Andrew
wibble wibble
Birding In Devon : Bowling Green Marsh (RSPB)
OS Grid Reference : SX972876 (click here for map)
Directions : Exit the M5 at Junction 30 and head east towards Exmouth on the A376. You will come to a roundabout, take the second exit to remain on the A376 to Exmouth. On the third roundabout take the second exit towards Topsham. You should cross a bridge over the River Clyst, after this there will be a short climb, here you should turn off down Elm Grove Road. Continue down this residential lane crossing a railway bridge until you reach the base of the lane. Park on the side as far out of the way as you can. Walk the rest of the way to a well built hide. (If you have a disabled badge you may continue driving down this lane and park behind the hide. I must stress this is only for the disabled badge holders.) There is no parking allowed at all down Bowling Green Lane itself and you are very likely to be clamped by the local constabulary. The alternative for large groups of birders is not to turn into Elm Grove Road and continue into Topsham. Turn left at the 'roundabout', go over a level crossing and turn left immediately. Keep going down this residential street until you reach a free car park called Holman Way. There are signposts leading to Bowling Green Marsh itself but there is a better route. Walk on down the road towards the Quay and head left along the river. This will give you occasional views of the river before coming to the Goat Walk. Walk along here and you will come to the opposite end of Bowling Green Lane.
Description : This place has a very good reputation and a visit to Bowling Green Marsh can be said to involve three separate areas. The main area is Bowling Green Marsh itself viewable from the white concrete hide. You will see a freshwater pool with shallow edges. The majority of the pool is open to view with a small section disappearing to the back of some reeds on the left. This section can be viewed from where you parked though. Around the pool is a vast area of grazed land. As far as I can see, the grass is grazed in summer only and left for the wildfowl in winter. The far edges of the pool has a large reed bed which continues along the ditch into the next field. The second area is the raised viewing platform a bit further down the lane and down a path beyond a iron gate. This offers excellent views of the mouth of the River Clyst joining into the River Exe estuary. The third area is the Goatwalk. This is reached by continuing down the lane past the iron gate and some houses. This is a well built elevated footpath running alongside the River Exe at high tide. These are three distinct areas for observing birds but do not dismiss the lane itself as the trees throw up some goodies and hold common residents that feed on the berries in winter.
Species : It would be near impossible to list all the species that have occurred and potentials. I shall give an overview of the regular visitors but please bear in mind that uncommon rarities occur annually in both spring and autumn migration periods. Winter produces the best spectacles of the year in front of the hide with large flocks of wintering waders and wildfowl including Bar-tailed Godwits, Black-tailed Godwits, Goldeneyes, Pochards, Dunlins, Curlews, Avocets, Teal, Wigeon, Grey Plover, Lapwings, Pintails, and Shovelers. On the river you will see Red-breasted Mergansers. Obviously some of the mentioned birds occur all year round but no where as many as in winter and there will be other birds occurring such as Spotted Redshanks but not guaranteed. There is always something special on offer though. Several residents can be relied on all year including Snipe, Water Rails, Little Egrets, various duck species, geese, various gulls, Redshanks, Grey Herons, Greenshanks, Dunlins, Common Sandpipers, various passerines and much more. Migrants include very good birds such as various Sandpipers, Spoonbills, Cattle Egrets and Ospreys. Warblers and Reed Buntings are present in the reeds in summer and can be heard and seen behind the viewing platform. All other common birds occur all the year.
Advice : Check the tide times and visit a couple of hours before high tide. View the river from the Goat Walk and viewing platform on your way to the hide to see feeding waders before the tide comes in. An hour before high tide grab a seat in the hide, check the Log Book and watch the birds flock in. If you are green like me do not be afraid to discuss the birds with another birder next to you. If you are there on a clear winter day a great sunset can be seen over the river from the Goatwalk. Currently there is a Glossy Ibis that draws listers and birders from around Britain but it has become very mobile lately and favours Exminster Marshes during the day.
Disabled Access : As mentioned earlier there is parking for one car with disabled citizen badges which allows close and easy access to the hide via a ramp. Wheelchair users can continue along the lane to the Goatwalk to view the river. There are steps up to the viewing platform to be negotiated though.
Other places nearby : Topsham Recreation Ground, Exminster Marshes and Old Sludge Beds.
