BUTTERFLIES, BIRDS … AND GOATS.
July, the month we welcome our visitors back. The Spring and early Summer has been mostly warm and sunny and nature has benefited hugely this year. Our walks were restricted but slowly the countryside has opened up and we have more freedom.
The Valley of Rocks produced some beautiful young goats this year, really robust and independent now. Several times and maybe because it was very quiet we have been able to watch a Black Adder out in the open quite rare but they do seem to like parts of the rocky North Devon Coast.
Further along and a strenuous walk will bring us to the Heddon Valley, our favourite spot for butterflies but particularly the high brown fritillary which is very rare, such a lovely walk down through the valley to the mouth, a haven for dragonflies, dippers and grey wagtails, all have successfully bred this year.
“The meadows and paths have not been cut too much, an increase in insects I am sure will benefit all.”
Brendon Common is interesting in summer and walking from Dry Bridge area is always a treat particularly watching out for Whinchat and so pleased that this year has been really good for breeding. Linnets are often in this area but amazing to see a Redpoll, stunning little birds, and we know he managed to find a mate and they have reared a healthy brood.
Local woodland has also been home to visiting pied flycatchers, spotted flycatchers, redstarts and warblers, probably the Doone Valley at this time of the year is one of our prettiest river valleys, oh, but then there’s the Barle, the Exe, the Lyn, and on and on.
What a privilege to be part of all this nature.
[ Words and Images by John & Jenny Elvin @ Tarka Photography ]
[ Top Images, Left to Right: Redpoll, Orange Tipped Butterfly, Whinchat ]
[ Middle Images, Left to Right: Baby Goats, High Brown Fritillary, Black Adder ]
