Thurlestone Sands Nr. Kingsbridge k1 female June 1970 [Note 1]
Hope Cove, Nr. Kingsbridge, many July 1969 [Note 1]
Bridge End Farm and banks of Avon, Aveton Gifford Nr. Kingsbridge ‘thousands’
1957 [Note 2]
Newton Ferrers area common at least since 1948 to present. [ie 1970s.
See Note 3]
Newcourt Road Topsham Nr. Exeter perhaps 5 or 6 in two groups c.50-100
yards apart June 1970 and previous years but grass verges and hedges threatened
by plans for M5 motorway. In abundance c.1.5 miles away in lane on
other side of Topsham in triangle of land where Rivers Exe and Clyst meet,
September 1971.
Starcross, Mamhead area (SX914832/964825) 1 on path in Forestry Commission
Woodland, August 1971, 2 females on hayfield stubble nr.undergrowth and
hedge July 1971.
Sheepwash (SS4806)in old quarry 1972
Sampford Peverell Nr. Tiverton 1 female on canal towpath August 1972
Greenwood Farm Dartmouth on lane verges 20 years ago [ie 1950s].
Topsham (SX 970880)up to 24 on hard core of railway line. (in use)
1973.
Woodbury Common N.of Exmouth numerous c.1966
Budleigh Salterton in garden July 1971-2. (1971 said to be first sighting
of L noctiluca in this area in living memory).
Colaton Raleigh (especially) Uphams Plantation (SY 040860)
Woodbury Common (SY 038849) up to 8 on dry heath 1973.
Berry Down Branscombe numerous along cliff 1973 and previous years
Higher Metcombe (SY 065922) up to 30 by wall in long grass 1973
Seaton (SY 247907) Several including mating pair, at edge of old lawn
of empty house, mid June-mid August 1973.
B. Sites reported to Robin Scagell
Site Map Location and details if any: f = (glowing)
females
No Ref
562 SX491725 Anderton Court, Whitchurch: on railway bank: previous
summers
073 SX551482 Newton Ferrers, Devon 1f 1991
025 SX561695 Burrator Reservoir, Dartmoor 10f 1991
610 SX5649 Newton Ferrers, side of B3186, 1f June 1988.
172 SX604528 Wilburton Cross, Devon 12f 1991
171 SX611531 Burraton Cross, Devon 4f 1991
141 SX675405 Hope Cove, Salcombe, Devon 9f 1991
049 SX7237 South Sands, Salcombe, Devon 5f 1991
203 SX7778 Yarner Wood NNR, Bovey Tracey, Devon 5f
1991
529 SX8050 Blackawton, in hedges, recent years
079 SX811728 South Knighton, Newton Abbott, Devon 1991
235 SX816551 Cornworthy NR, 91
031 SX824424 Torcross, Devon 1f 1991
168 SX827444 Slapton Ley, Devon 50f 1991
532 SX8337 Start Point, 1948 or 49, ‘thousands’ by pigsties
nr lighthouse
170 SX902718 Combeinteignhead, Devon 1991
082 SX9174 Bishopsteignton, Devon 7f 1991
556 SX9268 Maidencombe, Ashley Priors Lane, 1980-3
118 SX927522 Sharkham Point, Brixham, Devon 10f 1991
154 SX999817 Exmouth, Devon 8f 1991
592 SS202023 Widemouth Bay. 6f, July 1990 and previously.
587 SS2131 Coombe Valley, Morwenstow, Cornwall. 4f, 3.7.90.
595 SS383240 Peppercombe, beneath trees beside track, 3f 11-18.8.90.
121 SS458252 Bideford, Devon 9f 1991
551 SS463225 Ridd 1f 25.7.90
124 SS467218 Weare Giffard 10f 1991
123 SS473218 Yeo, Weare Giffard 7f 1991
122 SS475206 Beam Weir, Weare Giffard, 3f 1991
552 SS479199 Torrington Stn 1f 1.7.88
120 SS485324 Yelland, Barnstaple, Devon 17f 1991
550 SS512331 Fremington Cuttings 1f Aug 90.
549 SS527334 Penhill/Clampitts 1f 12.6.89
119 SS527334 Penhill/Clampitts, Barnstaple, Devon 4f 1991
573 SS560353 Tutshill, Bradiford Valley. Fields to W of woodland, 1988.
233 SS762001 Colebrook, rly line to SX778996, ‘for some 5 years’
090 ST2501 Dalwood, Honiton, Devon 1991
101 SY0181 Churchyard, Withycombe Raleigh, Exmouth, Devon
1f 1991
091 SY1896 Farway, Ottery St Mary, Devon 1991
089 SY1993 Blackbury Castle, Seaton, Devon 1f 1991
112 SY2088 Cliff path, Branscombe, Devon 1991
001 SY245933 Colyton, Devon 12f 1991
Note 1. I have found one or two glow worms around the roads of Hope
Cove in 1989 and 1991, but the majority are on the footpath between Hope
Cove and Thurlestone as it ascends out of Hope Cove. There are reported
to be many on the cliffs to Thurlestone but I could not find any in August
1991. Thorough searches of this area throughout the summer would be useful,
with locations marked on a large scale map if possible. This is one of
those sites which gets regularly reported in casual conversation, yet actual
figures seem to be lacking – RS
Note 2. I have searched this area on several occasions without success.
A local man says that they are to be found in the lane around 689465. They
are also said to be around Bantham. – RS
Note 3. The lane past the Crown Yealm guest house was once said to
be noted for glow worms, but it is now streetlit and the shiny leaves reflecting
the lights all look like glow worms! So check identification! – RS