There are currently several serious efforts underway to encourage species recovery on the River Sid
The Sid Valley has several projects happening, including river restoration @ Stoney Orchard at the head of the valley, the Sidbury Manor Estate’s River Sid catchment scheme and natural flood management and even exploration of reintroducing water voles along the Sid.
Looking at the bigger picture of nature restoration in the Sid Valley and beyond, later in the year, as part of the Eco Hub project, the Scott Cinema in Sidmouth will be screening the documentary film “Wilding”, based on the book by Isabella Tree of Knepp.
And looking at the biggest news story about nature restoration in Devon this week, the release of wild beavers has now been approved for England – with the BBC reporting from the River Otter on how the reintroduction of beavers has been going there for the past decade.
Photo: the Beavers Trust
The Devon Wildlife Trust was naturally delighted at the government announcement that “beavers are coming home” – with Pete Burgess, director of nature recovery at DWT saying that “the beavers in Devon have inspired communities to take action for nature”.
And so in the last few days, wild beavers made a historic return to England at a Dorset nature reserve – in woodlands by the National Trust – and they will spend the coming weeks settling into their new home at Little Sea, a 33-hectare lake on England’s first Super National Nature Reserve.
Rewilding: beavers legally return to the wild in England – YouTube – Channel Four News, 5th March 2025
Meanwhile back in these parts, as reported on the Sid Valley Biodiversity Group’s social media pages, there are definitely beavers around in Tipton and there is also evidence of their activity on Woodbury and Aylesbeare Commons.
For further reports from over the last months and years, see: Search for ‘beaver’ – Vision Group for Sidmouth
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