Kate Ponting Clinton Devon Estates

Dartford Warblers are iconic birds of heathland environments. Affectionally known as ‘Darties’, these charismatic little birds can be seen on Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve all year round. Other warblers, such as the whitethroat or willow warbler, migrate to warmer countries during the winter months, returning to the UK to breed in the spring. Not so the Dartie. These birds are resident and often don’t travel very far during their lifetime. Most of the Dartford warblers living on the Pebblebeds will have hatched somewhere on the nature reserve, so can truly be said to be ‘our Darties’. Darties rely on heathland vegetation to survive and loss of heathland from our landscape nationally has resulted in a decline of this special bird, making remaining areas even more precious. In the 1990s the Pebblebed Heaths held 8% of the UK population of these birds, making it an important stronghold and part of the reason the Pebblebed Heaths are legally protected as a nature conservation area. Dartford Warblers in the UK are at the northern edge of their range which extends down into continental Europe. For birds that weigh just 9-12 grams, with a diet of spiders and insects gleaned from the gorse and heather, winter can be tough and cold weather plays a huge part in the fortunes of these birds. Population crashes closely mirror severe winter weather, seen in 2009 and following the ‘beast from the east’ in spring 2018 when the Dartie population on the Pebblebeds crashed by 75% to just 25 territories. We cannot prevent prolonged snowfall and freezing weather, but we can help surviving birds rebuild their population. The conservation teams on the heaths work to get the habitat in the best possible condition before the start of the bird breeding season, so it can provide shelter, foraging and nesting opportunities so that birds can nest and raise young without disturbance. Each spring we monitor the number of Dartie territories across the heaths, this takes expertise and dedication from staff and volunteers who spend hours between March to May, systematically recording the activity of the birds. This enables us to track how our population is faring. Since 2018 numbers have steadily increased year on year, with 2021 returning a count of 192 territories across the Pebblebed Heaths NNR. This just goes to show that given the opportunity these birds can bounce back. Given the right conditions, a Dartie pair can raise two, or sometimes three broods in a summer breeding season. The more broods a pair has, and the more chicks that fledge, the better the recovery of the population and the more secure their future. This winter has been warm, and we hope that good weather continues, and new territories will be occupied this year. Everyone that spends time on the heaths can play a part in ensuring these birds continue to thrive. It is surprisingly simple… just give them space. By choosing to stay on the main tracks whether on foot, cycle or horseback you are giving Darties the freedom to feed, nest and rear young without fear. Between March and August, if you are out with a dog, ensure they always remain with you on the tracks as you’ll be actively protecting not just the Dartford warblers, but other birds that nest on the ground and in the heather. Next time you are out on the Pebblebed Heaths give yourself a pat on the back, and perhaps your dog an extra treat from us, in the knowledge that you are sharing this special place with wildlife and giving them the space they need. Even if you are not lucky enough to glimpse a Dartie on your visit, rest assured that within that haven of gorse and heather they are doing what they can to restore their energy and feed up ready for the action to start come spring. Find out more about the importance of our local heathland by visiting www.pebblebedheaths.org.uk

At this time of year, it is common to find a moan or two in my inbox about mud.

Clinton Devon Estates no longer produces Christmas trees commercially but are pleased to honour the tradition of many years and donate this seasonal decoration to churches, schools and communities with historical links to the Estate. Each year we select two 30-foot Norway spruce from our woodlands, harvest and deliver the trees to Exeter Cathedral. For the town of Budleigh Salterton, two Norway spruce (a 15’ and a 20’ tree) were selected and harvested from a local plantation near Exmouth and delivered in time to decorate before the town’s late-night shopping event. In early December we’ll donate and deliver 10-foot trees to many local churches including St Peter’s, Temple Methodist and All Saints, East Budleigh, which we source from a specialist Christmas tree grower. The Norway spruce (Picea abies) remains the traditional Christmas tree although faster-growing fir species with non-drop properties such as Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana) Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri) and Noble Fir (Abies nobilis) are now much in favour too. Spruces have branches that typically hang down, which makes them perfect for decorating. Most cut Christmas trees should last four weeks indoors and far longer in a cool place. They should be treated as you would cut flowers. When you get the tree home leave it outside, or in a cool place until needed. When you are ready to decorate it, make a fresh cut to remove about a 1/2-inch thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand that can be topped up with water. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed. After the festivities trees can be disposed of responsibly in green waste bins or local drop-off points organised by EDDC. Alternatively, if you can source a potted tree then this can be planted out and brought in again in future years. Whether you favour a natural tree or an artificial; I wish all readers of Exmouth Journal a very Happy Christmas with all the beauty, blessings and joy this season brings from everyone at Clinton Devon Estates.

