East Devon Pebblebed Heaths – New National Nature Reserve
Natural England, in collaboration with Clinton Devon Estates announced in May a new national nature reserve for the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths, near Exeter.
East Devon Pebblebed Heaths, stretching between the village of Woodbury towards Budleigh Salterton on the Jurassic Coast, is the latest site in the county to join the UK’s list of nationally and internationally important landscapes. The 1160-hectare site protects important habitats, species and geology and provides an “outdoor laboratory” for research.
This new NNR will make up a part of the wider Nature Recovery Network to significantly expand and connect wildlife rich places to benefit people and nature. At the heart of the heaths is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the site is also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area (SPA).
The landlord of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths is Clinton Devon Estates, and the management partners are Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust and the RSPB.
A biodiversity audit in 2016 documented more than 3,000 species across the range of habitats on the heaths. Over 10% of these have been shown to have high conservation value. Among the key species which benefit from the habitats the heaths provide are Dartford warblers, nightjars and the southern damselfly. There are over 70 species of breeding birds and many unusual plants, insects and reptiles. The East Devon Pebblebed Heaths provide a wonderful opportunity for visitors to connect with nature and enjoy the wildlife.
National Nature Reserves benefit from the highest level of conservation protection available under UK legislation. There are over 200 NNRs in England covering roughly 0.7% of the country’s land surface.
More details can be found here.