Around the Town 

While it is unrealistic to expect a bustling town center and shingle beach to match the raw biodiversity of deep woodland or open countryside, the data from the 2026 survey reveals that Sidmouth is far from an ecological desert. In fact, for certain species, the town is the most important habitat in the valley.

The Floral and Cryptogam Stronghold

The town serves as a unique sanctuary for plants that have adapted to both human and coastal environments:

• A Floral Hub: 157 distinct flower species have been recorded across just seven town sites—representing 46.3% of all species found across the entire 50-site survey area.

• The "Cryptogam" Haven: The town is a powerhouse for non-flowering plants. This includes 60% of the valley's recorded ferns (Pteridophytes) and over 55% of its lichens. These thrive on the town’s historic flint walls and shaded goyles.

• Garden Escapees: The town's biodiversity is uniquely boosted by "rockery" plants that have escaped managed gardens to colonise stone walls, creating a hybrid ecosystem found nowhere else in the district.

Wildlife: Coastal Specialists and Urban Survivors

Animal life in the town reflects its role as a coastal "edge" and a garden-rich environment:

• Birds: Despite the lack of large woods, 38 bird species (67.8% of the survey total) utilise the town. This includes coastal specialists like cormorants and waders, alongside garden birds that seek refuge in the town’s formal gardens during winter.

• Mammals: Most observed mammals are nocturnal, using the town’s gardens and corridors under the cover of darkness.

• The Invertebrate Challenge: Insects currently show the lowest variety, likely due to a historical lack of native plants in formal gardens. However, the new nature recovery strategies are specifically designed to reverse this trend.

Summary of Biodiversity by Group

Group Percentage of Total Survey Species Found in Town Key Habitat/Reason

Reptiles 100% Found in the sunny, stone-rich coastal niches.

Birds 67.8% Use gardens for winter refuge and the beach for specialised feeding.

Ferns 60.0% Thriving in the humid, shaded environment of Glen Goyle.

Mosses 59.4% At home on the flint stone walls around the old part of town

Lichens 55.5% Found on the undisturbed surfaces of old tombstones and walls.

Flora (Flowers) 46.3% A mix of coastal specialists and garden "escapology"