Spring

Slapton Ley NNR is renowned for its bird life; however from the “birder’s” perspective spring is always a special time of the year, as this heralds the arrival of thousands of passage migrants. These birds are returning from over-wintering in southern Europe and Africa as they seek to establish breeding territories in Britain and in some cases as far north as the Arctic Circle. Many of these birds will of course breed locally, however it is a chance sighting of such rarities as a Golden Oriole, Montagu’s Harrier, Purple Heron or even an Osprey that excites so much interest. Wheatear on passage will spend a few weeks feeding along the Shingle Ridge en route for their Dartmoor breeding grounds, and large flocks of Whimbrel on passage from West Africa will rest briefly and feed in the surrounding fields.

House Martins, Sand Martins, Swallows and Swifts arrive in their thousands and make a magnificent spectacle as they busily feed on insects over the Ley. The reed beds become alive with chattering Reed Warblers, the Great Crested Grebes perform their mesmeric courtship display and there can be no better place than to savour the magnificent dawn chorus.

Spring is of course synonymous with wild flowers, and those who accompanied the NNR team on our visit to Slapton Wood with the Bluebell carpet in full splendour will have experienced one of nature’s true treasures. France Wood is equally spectacular with its contrasting swathes of Bluebells and Ransoms (“wild garlic”) forming a blue and white tapestry on the woodland floor.

Standing on Slapton Bridge looking down into the “Boat Channel” in the Higher Ley in April there is the most amazing spectacle as tens of thousands of fish gather to spawn. This is one of the few areas within the vast water body that fast moving water flows over a stony bottom – the ideal conditions for spawning. The Roach, Rudd and Perch will remain here for a few weeks, often attracting predators such as Otters and Pike.