This photowalk will provide participants with the opportunity to photograph wildlife, explore Aylesbeare Common & see the fauna & flora.

Join us on Tuesday 20th October for a photo-walk around of the quiet heathland and woodland fringes of RSPB Aylesbeare Common Nature Reserve. (https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/aylesbeare-common/)

This photowalk will provide participants with the opportunity to photograph the wildlife, explore the different habitats, enjoy the beautiful surrounding and immerse yourself in nature.

Located in the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Aylesbeare Common is a stretch of picturesque heathland. But don’t let its peaceful appearance fool you, it’s alive with wildlife.

This Photo-walk will take place on Tuesday 20th October and it will begin at 11:00am with limited minibus transport from Exeter, which will leave at 10:30am from South Street, Exeter (stop outside the Newham convenience store).

The starting point will be at Joney's Cross car park (https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/aylesbeare-common/), Sidmouth.(This is off the A3052 opposite Aylesbeare Common entrance - SY 057897)

Grid ref: SY057898

What3Words: update.utter.scanning

By bus: Buses 9 and 9A, request stop at Joneys Cross.

By road: Eight miles (12.8 km) east of Exeter. Six miles (9.5 km) east from the M5 on the A3052. Travel 0.5 mile (0.8 km) past the Halfway Inn, turn right towards Hawkerland and the car park is immediately on the left. (Nearest postcode: EX10 0DE.)

Header Image © Gaye Ilston, Dave Frostick & Clive Chilvers

MORE ABOUT AYLESBEARE COMMON

Aylesbeare Common Nature Reserve is a large area of lowland heathland. Both wet and dry areas of heath occur, together with small springs and flushes. These habitats support a diverse flora. As well as heather (ling) and its relatives, plants such as heath dog violet and heath spotted orchid can be found. Bog asphodel and the insectivorous sundew grow in the wetter areas. Of note among the animal life are strong populations of the Dartford warbler.

Aylesbeare is also important for its dragonflies, including the rare southern damselfly, and butterflies. This area is also of considerable geological interest, lying on the Budleigh Salterton Pebble Beds, a formation of red, silty sands and well rounded quartzite gravels and cobbles dating from about 225 million years ago.

For more information visit the RSPB website (https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/aylesbeare-common/)

WALKING WITH CAMERAS

Walking with Cameras is a two-year project that will provide over 40 innovative photo-walks for people in Exeter and the surrounding regions. This photo-walks programme will provide an alternative means of social interaction, healthy activity, creative engagement, and it will provide participants with the opportunity to visit and photograph a range of inspiring locations for 3-4 hours, where they can create their own images or take part in a photographic tasks.

The locations in this project will be varied, but will include forests and woodlands, wetlands, local urban areas, country parks, country houses and local historical landmarks. This project is open to all adult communities across the City of Exeter and Devon, with a special focus for people who have experienced or are currently experiencing mental health issue, for those in the community who are experiencing social isolation and for people who are affected by a disability or are using a wheelchair.

This project has been funded by The National Lottery Awards for All England Programme (https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/national-lottery-awards-for-all-england) and it will enable participants to create their own photo-story, build a portfolio of images and take part in a fun and creative activity.

MERIDIAN RAW CIO - NON DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

We ask everyone who attends our photo-walk to be respectful of each other and the facilitator.

Meridian Raw CIO is committed to ensuring an environment that is free of discrimination and fostering a climate in which all participants may take part and feel safe. We recognise and value our diverse population and we are committed to fair treatment of all participants.

Harassment and disparate treatment based on race, colour, national origin, sex, disability, age, or religion will not be permitted or tolerated.

DISCLAIMER FOR PHOTO WALKS

Everyone who attends this photo-walk does so at their own risk.

Facilitators, venue tour guides & volunteers assume no responsibility for anyone attending any event & will not be held responsible for any accident, injury or loss occurring as a result of any event or in connection with travel to such event, however caused. You indicate that you accept these conditions by attending the photo walk.

Participants are responsible for wearing suitable footwear & clothing for the environment. Participants are responsible for assessing their own risk, the safety of themselve

Description supplied by the event organiser.