Meet at Stepps Lane (SY266903). Wear walking boots. ☼

Other walks and events in the area are arranged by the following organisations (among others):

EDDC Countryside Service (01395 517557); www.eastdevon.gov.uk/countryside/countryside-events

[They publish two booklets each year, winter and summer, with details of events organised by a wide range of organisations in

this area]

Seaton Visitor Centre Trust (www.seatonvisitorcentretrust.org) Jurassic Coast Trust

(01305 224132; www.jurassiccoast.org)

Please note the Society’s

website:

www.axevaleconservation.org.uk

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The Buzzard

Mike Lock

I have chosen the Buzzard for this year’s cover. Buzzards are not only our

commonest birds of prey but are also the emblem of the East Devon Area

of Outstanding Natural Beauty. At this time of year pairs soar over their

territories, giving their loud mewing call, something that you may well hear

again towards the end of summer as young birds fly the nest and call

constantly to their parents for food.

Fifty years ago Buzzards were scarce east of Devon; as a child I

remember the first Buzzard being something of an event as we drove from

Surrey to Devon. Usually we would see one soon after entering Devon but

not before: now they have spread eastwards and occur almost throughout

England, having increased by over 100% in the last 40 years. At least part

of this increase is due to increased protection; they sometimes become

unpopular with gamekeepers by taking young pheasants from release

pens. Normally though, they feed mainly on rabbits, and the population was

hard-hit by the myxomatosis outbreak of the 1950s, but they have definitely

now bounced back, feeding on the increased rabbit population as well as

on mice, voles, small birds and even earthworms – you can often see them

following the plough.

Buzzards are generally brown birds with variable amounts of white,

but sometimes one sees very pale individuals. One like this lived for

several years in the Whitford area, and recently one has been reported to

me from the Axmouth area.

Buzzards breed in tall trees, sometimes building their own nest and

sometimes taking over an old crow’s nest. The large eggs, dull white

spotted and blotched with red-brown, are laid in April and the young hatch

towards the end of May. They fly the nest in late summer.

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Two Undercliff Work Parties

Donald Campbell

A major feature of the Society’s winter activity is the programme of work

parties (or Volunteer Days). These may involve the felling of holm oak in

the Undercliffs, of conifers in Holyford Woods, of rhododendron on Trinity

Hill or of any other invasive plants in or around grassland on Goat Island

and the Plateau.

Two more specialised Undercliff days last winter were spent around

Humble Pond in December and the Sheepwash a month later. To many

who know it, the pond is a smelly mess of weed and, when disturbed, of

strange purple water, but it one of few watery habitats in the Landslip and is

home to Great Crested Newts as well as other amphibians and to dragon-

and damsel-flies. It is not always a popular spot for work but 14 of us met at

Whitlands before Christmas and carried tools down through Humble

Glades to the pond. One regular activity there is raking out great masses of

the peculiar stonewort, Chara, an alga superficially resembling more

advanced plants, while another is the cutting back of fast-growing willows

which, if left, would soon convert the pond to wet scrub. On this occasion,

with a good turn-out of workers, Undercliffs Manager Tom Sunderland had

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additional jobs lined up, with the aim of getting more light to the pond and

less leaves rotting in it. With chain-saw, bow saws, billhooks and loppers,

trees fell and scrub was cut back, providing fuel for an impressive bonfire

and revealing branches, now dry, left over from previous work parties.

These were added to the fire. At the end of the day all looked very different.

It will be interesting to record any changes or additions to life in and around

the pond in 2017.

