Category: Nature

Snowdrop Valley 2015

Snowdrop Valley 2015 Exmoor

Open from Saturday 31st January
to Sunday 1st March inclusive

Snowdrop Valley is a privately owned remote valley in a hidden part of Exmoor close to Wheddon Cross

The Badgworthy Land Company kindly allow access to the valley while the beautiful carpet of snowdrops is in bloom throughout February each year

Cutcombe Parish Council, in conjunction with Exmoor National Park Authority runs a Park and Ride Service to Snowdrop Valley and staffs the Snowdrop Valley Information Point in the Car Park

Visitors can also walk down into the valley and there is a variety of merchandise available to purchase as souvenirs.

Buses will be operating to the valley from Saturday 7th to Sunday 22nd
February inclusive. The buses have disabled access
There will be walking access only when the buses are not operating
(31st Jan to 6th Feb and 23rd Feb to 1st March)
No vehicles will be allowed into the valley

Downloadable Snowdrop Valley Brochure for 2015

Visitors with mobility problems who cannot visit the Valley while the buses are
running should contact snowdropvalley@gmail.com to arrange a visit on the weekend of 31st Jan/1st Feb or 28th Feb/1st March to be issued with a mobility pass

Parking for all vehicles is at the Exmoor Farmers Market, which is also the start of the walks into Snowdrop Valley, and is clearly signposted from the village

Snowdrop Valley Information Leaflet 2014 ….click here to download

Walking route maps
Winter clothing and suitable sturdy walking footwear is essential. The walking routes take in bridleways and footpaths, and can be very muddy

Short Walks – Route – Map
Medium Walk – Route – Map
Long Walk – Route – Map

Snowdrop Valley Merchandise Please click here to view

The single track lane into the valley is closed by a legal road closure order throughout February. Any vehicle entering the valley without an authorised Vehicle Pass will be reported to the police.

(via www.wheddoncross.org.uk)

Multinational effort to restore Exmoor’s historic mires

NEWS FROM EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK

Multi-national teams consisting of students from Germany, a volunteer from as far away as Switzerland and of course, the invaluable participation of those from Exmoor and the wider South West area have carried out essential restoration maintenance work at a number of sites.

A team of The Simonsbath Volunteers, the crew from TCV (The Conservation Volunteers)  and returning landscaping students from the Continent joined forces to complete quality-control checks and maintenance work, using spades, on the ditch blocks at Great Vintcombe which was first restored in 2009, looking at nearly 7000m of ditch across an area of 50 hectares.  This boosts the Volunteers’ grand total to a whopping 1017 days.

The skilful volunteers installed new wooden blocks and plugged up leaks in existing ones at Comerslade and at the well-known mire site of Blackpitts, where they also improved access by constructing a gate and building a new pathway across an eroded section. The work at Blackpitts in particular is very important as it is host to many guided walks looking at mire-specific wildlife and vegetation; the success of events such as Bogtastic (17 August 2014) depend on the ease of access and quality of bog this site now boasts.

Volunteers are central to the Exmoor Mires Project and the Project team would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their time and efforts.

If you feel inspired and would like to get into the wild moors of Exmoor to do practical restoration work, or inspire the younger generation by volunteering at events such as Bogtastic Days, please contact David Rolls on 01398 322164, or email drolls@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk. There is also information on how to get involved on the Exmoor National Park website. Help is always needed and always appreciated.

Exmoor Wildwatch 2014

Exmoor National Park’s amazing wildlife has given inspiration and joy to generations, but the very remoteness that makes Exmoor so special means that we do not have a full understanding of the wildlife that lives on the moor. That is where Exmoor Wildwatch 2014 and the accompanying free wildlife events come in!

Ali Hawkins, Exmoor National Park Wildlife Conservation Officer, explains:  ”Exmoor National Park is home to a fantastic array of wildlife and we would like everyone’s help to find out a little more about some of the special species that live here. We would particularly like to hear about 10 key species, some of which are nationally rare and others we simply do not know enough about. Some, like the cuckoo, are distinctive whilst others such as the round-leaved sundew may require more searching in some of Exmoor’s fantastic bogs. With a little bit of effort you can get to see more of Exmoor’s unique wildlife with our free handy spotter guide.

“The key species are cuckoo, kingfisher, brown hare, adder, common lizard, waxcap fungi, round-leaved sundew and heath fritillary, small pearl-bordered fritillary and comma butterflies.   Recording your sightings could not be easier. Simply go on line to the Wildwatch website or ring the National Park Centre in Lynmouth on 01598 752509.”

To record sightings and to view the free identification guides visit http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/environment/wild-watch. To order a free  Exmoor Wildwatch poster*  please contact the National Park Centres at Lynmouth, Dunster or Dulverton.

Wildwatch 2014 is also supported by 25 plus free wildlife and surveying training events. “Whether you are interested in butterflies, fungi or river life there is something for everyone. All the training is delivered free of charge by experts to encourage people to learn more about Exmoor’s Wildlife through surveying. Again just visit the Wildwatch website”  highlighted David Rolls, Moorland Education and Outreach Officer,  “so whether you are out walking, cycling, on the way to work or school please keep your eyes open and report whether you spot any of these wonderful species.”

Exmoor Wildwatch is part of the New Ecologists project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Exmoor Trust and Exmoor National Park through the Heart of Exmoor Scheme. For more details on this work please contact David Rolls on, 01398 322164.