In 2025 – 2026 the East Devon National Landscape Funded Friends of the River Axe to kick start the Riparian Mammals project.
The Riparian Mammals project was established to bridge the gap between scientific monitoring and local action, focusing on three species: water voles, otters, and beavers. Volunteers and landowners were trained to become the “eyes and ears” of the river.
What did they hope to achieve?
The projects main objectives were to:
- Train volunteers to identify the field signs of water voles and perform surveys.
- Identify new areas of water vole presence through connecting with landowners and examination of the reintroduction site at Seaton Wetlands.
- Engage local communities to report otter sightings.
- Survey for otters through connecting with landowners.
- Assemble a team of volunteers and train them on identifying signs of beavers using the River Otter as our training site and give them a platform to report.
- Give landowners the opportunity to engage in discussion over the likely Beaver colonisation.
They will test a few hypotheses on engagement with landowners and public with regards to surveying and usefullness.
How was it funded?
Total Project Cost: £15,268
East Devon National Landscape Grant Awarded: £1078.03 (7% of total project)
Cash Funding: £150 (From Axe Vale District Conservation Society and Kit Brook River Restoration)
In Kind Match Funding: £14,040 (volunteer time to survey, project manage and lead events)
What was delivered?
The project met it’s objectives:
Water Voles:
- 15 volunteers (including young adults) were trained, extending the known distribution to Burrow Pit and expanding surveys to the Lower Coly, Offwell Brook, and Kit Brook.
- Due to high public enthusiasm, this work has been integrated into the Rivers Run Through Us (RRTU) project as a “Jewel of the Axe” for 2026.
- The Three3Rings platform was successfully launched to manage volunteer surveyors and will continue under RRTU.
Otters:
- Partnered with Axe Fly Fishers on a “Report an Otter” initiative linked to the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre (DBRC).
- Installed 15 educational posters across the catchment, resulting in increased public sightings and reports.
- Next Steps: Planning an otter sign identification walk for Spring 2026 at locations vetted by ecologist Alison Johnson.
Beavers
- Events: Over 150 people attended engagement events, including a film screening/panel in October 2025 and a presentation at Farway Marsh in February 2026.
- Development: Public interest has surged, leading to significant “beaver readiness” progress within the Axe catchment.
Community Outreach
- Promoted the RMP at five major local fairs and events (e.g., Dalwood Fair, Open Farm Sunday).
- Secured 19 new contacts for future riparian mammal surveys and reached a combined audience of over 1,000 people.
Key outputs/outcomes
- Training sessions completed 4
- Surveys completed 8
- Presentations given 2
- Events attended 8
- Walks held 2
In excess of 1500 people engaged, though estimated may be closer to 2500 people. In addition 10 farmers were visited on their farms and a further 10 farmers engaged at events.
What lessons were learnt during delivery ?
Project lead said:
“We suspect we were a little over-ambitious in what we thought we could achieve in six months so our advice to others would be to 1. Plan for changing resources and have a contingency plan and 2. Be realistic especially when dealing with the public”
Gallery
