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This spot in south [[Devon]] holds a huge number of species, but is probably best known for wintering waders and wildfowl. Up to 400 [[Pied Avocet|Avocet]] winter on the Exe Estuary and surrounding reserves such as Bowling Green Marsh. Large numbers of other waders include [[Eurasian Golden Plover|Golden Plover]], [[Grey Plover]], [[Bar-tailed Godwit]] and [[Black-tailed Godwit]], [[Red Knot|Knot]], [[Sanderling]], [[Common Greenshank|Greenshank]], and numerous commoner species such as [[Eurasian Curlew]], [[Northern Lapwing|Lapwing]], [[Ringed Plover]] and [[Common Redshank]]. | This spot in south [[Devon]] holds a huge number of species, but is probably best known for wintering waders and wildfowl. Up to 400 [[Pied Avocet|Avocet]] winter on the Exe Estuary and surrounding reserves such as Bowling Green Marsh. Large numbers of other waders include [[Eurasian Golden Plover|Golden Plover]], [[Grey Plover]], [[Bar-tailed Godwit]] and [[Black-tailed Godwit]], [[Red Knot|Knot]], [[Sanderling]], [[Common Greenshank|Greenshank]], and numerous commoner species such as [[Eurasian Curlew]], [[Northern Lapwing|Lapwing]], [[Ringed Plover]] and [[Common Redshank]]. | ||
| − | There is a nationally important wintering population of Dark-bellied [[Brent Goose]]. Most of these feed towards the estuary mouth at Dawlish Warren. Here you can see | + | There is a nationally important wintering population of Dark-bellied [[Brent Goose]]. Most of these feed towards the estuary mouth at Dawlish Warren. Here you can see sea ducks such as Common and Velvet Scoter in winter as well as Eider in small numbers. Numerous other wildfowl join the waders on the estuary at low tide. [[Eurasian Wigeon|Wigeon]], [[Common Teal|Teal]], [[Northern Shoveler|Shoveler]], [[Common Shelduck|Shelduck]], [[Northern Pintail|Pintail]], and a handful of diving ducks including [[Common Goldeneye|Goldeneye]] can be found. At high tide, many of these are found at Bowling Green Marsh, and Exminster Marshes, on opposite sides of the estuary. |
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| + | Devon's largest heronry is in Powderham Park: it holds [[Little Egret]] as well as [[Grey Heron]]. | ||
The Exe area is surrounded by farmland, and holds many farmland species including the scarce [[Cirl Bunting]]. | The Exe area is surrounded by farmland, and holds many farmland species including the scarce [[Cirl Bunting]]. | ||
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| + | Seawatching from Dawlish Warren is often rewarding, with shearwaters including [[Balearic Shearwater|Balearic]], skuas, divers and grebes at the right time of year. There is a small but regular passage of [[Roseate Tern]] here in summer. | ||
===Rarities=== | ===Rarities=== | ||
| − | [[ | + | (1998-present) [[Red-breasted Goose]], [[Little Bittern]], [[Glossy Ibis]], [[Short-toed Eagle]], [[Little Crake]], [[Semipalmated Plover]], [[Broad-billed Sandpiper]], [[Baird's Sandpiper]], [[Semipalmated Sandpiper]], [[Wilson's Phalarope]], [[Spotted Sandpiper]], [[Lesser Yellowlegs]], [[Marsh Sandpiper]], [[Long-billed Dowitcher]], [[Gull-billed Tern]], [[Caspian Tern]], [[Whiskered Tern]], [[Bonaparte's Gull]], [[Laughing Gull]], [[Franklin's Gull]], [[Great Spotted Cuckoo]], [[Savi's Warbler]], [[Great Reed Warbler]], [[American Robin]]. The UK's first [[Long-billed Murrelet]] was first seen (though not identified immediately) off Dawlish Warren, but spent the rest of its stay just to the south, off Dawlish. |
===Check-list=== | ===Check-list=== | ||
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The Exe Estuary Trail (cycle path and walkway) runs all the way down to Exmouth (east side) and Powderham (west side); it is planned to continue to Dawlish, and some sections here are open already. Excellent views of the estuary are available from Cockwood, the trail from Powderham Corner to Turf Lock, Topsham, Exton station and Exmouth. | The Exe Estuary Trail (cycle path and walkway) runs all the way down to Exmouth (east side) and Powderham (west side); it is planned to continue to Dawlish, and some sections here are open already. Excellent views of the estuary are available from Cockwood, the trail from Powderham Corner to Turf Lock, Topsham, Exton station and Exmouth. | ||
| + | The Powderham park heronry gives good views from the road outside Starcross Yacht Club at SX974840. There is no access to the Exe Reed Beds but they can be viewed from the trail on the western side (the canal bank) and from the Topsham Rec at SX961883. | ||
An RSPB Avocet cruise in Winter is a good way to get closer to the birds on the Estuary, advance booking advisable. Details on RSPB website. | An RSPB Avocet cruise in Winter is a good way to get closer to the birds on the Estuary, advance booking advisable. Details on RSPB website. | ||
Revision as of 15:16, 8 August 2013
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Overview
The Exe Estuary extends south from Topsham, where it is joined by its tributary the Clyst, to Exmouth; but it is tidal as high as St James' Weir, Exeter. At its upper end are several RSPB nature reserves, on coastal grazing marshes and floodplain; on the east side are Bowling Green Marsh and Darts Farm; on the west are Matford Pools, Exminster and Powderham Marshes. Opposite Exmouth is the sand spit of Dawlish Warren NNR.