Near Ottermouth, a new interpretation panel has been installed, showing visitors which species of birds might be seen over-wintering on the Otter Estuary, a wetland site due to expand as part of the Lower Otter Restoration Project. Other activity visible as part of this scheme includes work at the new site for Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club which has been levelled, drained and grass seeded so it is ready to play on by 2023. Vegetation clearance is also underway to allow the new road to be built and a network of creeks to be created in the valley. Last week a group of local people began a new citizen science project funded by the PACCo (Promoting Adaptation to Changing Coasts) project. Working with national expert, Steve Colclough, from the Institute of Fisheries Management, a dozen volunteers deployed seine and fyke nets in the channels between the marshes and identified and recorded the species and sizes of their catch. At the bottom of the estuary and in the channels of the marshes large numbers of common goby were found along with thin lipped mullet and a few bass.

Tractors are so big these days… I regularly hear this when discussing farming or in response to advanced warning that Clinton Farms will be harvesting or silage making. But haven’t all vehicles got bigger? Tractors, like most cars and commercial haulage vehicles, have grown in size, increasing in power and efficiency but also with improved driver safety and comfort. No one would expect a dentist to undertake a procedure with 1950s equipment. Farming innovation saw traction engines then tractors taking over tasks traditionally undertaken by farm-horses. Modern tractors are equipped with large diesel engines. Instead of providing speed the tractor gearbox converts high-speed revolutions into power enabling tractors to pull heavy loads. Many tractors use hitches, allowing virtually any implement to be interchanged and a power take off (a rotating driveshaft at the back) allowing attachments to be both pulled and powered. Unlike Jeremy Clarkson, farmers will choose the right size of tractor for the job. Compact tractors are still used for moving small loads and yard work where they need to manoeuvre in tight areas. With farming being one of the few industries where the price of the product is not dictated by the cost of production, but by how much the consumer is prepared to pay for it, any small savings from productivity is very important. Farms are bigger and modern tractors need to cover a lot of ground. Tyres are bigger, providing grip and a large surface area to stop them sinking and compacting the soil they work. Cabs are high-up, giving good visibility and covered, improving safety, comfort and protecting the driver from the weather and keeping dust and other irritants at bay. The simple answer, tractors are big because they have to be. Bigger tractors allow farmers to prepare the ground, plant, till and harvest faster and more efficiently. Less time in the fields, less fuel consumed and less individual vehicle movements on the lanes of Devon. Annoying as it might be that harvest coincides with the summer holidays, remember farming continues to shape the Devon landscape and those who produce much of the food we eat, won’t be taking a holiday till the harvest is done!

On the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve we have been awaiting the return of one of our most important visitors, the Nightjar. Leaving equatorial Africa in spring, these birds, weighing less than a single banana, cover more than 4000 miles to spend the summer in the south of England. The East Devon Pebblebed Heaths is the perfect habitat to find a mate and raise some youngsters. In a week or so we will know whether our birds delayed their journey or arrived in the wet weather with its added challenges. On arrival these long-distance travellers will look to replenish energy lost on their journey by feeding on a plentiful source of moths, flies and beetles. Nightjars have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Their greyish-brown plumage is intricately marked and against the heathland floor they are amazingly well camouflaged. These birds are most easily spotted as darkness falls. Males can be seen, flying about hawking for food, patrolling their territories, wing-clapping and displaying to females. In fine summer evenings our heathland areas echo to a most unusual 'churring' call. Nightjars don’t build nests but instead lay a couple of eggs directly onto the ground. After three weeks the chicks will hatch and in just over a fortnight be ready to fledge. To give these amazing birds the very best chance of raising young successfully, it is essential they are not disturbed when incubating eggs or raising young on the heathland floor. This is especially important for dog owners who we ask to help by keeping their four-legged friends under close control and on main paths during the summer months. To experience this natural spectacle on the heathland this summer, arrive before dusk, and find a good spot, preferably with as wide a view as possible as it’s a lot easier to spot the birds in silhouette against open skies than against gorse or trees. As the light drops the nightjars will start to churr and your patience may be rewarded further with an acrobatic aerial display. Alternatively consider joining guided nightjar events with the Pebblebed Heath Conservation Trust or RSPB as part of next month’s Heath Week

Kate Ponting, Countryside learning officer for Clinton Devon Estates, writes for the Journal.

Countryside learning officer at Clinton Devon Estates Kate Ponting writes for the Journal.

Is cheese or chocolate helping you through another day of lockdown?

Unconstrained freedom to roam and do what you want may seem a very reasonable idea at this time?