A month later a similar sized group carried a different selection of

tools down the old track from Dowlands to the Sheepwash. This is a

sunken stone-built structure where sheep could be pushed under water,

degreased with Fuller’s Earth and whitened with lime before being taken to

market and selling for a higher price after their wash. This particular one,

built between 1790 and 1800 is the largest on the Jurassic Coast. When

built, and at the time of the 1840 Tithe Map, much of the Undercliff was

described as pasture, but 140 or so years later it was surrounded by ash

trees and filled with detritus when Elaine Franks, artist and author of ‘An

Undercliff Sketchbook’, stumbled into it in the 1980s. Terry Sweeny, one

time Dorset Coast warden, remembers wheeling a barrow-load of cement

to the site when he and Norman Barns started restoration work soon

afterwards. The barrow didn’t survive but Terry did, and he was with us for

another day aiming to increase light and reduce leaf litter accumulating in

the structure. In addition to the usual scraping of the brick and stone floor of

the sheepwash, Tom wanted clearance of the surrounding area to create a

sunny glade through the removal of bramble, nettle and hemp agrimony, a

great coloniser of any disturbed area. Bramble, much loved by Silver-

washed Fritillary butterflies, will still border the glade. Some trees on the

seaward side were felled to let in more light and provide glimpses of the

sea behind. A recently established way down to the beach and the fossil-

rich ‘Slabs’ was slightly upgraded. It had been cut through the scrub after

the collapse of a traditional route following heavy rain in 2014.

On those two days alone, volunteers had done some 120 hours of

work, worth, perhaps, £1,000. Over the course of a winter AVDC makes a

significant contribution to the maintenance of quality habitat in woodland,

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wetland, chalk grassland and heath, giving useful support to Natural

England and the East Devon Countryside team.

What’s on in spring and summer 2017?

Mike Lock

Your Society is running a wide range of events this coming spring

and summer. Some of these are solo efforts but many others are joint

events with East Devon’s Countryside Service, Natural England, Legacy to

Landscape, and Trill Farm. In early April, the programme begins with the

first Family Discovery Day run by Penny Evans of East Devon CS, at Trinity

Hill. Here, grazing by Exmoor ponies has been successful in encouraging

heathland regeneration. The next day there is the opportunity to see round

the Seaton Wetlands Reserve with Doug Rudge, who was instrumental in

the creation of many of the features that we can now enjoy. Come and hear

about its creation from the horse’s mouth! Among the birds, early summer

migrants should be in evidence, and you may well see the first damselflies

of the year. Ian Waite’s regular visit to Portland follows on 24th; this may

give an opportunity to spot arriving migrants and perhaps to see birds

caught at the Observatory for ringing. There is an Undercliff walk with

Donald Campbell on 29th.

May opens with another of Ian Waite’s popular birding trips, on 3rd,

this one to the Somerset Levels for Bitterns and Hobbies as well as a range

of warblers. Bluebell Day at Holyford Woods follows on 1st May [not 7

th],

with another of Ian’s bird walks, this time on Dartmoor, on 8th. Two mainly

botanical strolls with Mike Lock follow, the first to Musbury Caste where we

should see woodland plants such as Bluebells and Early Purple Orchids,

and the second to Trill where we should see a range of spring flowers as

well as buttercup-filled pastures. The month ends with an Undercliff

expedition, to the Plateau on 27th, a fine area of chalk grassland at the end

of a fairly strenuous walk, and the second of Penny Evans’s family explorer

days, this time at Pennyhayes Farm on 30th.

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June takes us into the Show season, with the Axe Vale Festival on

17th-18

th, preceded by the Axe Vale Wildlife Day at the Seaton Wetlands on

4th, when a wide range of activities will be on offer, together with the chance

to find out about volunteering opportunities. On 18th there is the opportunity

to join a guided walk to Goat Island, a fine piece of open chalk grassland

that should be ablaze with flowers. On 21st a Botanical Stroll takes us to

Lynch Meadow and the Crimean Seat, two points on the new permissive

path in the Undercliffs. The month ends with another of Ian Waite’s birding

trips, this time to Fernworthy Reservoir on Dartmoor.

