Back to Basics
Way back in the misty runes of time, when things were slightly out of focus and sepia tones dominated, an enthusiastic young ranger began a short series of articles for the local paper. These articles were intended to provide ideas and details of things to do in the countryside and to encourage more people to make the most of our beautiful surroundings.
Well, it may only have been a couple of years ago, but in that time the content of these columns seems to have developed considerably. In an attempt to keep things fresh and interesting, topics have varied considerably and I have sometimes only circumspectly kept within the sphere of environmental issues.
Back to basics this week then as I have a treat for you, with details of events and activities for you, the family and friends to take part in this half term. All the events are free to participate in and it is hoped that they will act as an introduction for you in accessing the local countryside throughout the year. At a time when family finances are at the front of most people’s thoughts, costly family entertainment can be prohibitive. However, there is a world of fascinating wildlife and landscapes out there which are very cheap to enjoy from a monetary perspective, but priceless in their true value. So, have a read through of the following suggestions and come along and join in.
The half term fun kicks off on Tuesday 26th May with a day of activities on Fire Beacon Hill, near Sidmouth. This beautiful heathland site is owned by Sidmouth Town Council and managed jointly by the RSPB and the Countryside Service. This may seem a rather convoluted arrangement, but it must be working as the heath is looking absolutely marvellous and the place is alive with wildlife.
All the events running through the day start from the Bowd Inn car park and each group will walk up to the reserve with me to take part in the activity. I think with three ascents of Fire Beacon Hill that day, I will be ready for a long soak in the bath by that night! Reptiles will provide the focus for the early part of the day, with a relatively early start at 9am. Participants in this two hour walk will join me to monitor the reptile traps in situ on the hill. There is no guarantee that we will see elusive lizards and snakes, but this makes it even more fulfilling if we do!
Later that day there will be a Bugs and Beasties walk starting after lunch at 2pm. This walk will be looking for anything that slides, crawls or scurries on the heath and nothing will be too weird or wonderful to overlook.
Finally the day is brought to a close with a nightjar walk, commencing at seven. Considering how close the event is to the longest day, there is very little chance that nightjars will start their enigmatic churring until a little later on, but the wait is well worth it and if you’ve never heard the call of this strange nocturnal bird come along and find out for yourself why these animals are so incredible.
The following morning there will be a morning woodland walk, specifically to look and listen for woodland birds. As this event will be starting at 10am it is about 6 hours late to be termed a dawn chorus, but there will be plenty of avian activity and commotion to enjoy. After all, if you are a dawn chorus purist there is nothing to stop you popping down to the woods at four in the morning by yourself and enjoying the symphony privately – I’ll still be sleeping off the previous days efforts though!
On Thursday afternoon I will be leading a short walk on the Maer LNR in Exmouth to look for some of the wonderful bees which live solitary lives in the sand. If you have always assumed one bee is pretty much the same as the next, make sure you come along and meet some of these fluffy little insects in person.
If flowers are more your thing and you have good stamina levels, then you can join the National Nature Reserve Ranger on this day for a wildflower walk on the Undercliffs. The flower displays will be staggering, but the going will be arduous so this is an event for the fitties only. For more details of this event and to book yourself a place, please call 01395 517557 as spaces are limited.
Finally, the half term fun is wrapped up with a morning of pond dipping at Seaton Marshes Local Nature Reserve, starting at 10am. Come along and use the marvellous new pond dipping platform and explore the aquatic life of the nature reserve.
Phew! So by the end of the week, pretty much everything that walks, crawls swims and flies through the district will have been scrutinised in some small way by me and whoever joins me on these walks. The only crucial element which makes these events a success if the weather, as long as we get half decent conditions there is always something to find lurking under a stone or log. So if you are searching for things to do this week and fancy exploring the local wildlife of your area, join me for a ramble and let’s see what we can find.