Home » UK & Ireland Wildlife » South West » Devon » Dunsdon National Nature Reserve

Dunsdon National Nature Reserve

Dunsdon Nature Reserve, managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust, is arguably the most important Culm grassland left in England. Culm Grassland is foundly mostly across north western Devon and is a marshy, heath habitat. It is a very diverse wildlife habitat, often extremely rich in wild flowers and supporting an immense range of other wildlife. Culm Grassland has declined sharply in extent since the 1970s and Dunsdon represents an important reservoir for the wildlife of this area.

Highlights: 26 butterfly species have been recorded here, with large numbers of marsh fritillary, marbled white, silver-washed fritillary, common blue and purple hairstreak. Other insects, such as moths, dragonflies, damselflies are all abundant here.

Birds: Grey heron, skylark, song thrush, buzzard, sparrowhawk, spotted flycatcher, reed bunting, tree pipit, willow warbler, garden warbler and grasshopper warbler all breed on the reserve. Snipe, short-eared owl and woodcock are all regular visitors. Barn owls use the site frequently as a feeding ground, and may be seen roosting in the trees. 

Mammals: Fox, roe deer and badgers and dormice all occur on the reserve.

Location: Dunsdon lies about 6 miles east of Bude. The entrance to the Nature Reserve is just before Gains Cross. Grid reference: SS302080.

Facilities: There is a small car park from where a boardwalk leads to a viewing platform (accessible to all abilities). There is a path further into the reserve which is muddy and or tussocky.

These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.