Dartmoor’s extensive upland moorland core rises above the surrounding small-scale, enclosed, predominantly pastoral landscape. Granite unites and characterises the entire National Character Area (NCA). On the moors the distinctive tors create key landscape features, interrupting otherwise unbroken skylines and ridges, and provide focal points for visitors. Isolated farmsteads and scattered villages utilise granite for buildings and walls; and the area’s strong time depth and rich cultural heritage are visually evident because of the granite, which includes the largest concentration of prehistoric stone rows in Britain.
The high moors are overlaid with thick deposits of peat and support internationally important blanket bogs surrounded by large expanses of upland heathland and grass moorland. The bogs and valley mires absorb and store significant amounts of water, as well as carbon, released into the 16 rivers and 8 reservoirs that supply the surrounding urban and rural populations and industry. As rivers leave the high moor they flow through deep-cut valleys steeped in woodland – both semi-natural broadleaved and coniferous plantation. The fast-flowing rivers, strewn with granite boulders, are popular for recreation, both passive and active.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/5098832853467136?category=587130
- Hits: 992
Devon Birds entered an agreement with the local landowner in 1996 to build a wheelchair accessible hide on the South side of Beesands Ley (also known as Widdicombe Ley). This provides excellent views across the whole 12ha lake and fringing reeds, scrub and trees.
Location
Beesands lies a couple miles from the main Kingsbridge/Dartmouth road, the A379. From the roundabout in Stokenham follow the signs to Beesands; on reaching the coast, take the first left in front of the houses and park in the area at the end. Take the footpath along the South side of the ley to the bird hide. The path and the bird hide are wheelchair accessible.
https://www.devonbirds.org/birdwatching/places_to_go/beesands_ley
Devon Birds sightings
- Hits: 1058
Devon Birds has two small reserves at Prawle, the most southerly part of Devon. These were bought and developed primarily as migrant stopover points.
The Prawle Point reserve comprises a fenced wooded area directly opposite the National Trust car park, and an adjacent small area of open scrubland either side of the access road to Prawle Point cottages to the South. Access to the fenced area is through a gate with a combination lock and is restricted to Devon Birds members. The combination number of the lock can be obtained by emailing
East Prawle reserve lies next to a public footpath through the Pig’s Nose Valley. The reserve is covered in woodland that has been left in its natural state and is therefore inaccessible.
https://www.devonbirds.org/birdwatching/places_to_go/prawle_reserves
Devon Birds sightings
- Hits: 985
The reserve includes the largest natural freshwater lake in south-west England. Separated from the ocean by a narrow shingle bar, the lake is surrounded by reedbeds, marshes and woodland habitats.
Main habitats: open water, marshes, woodlands
Management: Slapton Ley is managed by the Field Studies Council on behalf of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust.
Features of interest
Further information about the NNR, its wildlife and how to visit can be found on the Slapton Ley website.
Contact
Field Studies Council: telephone 01548 580466 or email:
- Hits: 1156
Slapton Ley is a lagoon on the south coast of Devon, separated from Start Bay by a narrow shingle beach, known as Slapton Sands. It is the largest natural freshwater lake in the south west of England.
The 1.5 mile long lake is within a National Nature Reserve (NNR) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is made up of two parts (the Lower Ley and the Higher Ley). The lake is surrounded by reedbeds, marshes and woodland habitats with rare species thriving in the unique conditions.
It is managed by the Field Studies Council in partnership with the owners Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, Natural England and South Hams District Council. All the partners meet regularly at Slapton Committee meetings.
https://www.devonbirds.org/birdwatching/places_to_go/slapton_ley
Devon Birds sightings
- Hits: 1109
South Huish Reserve lies in a shallow valley cut off from the sea by the dunes behind South Milton Sands. The Reserve together with the South Milton Ley Reserve in the adjacent valley and nearby coast are visited by up to 200 bird species in a typical year.
The National Trust took ownership of the Reserve in 2011. Devon Birds has managed the Reserve since 1994 under an agreement with the previous owner. The agreement is due to expire in 2015 and discussions are in progress with the National Trust on the future of this agreement.
When Devon Birds took over management of the Reserve shallow scrapes were formed, drains reshaped and enlarged to introduce an important new habitat, and sluices installed to control water levels. The objective is to retain sufficient water in the scrapes to prevent them drying out over the summer.
No access is permitted within the Reserve.
https://www.devonbirds.org/birdwatching/places_to_go/south_huish
Devon Birds sightings
- Hits: 1020
South Milton Ley Reserve is a 16 hectare wildlife refuge that was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1984. It includes Devon’s second largest reedbed and together with the South Huish Meadowlands in the adjacent valley and nearby coast is visited by up to 200 bird species in a typical year.
Devon Birds acquired the core reedbed in 1976 and has added to the original landholding in stages to form buffer zones. Active management of the Reserve by Devon Birds has increased the reedbed by two hectares and extensive planting in the buffer zones has provided shelter and food for the birds.
The water level in the Reserve depends on the height of the sandbank at the mouth of the Ley. Wave action can build up the sandbank and flood the Reserve for up to half-a-mile inland for weeks at a time. The floods usually occur in winter and subside when a storm breaches the sandbank.
Access to the Reserve is restricted to Devon Birds members.
https://www.devonbirds.org/birdwatching/places_to_go/south_milton_ley
Devon Birds sightings
- Hits: 1045
The Dart Estuary MCZ is an inshore site that covers an area of approximately 5 km². The site is located in south Devon and encompasses the upper part of the Dart Estuary down to Anchor Stone, south of Dittisham.
The Dart Estuary MCZ supports a diverse array of habitats and species, including a number of rare species. Estuaries are important contributors to a healthy environment and have an important role as a nursery ground for juvenile fish. Large areas of the site consist of intertidal mud, which is a highly productive habitat and provides feeding and resting grounds for wading and migratory birds. This is also an important habitat for the nationally scarce tentacled lagoon worm. This is a tiny bristleworm which grows up to 5 mm in length and creates and lives in tubes within the mud habitats of the estuary. These worms have tentacles around their mouths used for gathering food from the surrounding muddy sediments. The tentacled lagoon worm is particularly vulnerable to activities that cause changes in its habitat.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/marine-conservation-zones-dart-estuary
- Hits: 1173
Westcountry Rivers Trust Rising high on Dartmoor near Devil’s Tor, this ancient river winds its way down through Tavistock where it joins the River Tamar and forms the Bere peninsula.
The River Tavy provides opportunities for all types of recreational activities from kayaking and swimming to bird watching and fishing. This wild river is fantastic to place to walk, eat and unwind.
https://wrt.org.uk/project/river-tavy/
- Hits: 1396
Westcountry Rivers Trust Tumbling down from Dartmoor, this series of rocks, pools and waterfalls makes this river a photographer’s delight.
The name “Plym” comes from the old English word for “Plum Tree” .
https://wrt.org.uk/project/river-plym/
- Hits: 1359
