Bird Watching

A coastline driven with large estuaries and Blackcap
endowed with dunes, mudflats and wetlands will inevitably attract large numbers of migratory birds and provide habitat for the resident species of birds. South Devon affords first rate resources for ornithologists at any level of competence.

Our Top 5 Bird Watching Sites:

1. Exe Estuary and Dawlish Warren

The RSPB Exe Estuary Reserve consisits of two separate areas of coastal grazed marsh: Exminster Marshes and Bowling Green Marsh in Topsham. Gulls
Dawlish Warren is a sand spit that stretches out across the estuary mouth. It is one of the most important places for wildfowl and wading birds in the south-west. Brent geese, oystercatcher, dunlin, avocets and bar-tailed godwit can easily be seen along with divers, eider duck, grebes and skuas on the seaward side. A particular spectacle around September through to mid March is the thousands of wading birds that roost here. Check the tide tables and arrive at least one hour before high tide. Even non birdwatchers cannot fail to be impressed.

2. Prawle Point

Prawle Point is South Devon's most southerly point and is therefore one of the region's top bird migration watchpoints for both land and sea birds. The area has also been the stronghold for the cirl bunting before specific conservation of this species was put in place.

3. Kingsbridge Esturay

The Kingsbridge estuary offers good opportunities to view waders, with its many creeks. Inlets provide feeding grounds for little egret, redshank, curlew and whimbrel and passing ospreys on migration in the spring and autumn. A number of small but significant sites managed by Devon Birdwatching & Preservation Society are worth a visit, including the reedbeds at South Milton Ley, Beesands Ley and West Charleton Marsh.

4. Moorland Fringes

On the moorland fringes around Holne and Bovey Tracey, you can spot wood warblers, pied flycatchers, redstarts, tree pipits, ravens and buzzards whilst dippers can be seen along the river.

5. Slapton Ley NNR

The largest natural freshwater lake in the south-west that is separated from the sea by a narrow shingle beach. Bird highlights include cettis warbler, kingfisher and bittern as well as summer migrants such as reed and sedge warbler. Large numbers of wildfowl can be seen through the winter combined at dusk with a significant starling roost and in the autumn a swallow roost which can attract raptors such as hobby.

No matter where you are in South Devon, you can enjoy a rich diversity of birdlife.
At many places there are hides available to the public, particularly along the estuaries. Other facilities are available to members of the RSPB or local birdwatching clubs. For more information visit www.rspb.org.uk, check local nature reserves, or call into a local tourist information centre.