 |
Date |
See Below |
| Duration |
4 Days |
| Time |
Starts 10 am on the Friday |
| Cost |
£160 including 3 nights b&b (s/c) |
| Places Available |
10 |
| Minimum Age |
14 (if accompanied) or 18 |
| Course Tutor |
Gary Pilkington |
Course Schedule and Enrolment
Summary
A four day/three night residential mini-holiday with visits to Devon Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve at Marsland, led by Gary Pilkington, Senior Reserves Officer. This site has become nationally known for increasing numbers of the rare Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterfly under Gary’s innovative management, and these dates should provide the opportunity to see them flying, weather permitting.
Also planned are a dawn chorus walk, woodland management for dormice, and a spring flower walk. Between guided visits will be free time to enjoy the reserve, the spectacular coastline and the surrounding area. A unique opportunity to experience the wonderful wildlife of this hidden valley at close quarters.
More Information
For detailed records of butterflies and other wildlife of the Marsland nature reserve, use this link to visit the Devon Wildlife Trust website
The flight period of pearl bordered fritillaries is highly weather dependent, but for this break we have tried to chose the most likely dates to see them. Your tutor, Gary, will be closely monitoring them in the run-up to the Break and his professional knowledge will be invaluable. Sessions will involve a round trip of several miles walking, over rough ground in places.
The outline programme, subject to change depending on Gary’s advice, is as follows:
Friday
9.30am coffee/registration.
10am Walk to Marsland nature reserve with the aim of seeing PBF butterflies and learning about the management techniques that have encouraged their numbers to increase.
2pm End of session - you are free to enjoy the reserve, coastline and surrounding AONB, or just relax!
9pm onwards Return to the reserve to see moths trapped and identified.
Saturday
10am Walk to Marsland nature reserve to learn about woodland management for dormice
2pm End of session
Sunday
5am Walk to Marsland nature reserve for a dawn chorus walk, to enjoy and identify the songbirds of the reserve.
8am Breakfast on the reserve. End of session.
Monday
10am Walk to Marsland nature reserve for a wild flower walk, to enjoy and identify spring flowers.
2pm End of session and departure.
Overnight accommodation is at Welcombe Barton, and includes self-catering breakfast. No other meals are included, though you are welcome to use the kitchen facilities to prepare your own packed lunches, for example, or to cook an evening meal. There is a village shop for general provisions, and a pub that serves good food. There is a great deal to see and do in the local area during your free time - we hope you enjoy it!
Student Requirements
Please make sure you bring the following to the course:
- Walking boots / wellies
- Suitable outdoor clothing