Teignbridge Wildlife Warden Newsletter
July 2021
| Hi all, As usual, it was been a busy month! We are currently writing ACT’s response to the Local Plan consultation, so this newsletter is a little more brief than usual |
 My most recent wildlife sighting – I took part in Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count (you have until this Sunday to take part) and saw a variety of species, including this gatekeeper! I was gutted to miss out on seeing the brown hairstreak butterfly that was apparently sat on the same patch of marjoram in my garden, so I will keep my eyes peeled in case it comes back |
| The Local Plan Consultation Thank you to those of you who have responded to the Local Plan Consultation. This could be our last chance to influence where development happens in Teignbridge! If you haven’t yet commented on any sites, you have until midday on Monday the 9th (next week!). Here is some guidance on how to comment on ecological impacts |
Rewilding Two groups of Wildlife Wardens visited Ambios’ rewilding project at Lower Sharpham Farm. We saw how they are using small numbers of Belted Galloway cattle and Mangalista pigs (an old Hungarian breed) to mimic natural grazing and disturbance. As we walked around the site, we were lucky to see some of the wildlife that is benefiting from rewilding, including a group of swifts flying over the Dart and some interesting peacock butterfly caterpillars.In collaboration with the Woodland Trust and Rewilding Britain, Ambios is hosting the Devon rewilding network, which you can join here. It is a place for people to share news and upcoming events about rewilding in Devon. A new initiative called Devon Wildland has recently been launched in Teignbridge to promote rewilding and connect wildlife habitats across the Haldon Ridge. You can follow the initiative on Facebook |
| Rivercide Documentary For those of you who missed George Monbiot’s Rivercide documentary (I haven’t watched it yet), it is available to watch for free on this site! It is an investigative documentary which looks at river pollution in the UK |
| Can you sign these petitions? This petition asks for the government not to remove legal protections for wildlife and plants in the UK which are classified as “vulnerable and near threatened”. The government wants to do this, as it would make it easier for development to happen. A coalition between the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation and Plantlife are urging people to ask their MP to raise the issue of the need to protect and restore species rich grasslands (they provide an email template, so it is quick and easy) |
| Current projects Here is an overview of some of the wonderful things that you have been up to. Abbotskerswell You can listen to Emily’s latest podcast here! Bishopsteignton Sarah Cochrane, in collaboration with Sustainable Bishopsteignton, has organised a wildflower art competition for residents of the parish. So far, they already have 80 pieces of artwork from the local primary school and expect to receive more! Artwork will be displayed at Bishopsteignton Festival on the 11th of September Bovey Tracey Our two new Wildlife Wardens for Bovey Tracey have made contact with their parish council and other local groups, and have met to discuss potential projects Holcombe Burnell Kate Morley held a stand at Longdown Farmer’s Market and gave away 40 packets of wildflower seed and information about butterflies whilst also raising awareness of littering and the need for more habitat connectivity. Kate also discussed the issue of litter with pupils at Ide School and helped them to create a ‘rubbish pupil’ sculpture for their sensory garden. Kate is continuing to monitor water quality of 3 streams for the Westcountry CSI Kingsteignton Hanna completed a wildflower survey of Humber Lane and found 23 species! The group have continued to work on the design of a nature trail, which they will present to the town council Ogwell Ogwild have been very busy! Their Rectory Field open day was a huge success. Over 150 villagers attended, and families and children took part in the scavenger hunt, who’s home is this’ and ‘who’s skull is this’ tasks. Many villagers had never visited Rectory Field before, so were very interested to look around and find out about Ogwild’s plans for the site. The group also organised a Big Butterfly count at the end of the month and have several other events planned for August, including a moth trapping session Shaldon Flavio and Paul presented ACT’s statement on the dredging of Exmouth Marina and the deposition of dredged material in Lyme Bay to Teignmouth Town Council. The statement will be sent as a complaint to the Marine Management Organisation Tedburn St Mary Tedburn’s group of 7 Wildlife Wardens are the newest recruits! They had a very positive first meeting with their parish council and have met to discuss the Local Plan consultation and verge management, so are off to a great start! |
| I look forward to officially welcoming more of you to the scheme at introductory Zooms over the next month as well as meeting more of you in person! Best wishes, Flavio |
I completely support the wardens but regrettably I cannot find the names or contact details of the Tedburn wardens. Can you put me in touch?