Blog: Volunteers

Now that spring is here it is time to reflect on some of the winter works we have undertaken. To start us off we will look at Hedgelaying. Hedgelaying is a country craft which has been practiced for hundreds of years but it is just as relevant today as it always has been. Hedges are an important part of our countryside, and an effective way to provide shelter, keep in livestock and mark boundaries. They also have very important benefits for wildlife as they are home to nesting birds, small mammals and many insects. Apart from being a habitat they also provide a corridor for the movement of animals...

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With spring on its way, and the weather slowly improving the majority of the damage caused by the heavy rainfall is being dealt with. The footpath along Wembury Point has been diverted due to a landslip with a section being closed off. The post and rail fencing, which ran alongside the coast path has now been taken out with the help of the National Trust South Devon Volunteers and a dead hedge has been put in place to block off the section which has been heavily eroded. (more...)

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November has been a busy month for the National Trust rangers so far. Earlier this month we organised a walk in conjunction with the Devon Birds group at their South Milton Ley reserve. In between torrential showers, we were treated to sightings of Grey Wagtail, Teal, Widgeon, Reed Bunting and we heard Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail in the reeds. A big thanks is due to Nick Townsend from Devon Birds for leading the walk and sharing his expertise with the group. (more...)

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The last two months have been a hectic time for the National Trust rangers, with a host of events on top of our usual activities. And of course, August is one of our busiest months, with the holiday season in full swing. (more...)

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As the Olympic torch sauntered its way through the streets of Totnes on a warm Sunday back in June, in nearby Crownley Wood a group of local volunteers and National Trust rangers were hard at work with an olympic sized challenge of their own... The long-standing community shelter in the Trust-owned wood, near Tuckenay, has been in desperate need of a new roof for quite some time now. Forty years of exposure to the elements had taken its toll and while the uprights were still sound, the roof itself was worn out...
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June has been a month of extremes, with blazing sunshine replaced by thoroughly miserable weather for the Jubilee weekend. As ever, we have pressed on through rain and shine with our efforts focused mostly on our schools fortnight and ensuring that the whole property is looking its best for the busy summer season – including the completion of a major project at Wembury Point. (more...)

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After the glorious sunshine of early Spring, the past few weeks have been a bit of a wash out, but despite the downpours the work goes on and a decent pair of waterproofs suddenly become invaluable!! The recent rainfall has resulted in a rapid growth of vegetation and many of our sites are now looking lush and green. All of this growth definitely keep's the rangers on their toes though with lots of strimming and mowing to be done to ensure the myriad of  footpaths across our 8000 acre estate remain open and easily accessible.  If you are fortunate enough to come across some of our ranger team...

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Easter holidays and great weather brought visitors flocking to the coast to take in the scenery and sunshine on our beaches, to walk the South West Coast Path, and those slightly braver took to the water. This gave the car park team a great start to the new season ... (more...)

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Last Wednesday and Thursday our rangers were joined by volunteers from as far as Cornwall and North Devon to hone their hedgelaying skills as we staged a two day hedgelaying course down at Snapes Point on the edge of the Salcombe Estuary. The headland of Snapes is bounded by hedges which provide a wonderful habitat for the rare Cirl Bunting. A close relative of the more widespread Yellowhammer, the Cirl Bunting populations in Britain are restricted to only the most southerly tip of South Devon. Cirl Buntings rarely stray far from their breeding sites and so the management of the extensive hedge...

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