‘The natural world is the greatest source of excitement. The greatest source of visual beauty. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.’
These words by Sir David Attenborough could easily apply to the beauty of nature in wild Devon.
From Dartmoor’s arching skies and bracing breeze to the salt laden breath of a gently lapping sea, South Devon’s rolling landscape is a real tonic to soothe the soul and gladden the heart.
The sheer variety of wildlife here is not surprising. Devon is one of the biggest counties in Britain with climatic conditions year round ranging from the sub-arctic to sub-tropical.
Although recently with our temperatures heading north of the mid twenties on sweltering July days, even nature can go quiet in the heat.
For me the real beauty of the natural world lies in its exquisite detail. In Devon the variety of wild plants and animals is one of the richest in the country. But what makes South Devon so special?
Apart from the seemingly endless list of wild flowers, along with many common beasts and birds, our countryside hides some surprises. Including a few that we may take for granted but are rare elsewhere.
How about tigers living wild, a colourful little farmland bird and one of the biggest but harmless insects in Britain?
All can be found between Exeter and Plymouth. The Great Green Bush Cricket lives up to its name, measuring more than many people’s index finger.
While they may be found throughout the British mainland they are especially common in parts of South Devon. The same cannot be said for the colourful yellow and brown plumage of the Cirl Bunting.
This attractive little farmland bird is a real rarity, living in a narrow band along our coastal strip.
Yet they may be more commonly seen across the European continent and around the Mediterranean sea.
Last but not least is a tiger. Not a big fierce stripy cat but a spectacular large day-flying moth more frequently encountered in the Channel Islands.
The Jersey Tiger Moth is usually seen frequenting Buddleia flowers throughout the warmest months. Now that is what I call a real sight for sun sore eyes.