Outline itinerary
Day 1 Arrive
Day 2 The River Exe
Day 3 Dartmoor
Day 4 Torbay Coastline
Dates
30th April – 3rd May (Thu – Sun) &
2nd June – 5th June (Tue – Fri)
Focus
Birds & other wildlife
Level
Beginner – Amateur – Improver
Intensity
Easy paced; all walking will be for slow birdwatching.
Reasonable level of walking required.
Cost
£365pp Double Room or Twin Room
N.B. Single occupany of a double/twin room may be possible upon request but is not guaranteed.
Highlights
- The amazing mix of spring migrants on the river exe; waders, warblers & raptors
- Ancient woodland specialists; redstart, pied flycatcher & wood warbler
Optional evening excursions for owls & nightjar- Exploration of the Devon coastline for coastal & sea-faring birds
- Nationally rare cirl bunting
Introduction
With an assortment of habitats, south-east Devon offers the perfect location to explore and enjoy the delights of UK wildlife in both spring and summer. Its fertile estuaries and sandspit provide a haven for migrating waders and seabirds which exploit the areas large tidal ranges. The mouth of these estuaries break up an otherwise rugged coastline whose combination of red sandstone, slate and Devonian limestone make for some of the most spectacular coastline views in Europe as well as provide cliff top homes for several colonies of seabird. Travel just a few miles inland and there is ample heathland in amongst large blocks of both coniferous and deciduous woodland; the perfect location for warblers, flycatchers and other summer passerines. Surrounding these are vast areas of hilly farmland and of course the high moorlands of Dartmoor, home to several upland specialists’ species like larks, chats and ouzels.
This part of the county undoubtedly offer some very good birding opportunities suited to both the beginner and improving birdwatcher. This tour will provide a taste of the excitement of identifying birds at a peak time, particularly for coastal breeders, as well as an introduction to identifying bird song and a range of other non-avian species found at this time of year. Our base for this tour will be the seaside town of Exmouth on the River Exe, the place I first learnt to identify birds, and within reach of our other tour locations.
Day 1 – Arrival
I will meet you at the hotel at 1pm giving us the opportunity to go out birdwatching locally before being able to check in. After checking in, we will meet in the bar where I will outline the tour itinerary for the next couple of days and talk about some of the birds we will hope to spot. This will also be your chance to highlight any particular species you hope to see and ask any questions. Dinner will be served shortly after.
Day 2 – Dartmoor
A National Park since 1951, Dartmoor is a truly unique natural area covering almost 368 square miles and is the largest and highest upland in southern Britain. Exposed to strong winds and high rainfall, the soils are acidic and relatively undisturbed by intensive agriculture. These factors make the National Park especially interesting in terms of its wildlife; a mosaic of upland moor and bog, lowland heath, deciduous valley woodland , coniferous plantations, reservoirs, rivers and farmland have allowed this site to register over 230 species of bird with a combination of lowland heath and upland species that is unique to the UK.
The moorland is home to a fascinating range of birds including large numbers of breeding Meadow Pipit and Stonechat and smaller numbers of birds like Whinchat and Grasshopper Warbler. Dartmoor is also a stronghold for several species that have declined elsewhere in the UK, including Skylark and Snipe, and national rarities such as the Ring Ouzel* and Cuckoo. The relatively mild climate and high rainfall means woodlands are classed as temperate rainforests, with mature oak trees covered in mosses, lichens and ferns dominating the scene, often over a carpet of bluebells. This kind of woodland is loved by a number of migrant birds, such as the Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Redstart, Wood Warbler and the elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Dartmoor is also an important reserve for those species that can withstand harsher conditions including some very rare plants and invertebrates, and is particularly noted for rare lichens, butterflies and other insects.
*Please note: Ring Ouzel are now incredibly rare and frequently not seen due to continuing declines.
