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Wildlife |
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Watersmeet is one of the most important sites for wildlife in Devon, with large expanses of ancient oak woodland and rare coastal heath. It has rich breeding bird populations and lots of rare local plants.
Here are a few natural highlights to look out for on your visit or find out more about how the National Trust looks after this landscape:
Birds
- On the coastal heath at Countisbury you might see buzzard, raven, stonechat or wheatear.
- The woodlands are home to an amazing variety of birds: long-tailed, blue and great tit, wood warbler, chiff-chaff, pied fly-catcher, nuthatch, treecreeper and sparrowhawk. Heron, dipper and grey wagtail can all be spotted around the river too.
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River creatures
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- Otters live in the more secluded parts of the river and red deer can be spotted grazing amongst the trees.
- The East Lyn is well known for its trout and salmon, they use the pools as resting places before making their way up the river's shoots and rapids to spawn.
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Butterflies
- The rare high brown fritillary is attracted by violets on the coastal heath - strips have been cut out of the bracken in some areas to let in light and encourage the violets to grow.
- Silver washed fritillaries can be seen in woodland glades in summer.
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Trees
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- This is one of the largest areas of ancient oak woodland in south west England. Its also a very important place for rare types of whitebeam.
- The first owner of Watersmeet House, Reverend Halliday, planted exotic conifers, including the large Monterey Pine on the lawn. Now in its last years, a replacement has already been planted nearby to carry on the tradition.
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Plants
- In August the coastal heath is a riot of purples and yellows, with blooming western gorse, ling and bell heather.
- Watersmeet is home to some interestingly named woodland plants - like the Irish spurge, hay scented buckler fern, Wilson’s filmy fern, bastard balm, enchanter’s nightshade and dog’s mercury.
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