Stowford Moor Nature Reserve.
Stowford Moor is 19 hectares of Culm Grassland that was bought in 1999 by the Devon Wildlife Trust, so the site was saved from 'land improvement' and thus the loss of one of the most important wildlife habitats in Devon. Stowford is a great habitat for butterflies, and a rowing population of the very rare Marh fritillary is thriving here due to the careful management.
This reserve has a stunning display of heath spotted orchids, estimated to be thousands of individual plants.
Wildlife Highlights
Butterflies: Marsh fritillary butterflies appear on the wing from the end of May each year until mid June. During July and August a colony of marbled white butterflies will be seen. Also meadow brown, ringlets and walls should be seen in good numbers.
Roe deer are very common and you can see various species of bats hunting in the summer evenings.
Birds: Snipe and woodcock can be seen in winter. Barn, tawny and short eared owls can all been seen here
Location and access: Stowford Moor is north of Bulkworthy. From Torrington take the B3227 towards Holsworthy. At Stibb Cross take the second right after the Union Inn towards Woolfardisworthy. Take the third road on the left (approximately 3¾ miles). Follow this road for roughly ¾ of a mile, you will see the reserve on the right.
There are no fixed routes through this reserve and you are free to explore as you want, but you should bear in mind that the terrain is exceptionally rough and marshy in places and great care should be taken. The very wet central sections should only be explored with great caution.
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.
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