Kingfisher on Bullrush	photo © BBC

SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY Wildlife Specials:
18th June and 16th July 2008.

Countryside and wildlife lovers will be able to enjoy some secret, stunning scenery and view the glorious flora and fauna of one of Devon’s most beautiful valleys by the River Dart this Summer during two ‘Wildlife Special’ steam trains which will be run by the South Devon Railway on 18 June and 16 July.

Providing an unrivalled opportunity to see the abundant wildlife within the lower valley of the River Dart, much of which is unreachable by road, the trains will allow nature watchers to see a variety of animals from the comfort of their carriage as it meanders its leisurely way along the pretty seven-mile line.

Using a traditional GWR country branch line “push and pull” auto train with large panoramic windows, the on-board naturalist, Sue Searle of Acorn Ecology, will be on hand to get the driver to stop wherever is best to view the varied flora and fauna of the valley. The scenic seven-mile branch line running from Totnes to Buckfastleigh has featured in a number of television nature programmes over the years and is very popular with local naturalists and walkers.

The ‘Wildlife Special’ trains will depart from Buckfastleigh at 7.30 pm on both evenings and travel first to Staverton and then on toward Totnes at normal speed, but then return at a very slow pace in order to view the various plants and wildlife along the way. The trips will last for around two to two and a half hours, depending on the dusk.

Naturalist Sue Searle is hoping to stop for a while at Staverton on the return journey and will bring her bat detector along in the hope of the party being able to see bats at the old mill building at Staverton Bridge, and use it again at Buckfastleigh Station where there is known to be a large bat colony living nearby. The South Devon Railway’s Operating Manager John Haslam said: “There are some superb views of the lovely valley of the Dart and its varied wildlife to be had at this time of year, and there really is no better way to see them than from one of our relaxing steam trains.

“I’ve seen a large variety of animal and bird life from the train before now such as deer, herons, kingfishers, woodpeckers and any number of pheasants just to start the list. The journey is never quite the same twice.”

The tickets are £10 for adults and £6 for children but spaces are strictly limited to 70, so people will need to book early in order to enjoy a wildlife evening with a difference.

Call the Railway on 0843 357 1420 (or 01364 644370) to place reservation.