Ilfracombe is in a fantastic setting for nature and wildlife and we need your help to explore and record the hidden wildlife in the town’s green spaces. Join us as we search the parks, pavements, verges, churchyards, nature reserves, gardens and coast to record and map as much diversity as possible over the weekend!
Ilfracombe BioBlitz & Festival of Nature
Join us in Ilfracombe on the weekend of the 8-9th of June 2024 for our annual BioBlitz. We are incorporating a Festival of Nature into this years BioBlitz where we can include arts, music and food into our citizen science theme. See the detailed schedule below or email jamie.buxton-gould@devon.gov.uk for more information!
Saturday 8th June
On Saturday the 8th June we will be visiting a variety of locations in and around Ilfracombe to carry out a number of mini-bioblitz’s. This will include visiting each location accompanied by multiple species and habitat experts and enthusiasts to gather a complete assessment of the wildlife in that area. These events will stretch throughout the day sharing the evening with the bats of Bicclescombe Park.
Saturday Schedule
10:00 – 12:00 Hillsborough Local Nature Reserve – Activity Level: More demanding Meeting point: What 3 Words ///chips.rotate.volunteerred
We will be meeting at Hillsborough Pay & Display Car Park (near the swimming pool) with the What 3 Words location: ///chips.rotate.volunteerred. We will then walk up and around Hillsborough, recording all of the wildlife we find on the way. For this we recommend you bring sturdy walking shoes, weather appropriate clothing, water and a mobile device to use the iNaturalist app!
13:00 – 15:00 Cow Green Community Garden – Activity Level: Gentle Meeting point: What 3 Words location: ///such.season.alive
We will be meeting at the Cow Green Community Garden in central Ilfracombe, with the What 3 Words location: ///such.season.alive. Here we will be exploring the garden searching for mini-beasts and creatures living here. Come along to explore the garden and help us record all of the creatures living there, learn about wildlife friendly gardening and take away a seedling to raise at home!
13:00 – 15:00 Hele Bay – Activity Level: Moderate Meeting point: What 3 Words location: ///enjoys.bandstand.shuffle
We will be meeting at the top of Hele Bay with the What 3 Words location: ///enjoys.bandstand.shuffle. Here we will be beach combing and rockpooling with the National Landscape and Coastwise Teams to record all of the species we can find in the bay! We will also be carrying out a litter pick of the beach where equipment will be provided.
15:00 – 17:00 Cairn Nature Reserve – Activity Level: More demanding Meeting point: What 3 Words location: ///weekday.finalists.hopes
We will be meeting at the Cairn Nature Reserve with the What 3 Words location: ///weekday.finalists.hopes. Here we will be wandering through the woods searching for all of the woodland species we can find. Please bear in mind this is a more demanding location as the Cairn is quite hilly though we will be exploring at a gentle pace. This is a great opportunity to explore the wooded areas of Ilfracombe with experts!
19:00 – 20:00 iNaturalist Pracitcal Freshwater Workshop – Activity Level: Gentle Meeting point: What 3 Words location: ///duty.orbit.every
We will be gathering in Bicclescombe Park for a pracitcal workshop on using the iNaturalist app. The What 3 Words meeting location is ///duty.orbit.every. Here we will be investigating the life in the East Wilder Brook and recording what we find! This location is fantastic for spotting Kingfishers, Dragonflies and other river creatures. This workshop will involve a ‘hands-on’ theme where everyone is encouraged to give river sampling a go and practice identifying species with the help of experts.
21:30 – 23:00 Bat Walk & Moth trapping – Activity Level: Gentle Meeting point: What 3 Words location: ///duty.orbit.every
We me meeting outside Bicclescombe Tea rooms for an evening Bat walk around the gardens. What 3 Words meeting location: ///duty.orbit.every. Bat detectors will be provided where we can listen to the fantastic echolocation of bats as they swoop above our heads catching insects! Moth traps will be placed to attract moths from around the area and we will identify the species found. This is a gentle activity though is late in the evening so please bare this in mind.
