Around the Town

To further explore the historical, botanical, and archaeological themes discussed in this series, here are several highly reputable websites and resources. These links will provide deeper context for both Sidmouth-specific history and the broader natural history to be encountered around the town.

1. General Species Identification & Recording

• iSpot Nature: A fantastic starting point for beginners. Users can upload photos of plants or animals found in Sidmouth, and a community of experts helps identify them.

• The Wildlife Trusts – Species A-Z: An excellent, user-friendly encyclopedia. Learners can look up specific Sidmouth residents mentioned in your articles, such as the Oystercatcher or Slow-worm.

2. Coastal & Marine Botany

• The Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland (BSBI): The definitive source for plant distribution. Learners can use their maps to see how rare specialists like Sea Kale or Danish Scurvygrass are across the rest of the UK.

• Plantlife: This site provides deep dives into the conservation of coastal "halophytes" and the importance of preserving wild plant habitats.

3. Specialist Groups (Fungi, Lichens & Birds)

• British Mycological Society (BMS): Ideal for those interested in the Pink Waxcap found near the bowling green. It explains why these fungi are indicators of ancient, undisturbed soil.

• British Lichen Society: Since the Parish Churchyard is a hotspot for lichens , this site helps learners understand the "old lime-mortar" niche that these organisms occupy.

• BTO (British Trust for Ornithology): Perfect for learners tracking the Turnstone or Cormorant. It provides data on why certain bird numbers, like the Herring Gull, are declining.

4. Local Conservation Context

• Devon Wildlife Trust: Connects Sidmouth's "brownfield" biodiversity network to the wider conservation efforts occurring across the county of Devon.

• Sid Valley Biodiversity Group: (If not already linked) This is the primary local resource for the specific surveys mentioned in your documents.