The River Exe at low tide, walk down from near the dock/Marina
The Exmouth Local Nature Reserve, River Exe 

If it's low tide you can gaze westward across the enormous area of mud-bank known as Cockle Sand with the river a long way away, if it's high tide there is an unbelievably vast expanse of water. On the River Exe many species of birds can be seen. The first section of the path is surfaced for wheelchair users and is part of the Exmouth Local Nature Reserve, including Brent goose.

The estuary of the River Exe is renowned nationally and beyond as a site of special scientific interest and an important habitat for wading and migrating birds. It receives many visitors the whole year round as a site of pilgrimage for ornithologists.

 

The estuary of the River Exe is renowned nationally and beyond as a site of special scientific interest and an important habitat for wading and migrating birds. It receives many visitors the whole year round as a site of pilgrimage for ornithologists.

The Exmouth Local Nature Reserve covers a large part of the Exe Estuary and is an excellent accessable site for bird watching in winter.

It covers a vast area of constantly changing tidal mudflats and sands. It forms part of the Exe Estuary, a site of international wildlife importance which becomes a home in winter for thousands of ducks, geese and waders. These birds fly south from frozen Arctic latitudes to exploit the rich animal life which thrives in the mud. In contrast the "Weasel Run", an area of scrub and grassland within the reserve, bursts into life with wildflowers, butterflies and many more.

On a falling tide the Cockel Sands can be explored and on a warm summers evening, with the sun setting behind the Haldon Hills, there can be few better places to be. The scenery and wide open skies make this area popular.
Exmouth and The nature reserve is on the right of this photo. Sand banks in the river are covered at high tide - Thanks to Graham Ward ABIPP for the fantastic aerial photo! Tel: 01392 876567

See The Exmouth Local Nature Reserve
The Exmouth Local Nature Reserve

 

RSPB Avocet Cruises by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, RSPB local group:Stan Hangford 01392 246083		 -

On an average winters day you can easily see upwards of twenty species. Duck- wigeon, pintail, shelduck are in abundance and goldeneye, scaup, teal and red breasted merganser are commonly seen. Spectacular flocks of Brent geese descend making a gruttural "rronk" while they feed on delicate eel-grass. Keep an eye open for the waders, grey plover. "swarms of dunlin, godwits, curlew, redshank, oystercatchers, turnstone and at the northern end avocets.

Groups wishing to visit may need a local guide, School educational pack is available from Devon District Council Contact Geoff Jones for more information and books: 01395 516557 It is run with the East Devon District Council with support from Devon County Council`s Life Programme which is funded through the European Union.

Over the whole area 40 species of birds can be seen in a day, but birds feeding at low tide are often too far away to be seen clearly from the shore. To see these superb birds up close you need to take to the water. What better way to do this than with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Europe's largest wildlife conservation charity

Remember to check the tides as birdwatching is best either side of high tide.

Information East Devon District Council, © Many thanks to Geoff Jones Margaret Mackintosh & Tom Hills for the information.

 

The Avocet Exmouth

The avocet is a magnificent looking wading bird, has along thin bill that curves upwards, the female avocet the bill curves a little bit more. It has distinctive black and white stripes on its sides. Avocets have very long legs on their 18", 45cm. body.

The AvocetIt arrives to Exmouth and the Exe in October and departs in March, peak months are between December to February.

 

From Nov. to Feb. mean: 320. Typical mean: 450 Avocets are commonly found during the summer around shallow, inland lakes and ponds, in winter the mudflats, lakes, freshwater & saltwater in Europe. They commonly eat small fish, insects, seeds, and crustaceans, which they search for with repeated, very quick swishing motions with their delicate bills.

RSPB Avocet Cruises by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The RSPB has been running Avocet cruises on the Exe since 1981. An expert RSPB guide accompanies each trip. All the guides know and care for the Exe as their local birdwatching patch. Exmouth Local Nature Reserve a large part of the Exe Estuary and is an excellent accessible site for bird watching.

RSPB Avocet Cruises by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, RSPB local group:Stan Hangford 01392 246083

Exmouth Nature Reserve Walks Contact Geoff Jones, E.D.D.C. on 01395 516551

 

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View with Exmouth on the right, Sand banks in the river are covered at high tide.
View with Exmouth on the right, Sand banks in the river are covered at high tide. Photo© see below

Exe Estuary
Website Exe Estuary
by The Exe Estuary Management Partnership
c/o Environment Directorate, Devon County Council.

 

Lympstone village is a real picture, many small cottage's and its Harbour
(see Lympstone page)
See photos of the walk

 

Exmouth is only 25 minutes away from Exeter by train with great views of the Exe Estuary, internationally renowned for its wildlife.

 

Blue Plaque Trail
commemorates the town’s famous former residents, homes and other historic locations.
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  • © 2006