Sunday 9th June
On Sunday the 9th of June we will be celebrating the wildlife of the town through the Festival of Nature. This day will share a variety of family activities, local arts, music and producers at our festival hub, all with an environmentally conscious theme. We will be exploring the inner town through guided walks and shorter survey events including rising with Ilfracombe’s dawn chorus.
Sunday Schedule
6:00-8:00 Dawn Chorus & Moth trap opening – Activity Level: Gentle Meeting point: What 3 Words location: ///duty.orbit.every
Meet us at Bicclescombe Park to bathe in the sounds of morning bird song and identify the birds singing! We will be joined by experts to wander around Bicclescombe park listening to the birds and then will be investigating the moth traps to identify the moths of Ilfracombe. This is a gentle activity though please bare in mind it is early in the morning.
10:00 Landmark Theatre Festival of Nature Hub opens – Activity Level: Gentle Meeting point: What 3 Words location: ///swimsuits.older.hammocks
Head down to the Landmark Theatre for our Festival of Nature! The hub will host a variety of organisations from the local area and from afar providing games, activities and information all with an environmentally friendly theme. Here you can gather information on local environmental action, volunteering, eco-friendly initiatives and ways you can get involved as well as expert knowledge about the local area and wildlife of North Devon. The hub will be running until 4pm, indoors and outdoors around the Landmark Theatre.
11:00-12:30 Capstone walk: Plants & Dolphin Watch – Activity Level: Gentle to Moderate Meeting point: What 3 Words location: ///ventures.albatross.kept
Join a guided walk around Capstone hill with the Wat 3 Words meeting location ///ventures.albatross.kept. This will be led by local expert Mary Breeds around Capstone looking at the coastal cliffs and plants with the opportunity to join the Seawatch team on a Dolphin watch along the way. This will be a gentle paced walk around the paved path of Capstone hill though please bare in mind some areas are uphill. Binoculars are provided though if you have your own please bring them along!
11:00-13:00 Park Activities: Freshwater Sampling & Garden ID – Activity Level: Gentle Meeting point: What 3 Words location: ///purest.letters.lakeside
Join us at Runnymede Bandstand to give river sampling a go! What 3 Words meeting location ///purest.letters.lakeside. We will be exploring Runnymede practicing different survey techniques in the park. This is a great space for everyone, particularly children, to give sampling a go and practice their exploring and investigating skills! We will have staff here to guide you on techniques and ID skills.
14:00-15:30 Ilfracombe Torrs Guided Walk – Activity Level: More demanding Meeting point: What 3 Words location: ///salmon.marked.starfish
Meet us at the National Trust Torrs car park for a guided walk over the Ilfracombe Torrs. the meeting point What 3 Words location is ///salmon.marked.starfish. We will be observing the fantastic views from the Torrs and learning about the history and management of the land. This is a more challenging location with walking/sturdy shoes and weather appropriate clothing required. Please also bring water and sun cream with you if necessary.
14:00-15:30 Larkstone ‘Under the Quay’ & Beach clean – Activity Level: Moderate Meeting point: What 3 Words location:///hedgehog.dressing.chapels
Join us to explore the wildlife thriving underneath the Quay at Ilfracombe and Larkstone bay! Meeting location What 3 Words is ///hedgehog.dressing.chapels. We will be joined by experts from Coastwise to help us explore and identify the life thriving underneath the walls of the harbour and lurking in the rockpools of Larkstone. This activity takes place at low tide so will be muddy and sandy underfoot so wellies or sturdy shoes are recommended!
16:00 Landmark Theatre Hub closes & Festival end
The end of the BioBlitz and Festival of Nature! We will be wrapping up our events for 4pm so please visit before then!
Key Info
Please bare in mind that all activities have varying difficulty levels and require different preparation, eg shoes. We will be starting each event on time though individuals are welcome to join late or leave early to all events, please note you are responsible for yourself under these circumstances.
All activities are free and open to all individuals to attend at their wish, no booking required for any event.
We will be recoding our wildlife data on the iNaturalist app, please have this downloaded before the event to join in with recording. Join the iNaturalist ‘Finding Nature’s Footprints’ project once you have created an account!