July begins with a slow ramble in the Wambrook area on 12th, led by

Graham Jones – ‘Green Lanes and fine trees’, starting and (perhaps more

conveniently) finishing at the Cotley Inn. The Natural Seaton Festival is on

15th, and the next day there is an insect stroll at Pennyhayes Farm, led by

Martin Drake. The insect theme continues with a walk, led by Butterfly

Conservation, to Goat Island on 23rd

. Many of the chalkland butterflies are

at the edge of their range in this part of Devon and there is always the

chance of an exciting discovery. There is a further insect stroll with Martin

Drake at Woodend Deer Park, Shute, on 30th, preceded by the second

botanical stroll of the year at Trill Farm. If the weather is right, this should

also be good for butterflies.

The main event in August is the third of Penny Evans’s Family

Explorer Days, this time at Lower Bruckland Ponds. This site has been

created over the past 15 years and received the AONB’s Acland Award on

2015 for its conservation achievements.

September begins with another strenuous expedition to the

Undercliffs, this time to Chimney Rock and the Crimean Seat, on 9th. Late

chalkland flowers and migrant birds may be seen. The grass cutting season

now begins at Goat Island on 12th-14

th. Chalk grassland needs grazing to

thrive, but this is impossible on the Undercliffs so we play the role of sheep

and goats for three days cutting and raking There’s something for everyone

so come and join in. We repeat the exercise on the Plateau on 20th. Finally,

on Sunday 17th, there is the Seaton Beach Clean-up on Beachwatch Big

Weekend. Come along and help, bringing gloves and a pencil to record

what you find, to be incorporated in the nation-wide figures.

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All in all – plenty for you to take part in!

All events are listed in the Programme pages.

Schoolchildren come to Colyton Community Woodland

Lesley Clarke

AVDCS are now managing Colyton Community Woodland on behalf

of the Parish Council. When discussing management we felt that

‘Community’ was a most important point. Obviously we wish to manage the

Woodland for the wildlife, and also get local people involved.

So we got in touch with Colyton Primary School and arranged to

have two classes spend a morning each at the Woodland run by Penny

Evans, the Education Ranger from East Devon District Council.

On 13th April Class A came to visit for a morning. Penny started the

day with a story about children who live in a black and white world, to

explain how lucky we all are to have the colours around us that we do.

Following this, the children went looking for natural things of as many

different colours as they could find. We then went bug hunting, had hot

chocolate using Penny's special kettle, whilst the children talked about the

insects and were shown some birds’ nests brought along by Penny. The

teacher was very enthusiastic and hopes we will do more.

On 25th May some Year 5 children joined us for the morning, again

with Penny. The children seemed to thoroughly enjoy both the minibeast

hunting and creating a habitat for the insects. This means there is now a

permanent home for insects made by local children at Colyton Community

Woodland. As the children left they were all talking about how much they

had enjoyed themselves, which was lovely to hear.

After each of the sessions, Ruth Gray, our Treasurer, made

certificates for the classes and I delivered these to the school. I know that

the teachers will have made sure that they were put up on the notice

boards for all to see.

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These are events that we would like to build on in the future.

Encouraging children to care about the environment and engage with

wildlife is important, Colyton Primary School enjoyed the events so we

hope to do something similar next year. Penny's help was invaluable and

hopefully we can book her again.

Steps Bridge, Dunsford, Dartmoor - 14th

March 2016 Miriam Pavey

The sun shone all day for twenty enthusiastic birders who set off at 10 a.m.

under the experienced guidance of Ian Waite. As we crossed Steps Bridge

we had our first sighting of a

Dipper, posing at close range on a

boulder close to the river bank.

Another pair were spotted a little

further up-river, busily feeding in

the fast-flowing water. Nearby

there was also a Grey Wagtail. It

wasn’t long before we were

listening to the melodious song of

a thrush, and watching it feasting on Ivy berries; shortly afterwards we saw

a Redwing.

