RSPB-12ppDL-Avo-R8imp:FULL LEAFLET 2005 27/01/2009 12:25 Page 1

Where to watch birds from the Avocet Line

RSPB Exe Estuary nature reserves The RSPB Shop, Darts Farm There are two separate areas of coastal grazing marsh on Situated above Cotswold Outdoor in the Darts Shopping Village, opposite sides of the estuary: Exminster and Powderham just over the Clyst Bridge, near Topsham - 20 minute walk from Exe Estuary Trail Marshes on the west and Bowling Green Marsh on the east. Topsham Station. Good range of bird food, optics, books and gifts. Part of Sustrans National Cycle Route 2, the Exe Estuary Trail They are important high tide refuges for thousands of birds in It is also close to RSPB’s Bowling Green Marsh nature reserve. (fully open from 2011) is a 26 mile cycle/walkway along both the colder winter months. In summer, they provide safe RSPB Bowling Green Marsh nature reserve sides of the estuary. Suitable for wheelchair users and nesting sites for lapwings and redshanks – scarce breeding pushchairs, it will be accessible from Topsham, Exton, Comfortable hide 15 minute walk from Topsham station. From the birds in Devon. Both sites Lympstone Village and Exmouth stations: Exeter bound platform at Topsham Station turn into Holman Way - have public access. The Exmouth - Lympstone March 2008 see RSPB signs to Bowling Green Road after 250 metres. Best visit summer foot ferry links the Lympstone - Exton End 2009 in winter is at high tide when hundreds of waders are roosting. Exton - Topsham 2011 reserves six days a week. Many ducks and other birds can be seen from the public hide at any time. Further along the lane a gate leads to the RSPB viewing Exton to Lympstone Village platform over the Clyst and Exe - best at times other than high From 2010 this section of the Exe Trail (1.5 miles) will be open, tide for feeding waders and wildfowl on the exposed mudflats. with vantage points over the estuary. An access ramp will be provided a few yards to the right of Lympstone village station Topsham - entrance. Bowling Green Marsh a circular tour Continue along Bowling Lympstone Village to Exmouth Green Road on foot to the To reach Exmouth on the Exe Estuary Trail (two mile section), river, where avocets may be turn right at the bottom of Lympstone Village station approach, seen on the far side in follow the road through the village, over a small hill, to where it winter. Turn right along the rejoins the estuary at Sowden End. Go inland a few yards and Goatwalk to head into under the railway, Exe Trail sign on right. Alternatively, a Clyst viewing point Topsham. Good selection of footpath starts just before the bridge and follows the line on its cafés, public houses etc. At seaward side. the end of the High Street turn right into Station Road to return to the station.

Exton The single platform of Exton station is a great vantage point for watching waders, especially before and after high tide. Be careful as you get on and off the train – the platform is very low. Not all trains stop at Exton – and those that do are by request. Tell the conductor that you want to get off, and when rejoining the train give a clear hand signal to the Exton platform driver. Puffing Billy restaurant close to the station, for lunch.

Lympstone Village This attractive village, Exminster Marshes Turf Hotel with café, pubs and narrow lanes down to the RSPB Exminster Marshes nature reserve river, is a good access – a canal-side walk point for the Exe Trail. When both Sea Dream and Topsham ferries are running, a Vantage points over the canal-side walk of about a mile connects them on the west estuary to see waders, side, giving sweeping views of the RSPB Exminster Marshes ducks and geese. nature reserve. Refreshments at Turf Hotel. Lympstone

