Latest Nature News at Dittiscombe

Summer at Dittiscombe in 2010

We have had further sightings of the hummingbird hawkmoths.  This exotic visitor flies in from Africa and is particularly attracted to the red valarian which grows in abundance from the walls around the cottages.

Our butterfly numbers appear to be well up this year due to the warm, dry weather.  We have had our largest number of Marbled Whites and Meadow Browns, easy to see as they rise up out of the long, dry grass in the meadows. Ringlets, Small and Large Skippers, Small Tortoiseshells and Small Coppers have been in seen in good numbers too.

Pipistrelle bats have been venturing out in the evenings and they particularly like the 'bat corridor' behind the cottages.  This area has a long thick hedge which attracts insects and moths, and also has and a number of trees in which they can rest.

Our ponds have been very popular with damselflies.  They danced around the top of the pond in pairs and then laid eggs amongst the oxygenating plants on the surface of the water.

Our coot family is still doing well and the coot 'chicks' are almost ready to fly.  Lots of wing beating has been going on, and quite a lot of squabbling too!  The Little Grebe family is also still with us, although very difficult to see as they are extremely shy.  However their presence is known when they warble to each other across the pond. They usually leave the pond at the beginning of September and we don't hear them again until April.

If you would like to know more about the wildlife in South Devon or if you would like to join in with an event while you are visiting us please check the following websites:

www.slnnr.org.uk

www.southdevonaonb.org.uk

www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk

www.devonwildlifetrust.org