The target species for the day was the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

– a species in decline and now becoming rare in

Devon. Early in our wanderings two keen-eyed

spotters had glimpses of birds high up in the

twiggy canopy. The woodpeckers flitted about

and moved on so quickly that many of the group

only had fleeting glimpses of these sparrow-

sized birds, but the experts saw enough to

confirm the identification. Greater Spotted

Woodpeckers were a lot more co-operative, and

we were able to watch them probing into bark

crevices and decaying wood right above our

heads. Tree-creepers were busy foraging, and

26

showing well in the sunlight as they crept mouse-like up tree trunks,

supported by their tiny feet and stiff tail feathers. Several beautiful

Nuthatches in the branches above had us almost bending over backwards

as we trained our binoculars on them.

Blue Tits flitted about everywhere we looked. There were also Long-

tailed, Marsh and Coal Tits, easy to see among the bare boughs, and we

also saw Goldcrest, Blackbird, Robin, Chaffinch and Woodpigeon in

abundance as we wandered along riverside paths, admiring the wild

Daffodils all along the way.

Eventually we reached an open glade, where we settled down to

enjoy our picnic lunches, overlooking a carpet of nodding yellow blooms.

Above us five Buzzards put on a

magnificent aerial display, with

competition from three Ravens with

their deep croaking calls. Just before

we set off to return, a male and two

female Bullfinches were easily seen by

the whole group – who were

photographed with all binoculars

trained in one direction. Early Peacock

and Comma butterflies were seen,

having emerged from hibernation into

the warmth; one Comma alighted on the hat of one of the ladies!

As we neared the bridge we once again strained our necks, but

looked in vain for another glimpse of the elusive Lesser Spotted

Woodpecker. However, a mossy fallen tree trunk sprinkled with grain acted

as a bird table and attracted a variety of small birds that provided an

excellent opportunity for those with cameras.

We returned to the car park at three o’clock and indulged in home-

made lemon drizzle cake as well as chocolate fairy cakes decorated with

fluffy yellow chicks and tiny Easter eggs, generously provided by two

members of the party. Another satisfying day appreciating the wonders of

the natural world, only about an hour’s drive from where we live!

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Book Review.

A New Flora of Devon. By Roger Smith, Bob Hodgson and Jeremy Ison Published by The Devonshire Association. 2016. Pp. 848; numerous colour photos and maps. Price £60.00

This is the first complete flora of Devon since 1939, when Keble-

Martin’s flora appeared, although an Atlas of the Devon Flora by Ivimey-

Cook appeared in 1984. This latest work includes all the vascular plants

(flowering plants, conifers, ferns and fern-allies). It includes all the plants

known to be native to the county and, as is now customary, a very large

number of introduced species, some of which may become more abundant

and important in the future. (Himalayan Balsam, for instance, was first

recorded in 1888, was said in 1939 to be widespread and to have

increased greatly in living memory – and we know where it is now).

Introductory chapters cover the history of plant recording in Devon,

the Devon landscape: climate, geology and soils, agriculture in Devon, the

impact of agriculture on the Devon flora, and areas of oustanding botanical

interest, Among these are roadsides in Devon, East Devon Pebblebed

Heaths, the Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs, and the Blackdown Hills.

The species accounts follow. Species are treated at three levels.

Common and widespread ones have just a brief statement of this fact, their

status, distribution and habitat. The status records whether they are native,

archaeophytes (naturalised before 1500), neophytes (naturalised after

1500) or casual (not persisting in the wild and reliant on constant

reintroduction). Rarer species have their localities listed by tetrad, site, date

and collector, and many are mapped with the timing of records denoted by

different colours at the hectad (10 x 10 km) and tetrad level. This system

needs some concentration and getting used to! Certain Devon ‘specials’,

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such as Plymouth Pear Pyrus cordata, Shore Dock Rumex rupestris, Heath

Lobelia Lobelia urens, and Purple Gromwell Lithospermum

purpureocaeruleum, are dealt with in considerable detail in text boxes and

most are illustrated by a colour photo, as are many other species.

The maps show many unexpected patterns in the flora of the county.

