131
N Notes ature
with sweeping vistas, high cliffs and superb beaches. However, there is one area where the habitat is more reminiscent of East Anglia than Devon, mainly the beach at strete Gate and, to a lesser extent, along past slapton. The shingle beach to the north of the car park hosts an amazing array of salt-tolerant, shingle-loving plants which are typically found along the Suffolk coastline. Although the flowers are now virtually over they are worth a visit anytime from May onwards right through to September.
Beach treats T
Throughout this
period, large swathes of Viper’s Bugloss (echium vulgae) with its huge spikes of bright blue funnel shaped flowers decorate the rear of the beach and provide much needed nectar for White-tailed and Red-tailed bumblebees. Much scarcer in Devon though are two real specialities of shingle, namely Sea Kale (Crambe Maritima) and Yellow Horned Poppy (Glaucium Flavum).
he coastline south of Dartmouth is one of the most spectacular in the country let alone Devon,
like asparagus), it has now recovered having fallen out of favour as a culinary vegetable. The latter is easily recognizable having large yellow-petalled flowers and fleshy blue-grey leaves which are clearly lobed and covered with fine hairs. The flowers form in June and continue throughout the summer. after flowering, curly seed pods up to 30cm long develop, the “horns” for which it is named.
Yellow Horned Poppy © Doug Stannard
As well as these more unusual plants the rear of the beach is a mass of that very familiar plant, Valerian (Valeriana Officinalus). This flowers throughout the summer and combined with the plants described above makes the area rich in insect life and very good for both bees and butterflies. Indeed, I think it is one of the best localities in the south Hams for Clouded Yellow and Painted Lady butterflies and, in autumn when the abundant ivy is in flower across the cliffs, it is a stronghold for Red admirals.
Bird life can also be quite rewarding in this area. Cirl
Viper’s Bugloss © Andrew Curtis
The former, part of the Brassica family has fleshy, cabbage like leaves and an abundance of small white flowers in June and July. Once threatened by habitat loss and harvesting (with the early blanched shoots eaten
Buntings are present throughout the year and Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Whitethroats can be spotted during the summer and migration times. Goldfinches and Linnets also flock on the beach feeding on thistle seeds in autumn. However, do be advised that the far north- end of the beach is set aside for naturists and, for some unknown reason, these seem to be an irresistible draw for unruly black Labradors!
What to look for in October and November
Fieldfare © Billy McCrorie
Sea Kale © Doug Stannard
Wintering birds will be arriving from further north and east so look for the first Redwings and Fieldfares of the autumn – there are many rowan berries this year and these are a favourite food. Also look for late migrants such as Swallows heading along the coast until the first week of November and the arrival of Diver species on the coast and wintering ducks at Slapton.
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