The King’s Series of National Nature Reserves reaches a significant halfway milestone today (Thursday 19 March), with Seven Sisters NNR, which covers the chalk cliffs of Sussex and the unique downland habitat behind them, becoming the 13th of the 25 sites to receive the King’s endorsement.
This national moment has special relevance in East Devon. The Pebblebed Heaths NNR – designated as the 3rd NNR in the King’s Series – join in celebrating the progress of the UK-wide programme, which recognises some of the country’s most exceptional and culturally important landscapes.
Locally, the declaration, in February 2024, marked the national significance of two very different but equally important habitats: the Pebblebed Heaths, one of the largest remaining areas of lowland heathland in Devon, and the Otter Estuary, a rich mosaic of estuarine mudflats, saltmarsh and tidal wetland.
The royal seal of approval was given to the Pebblebed Heaths NNR following a major project by landowners Clinton Devon Estates to restore 50 hectares of internationally important wetland habitat at the mouth of the river, through the Lower Otter Restoration Project.
The intertidal zone is now a habitat for a wide range of seabirds and waders, some of them critically endangered. It is also an important nursery ground for many species of fish.
The East Devon Pebblebed Heaths, meanwhile, support more than 3,000 species including threatened birds, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. The Heaths are home to the Dartford warbler, nightjar, southern damselfly and silver-studded blue butterfly, all of which rely on the increasingly rare lowland heath habitat.
Both parts of the reserve have seen a big increase in the number of visits by the public over the two years since they became just the third National Nature Reserve in the country to be named as part of the King’s Series, with hundreds of thousands of people enjoying exercise and wildlife spotting.
A network of accessible footpaths was created as part of the Lower Otter Restoration Project with viewpoints and information boards about the project, as well as signs to help identify species which may be present.
White fronted geese, a Slavonia grebe, and spoonbills have all been seen this winter. Young ospreys, which provide spectacular displays on the estuary as they catch fish from the surface, returned for a second time this autumn on passage to Africa. It is hoped they will decide to breed on the estuary in future.
With the support of dedicated volunteers, the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust charity and their partners manage the Pebblebed Heaths NNR for the benefit of wildlife and people through an active education and engagement programme.
The Pebblebeds For All project, made possible through support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, includes the creation of a Youth Ranger Scheme to offer 13 to 17-year-olds the opportunity to volunteer in conservation, learning practical skills and building confidence.
The Otter Estuary also hosted the first ever Reclaim the Night event on a nature reserve when more than 50 women and girls joined a lantern-lit procession of solidarity in December last year, to highlight a demand for safety in public places.
Dr Sam Bridgewater, Director of Environment Strategy and Evidence for Clinton Devon Estates and the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust, said it was an honour for the Devon nature reserves to have been named as part of the King’s Series.
“We are very proud of the declaration and pleased with all that has been achieved so far on the Pebblebed Heaths and the Otter Estuary. The challenge of reconciling the needs of wildlife with public recreation and access is a very real one, but we have made great progress on both counts over the past two years.
“As the climate changes, species face ever greater pressures whilst demands for food, timber, housing and employment space from the wider landscape increase. Looking after areas like our lowland heaths and estuaries becomes ever more important. We are privileged to have these areas under our care and take the responsibility of leaving them in a better state than we found them very seriously indeed.”
A spokesperson for Natural England said: “The Environmental Improvement Plan committed to declaring 25 new or significantly expanded National Nature Reserves between 2023/24 and 2027/28.
“Named the King’s Series to honour King Charles III, we are on track to meet this target. Seven Sisters will be the 13th declaration, marking the halfway point and the declaration event provides the perfect backdrop for celebrating the halfway mark of King’s Series NNRs.”