Andrew
Thursday 12th February 2004, 18:04
Birding in Devon : Axe Estuary (Colyford Common LNR & Seaton Marshes)
OS Grid References : SY253923 (Click here for map) (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=325350&y=92350&z=3&sv=325350,92350&st=4&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=860) & SY252905 (Click here for map) (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=325250&y=90550&z=3&sv=325250,90550&st=4&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=860)
Directions : The uppermost reserve is Colyford Common and is accessed by travelling along the A3052 to Colyford. When you get to Colyford look for a lane that turns off to the south towards Seaton, it passes a small Post Office. Keep going down this small road at a gentle pace as you need to be looking out for a small wooden sign low down near the ground that says 'Colyford Common LNR' in black against wood. Park up on the opposite side near the ditch below a stone wall. For Seaton Marshes, drive on towards Seaton until you come to Axe Vale Caravan Park and go to the end of a side lane parking next to some water works. Walk on from here to the hide.
Description : These two spots are part of the Axe Estuary system and managed by East Devon District Council with no charges at all. I will describe Colyford Common first. This is a super little reserve and has featured prominently in recent months while work went on in Seaton Marshes. From the gate you walk down a permissive footpath down a gentle hill. The path is lined with trees on the right hand side and throws up passerines galore including the odd Brambling if you are lucky. Warblers feature well here with Chiffchaffs over wintering here and Willow Warblers making appearances in Summer. If you are trying for a high day list look beyond the trees to add Pheasant. To the left is open field and the edge of Colyford, you also have a view over the upper reaches of the wide valley. Keep an eye out for raptors especially Sparrowhawk and Peregrine but expect to see Buzzards easily. At the base of the hill there is a notice board with monthly summaries giving a good idea of what you may see along with some local information. Here is a gate that you go through and you will come to a path made out of salvaged railway sleepers. This affords a decent means of access across a soft field without getting muddy feet. Keep looking out to the fields for passerines, ducks and larger waders as well as the occasional Snipe. Check the wires overhead for Pipits, Linnets and others as they will often give good views as they wait for you to pass before coming back down. At the end of the path is a viewing platform which has a relatively high shelf suitable for a hide clamp. There is also a step for shorter people to stand on. To the left is a small box with a log book in it. From the viewing platform you will see a large expanse of fields with a scrape to the left and the River Axe in the distance. Expect to see Waders and Pipits around the scrape and the fields. Check the river with a scope for Herons and Little Egrets. Seaton Marshes provides a lot more facilities for the birder. From your parked car check the trees around the Water Works for all sorts from Warblers to Woodpeckers then proceed towards the reserve along a track. In summer you may divert to a pool on the left to view some excellent Dragonflies and Damselflies. This is reputed to be a good spot in Devon for some rarer breeds. If you have a book on them take it with you. Eating your packed lunch here is a good idea in summer to watch the Dragonflies at the same time. Return to the track afterwards and carry on until you come to a path leading you to the excellent hide. There should be a screen all along the path to prevent spooking any birds from the reserve and last I saw was some building work going on to improve the disabled access for wheelchair users. The hide is an hexagonal design with windows opening on all sides and a screen in the middle to avoid having open windows behind you to spook the birds, a clever idea. The hide's design gives you the option to view the estuary which has more mud than Colyford Common and attracts more waders. Be prepared to watch for a while for some new birds to emerge in the channels that are out of view. You may also view the fields and scrapes behind you for birds that leave the river at high tide as well as ducks and geese.
Species : It is best to try and visit both sites at the same time and this is easily done. I will list the species expected on the two reserves together. Nearly all year you can expect to see various species including Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Common Shelduck, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Dunlins, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Reed Bunting, Stonechat, Common Kingfisher, Cormorant, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon, Common Buzzard and Chiffchaff amongst others. New birds arriving from Spring onwards will include the hirundines, Common Swifts, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and others. In winter you should look for Water Pipits. Migration periods usually see plenty of excellent species occurring including Hobbies, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail, Curlew Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Firecrest, Little Stint, Ruff, Little Ringed Plover, Northern Wheatear, Osprey, Marsh Harrier and others. Exceptional rarities may include Great White Egret, Spoonbill or Wryneck as has happened in the past few years. Do not expect loads of rarities to show at once though.
