Please help us secure the future of Speccott Moor
Donate to help the purchase of Speccott Moor
Speccott Moor, in a beautiful and remote part of north Devon, is a stunning area of Culm grassland: very rare, species-rich wet meadow that is home to some of our most threatened wildlife.
Marsh Fritillary. Photo, Mike Symes
It is surrounded by woodlands, and the flower rich meadows are interspersed with pockets of scrub and wet flushes and cut across by little streams. Snipe, reed bunting, grasshopper warbler and other wetland loving birds are frequently spotted, and in spring and summer it becomes a riot of colour and buzzing insects, with the rare marsh fritillary butterfly breeding on the site.
At 60 acres in size, Speccott is one of the largest remaining areas of unprotected Culm grassland. This habitat is a real Devon speciality and of international conservation importance, but only tiny fragments remain following decades of agricultural improvement, mining for ball clay, neglect and unsympathetic conifer planting. The site has been well cared for by its current owner, but it has no legal protection. This means there would be nothing to stop a new owner draining and reseeding the fields, spelling an abrupt end to all its natural richness. Tragically, we have seen this happen again and again across the county.
Devon Wildlife Trust wants to buy the site and secure its future by turning it into a nature reserve.
Devil's bit scabious. Photo, Roger Hamling
As well as its superb biodiversity, the site borders the Tarka Trail, so if we succeed, walkers and cyclists could look across a stunning landscape of culm grassland at its best for summer after summer. DWT would also plan to use part of the Moor as a donor site - a source of seed to help re-establish wet meadows elsewhere in Devon. Speccott Moor is a haven for scarce plants such as wavy St John’s wort and fen bedstraw, and swathes of devil’s bit scabious and meadow thistle.
Devon Wildlife Trust has been given the opportunity to purchase Speccott and safeguard it for the future. Very generous individuals have already stepped forward to help, and the Trust will be dedicating a significant proportion of its reserve acquisition fund towards the cost. We are now looking to raise a further £50,000 to be able to purchase the site and ensure that Speccott Moor will be a premier nature reserve as well as a vital source of seed for grassland restoration across northern Devon.
Can you help with a donation today?
Donate to help the purchase of Speccott Moor
Meshaw wildflowers. Photo, David Chamberlain
Scientists tell us that we need at least 30% of our land in recovery for wildlife if we want to stop the continuing rapid decline of biodiversity. We also know that wet meadows like this one can play a crucial role in tackling climate change and helping us achieve net zero carbon emissions. If we can secure the future of Speccott Moor, we will be taking one more important step towards these crucial goals.
Speccott Moor becoming a Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserve would be a huge win for wildlife.
Please help turn this vision into reality with a donation today - thank you!