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The flora and wildlife in Alphington's old lanes

Contribution updated 17 October 2007

By Rowena Jay

Despite the fact that Alphington has grown so much since the mid 1960s with many housing developments taking place, some of the old lanes have fortunately been preserved.

These typically narrow Devonian lanes, with their high banks and, at times, grass growing up the middle, are my favourite parts of the village.

Walk down these lanes and you are transported back in time to a peaceful village community where the people I meet have the time to stop and chat with me.

Wildflowers that flourish in the high banks sway gently in the soft summer breezes. Butterflies flit to and fro from flower to flower sometimes stopping to rest on a leaf and bask in the sun. The buzz of hard-working bees is all around and the sound of sweet bird song comes from the trees in the adjacent fields and small woodlands that support a wide variety of wildlife.

Wildlife in and around Alphington's lanes

Insects
Reptiles and amphibians
Mammals
Moths
Butterflies
Birds

Wildlife on the Exeter Canal

Canal birds

Wild flowers in and around Alphington's lanes and by the Exeter Canal.

I have separated the flowers into colours to make it easier for you to identify any flowers you find. This page will be continually updated so please call back from time to time.

Blue
Yellow
Pink and mauve
White, cream and green