Discover the city’s wildlife
Thursday 19th April 2018
Child discovers wildlife with Devon Wildlife Trust
A leading local charity is offering a chance to discover amazing wildlife in the city.
Devon Wildlife Trust is inviting visitors to Exeter’s wonderful Ludwell Valley Park for an event unlike any other.
The event is being held on Sunday 29th April, 10am – 3pm at the top end of Ludwell Valley Park. The nearest entrance is off Pynes Hill Road between the Redrow offices (Melrose House) and Aston Court offices.
Activities including a mammal walk, moth trapping, bird watching and tree identification will give visitors an opportunity to see the hidden wildlife of this city park.
Devon Wildlife Trust’s Jasmine Atkinson is organising the event and said:
‘Everyone is welcome to come and discover the amazing wildlife that lives on our doorsteps. Help us find and seek as much wildlife as possible! Take part in wild challenges, crafts, games and trails.’
City Nature Challenge 2018
The event has been inspired by the worldwide 2018 City Nature Challenge where over 60 cities will be competing to see who can make the most observations of nature, find the most species, and engage the most people.
Jasmine explained:
'We are not an official ‘City Nature Challenge’ city this year but we wanted to dip our toes in the water and give the challenge a go’.
Activities have been designed to give visitors a view into nature they may not normally see.
Jasmine continued:
‘We’ll be setting small mammal traps around the park to capture live mammals which will then be released in the morning. Get to the hub at 10am for your chance to join the walk and record and release anything caught.
‘A moth trap will give us a look into a hidden night time world. Most people think moths are brown boring things but over 2500 species of moth have been recorded in the UK and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and really are beautiful. We’ll be going through the moth trap at 11am, come to the hub to help us identify and release!'
Bug hunting, tree ID guide, bird watching and more
Other activities running throughout the day will include bug hunting, make your own tree ID guide, bird watching, and reptile walks.
Ludwell Life community group will also be taking people for a stroll around the new community orchard and explaining their plans to transform it into a haven for people and wildlife.
This is a drop-in event so visitors can come anytime from 10am-3pm. Devon Wildlife Trust recommends bringing a picnic and making a day of it.
A suggested donation of £1 per person is required for the guided walks and crafts but bug hunting, moth release and self-guided trails are free.
To find out more about the City Nature Challenge event or Devon Wildlife Trust visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org
For more information contact Jasmine Atkinson on 01392 279244 or email jatkinson@devonwildlifetrust.org