County Recorder : Mike Tyler, The Acorn, Shute Road, Kilmington, Axminster, Devon, EX13 7ST. Email : [email protected]
Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society Memberships : POB 71, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1WF. Email : [email protected]
OS Grid Reference : SX972876 (click here for map)
Directions : Exit the M5 at Junction 30 and head east towards Exmouth on the A376. You will come to a roundabout, take the second exit to remain on the A376 to Exmouth. On the third roundabout take the second exit towards Topsham. You should cross a bridge over the River Clyst, after this there will be a short climb, here you should turn off down Elm Grove Road. Continue down this residential lane crossing a railway bridge until you reach the base of the lane. Park on the side as far out of the way as you can. Walk the rest of the way to a well built hide. (If you have a disabled badge you may continue driving down this lane and park behind the hide. I must stress this is only for the disabled badge holders.) There is no parking allowed at all down Bowling Green Lane itself and you are very likely to be clamped by the local constabulary. The alternative for large groups of birders is not to turn into Elm Grove Road and continue into Topsham. Turn left at the 'roundabout', go over a level crossing and turn left immediately. Keep going down this residential street until you reach a free car park called Holman Way. There are signposts leading to Bowling Green Marsh itself but there is a better route. Walk on down the road towards the Quay and head left along the river. This will give you occasional views of the river before coming to the Goat Walk. Walk along here and you will come to the opposite end of Bowling Green Lane.
Description : This place has a very good reputation and a visit to Bowling Green Marsh can be said to involve three separate areas. The main area is Bowling Green Marsh itself viewable from the white concrete hide. You will see a freshwater pool with shallow edges. The majority of the pool is open to view with a small section disappearing to the back of some reeds on the left. This section can be viewed from where you parked though. Around the pool is a vast area of grazed land. As far as I can see, the grass is grazed in summer only and left for the wildfowl in winter. The far edges of the pool has a large reed bed which continues along the ditch into the next field. The second area is the raised viewing platform a bit further down the lane and down a path beyond a iron gate. This offers excellent views of the mouth of the River Clyst joining into the River Exe estuary. The third area is the Goatwalk. This is reached by continuing down the lane past the iron gate and some houses. This is a well built elevated footpath running alongside the River Exe at high tide. These are three distinct areas for observing birds but do not dismiss the lane itself as the trees throw up some goodies and hold common residents that feed on the berries in winter.
Species : It would be near impossible to list all the species that have occurred and potentials. I shall give an overview of the regular visitors but please bear in mind that uncommon rarities occur annually in both spring and autumn migration periods. Winter produces the best spectacles of the year in front of the hide with large flocks of wintering waders and wildfowl including Bar-tailed Godwits, Black-tailed Godwits, Goldeneyes, Pochards, Dunlins, Curlews, Avocets, Teal, Wigeon, Grey Plover, Lapwings, Pintails, and Shovelers. On the river you will see Red-breasted Mergansers. Obviously some of the mentioned birds occur all year round but no where as many as in winter and there will be other birds occurring such as Spotted Redshanks but not guaranteed. There is always something special on offer though. Several residents can be relied on all year including Snipe, Water Rails, Little Egrets, various duck species, geese, various gulls, Redshanks, Grey Herons, Greenshanks, Dunlins, Common Sandpipers, various passerines and much more. Migrants include very good birds such as various Sandpipers, Spoonbills, Cattle Egrets and Ospreys. Warblers and Reed Buntings are present in the reeds in summer and can be heard and seen behind the viewing platform. All other common birds occur all the year.
Advice : Check the tide times and visit a couple of hours before high tide. View the river from the Goat Walk and viewing platform on your way to the hide to see feeding waders before the tide comes in. An hour before high tide grab a seat in the hide, check the Log Book and watch the birds flock in. If you are green like me do not be afraid to discuss the birds with another birder next to you. If you are there on a clear winter day a great sunset can be seen over the river from the Goatwalk. Currently there is a Glossy Ibis that draws listers and birders from around Britain but it has become very mobile lately and favours Exminster Marshes during the day.
Disabled Access : As mentioned earlier there is parking for one car with disabled citizen badges which allows close and easy access to the hide via a ramp. Wheelchair users can continue along the lane to the Goatwalk to view the river. There are steps up to the viewing platform to be negotiated though.
Other places nearby : Topsham Recreation Ground, Exminster Marshes and Old Sludge Beds.
County Recorder : Mike Tyler, The Acorn, Shute Road, Kilmington, Axminster, Devon, EX13 7ST. Email : [email protected]
Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society Memberships : POB 71, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1WF. Email : [email protected]
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