Day 3 – Exe Estuary
Locally known as ‘The Warren’, Dawlish Warren is a National Nature Reserve (NNR) made up of grassland, sand dunes, beach and mudflats, centring on a 1½ mile long sandspit across the mouth of the Exe Estuary. This varied reserve has many different habitats including salt marsh, fresh water ponds, wet meadows and woodland which attract a variety of birds up to 200 species of bird seen annually. Searching around the grasslands and woodlands is likely to produce some of the common passerines including Whitethroat, Linnet, Wheater and the much desired Cirl Bunting. Walking over the dunes gives you brilliant views of both the sea and estuary where you could encounter birds like Dunlin, Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel on the mudflats. Futher offshore there is a good chance of spotting birds like Great Northern Diver, Sandwich Tern, or even a Skua or Shearwater if you’re lucky. t’s also one of the most prominent places for migrating birds to first land as they come in off the sea so you can expect a few surprises along the way including spring regulars such as Osprey, Little Ringed Plover and Yellow Wagtail. Although Dawlish Warren is visited by thousands of people each year, the site has a remarkable variety of wildlife beyond just its birds including 2000 spp of invertebrates, 620 plants, and 4 reptiles including the rare Sand Lizard.
Day 4 – Southwest Coastline
Approximately 100km of stunning coastline runs between Dawlish and Start Point forming several natural harbours abundant with sea-life. The still waters of these bays provide nurseries for many fish, particularly mackerel, which subsequently draws in sea birds and coastal species alike. We’ll be visiting my favourite spots along the coast including a day trip to Brixham to see one of the largest breeding colonies of Guillemots on the south coast of England. Gannets, shearwaters, Razorbill and very occasionally Puffin can be seen passing the headland here while the cliffs are home to hundreds of nesting Guillemots, pairs of Fulmar and Kittiwake, Peregrine Falcon and Kestrel. The cliff tops often pick up migrants as they come in of the sea and so almost anywhere along this stretch can pick up birds such as Wheatear, Whinchat and Lesser Whitethroat as well falls of common migrants like Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest. Looking out to sea there is also a good chance of spotting cetaceans such as porpoise and occasionally dolphins. Finally, we’ll also stop in to see one of the county’s best sites for Cirl Bunting and learn how conservation action in partnership with farmers has seen this bird go from ~100 pairs to over 1000!
Intensity
There will be some easy and moderate walking on this tour, covering between three and five miles per day including some semi-steep elevations and walks on sand. However, this will all be taken at a slow birdwatching pace, and will be interspersed with time spent in hides and cafes/pubs. With suitable footwear and a can-do attitude there should be no problems for the majority of people.
Unfortunately this tour is not suitable for those who need significant assistance with walking be it walking stick or wheelchair.
Food & Accommodation (included in the cost)
Accommodation will be at the Royal Beacon Hotel in Exmouth with double or single occupancy rooms available. All are en-suite and have tea and coffee-making facilities. The hotel is situated close to the coast/beach and provides a base in which to reach the key birding and other wildlife sites we will be visiting during this tour. The hotel is beautifully furnished with a mix of old and new furniture and meals are served in an attractive restaurant. The food is reviewed very highly and is cooked by a resident chef of over a decade.
Breakfasts and evening meals are included in the cost beginning with the evening meal on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 4. A buffet breakfast and a three-course meal evening meal can be expected when at the hotel with the food a combination of modern and traditional dishes. British cooking and, where possible, locally sourced seasonal ingredients are used. Vegetarian and vegan options are available on request.
Note: Lunches are not included in the cost of this tour. We will stop at a mixture of cafes/pubs for lunch and, depending on weather and other factors, we may make other comfort stops during the day. Snacks and drinks are also not provided so please make sure you have what you need for a full day’s wildlife-watching; although I don’t think anyone will be going hungry!
Included in tour cost
The holiday cost includes 3 nights’ accommodation, half board (breakfast and evening meals) plus guiding and transport during the tour. Lunches are not included, nor travel to and from the hotel prior and after the tour have ended. If you need assistance getting to and from the train station then please do let me know as I may be able to assist.
Book your place!
To book your place on this tour or to find out more information, please call 07551866043 or drop me an email at matt.collis@live.co.uk.
Payments can be made by online transfer and details will be given to you by email. You will then receive a receipt and further information regarding the tour via email or post dependent on your preference. Please do remember to stipulate any special requirements, for example dietary exclusions, at the time of booking.