Visiting the estate at Greenway

A distinctive bird 

The Devon valley is home to the Cirl Bunting, a rare farmland bird which has a distinctive call that can be heard up to 500m away. Its name is derived from ‘to chirp’ in Italian, and if you take a moment to pause and listen, the mails can be heard calling from hedgerows around the estate with a flat, staccato, hammering sound. 

Cirl Bunting numbers fell drastically into decline in the 1980's across the UK but the remaining population held on in Devon. Since then, a number of partners have come together, from the National Trust to the RSPB and local farmers to re-establish cirl buntings. Cirl numbers have increased and the population have gone from strength to strength. 

Wildlife 

Thanks to the undulating terrain, mixture of habitats and proximity to the river and the sea, Greenway is a diverse wildlife haven all year round. The estate is home to roosting herons, visiting ospreys and native seals and porpoise. Deer can occasionally be seen and even otters have been spotted in recent years. As well as the Cirl bunting, strong populations of farmland birds can be seen and heard, including yellow hammer. 

 

Walks around the estate

There are a series of paths and bridleways that provide a variety of options to get out and around the estate. From quiet country lanes to riverside wanders, there's plenty of choose from. 

 

The Canine Code

We’ve worked with our partner Forthglade to come up with this Canine Code, which helps to make sure everyone can enjoy their day:

• Keep them close: using a short lead helps to keep your dog from disturbing ground-nesting birds and farm animals. It's essential to use a short lead around sheep. But if cattle approach you, it's best to let your dog off the lead, and call them back when it's safe to do so.
• Pick up the poo: please always clear up after your dog. If you can't find a bin nearby, take the poo bags home with you.
• Watch the signs: keep an eye on local signs and notices wherever you're walking. They'll tell you if a beach has a dog ban, for instance, or if a path has been diverted, or if you're in an area where dogs can run off-lead.
• Stay on the ball: remember that not everyone loves dogs, and some people fear them. So make sure your dog doesn't run up to other people, especially children.

 

Keeping control of your dog

Our definition of close or effective control is: ​

• Being able to recall your dogs in any situation at the first call
• Being able to clearly see your dog at all times (not just knowing they have gone into the undergrowth or over the crest of the hill). In practice, this means keeping them on a footpath if the surrounding vegetation is too dense for your dog to be visible
• Not allowing them to approach other visitors without their consent
• Having a lead with you to use if you encounter livestock or wildlife, or if you are asked to use one