North Devon - Wildflowers, Butterflies & Seabirds

North Devon combines stunning coastal scenery with some of the UK’s most varied and fascinating wildlife. On this new and exciting tour, we’ll explore the region’s nature reserves and wild landscapes in search of their diverse flora and fauna, from abundant summer orchids and rare butterflies to rockpool creatures, marine mammals and spectacular seabird colonies. Our experience in North Devon will be enhanced by the support of a wide variety of renowned local wildlife specialists, as well as the unmatched expertise of Martin Batt, our tour leader, who knows this area intimately. All of this will be coupled with the superb hospitality of our delightful seaside hotel.

We will be based for four nights at the wonderful Woolacombe Bay Hotel, a 4-star hotel with a swimming pool and spa, overlooking the beach and adjacent to the remarkable Woolacombe Warren dune system. We’ll meet here, or at the nearest train station, in the afternoon, and after an early dinner we’ll enjoy our first excursion out into the dunes, looking out for Pyramidal Orchid and Wild Strawberry, Common Blue butterfly and Bloody-nosed Beetle, common coastal birds and a variety of other wildlife. During our stay at the hotel, we will ensure that there is ample time to enjoy the excellent facilities.

Over the next three full days we’ll explore the surrounding coast and inland areas in depth. The dunes and marshes at Braunton Burrows could produce up to seven species of orchid, including Bee Orchid, Early Marsh Orchid and the gorgeous Marsh Helleborine, as well as butterflies such as Marbled White and Dark Green Fritillary, and reptiles like Adder or even the rare Sand Lizard. Coastal birds could include Shelduck, Little Egret and Common Tern, while at dusk we’ll hope for Barn and Little Owls, Common and Soprano Pipistrelles and Greater Horseshoe Bat. Rich with Sessile Oak and Whitebeam, the nearby wooded valleys of Exmoor are the haunt of the threatened High Brown Fritillary, alongside typical birds such as Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Dipper.

A day trip to the famous isle of Lundy will take us to seabirds such as Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill and Manx Shearwaters, as well as other breeding species like Wheatear, Rock Pipit and Peregrine. Soay Sheep, Sea Campion and the endemic Lundy Cabbage thrive amidst the rocky cliffs and grasslands, while the crossing itself could produce sightings of Common & Bottlenose Dolphins, Harbour Porpoise, Grey Seal or even Basking Shark. No aspect of natural history will be neglected on this fantastically varied tour!