The wild South West – Getting to know our wildlife

By the River

Otters are famously associated with the West Country, due to Henry Williamson’s novel, ‘Tarka the Otter’ whose classic tale was set in North Devon. This area, along with the Sid and Otter rivers in Devon, the River Tamar and the Camel in Cornwall are the best places to catch a glimpse of the majestic mammal, who are at their most active at dawn and dusk. Look out for track signs, which include webbed paw prints, otter slides and fragrant droppings.

In the summer, Dorset’s River Wey becomes a hive of activity as it becomes home to the damselflies and Britain’s largest dragonfly, the Emperor.

More river inhabitants to keep watch for are Herons, which you’ll probably spot at a rivers edge and Kingfishers, whose unmistakable orange and blue colouring might whisk past you as they briskly hunt for prey.

By the Sea

Around the coastline of the South West, you might spot the grey, shadowy figure of the harmless Basking Shark. Particularly fond of the Lizard Peninsula in South Cornwall, they swim near the surface, open mouthed to capture the smallest animals. Feeding in plankton-rich waters, basking sharks are often accompanied by marine turtles and sea birds.

Another South West sea inhabitant that you might be lucky enough to catch sight of is the Grey Seal. Sometimes spotted off our craggy shoreline, or sunning themselves on a large rock, you’re most likely to behold their charming beauty along the coastline of the Isles of Scilly or Lundy.

In the Sky

The most commonly spotted breed of bird on West Country farms is the Swallow; a heartening fact, given that they are featured on the amber list of those most in need of conservation, due to numbers severely depleting throughout the rest of Europe. The South West dramatically buckles this trend, largely due to its farming being predominantly based on livestock. On our farms, the numbers of Swallows have increased by 59% over the past 15 years. Look out for their metallic blue and rust colourings and distinct forked tail feathers.

An autumn/winter holiday in Somerset offers the most awe-inspiring show of nature, as it’s where you’re most likely to witness the magnificent murmuration of Starlings over the Somerset Levels and Moors. One of nature’s most beautiful sights, the Starlings flock in their thousands, sweeping dramatically across the sky before setting down to roost.

Flora and Fauna

There is an abundance of the most eye-catching flora and fauna in the West Country, a wide variety of flowers and plants due to the South West’s diverse landscape both inland and along the coast. Weymouth and Portland in Dorset are two such areas, with the ancient coastline providing the perfect habitat for some quite rare varieties of plant.

In spring, Thrift can be spotted along parts of the cliff top, with its pink flower giving rise to its common name, Sea Pink and at the same time, the small fleshy leaves of Scurvy Grass will also emerge. Another common plant is the Alexander, which was originally introduced into the British Isles by the Romans; an ancient Mediterranean plant, it vibrant yellow blooms also thrive along the Jurassic Coast.

In Mid Devon, Dartmoor offers wild and rugged terrain, with some of the country’s oldest species of plants and tree’s. The Hawthorne is one of the most common trees of Dartmoor and can be seen resplendent in the hedges of the lowlands as well as standing in solitude high on the tors. Its delicate blossom had always been recognised as the start of warmer weather. Hazel is another ancient plant you’re likely to find and it’s believed to have been growing on Dartmoor since 7500 BC. Look out for its oval cob’s and serrated, large leaves.