Wildlife in Lapford Devon

The landscape in this area of Devon is very rural and consequently full of enough wildlife (and I'm not just referring to the pubs!) to keep any wildlife enthusiast occupied. Ornithologists or entomologists don't have too look far away from Honey Cottage to see a varied range of birds, insects and mammals. We are quite close to the area where the BBC TV nature series Spring Watch was filmed.

We have numerous birds regularly visiting the Honey Cottage garden to feed and bathe in our wildlife pond. In addition to house sparrows, blackbirds and starlings we regularly see chaffinches, greenfinches, blue tits, great tits, coal tits, song thrushes, pied wagtails, robins and wrens. Wood pigeons and collared doves are regular visitors to the pond for a drink. Occasionally we see fieldfares, bullfinches, goldfinches, siskin and a great spotted woodpecker who sometimes visits the peanut feeder in the garden. A grey heron has been known to visit the pond but as he eats the inhabitants of the pond, we try not to encourage him! On one occasion we were lucky enough to see a young Kingfisher in the garden. Jackdaws, Rooks and Carrion Crows can be seen roosting on top of the nearby church tower. During the warmer months swallows and house martins treat us to a spectacular aerobatic display as they swoop and dive to catch flying insects. Various birds of prey such as kestrels, sparrow hawks and buzzards can often be seen either hovering over the nearby farm land or riding the thermals high in the sky.

During the warmer months bats are regular twilight visitors to the garden. Hedgehogs can sometimes be seen scuffling in the flowerbeds looking for food. Larger mammals such as foxes, badgers and deer can often be seen on nearby farmland.

We see many butterflies, moths and their larvae. Some are quite rare, such as the Hummingbird hawk moth. Others more common such are the Large White, Peacock and Red Admiral butterflies.

The pond is regularly visited by dragonflies and damsel flies. It is also home to frogs, water boatmen and pond skaters. Slow worms often make their home under rocks in the garden and help us by eating slugs and small snails. (Note that slow worms are not snakes and are completely harmless.)

The photos below were all taken either in the Honey Cottage garden or close by in Lapford. Click on picture to enlarge the photo and use the back button on your browser to return to this page.

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