Wildlife

Branscombe is one of only three sites in the UK where the Scaly Cricket can be found © Stuart Britton

The rare scaly cricket

Branscombe is one of only three sites in the UK where the scaly cricket can be found. Common in the Mediterranean, this cricket measures between eight and 13 millimetres long and lives up to three years.  Only discovered on Branscombe beach in 1998, this rare insect went missing for 18 months from 2007 following the grounding of the Napoli. They are back, but can you find them?

A female Peregrine perched on a fencepost on Castlemartin Range, Pembrokeshire © Marilyn Smyth

Peregrine falcons

Spot this large and powerful falcon near the coast and surrounding countryside. They can be identified by their blackish head and a black ‘moustache’ which contrasts with their white face. Population numbers were low in 1960s due to illegal killing by gamekeepers and landowners as well as the theft of eggs by collectors. Thankfully greater legal protection and control of pesticides have meant the population is now recovering.

A roosting Lesser Horseshoe bat © NTPL/NaturePL/Philip Dalton

The greater horseshoe bat

Sixteen of the seventeen UK species of bat are found in east Devon. One of the rarest of the seventeen, the greater horseshoe, hibernates in winter at the nearby Beer Quarry caves. There are an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 found only in the South West and South Wales. Easily recognised in their roosts, they are about the size of a pear and hang freely upside down with their wings wrapped around them.

Become a bat detective and help find greater horseshoe bats in the countryside. For more details contact Pete Youngman.


 

Butterflies of Branscombe

The Small Blue butterfly is beautiful but difficult to spot © Mike Braid

Branscombe is home to many rare butterflies...

Moths of Branscombe

This colourful moth can be seen from June to August © Mike Braid

and numerous beautiful species of moth.

The plants of Branscombe

  • The purple gromwell, Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum, found in woodland.
  • The corky-fruited water-dropwort, Oenanthe pimpinelloides
  • Bee orchids, Ophrys apifera are found in woodland and on limestone

The Beer Marine Heritage Centre

Small boat out at sea off a section of National Trust coastline. © NTPL/Joe Cornish

Visit the Beer Marine Heritage Centre, a modest wooden building at the bottom of Sea Hill on the beach. Learn about local environmental concerns, see the rock pool aquarium, take part in guided flower and beach walks.