Andrew Wheatley – Winner of our Exmoor4all Photo Competition in February
11 Winning Entries in our Exmoor4all Photo Competition – February 2014
Tag: Wildlife
COOL rural tourism experiences on Exmoor
New videos launched
A series of new web videos promoting some of the fantastic experiences available in rural Somerset and Exmoor National Park have been launched to celebrate English Tourism Week (29 March – 6 April). The videos, introduced by Rural Affairs Minister Dan Rogerson http://youtu.be/vyqk-DViTlM highlight a range of experiences including watching wild Exmoor ponies, discovering great local produce, bird watching on the Somerset Levels and exploring the area’s deep history and heritage in a bid to tempt more visitors to come enjoy the countryside offer.
Tourism is a huge economic driver, and in rural areas is often the mainstay of the economy. Research has shown that visitors today are seeking deeper experiences over and above visiting a particular destination and so the videos will help to bring alive the Somerset countryside and all it can offer including popular activities such as rock pooling, fossil hunting and wildlife watching.
The new videos have been welcomed by Defra which is working with partners to support the rural economy following the effect that the extreme weather experienced over the winter has had on people’s perception of the region and the consequential impact on tourism.
Speaking about the new videos Dan Rogerson said: “Following the extreme weather over the winter Exmoor and Somerset are very much open for business. Tourism is worth over £1.2 billion a year in Somerset and the county has a very strong rural offer where tourism is one of the largest economic sectors.
“I welcome these videos which highlight some of the great experiences that can be enjoyed in the rural areas of Somerset, including Exmoor National Park and I hope that they will inspire people to visit the area to enjoy the stunning landscapes, rich wildlife and to experience England’s countryside at its best.”
The videos, ranging from 1 to 3 minutes are intended to provide an inspirational taste of what is on offer in the area and are available via You Tube for businesses and tourism organisations to embed within their own websites and promotional activity.
The videos have been produced as part of the COOL tourism project which has seen local partners (including Somerset County Council, West Somerset Council, Sedgemoor Council and Exmoor National Park Authority) working alongside partners in England (Kent, Essex and Norfolk) and France (Somme and Pas de Calais) to promote rural tourism based on the experiences offered in these areas. The COOL tourism project was selected under the European Cross-border Cooperation Programme INTERREG IV A France (Channel) – England, co-funded by the ERDF.
Stags in a Row
Photo by Jochen Langbein
Letter from Exmoor: Out with #Hibernot, in with glorious spring!
By Neil Osmond from Experience Exmoor
(first published on the Experience Exmoor website on 26 March 2014)
As we leave the wild and wet winter behind, I would like to share some recent events and news with you.
SAFARI SCENES
November was actually pretty nice and for the first time we had many safaris in what is normally a quieter month. The red deer were still active with the action of the rut and huge flocks of starlings were evident high up on the moor. One day, when I was out with a young couple on holiday, I managed to capture some fantastic wildlife video images which my wife Christel put into a short film.
Red deer stag during the rut
I also hooked up with my friend Ken Blakey, award-winning filmmaker and owner of Lee House in Lynton. We went out and about one clear day and Ken produced another wonderful video to capture the essence of our Exmoor safaris.
ADAPTING TO THE WEATHER
The winter proved violent and dangerous, with a huge impact on people’s daily lives, but while out on Exmoor I sort of enjoyed nature’s power and how, regardless of what is thrown at the wildlife, they just carry on.
Right now some early spring Exmoor Pony foals are appearing and their coats have already adapted to the fresh winds high up on the moor!
First Exmoor Pony Foal we’ve seen this spring
HIBERNOT
The Discovery 4 is just an outstanding vehicle and this winter we were backing the Land Rover catch phrase #Hibernot. Social media helped us here when one of my photos of a Highland cow got re-tweeted by the Land Rover PR team to over 79,000 followers!
The 4×4 we use provides height, great comfort and superb visibility for all on board. It wasn’t me who won the big £108 Euromillions Lottery, but if I had done I would just get an extra Discovery!
Highland cow used in LandRover’s #Hibernot campaign on Twitter
GLORIOUS SPRING
The gorse bushes are in full yellow bloom, lambs and foals are entering our world and the clocks are about to change, giving us longer days and extra opportunities to discover more and enjoy this special area. So… out with #hibernot, bring on a glorious spring!
EXCITING NEWS
Early in the year we got contacted by one of the best local professional surfers, Lyndon Wake. As of this year we are planning an exciting partnership to provide sea, surf and land experiences in North Devon and Exmoor. We will also be working with the fantastic Sea Safari team in Ilfracombe to provide a combination of land and sea discovery adventures!
Exploring Exmoor’s coast from a different angle
UNUSUAL NEWS
Last year I took out two delightful ladies from the USA who had come over to the UK on the Queen Mary and were staying at The Old Rectory Hotel in Martinhoe. We got along really well and kept in touch through social media. They said before they left that if they won the lottery they would come back to Exmoor and buy me!! Well, a few months ago, believe it or not, they actually won and guess what? They are coming back to Exmoor in August and have booked up 2 safari days with me. We will also try to see the Dark Sky of Exmoor and dance with the stars. I cannot wait to see them again.
NEW AND OPEN FOR BUSINESS
The new National Park Pavilion in Lynmouth will no doubt attract many visitors. The centre is a great point of information , offering interactive displays and even a theatre room. Visitors to the centre are also able to book their Exmoor safari with us with one of the helpful staff members at the Pavilion. The Coach House at Kentisbury Grange has a brand new kitchen in full view of the restaurant and we are looking forward to working closely with the team there. The new Moorish Farm Shop and Café has just opened on the western edge of Exmoor and is already proving a hit with locals thanks to excellent produce and service.
Celebrating Christel’s birthday at The Coach House a few weeks ago
NESTING NEWS
It’s so exciting to keep learning every day. Did you know, for instance, that the guillemot sea bird doesn’t actually build a nest for its eggs? It uses Exmoor’s cliff ledges to roll the eggs onto. The angle of the ledge as well the pear-shape of the egg holds them there. How amazing is that?
Exmoor cliff edge providing great nesting opportunities for guillemots
I wish you all a truly glorious spring and hope to take you out on a journey across Exmoor sometime!
Neil
Note from Exmoor4all:
Experience Exmoor are one of our valued Exmoor Club partners – members save 10% on their bookings. See our Exmoor Club website for details.
11 Winners of our Photo Competition in January
The January Winner: Exmoor Ponies at Holtball, Exmoor Pony Club.
Photo by Dawn Westcott
A new day on Exmoor
Photo by Rosie Schneider
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.
14 winners in our Photo Competition in December
59 Entries in our Photo Competition 2013/14 – January 2014
69 entries in the December Photo Competition
Each month, the public chooses their top 10 images by ‘liking’ them on this blog or on our Facebook page – the winner receives a free membership in the Exmoor Club for one year, and all images go through to the final. In October 2014, a panel of judges will pick the 13 images for our very first Exmoor4all calendar!
Exmoor 4 all 