Hullo there, It’s an ill wind.... can some Good come out of Evil? I think so and perhaps after all the turmoil in the Devon countryside there may be some justification in being a little positive about the future. This month we take a look at the future of our wildlife on Dartmoor.

The wildlife conservation groups have been saying for several years, that so many of our birds are rapidly approaching the situation of endangered species and many different theories have been put forward for this decline.

Agriculture by its very nature has come under criticism for increased mechanisation, the use of chemicals to control pests and weeds, and of course, fertilisers and so on. On the coastal footpaths and high moorland areas mechanisation is not a big issue and very little spraying and fertilisers are used.

The Field of Nature

The countryside has become an ever increasing area for recreation.

Let’s also look at other activities that could be a major player in the "field of nature" and its problems. In recent years the countryside has become an ever increasing area for recreation, walking, riding and various activities loosely embraced in the words "adventure" and "exploration".

This year since about mid-March to date (mid-May) our resident and migrating birds have started their 2001 breeding season.

Because of foot- and-mouth restrictions nesting birds get on with the job of undisturbed nesting.

In the case of our ground nesting birds, be it on cliff tops, coastal footpaths, or the high moorland areas, due to the foot-and-mouth disease restrictions, they have had an undisturbed opportunity to get on with the job of producing this year’s broods of chicks and fledglings.

Last year several areas of Devon were surveyed by teams of ornithologists walking over measured kilometer squares, I believe three times during the season, to count species and quantities of bird life in different areas and types of habitat.

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