Axe Estuary Wetlands set to feature on BBC Countryfile
East Devon’s own Axe Estuary Wetlands are set to feature on popular BBC One programme Countryfile this weekend.
East Devon District Council’s Countryside team recently welcomed presenters Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury to the Wetlands as they filmed a series of stories about the area.
The programme is set to be broadcast on BBC One on Sunday 17 March at 6:30pm.
During their visit to East Devon on Friday 1 March, cameras caught up with the Axe Estuary Ringing Group, who were ringing birds following cannon netting at dawn; looked at salinity monitoring and control of the Black Hole Marsh lagoon; and explored the construction of a combined Sand Martin cliff and bat hibernaculum by local volunteers, creating a brand new joint habitat for wildlife.
The three stories were thematically linked by presence of non-biting midges which breed in the lagoon and are a food source for the wildlife on the site. The story features filming of hibernating bats at Beer Quarry Caves along with background shots of the wildlife and landscapes at the Wetlands.
Countryfile presenters Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury met with volunteers, EDDC Countryside staff and year 6 children from Exmouth’s Exeter Road Primary School who were attending the Wetlands on an educational visit.
Doug Rudge from EDDC Countryside team worked alongside the presenters for the day. He said:
“The Countryfile team seemed to thoroughly enjoy their visit to these very special Wetlands, and we were very pleased to show them the good work that’s being done on the site.
“It’s not every day we get a visit from such a well known television show, and we’re all really looking forward to seeing their final piece this weekend.
“With Easter on the way and spring in the – admittedly chilly – air, it’s set to be a great few months for nature lovers, walkers and families to come and discover this natural East Devon gem.”
Cllr Phil Twiss, East Devon District Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment added:
“We’re rightly proud of all the hard work put in by the staff and volunteers at the Wetlands, including the special £12k project to create the unusual joint habitat for Sand Martins and bats.
“This will be fascinating for countryside fans and casual viewers alike, and I for one will be tuning in on Sunday.”
£6k of funding for the joint habitat was provided by East Devon District Council, with the other £6k provided by Axe Vale and District Conservation Society.
