Slapton Ley is the largest natural freshwater lake in South West England. It was formed after the last Ice Age when rising sea levels forced a mass of shingle up against the coastline blocking off the small streams which once flowed directly out to sea. With a shingle beach on one side and a mixture of reedbeds, farmland and woodland on the other, this is now a wonderful refuge for a huge diversity of wildlife including resident otters and dormice.
Early summer is a wonderful time to visit. With many migrants newly arrived the air is full of their song, not only is this an uplifting experience but it also helps us to pick out and identify individual species which usually try to conceal themselves.
Here are a few highlights to look for: in bushes along the coastal fringe look for cirl buntings; from the reedbed listen for the explosive calls of Cetti’s warblers; on the water look for great crested grebes; drifting low over the reeds in search of prey keep an eye out for a marsh harrier.
A whole host of smaller birds such as reed warbler, sedge warbler, chiffchaff and willow warbler hide in the trees and reeds, swarms of swallows, sand martins and house martins swoop low over the water catching insects and on the water a fine selection of waterfowl can be seen.
This is truly one of the richest environments in Devon and it is a pleasure to walk along the trail beside the lake and through the trees.
slnnr.org.uk
