Help with a Nature audit and get Free entry to Northam Burrows on BioBlitz Day 2023!

Northam Burrows Country Park are getting ready for a BioBlitz event on the 15^th June  being run in partnership with the North Devon Coast AONBs National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project, "Finding Nature's Footprints."

For the BioBlitz to be a success the Team are looking to enlist the help of as many eager volunteers as possible and have issued an open invitation to anyone that can make it along on the day. A BioBlitz involves finding and identifying as many different species of wildlife as possible in a short period of time. The recording will involve a series of free, expert led, guided walks and other activities during which all the wildlife observed will be recorded. From bats, butterflies and bees to rock pool creatures, river flies and birds there will be something for everyone and experts on hand to help you identify and learn more about all the species. There'll also be the "BioBlitz hub" at the visitor's centre with stalls set up by a host of environmental organisations, where you can find out about their work and other organised events.

Schools from across North Devon will also be getting involved but the event is a great opportunity for everyone, young and old, to come along with friends and family or just by themselves, and take part in this important conservation work. This is the first of three BioBlitz events which will take place over the next 3 years as part of the Finding Nature's Footprints project, each at a different location in northern Devon.

The BioBlitz will start with a night-time Rockpooling event as well as moth and small mammal trapping on 14^th June with the main daytime events running throughout the day and into the evening on 15^th June. Entry and parking on Northam Burrows will be Free for the whole day on Thursday 15^th June. The full list of events is as follows:

Finding Nature's Footprints-North Devon Coast AONB Events | Eventbrite

14^th June

20.30 - Set-up Mammal Traps

21.30 - Night Rockpooling - Booking Essential (Click for Night Rockpooling Tickets | Eventbrite)

23.00 - Moths on the light sheets

15^th June - public - 08:00 - 22.30

08.00 - Mammals and Moths

10.30 - Bees and Invertebrates

11.30 - Rock Pooling

12.30 - Dune Plants

13.30 - Life in the Mud

14.30 - Birds of the Burrows

15.30 - Trees and Scrub

16.30 - Streams and Watercourses

21.30 - Bat Walk - Appledore Bridge - Booking Essential - (Click for Bat walk Tickets | Eventbrite)

Joe Newberry, AONB Finding Nature's Footprints Project Coordinator, said:

"The finding Nature's Footprints project aims to learn more about the nature in northern Devon's villages, gardens, fields and shores through surveys, monitoring and mapping of wildlife. It's important that local communities get involved and have an understanding of what's in their area and a BioBlitz is a great way to do this. It's a free, fun way to look at wildlife. No experience necessary, just come along and give it a go"

Mike Day, Northam Burrows Head Ranger, said:

"Northam Burrows is an amazing site for people to visit with many different plant and animal species. This year's BioBlitz is a great chance for the public to discover the wildlife found here and, with expert guidance, they can make a real contribution to the records we collect that will ultimately help to update the Northam Burrows management plan. This showcase event will be absolutely free as there will be no vehicle entry fee on the day. We want as many people as possible to take advantage of this opportunity to explore the park and get involved with this fantastic Citizen Science event!"

Further information can be found on the North Devon Coast AONB website https://www.northdevon-aonb.org.uk/ as well as their Facebook page (@explorethecoast) and on the main Facebook page for Northam Burrows Country Park (@northamburrows)

02 June 2023