Frogspawn in Fingle woods is another signal that winter is drawing to an end. But, is it early and what will happen when, or if, there is a cold snap? Data from Nature’s Calendar (a citizen science project run by the Woodland Trust and the UK...
January is normally a quite month for most people. Post-Christmas, the short days and inclement weather tend to mean hunkering down until spring has truly sprung, which usually doesn’t happen until well into March, especially on Dartmoor! However, if you are a National Trust Volunteer...
The usual suspects turned up promptly on February 1st and were pleased to note that in addition to the quick hedge the Bishops Knoll flats had planted several good size apple trees on their side of the fence. In contrast to the past few weeks...
In our earlier Dozing Dormouse blog (Part 1) we explored the usual routes to monitoring dormice either through licensed surveying or through signs of presence – from long empty summer nests – to discarded dormouse dinners of gnawed nuts. National Nature Reserves (NNRs) were set up to both protect habitats,...
The South West Region One of the questions I often get asked is how the South West region is made up both of staff and volunteers. The South West is also home of Avon Valley Woods . Avon Valley Woods is very special to us because the...
A new woodland working group in the Avon Valley Woods near Loddiswell in South Devon, has recruited 20 new volunteers in it's first two months. Avon Valley Woods are the birthplace of the Woodland Trust. A mix of ancient woods clinging to the steep sided valley of...
For most of its journey through Fingle Woods, the River Teign flows from west to east at the bottom of a steep-sided valley which rises more then 150m above the water. For several weeks either side of the Winter Solstice the sun barely climbs high...
Whilst the trees in the woods appear to be standing still, waiting for spring to arrive, buried within the leaf litter one of our most iconic native mammals has also put its life on hold, until spring arrives. The size of a thumb, our native hazel...
It’s a new year, with new plans and resolutions, the time of year where we think about changes we can make to ensure this year is the best one yet. Holly and ivy, evergreen plants, are symbols of new life, said by some to offer...
As we come to the end of the year, and with the butterfly survey season well behind us, there’s a chance to reflect on the survey season and to plan for next year. Simon Smith, who has written this end of season report, is one...