Flocks of visitors will soon be joined by flocks of birds enjoying the water and riverbanks of the Exe Estuary.
This annual event means that from 15 September to 31 December, the Exmouth Wildlife Refuge becomes active, marked with signage and yellow “WR” buoys. The Dawlish Warren Refuge is active all year round. South East Devon Wildlife ask everyone to avoid these refuges from land and water to give birds the space they need to survive.
Cllr Jackie Hook, Chair of the South East Devon Habitat Regulations Executive Committee and Executive Member for Climate Change, Trees...
Since 2018, two wildlife refuges have protected water birds on the Exe Estuary. Exmouth Local Nature Reserve’s wildlife refuge operates from 15 September to 31 December every year, while Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve wildlife refuge operates year round.
As Exmouth’s wildlife refuge is due to start again this month, people are asked to avoid entering both refuges at this crucial time of year when thousands of birds start their annual migration to feast on the rich food provided by the Exe. Both wildlife refuges are marked by yellow buoys.
Three thousand miles away in the northern arctic tundra, the iconic Brent Geese are on their way to Devon in search of food and milder climates. Their arrival heralds a spectacular time of year for wildlife on the internationally important Exe Estuary.
Brent geese are social animals. Feeding flocks can be several hundred strong and family groups stay together from one breeding season to the next. As they migrate each winter, the adult pair may have this and last year’s young birds with them. Watching them as they arrive in the autumn on the Exe Estuary and at Exmouth Duck Pond is...
A community relay event designed to celebrate the epic journey of the Atlantic Salmon is set to take place along the banks of the River Exe next month.
The Salmon Run is a 50-mile relay that will travel upriver from Exmouth, passing through the city of Exeter, and culminating at Tarr Steps on Exmoor – echoing the migration undertaken by the fish to their spawning grounds.
The event, which will be open to the public, will also raise awareness of the plight of the species, whose numbers have crashed catastrophically over the past 50 years.
Vital work to keep the Exe Estuary free of navigational obstructions has been carried out by the city’s Harbour Patrol Team.
The Team, who work for the City Council as part of the city’s Port Authority, spent much of Sunday night re-floating a 28ft abandoned yacht on the banks of the River Exe near Turf Lock.
The yacht had been left to decay in the water and was considered a navigational danger to other vessels in the estuary, as well as a threat to wildlife and the environment.
The Team, under the watchful eye of Harbour Master Grahame Forshaw, waited for high...
A new art gallery on the banks of the River Exe in Devon is showing work which reflects the dynamic nature of the Estuary and is offering people the chance to try ‘en plein air’ mixed media painting by the waters of the Exe for themselves.
The Seaglass Gallery in Lympstone, in the village’s old newsagents, is run by Charlotte and Bruce Ellis, who say the local landscapes and environments are at the heart of the work they exhibit.
Curator and artist, Charlotte Ellis, says: “Being a new gallery, with a focus on art and wellbeing, we wanted our first solo exhibition in...
The two wildlife refuges were set-up three years ago to ask all visitors to avoid these areas at certain times of the year: all year round off Dawlish Warren and between 15th September and 31st December at Exmouth Duckpond.
The results of a three-year monitoring programme have revealed that the wildlife refuges are working and show that people have mostly complied with requests to stay out of the areas.
The results showed that the wildlife refuges significantly reduce disturbance to protected bird species on the Exe Estuary. In addition, the results indicate that the...
This Halloween families are invited to discover the strange things that go bump in the wild at RSPB Exe Estuary nature reserve in Devon with their spooky nature-themed activities.
The Bats at RSPB Bowling Green event on Saturday 16 October is a chance for families to discover the elusive mammals that take to the skies after dark. Led with the Devon Bat Group, visitors will learn all kinds of fascinating facts about their behaviour, ecology, and what makes bats so special. Families will use their night vision as well as sound detectors to work out exactly which species make their...
The UK’s largest nature conservation charity, the RSPB, has revealed it’s “top ten spectacular autumn nature reserves” to visit this September, as people across the country look to escape the everyday with a staycation.
With over 200 nature reserves across the country, the charity are celebrating the wonderful autumn season by inviting people to spend time in nature – whether it’s a relaxing stroll through swaying reeds, a crunchy walk through fallen leaves and mystical woodland, or a peaceful sunset over a mosaic of habitats.
It’s been a long year of lockdown and to celebrate a return to exploring nature with loved ones, RSPB Exe Estuary nature reserve in Devon is inviting families to enjoy a Big Wild Summer this year. Throughout the school holidays the attraction will host a series of fun, nature-themed activities to help families discover nature at their local RSPB nature reserve or whilst escaping the everyday on a staycation.
From fairy hunts to pond dipping, discovery trails, getting to know our fascinating nocturnal creatures, and so much more – RSPB Exe Estuary nature reserve has something to...
