Getting Started

Exploring Sidmouth’s Natural Gems: A Guide to Local Habitats

Understanding how to identify a single species is only half the battle; the other half is knowing where to look. Sidmouth and the Sid Valley offer a diverse tapestry of habitats, each with its own "indicator species" that signal the health and history of the land.

1. The Clifftop Meadow: Alma Field

Perched on the eastern cliffs, Alma Field is a "tranquil, picturesque wildflower meadow" managed through a traditional "cut and clear" regime.

• Indicator Species: The nationally scarce Corky-fruited Water-dropwort thrives here due to the damp, moisture-retentive "Sidmouth mudstone" soil.

• What to Look For: In mid-summer, the meadow is a "tapestry of grassland species" like Yellow Rattle, Knapweed, and "great crowds" of Ox-eye Daisies.

• Conservation Insight: You can see the shift from "sown" annuals (like poppies) to established perennials as the meadow matures into a traditional hay meadow.

2. The Ancient Sanctuary: Bluebell Wood

Located on Salcombe Hill, this wood is a living museum of ecological history.

• The "Ancient Woodland" Mark: The sheer abundance of native English Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) is proof of the wood’s ancient status.

• The Imposter Alert: Naturalists here must watch for the non-native Spanish Bluebell, which has upright stems and flowers growing all around the stalk, unlike the delicate, one-sided "nod" of the native species.

• Fragile Roots: The bluebell bulbs are incredibly sensitive to trampling; staying on marked paths is the most vital act of conservation for any visitor.

3. The Ecological Crossroads: Bulverton Hill

Rising on the western side of the valley, Bulverton Hill is a fascinating study of "mixed woodland" and commercial forestry.

• The Ghost of the Heath: While dominated by Douglas Fir plantations, the hill holds the potential for Heathland Restoration, a critically threatened UK habitat.

• Fungal Jewels: The presence of rare Waxcap fungi (Scarlet, Parrot, and Golden) signals that this land has a long, undisturbed history as unimproved grassland.

• A Lifeline for Specialists: Restoration here could secure the future for species like the Dartford Warbler and the Silver-studded Blue butterfly, which relies on a unique symbiotic relationship with ants.

4. The "Ecological Engineers": The Donkey Sanctuary

Beyond its role as a rescue center, the Sanctuary uses its residents to actively shape the landscape.

• Selective Grazing: Unlike sheep or cattle, donkeys are "patchy grazers," which creates a "mosaic environment" of different grass heights.

• Microhabitats: This varied structure creates "microhabitats" essential for a diverse range of insects and small mammals.

And that is just the start; for a guide to the  wild places of Sidmouth  click here!