A Wild Life: ACT Wildlife Wardens

Ilsington Parish News: As a I write the temperature is the highest recorded in late May and the mind focuses on the importance of water, that essential substance for life, sometimes referred to as Blue Gold. Ponds, however small, in gardens and the wider natural environment are a vital feature to support wildlife providing a home for aquatic creatures and much needed water for birds and mammals. Amphibians - frogs, toads and newts - cross the border between the aquatic and terrestrial environment during their annual life cycle, at their most visible returning to breed in ponds during the early months of the year.

The Great Crested Newt Triurus cristatus, our largest native newt, is protected in UK law because of its decline linked to pond and terrestrial habitat loss.  Recently, media and government have used the newt’s protection as an example of unnecessary environmental barriers to planning developments. An Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust article  highlights partnership work that has been in place since 2018 through a Nature Space District Licensing Scheme. The objective is to overcome the disadvantages of individual planning mitigations whilst providing ecologically sound aquatic/terrestrial habitats for Great Crested Newts in 25yr management agreements with supportive landowners. An example of working collaboratively to provide protection for a species, the scheme operates in 11 counties, though not in Devon.  Monitoring results published earlier this year have shown to be encouraging. 490 ponds restored or created - over and above the requirement of four new ponds for each occupied lost pond and 16000ha of terrestrial habitat created as close as possible to occupied sites. 90% are occupied by Great Crested Newts.

It is worth noting that protecting one specific species often offers broader benefits to wildlife. As in this case, 91% of the created ponds qualify as ‘Priority Ponds’ a national designation for ponds that are important for rare and threatened species. https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/waternet/priority-ponds/  

Whilst such schemes are not a solution to all species/habitat losses, it is valuable to consider mechanisms that provide positive outcomes for some threatened species. Further info: https://naturespaceuk.com/conservation/

Ilsington Parish WWs: Dawn, Debbie, Linda [email protected], Nicky, Sheree [email protected]

Bovey Tracey News:  Summer can be an important time of year for looking at our flying residents of Bovey Tracey and one thing that has been noticeable this year has been the slight increase in butterflies and moths as the weather has been favourable so far. However, due to a loss of habitat there is a national concern about the loss of butterflies and moths in the UK. Annually there is a good program of monitoring the number of butterflies and we can all join in by taking part in the Big Butterfly Count UK (17th July - 9th August). Taking part is simple. Download the free Big Butterfly Count identification chart or app, head outdoors on a sunny day and record what you see during your 15-minute survey before submitting the results online. This annual nationwide survey, organised by Butterfly Conservation, asks people to spend just 15 minutes recording butterflies and day-flying moths in gardens or local green spaces. The information collected helps conservationists monitor species numbers and understand how climate change, habitat loss and extreme weather are affecting Britain’s wildlife.

Butterflies are far more important than many people realise. As pollinators, they help plants reproduce and support healthy ecosystems, while also providing food for birds, bats and other wildlife. Because butterflies are highly sensitive to environmental change, scientists often use them as key indicators of the health of the countryside. A decline in butterfly numbers can signal wider problems affecting nature.

Devon is one of the country’s richest counties for butterflies and moths, with around 40 butterfly species regularly recorded and more than 1,500 species of moth found across the county. From colourful Peacocks and Red Admirals to tiny blues and skippers, the variety of species thriving in Devon reflects the importance of the region’s woodlands, hedgerows and wildflower meadows.

Summer is also the season when butterfly migration can sometimes be witnessed along the SouthWest coast. Species such as the Painted Lady migrate thousands of miles from North Africa and mainland Europe to Britain, occasionally arriving in spectacular numbers during warm weather. These extraordinary journeys highlight how connected Britain’s wildlife is to environmental conditions across the globe.

During the Summer months residents and visitors can enjoy some of Bovey Tracey’s most remarkable aerial wildlife. We are very fortunate in Bovey Tracey as we have a thriving swift population. It is definitely a sound of summer as we hear the distinctive high-pitched call of the swifts as they swoop around the town, we are very fortunate that they are returning to us filling the skies with their spectacular aerial displays. It is a positive sign that there are enough flies, aphids, beetles and moths for the swifts to feed on as they catch their food whilst flying.

Another of our flying residents are the bats which also depend on flying insects for their food source. In Bovey Tracey we have recorded 16 of the UK’s 18 bat species which is remarkable! There are also opportunities to discover Bovey Tracey’s fascinating bat population with guided bat walks taking place on 25 June, 30 July, 13 and 27 August. These popular evening events are organised by Devon Wildlife Trust’s volunteer Bovey Bat Group and offer a chance to learn about local bat species while exploring the area at dusk. Booking details can be found via the Devon Wildlife Trust events webpage.

Maybe the fact that the Town Council are operating a pesticide free policy is working in allowing some of our wildlife to thrive including the healthy swift and bat populations that are the natural pest controllers in town!

Bovey Tracey WWs:  Janet, Andrew, David, Mo boveywildlife@gmail.com

Action on Climate in Teignbridge (ACT) is a Teignbridge wide initiative The aim of the volunteer Wildlife Warden scheme is to help wildlife thrive across the district. https://actionclimateteignbridge.org/activities/wildlife-wardens/