Sidmouth Nature

U3A Nature Walks - Dunscombe & Lincombe 10.00am Wednesday 17th May 2023 In a "change to the advertised programme" this month's nature walk had 'guest' leaders from the U3A nature explorers group who planned to lead us to the National Trust site at Lincombe.  We gathered in the overflow car park at the Donkey Sanctuary on a sunny morning and set off on a walk that would be one of two 'halves', firstly along the road to Dunscombe Manor and then turning off onto a track towards the coast and so to Lincombe. Although the first part of our walk was along the road there was very little traffic so we were able to take our time and admire the many flowers, ferns and grasses growing on the hedgerow banks on both sides of the road. This kind of habitat tends to encourage species often found in woodland at this time of year and so the red, white and blue of red campion, greater stitchwort and bluebell were prevalent; its own tribute to the Coronation! An abundanc...

  U3A Nature Explorers - The Knapp 10.00am Wednesday 3rd May 2023 The Knapp Nature Pond Thin sunshine and a chilly wind greeted the twelve of us who gathered in the Knowle car park ready for the May nature exploration. Our mission was to visit the Knapp nature reserve calling in at the Knapp nature pond on the way. After a short walk up Peasland Road we turned into Knapp Hill and followed the path through to the nature pond. The pond itself revealed little signs of active life, just a few common pond skaters but that was perhaps to be expected given it is still early May. The display of marsh marigold in the corner of the pond was a treat to see. It is not an extensive area of land around the pond and yet it holds an abundance of spring flowers; we found thirty-six different species in this confined area. With the close proximity of gardens of local houses there were clearly going to be some species that had made their escape but a substantial majority were true wild flowers and gr...