Birds
Notable Species
This spot in south Devon holds a huge number of species, but is probably best known for wintering waders and wildfowl. Up to 400 Avocet winter on the Exe Estuary and surrounding reserves such as Bowling Green Marsh. Large numbers of other waders include Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit and Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, Sanderling, Greenshank, and numerous commoner species such as Eurasian Curlew, Lapwing, Ringed Plover and Common Redshank.
There is a nationally important wintering population of Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Most of these feed towards the estuary mouth at Dawlish Warren. Here you can see sea ducks such as Common and Velvet Scoter in winter as well as Eider in small numbers. Numerous other wildfowl join the waders on the estuary at low tide. Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Shelduck, Pintail, and a handful of diving ducks including Goldeneye can be found. At high tide, many of these are found at Bowling Green Marsh, and Exminster Marshes, on opposite sides of the estuary.
Devon's largest heronry is in Powderham Park: it holds Little Egret as well as Grey Heron.
The Exe area is surrounded by farmland, and holds many farmland species including the scarce Cirl Bunting.
Seawatching from Dawlish Warren is often rewarding, with shearwaters including Balearic, skuas, divers and grebes at the right time of year. There is a small but regular passage of Roseate Tern here in summer.
Rarities
(1998-present) Red-breasted Goose, Little Bittern, Glossy Ibis, Short-toed Eagle, Little Crake, Semipalmated Plover, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Wilson's Phalarope, Spotted Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Marsh Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Gull-billed Tern, Caspian Tern, Whiskered Tern, Bonaparte's Gull, Laughing Gull, Franklin's Gull, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Savi's Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, American Robin. The UK's first Long-billed Murrelet was first seen (though not identified immediately) off Dawlish Warren, but spent the rest of its stay just to the south, off Dawlish.
Check-list
To do
Other Wildlife
To do
Site Information
Recommend going either just before or just after high tide (forces birds closer to banks).
History and Use
To do
Areas of Interest
High tide generally moves waders and geese off the estuary on to surrounding fields: good areas (clockwise) are Oak Meadow (golf course) at Starcross, Powderham Park, Powderham Marshes RSPB, Exminster Marshes RSPB and Bowling Green Marsh RSPB. Just above Topsham are the Exe Reed Beds, including an unusually large tidal-water reedbed, and to the north-west of this are the freshwater reeds of the Old Sludge Beds: both these areas are Devon Wildlife Trust reserves.
Access and Facilities
There are railway stations at Dawlish Warren, Starcross, Topsham, Exton, Lympstone and Exmouth. Dawlish Warren and Exmouth also have large car parks (pay and display) close to the water; other car parks are at Starcross (pay and display); on the east side of the railway (free) near the Swans Nest pub, Exminster, off the A379 to Dawlish, for Exminster and Powderham Marshes; and in Topsham (pay and display), for access to Bowling Green Marsh.
The Exe Estuary Trail (cycle path and walkway) runs all the way down to Exmouth (east side) and Powderham (west side); it is planned to continue to Dawlish, and some sections here are open already. Excellent views of the estuary are available from Cockwood, the trail from Powderham Corner to Turf Lock, Topsham, Exton station and Exmouth. The Powderham park heronry gives good views from the road outside Starcross Yacht Club at SX974840. There is no access to the Exe Reed Beds but they can be viewed from the trail on the western side (the canal bank) and from the Topsham Rec at SX961883.
An RSPB Avocet cruise in Winter is a good way to get closer to the birds on the Estuary, advance booking advisable. Details on RSPB website.
Passenger ferries (mostly seasonal) run from Starcross to Exmouth, from Topsham to Turf Lock (Powderham) and from Topsham to Exminster Marshes.
Grid reference: SX954872 (Exminster Marshes RSPB car park).
Toilets on main quay in Topsham, near the railway station in Starcross, and at Dawlish Warren.
Dawlish Warren has several pubs and cafés; there are two pubs in Cockwood and two in Starcross. At the Turf Lock is the Turf pub, with its garden at the water's edge: it may not always be open in winter, and note there is no vehicle access to this pub. Exmouth, Lympstone and Topsham have a good range of restaurants, cafés and pubs.
Contact Details
Tel: 01392 824614 (RSPB)
References
- Dawlish Warren NNR
- RSPB: Bowling Green Marsh
- RSPB: Darts Farm
- RSPB: Matford Marsh
- RSPB: Exminster and Powderham Marshes
- Exe Estuary Reserve on Streetmap
External Links
Content and images originally posted by Jyothi Ray
