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Description
Both reserves are owned and maintained by Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) and are so close they can be combined in one visit.
During the Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001 and after a public outcry the government decided to bury culled livestock, instead of burning. Ash Moor was chosen as one of these sites and bulldozers moved in to dig out an enormous burial pit for 500,000 animals. Following further local campaigning this did not happen and in 2003 the bulldozers returned to reinstate the area as we see it today.
Meeth Quarry was a 'ball clay' quarry for over 100 years, finally closing in 1990. After this the unoccupied site was allowed to gradually flood and in 2012 the site was acquired by DWT, after much work to improve the site for wildlife, it eventually opened as the Trust's largest reserve in 2013.
The sites are renowned for Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata), some species you can expect are Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens), Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata), Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellation), Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens), Small Red Damselfly (Ceriagrion tennellum), Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta), Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum), Golden Ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum), Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator), amongst many others. The sites are also good for Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) with regular sightings of Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages), Brimstone ( Gonepteryx rhamni), Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) and the rarer Wood White (Leptidea sinapis) and Clifden Nonpareil (Catocala fraxini).
Meeth Quarry is best known by Devon birdwatchers as the site of the largest Büyük tarakdiş roost in the county, some times holding more than 50 birds overnight, they usually depart the site near sunrise and head for local rivers during the day, only returning near sunset.
Details
Access
The A386 runs roughly North to South just pass the entrance road to the reserve car park, this entrance road is not well signposted at the main road and is easily missed. If you are travelling from the town of Hatherleigh (in the South), just as you reach the small village of Meeth look for BUS STOP SIGN PAINTED ON ROAD and turn Left into road that takes you to car park.
Terrain and Habitat
Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Wetland , Lake , Agriculture , City/village , Reedbeds , RiverConditions
Flat , Wet , SlipperyCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Winter , Spring migration , Summer , Spring , Autumn , Autumn migrationRoute
Paved road , Wide path , Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , Car , WheelchairBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
The long distance Tarka Trail cycle path passes between the two reserves, to get to Ash Moor head North along this cycle path until you get to entrance boardwalk (press STAR ON MAP). Note: Ash Moor is unsuitable for wheelchairs and can be VERY wet. BEWARE of grazing animals, please close all gates after you've passed through. Meeth Quarry has multiple use of transport BEWARE OF CYCLISTS AND HORSE RIDERS. Many paths are suitable for wheelchair users. BE AWARE some fenced enclosures may be NO ENTRY from time to time due to grazing animals. PLEASE NOTE at present (September 2021) the car park is open at the the following times 0900-1700hrs Monday to Friday and 0800-2000hrs Saturday and Sunday.