Advice : Try to visit an hour either side of high tide to see some waders in the mud in front of the hide. Take your time and work the reserve, it may seem limited in where you can go but exploring every avenue to maximise your options will pay off as well as patience at the hide and viewing platform. Check the log book and notice board to see if there are any rarities about. If you wish to have birds pointed out to you try a winter trip on the tram from Seaton which has a website, www.tram.co.uk (http://www.tram.co.uk) and East Devon Council has a countryside Service with a website viewable on www.eastdevon.gov.uk/countryside (http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/countryside)
Disabled Access : I do not believe Colyford Common to be suitable for wheelchair users as the railway sleeper path is only two sleepers wide but a person who can just about walk might be able to manage it. If you combine a wheelchair and walking then try to get down the hill in the chair and walk on from the gate. Look at the path from the gate to see if you can manage it, if not then you will have seen plenty of passerines in the trees and maybe a raptor or two on the path down there. I have not seen the developments at Seaton Marshes myself but have been told there is full wheelchair access there. I think they have consulted some members of the Disabled Birder's Association on this matter so it should be of a good standard. When I was there I saw a long steady ramp up to the hide as opposed to steps. In the hide there is one booth set aside offering low windows to view from. I have spoken to the education officer for the East Devon reserves and have been told the access path is fully screened with vantage and rest points halfway along it. This is pretty good as believe me it is not a long walk to begin with so putting in rest pints will help greatly.
Other places nearby : Branscombe Mouth Sewage Works (warblers in winter), Sidmouth seafront (Wintering Purple Sandpipers on the rocks).
County Recorder : Mike Tyler, The Acorn, Shute Road, Kilmington, Axminster, Devon, EX13 7ST. mike@mwtyler.freeserve.co.uk (mike@mwtyler.freeserve.co.uk)
Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society Memberships : POB 71, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1WF. Email : membership@devonbirds.org.uk (membership@devonbirds.org.uk)
OS Grid References : SY253923 (Click here for map) (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=325350&y=92350&z=3&sv=325350,92350&st=4&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=860) & SY252905 (Click here for map) (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=325250&y=90550&z=3&sv=325250,90550&st=4&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=860)
Directions : The uppermost reserve is Colyford Common and is accessed by travelling along the A3052 to Colyford. When you get to Colyford look for a lane that turns off to the south towards Seaton, it passes a small Post Office. Keep going down this small road at a gentle pace as you need to be looking out for a small wooden sign low down near the ground that says 'Colyford Common LNR' in black against wood. Park up on the opposite side near the ditch below a stone wall. For Seaton Marshes, drive on towards Seaton until you come to Axe Vale Caravan Park and go to the end of a side lane parking next to some water works. Walk on from here to the hide.
