Outline itinerary
Day 1 Arrive
Day 2 East Devon Pebblebed Heaths
Day 3 The River Exe
Dates
15th – 17th Jan (Wed-Fri)
Focus
Birds & other wildlife
Level
Beginner – Amateur – Improver
Intensity
Easy paced; all walking will be for slow birdwatching
Cost
£275pp Double room or Twin room
£300pp Double room (single occupancy)
Highlights
- Exploration of the largest expanse of lowland heathland in Devon
- Heath specialists like Dartford Warbler & potentially Hen Harrier, Merlin and Short-eared Owl
- An amazing mix of winter birds on and around the river exe; waders, wildfowl & more
- Sea-watch for winter diver and grebes
- Two nights at the beautiful Royal Beacon Hotel situated on the coast by Exmouth
Introduction
This part of the county undoubtedly offers very good birding suited to both the beginner/amateur and improver birdwatcher. This tour aims to provide a taste of the excitement from identifying winter birds both on the River Exe Estuary and East Devon Pebblebed Heaths; places where I first learnt to identify birds.
Our base for this tour will be the seaside town of Exmouth, situated at the mouth of the river Exe and within easy reach of our other tour locations. For more information on the species we hope to encounter and some of the sites we are likely to visit, see the itinerary and descriptions below.
Day 1 – Arrival
I will meet you at the hotel at 1pm giving us the opportunity to go out for 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 – East Devon Pebblebed Heaths
Situated over 1,400 hectares of lowland heath, the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths represents the largest expanse of lowland heathland in Devon and is one of the largest in the country. With countless easy walking paths and trails, exploration of these thriving habitats couldn’t be easier and there are plenty of opportunities to take in the beautiful views.
East Devon supports two contrasting types of heathland; some dominated by wet heath, scattered scrub and scrubby woodland whilst other areas are mainly dry heath with small pockets of mire. During the summer, cattle and Dartmoor ponies graze much of this area in order to maintain favourable management for species such as Dartford Warblers, Pipits, Larks and other passerines including Yellowhammer, Stonechat and Linnet. During the winter, the heaths also attract several very special visitors including Merlin, Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl which historically have roosted in locations across the heaths. Also, in certain years, the heaths are the wintering location for Great Grey Shrike but please note that all these birds can be incredibly difficult to track down so luck is required.
The heath is also home to the River Otter Estuary, stretched over 33 hectares of stunning views and teeming wildlife. The estuary runs adjacent to Budleigh Salterton and, along with the cliffs of Otterton Point, is designated a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of the fine saltmarsh habitat it supports and the adjacent Triassic sandstone rocks of considerable paleontological interest. The estuary itself contains a wide range of saltmarsh communities, which together with additional areas of reed bed, tall herb and scrub support good numbers of overwintering bird species including Goosander, Kingfisher and sometimes Barn Owl. Over 120 species of bird have been recorded on the site including several of particular conservation interest including Cirl Bunting.
Day 3 – River Exe Estuary
Eight miles long and a mile across at its widest point, the Exe Estuary represents one of the most important places for wildfowl and wading birds in the whole of the South West and amongst some of the world’s best sites for wintering bird assemblages. Designated as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and international Ramsar site, it’s during winter that the estuary really bursts to life with tens of thousands of waders, wildfowl and seabirds coming to feed in its rich and diverse waters.
We will spend time visiting some of the area’s premier birding spots situated at both ends of the estuary including the National Nature Reserve (NNR) of Dawlish Warren and the RSPB’s Exminster Marsh. Offering every habitat from grassland to sand dune, beach to mudflat, we have the opportunity to get close to whole array of different species as we explore these various sites. The estuary itself is a magnet to waders such as Avocet, Curlew, Grey Plover, Sanderling, Knot and Dunlin as well as supporting hundreds of Brent Geese and a whole plethora of different types of duck including Pintail, Wigeon, Teal; even the occasional Goldeneye. There are also several other local rarities around including Slavonian Grebe and, with its close proximity to the sea, it’s also the perfect spot for sea watching for both Great Northern Diver and Red-throated Diver. Finally, the large areas of reedbed attract significant numbers of Cetti’s Warbler and raptors such as Marsh Harrier and Peregrine Falcon are commonly seen kicking up the large flock of Golden Plover which spend the winter here.
Additional bird we may see at sites in between (season dependent):
Water Rail Red-breasted merganser Cattle Egret Eider
Black-necked grebe Common Scoter Mediterranean Gull Long-tailed duck
Intensity
There will be a mix of easy and moderate walking on this tour, covering between two and four miles per day including some 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 is within easy reach of the key birding sites we will visit during this tour. The hotel is beautifully furnished with a mix of old and new, and the 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 3. A buffet breakfast and a three-course meal evening meal can be expected 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.
Please 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 2 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!
In order to book your place on this tour or to find out more information, please give me a call on 07551866043 or drop me an email at matt.collis@live.co.uk.
Payments can be made either by bank cheque or online transfer (details will be given by email). You will then receive a receipt and further information regarding the tour via email or postal dependent on your preference. Please do remember to stipulate any special requirements, for example dietary exclusions, at the time of booking.