The RSPB: Aylesbeare Common

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Backlit Dartford warbler at RSPB Arne nature reserve

Aerial view of RSPB Aylesbeare Common nature reserve

Round-leaved sundew, Drosera rotundifolia

Heather and gorse in bloom, on the heath, RSPB Aylesbeare Common reserve

The lonesome pine silhouetted by setting sun, Aylesbeare RSPB reserve

Aylesbeare Common

Wildlife awards

Aylesbeare Common is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK.

Top things to do in Spring

Spot the frogspawn in the ponds and listen for the love 'song' of the males in the evening
Listen out for the scratchy, watery song of the Dartford warblers, squabbling over territories
Walk your dog on a short lead, for the sake of the ground-nesting birds

Top things to do in Summer

Count the species of dragonflies and damselflies - you might run out of fingers!
Take a walk at dusk to listen to the nightjars, alone or guided by our staff and volunteers
Try to find a sundew in flower - they are tiny and like the wet places

Top things to do in Autumn

Decide exactly what shade of mauve/purple/violet the heather really is!
See if you can spot a young hobby, learning to hunt and eating a dragonfly like a Crunchie bar
Pick up the East Devon Way at Joney's Cross car park and follow this long-distance footpath south towards Exmouth or east to Lyme Regis

Top things to do in Winter

Don’t be spooked when a snipe pops into the air from close under your feet!
Enjoy the undulating landscape on a wintry walk
Get out your mountain bike and work off the winter blues, exploring the whole pebblebed ridge on the network of cycle tracks

What's on?

We haven't got any events planned here at the moment. Check out our main events pages to find something up your street (or at least quite near to it).