Description : These two spots are part of the Axe Estuary system and managed by East Devon District Council with no charges at all. I will describe Colyford Common first. This is a super little reserve and has featured prominently in recent months while work went on in Seaton Marshes. From the gate you walk down a permissive footpath down a gentle hill. The path is lined with trees on the right hand side and throws up passerines galore including the odd Brambling if you are lucky. Warblers feature well here with Chiffchaffs over wintering here and Willow Warblers making appearances in Summer. If you are trying for a high day list look beyond the trees to add Pheasant. To the left is open field and the edge of Colyford, you also have a view over the upper reaches of the wide valley. Keep an eye out for raptors especially Sparrowhawk and Peregrine but expect to see Buzzards easily. At the base of the hill there is a notice board with monthly summaries giving a good idea of what you may see along with some local information. Here is a gate that you go through and you will come to a path made out of salvaged railway sleepers. This affords a decent means of access across a soft field without getting muddy feet. Keep looking out to the fields for passerines, ducks and larger waders as well as the occasional Snipe. Check the wires overhead for Pipits, Linnets and others as they will often give good views as they wait for you to pass before coming back down. At the end of the path is a viewing platform which has a relatively high shelf suitable for a hide clamp. There is also a step for shorter people to stand on. To the left is a small box with a log book in it. From the viewing platform you will see a large expanse of fields with a scrape to the left and the River Axe in the distance. Expect to see Waders and Pipits around the scrape and the fields. Check the river with a scope for Herons and Little Egrets. Seaton Marshes provides a lot more facilities for the birder. From your parked car check the trees around the Water Works for all sorts from Warblers to Woodpeckers then proceed towards the reserve along a track. In summer you may divert to a pool on the left to view some excellent Dragonflies and Damselflies. This is reputed to be a good spot in Devon for some rarer breeds. If you have a book on them take it with you. Eating your packed lunch here is a good idea in summer to watch the Dragonflies at the same time. Return to the track afterwards and carry on until you come to a path leading you to the excellent hide. There should be a screen all along the path to prevent spooking any birds from the reserve and last I saw was some building work going on to improve the disabled access for wheelchair users. The hide is an hexagonal design with windows opening on all sides and a screen in the middle to avoid having open windows behind you to spook the birds, a clever idea. The hide's design gives you the option to view the estuary which has more mud than Colyford Common and attracts more waders. Be prepared to watch for a while for some new birds to emerge in the channels that are out of view. You may also view the fields and scrapes behind you for birds that leave the river at high tide as well as ducks and geese.
Species : It is best to try and visit both sites at the same time and this is easily done. I will list the species expected on the two reserves together. Nearly all year you can expect to see various species including Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Common Shelduck, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Dunlins, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Reed Bunting, Stonechat, Common Kingfisher, Cormorant, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon, Common Buzzard and Chiffchaff amongst others. New birds arriving from Spring onwards will include the hirundines, Common Swifts, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and others. In winter you should look for Water Pipits. Migration periods usually see plenty of excellent species occurring including Hobbies, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail, Curlew Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Firecrest, Little Stint, Ruff, Little Ringed Plover, Northern Wheatear, Osprey, Marsh Harrier and others. Exceptional rarities may include Great White Egret, Spoonbill or Wryneck as has happened in the past few years. Do not expect loads of rarities to show at once though.
Advice : Try to visit an hour either side of high tide to see some waders in the mud in front of the hide. Take your time and work the reserve, it may seem limited in where you can go but exploring every avenue to maximise your options will pay off as well as patience at the hide and viewing platform. Check the log book and notice board to see if there are any rarities about. If you wish to have birds pointed out to you try a winter trip on the tram from Seaton which has a website, www.tram.co.uk (http://www.tram.co.uk) and East Devon Council has a countryside Service with a website viewable on www.eastdevon.gov.uk/countryside (http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/countryside)
Disabled Access : I do not believe Colyford Common to be suitable for wheelchair users as the railway sleeper path is only two sleepers wide but a person who can just about walk might be able to manage it. If you combine a wheelchair and walking then try to get down the hill in the chair and walk on from the gate. Look at the path from the gate to see if you can manage it, if not then you will have seen plenty of passerines in the trees and maybe a raptor or two on the path down there. I have not seen the developments at Seaton Marshes myself but have been told there is full wheelchair access there. I think they have consulted some members of the Disabled Birder's Association on this matter so it should be of a good standard. When I was there I saw a long steady ramp up to the hide as opposed to steps. In the hide there is one booth set aside offering low windows to view from. I have spoken to the education officer for the East Devon reserves and have been told the access path is fully screened with vantage and rest points halfway along it. This is pretty good as believe me it is not a long walk to begin with so putting in rest pints will help greatly.
Other places nearby : Branscombe Mouth Sewage Works (warblers in winter), Sidmouth seafront (Wintering Purple Sandpipers on the rocks).
County Recorder : Mike Tyler, The Acorn, Shute Road, Kilmington, Axminster, Devon, EX13 7ST. mike@mwtyler.freeserve.co.uk (mike@mwtyler.freeserve.co.uk)
Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society Memberships : POB 71, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1WF. Email : membership@devonbirds.org.uk (membership@devonbirds.org.uk)