Kidney Vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, a plant of chalk grassland over most of

Britain is, in Devon, virtually confined to sea coasts. Narrow-leaved

Everlasting Pea Lathyrus sylvestris, so common on the Undercliffs, is

almost confined to the south cast of the county. Dropwort Filipendula

vulgaris is virtually confined to the Torbay limestones. Spindle Euonymus

europaeus is absent from Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Culm of north-west

Devon, and patchy in East Devon, but common elsewhere. One could go

on, and there is surely scope for some kind of analysis of the ‘floristic

elements’ of the county.

The ‘difficult’ groups have not been neglected; there are records of

124 brambles (Rubus), 122 dandelions (Taraxacum), and 37 hawkweeds

(Hieracium). The records for some of these are mostly old, as specialists in

the groups are few and far between although Devon has been well served

by resident botanists, particularly for dandelions and brambles.

This is a very substantial work in every sense. It weighs in at 2.8 kg

and has taken 12 years to prepare. It is not a field guide! One hopes that

the binding will stand up to continued use. Originally it was hoped to

include the stoneworts (Chara etc), lichens and bryophytes (mosses and

liverworts). The lichens have already been covered, and the bryologists

were not ready to publish, so we have been spared a two-volume work!

In spite of this book, and all the work that has gone into its

preparation and the collection of records, there are still surprises in the

Devon flora. In 2005 Peter Reay found Long-headed Clover Trifolium

incarnatum subsp. molinieri in cliff-top turf southeast of Bolt Tail; this plant

had not previously been found away from the Lizard Peninsular but the

Devon population varies from year to year between 1,000 and 32,000

plants – quite something to overlook!

29

This book is a major achievement and should form the baseline for

studies of the Devon flora for many years to come. Order quickly if you

want to have your own copy – there are not many left!

Mike Lock

AXE VALE & DISTRICT CONSERVATION SOCIETY Registered Charity No. 266682

Subscription Application/Renewal (for the year ending 30th September)

Due to our bank’s sudden and so far unexplained decision to close our account, this page has been

deleted from this issue.

We are in the process of opening a new account with another bank, and we hope that it will be possible to include a flyer with this issue, giving the new bank

details and asking you to renew your standing order (or set one up if you have not done so already).

The Committee has also taken this opportunity to

review and simplify the annual subscription and have decided that the new rate should be £5.00 minimum per household. This now adequately covers the cost

of two newsletters and the costs of posting and packing them, as well as leaving something over to

support the work of the Society and the good causes it supports.

30

New membership application and subscription renewal forms will be available on the Society’s

website shortly.

LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES

Mrs Hilary Arnold Bishopwood, Beer Road, Seaton.

Mr R. Berreen 9 Rowan Drive, Seaton

Mr D. Campbell Wheatears, The Butts, Colyton

(for Combpyne

Dr C. Cannan Knap House, Axmouth

Mr. P. Clarke 78, Scalwell Lane, Seaton

Mr P. Cook 8 North St., Axminster

Mr D. Cox 21 Barnes Meadow, Uplyme

Ms J. Dauncey Wavertree, Market Place, Colyton

Mr R.Dawe Doulting, Kilmington

Mrs H. Horley Tucker's Orchard, Dalwood

Mr R. How 21, Burnards Field, Colyton

Mr R.J.Olliver Lost Elms, 9 River View Close, Colyton

Mr N.Yool Forge Farm, Rock, Membury

Mr & Mrs M. Payne 14 Dragons Mead, Axminster

Mrs B. Pocock 3 Old Manor Gardens, Colyford

Mrs P. Price 7 York Road, Seaton

Mrs C. Sargent Ruffles, Doatshayne Lane, Musbury

Mrs A. Smith 18 Burnham Close, Seaton

Mrs J. Stacey Buckthorn, Rocombe Cross, Axminster (for

Raymonds Hill).

Mrs E. Stonex Highcroft, Whitford Road, Kilmington

Mr I. Waite 38 Durley Road, Seaton

Mrs M. Waters 12 Talbot Road, Lyme Regis

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Printed by Steves Print & Design Ltd., Seaton. Tel: 01297 22602