Your Chance to Count for Nature
To celebrate the launch of North Devon Coast AONB’s Coastal Creatures Project Coastwise North Devon is hosting a free wildlife day for everyone on 17th September at Croyde including a wildlife species count, a BioBlitz.
So, what’s a BioBlitz you may ask? Coastwise Chair Paula Ferris gives us an idea: “think rock-pool ramble over land, shore and sea, with a touch of Springwatch Unsprung, in which everyone can play a part, big or small.”
As well as fun activities for all the family the programme will include rock-pooling, strandline surveying, dune discoveries, pond-dipping and walks round Baggy to look for species. There will be a sea mammal watch in the morning and a bat walk in the evening. Naturalists will lead these activities as part of the 8 hour BioBlitz from 10 am – 6 pm. The results of will be recorded and contribute to conservation at Croyde.
Basecamp will be in Limekiln Field, Moor Lane, opposite Ruda, where there will be opportunities to get creative, test your knowledge, look down microscopes, sample seaweed, check out video cams, get movie tips, learn about litter and natter with naturalists.
Coastwise BioBlitz organiser Jim Monroe says “This will be a day out with a difference, to discover wildlife at close quarters, talk to experts, and learn lots. You can drop in or stay all day and you don’t need any prior knowledge, just an interest in the world around you. Check out the day’s activities on www.coastwisenorthdevon.org.uk, or just come along.”
The AONB’s Education and Interpretation Officer Cat Oliver says “We are excited to be getting our Coastal Creatures project underway at this BioBlitz. Coastal Creatures is a two year project which focuses on the diverse marine and coastal natural heritage of the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This BioBlitz provides an amazing opportunity for everyone to get involved in searching, identifying, recording and most importantly, learning more about North Devon’s coastal wildlife.”
Further information from Cat Oliver catherine.oliver@devon.gov.uk 07768214597