Exmouth - Mudbank Lane River Exe cruises and ferries The car park between Exmouth station and the estuary leads RSPB Avocet Cruises N north to a footpath with These winter cruises allow viewing points to see waders people to get close to the and wildfowl, including brent estuary’s most famous geese and good numbers of visitors, the avocets. Friendly wigeon in winter. Follow the guides help everyone from East Devon Way markers to beginner to expert make the Mudbank Lane, where a stream most of this unique wildlife flows from a cut into the encounter. Mini cruises on the estuary - a good place for birds Mudbank Lane Sea Dream last approximately when the tide is not high. 1½ hours and depart from Topsham. Full cruises on the Exmouth Local Nature Reserve My Queen last approximately East Devon District Council's Local Nature 3-4 hours and depart from Reserve on the Exe Estuary provides one of Starcross or Exmouth the most important areas for over-wintering (advance booking essential). brent geese. They flock here in their thousands to feed on one of the largest intertidal eelgrass beds in the country. In the early autumn, Sea Dream Topsham to Turf Locks ferry before the eelgrass is exhausted, the sight is 61 seater launch taxis several times daily to and from Turf and quite incredible. Oystercatchers feed on the departs from Trout’s Boatyard next to the Quay at Topsham. mussel beds of Little Bull Hill in summer. A Weekends and Bank Holidays from April and then daily from short walk across the sand reveals hundreds of mid May until mid September. lugworm casts indicating the wealth of life lying hidden beneath. Topsham Ferry Small boat running between Further information Topsham (departure point For RSPB Avocet Cruises, 01392 432691 close to Passage House Inn) www.rspb.org.uk/brilliant/sites/avocet and Topsham Lock. For RSPB nature reserve or bird information: Weekends and most Bank Exmouth - seashore www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/e/exeestuary/index.asp Holidays throughout the year bird watching The RSPB shop, Darts Farm, 01392 879438 and daily except Tuesdays To reach Exmouth’s Esplanade www.dartsfarm.co.uk/rspb/rspb.html from 1 April to 30 September, from Exmouth Station, follow the For train timetables: www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm shore line for most of the way (except at vey low tide). Exe Estuary Management Partnership, 01392 382236 via a recreation field and, after a www.exe-estuary.org deep water inlet, Shelley Beach. Sea Dream For up-to-date information about the Exe Estuary Trail: Stuart Line The mile long Esplanade, the www.devon.gov.uk/exeestuarytrail Exmouth to From spring to autumn a start of the “Jurassic Coast”, Exmouth Tourist Information Centre, 01395 222299 Starcross Ferry Round Robin trip is available gives way to the South West www.exmouth-guide.co.uk The ferry runs from early between Exmouth and View of the Exe near Coast Path, which climbs up to Stuart Line Cruises, 01395 222144 April to the end of October, Topsham, by river in one Exmouth Station cliffs at Orcombe Point. www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk seven days a week. Hourly direction and rail in the other Exmouth to Starcross Ferry www.exe2sea.co.uk/ferry.shtml departures leave Exmouth on an inclusive ticket. From Key Exe Estuary Trail Sea Dream Topsham to Turf Locks Ferry, 07778 370582 between 10.30 am and late November to March, Stuart Avocet Line www.topshamtoturfferry.co.uk Foot trail afternoon. At low tide the Line run guided birdwatching Avocet Line railway station Topsham Ferry, 07801 203338 ferry passes close to roosting cruises from Exmouth Key viewpoint Turf Hotel, 01392 833128 birds on exposed sandbanks. (booking essential). Nature reserve www.turfpub.net Avocet Line Rail Users Group Design: www.freeline-gfx.co.uk Map courtesey of Exe Estuary Partnership www.avocetlinerailusers.wikispaces.com

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breed in Iceland. in breed

over 1,000 individuals. The birds that use the Exe the use that birds The individuals. 1,000 over

reserve. In mid winter, the flock can number can flock the winter, mid In reserve.

RSPB Bowling Green Marsh nature Marsh Green Bowling RSPB

Greenland Bank and, at high tide, on tide, high at and, Bank Greenland

wildfowl and waders. waders. and wildfowl the upper parts of the estuary, especially on especially estuary, the of parts upper the

in winter and regularly hunts small hunts regularly and winter in eyestripe, these are most commonly seen in flocks on flocks in seen commonly most are these eyestripe,

speed stoops, finds rich pickings rich finds stoops, speed With their very long, almost straight bill and distinctive and bill straight almost long, very their With

eyesight and impressive high impressive and eyesight

Black-tailed godwit Black-tailed (closest station, Topsham) station, (closest

The peregrine, with its keen its with peregrine, The

(all Avocet Line stations) Line Avocet (all

Peregrine

west and on the continent. the on and west

breeding bird. They nest further north and north further nest They bird. breeding

east as Siberia. as east than the dark chocolate brown head of the of head brown chocolate dark the than

England, Scotland and northern Europe as far as Europe northern and Scotland England, smudge of feathers behind the eye rather eye the behind feathers of smudge

spring and summer. and spring summer, they move north to breed in northern in breed to north move they summer, commonly seen in winter, when they have just a dark a just have they when winter, in seen commonly

in Devon, but most move further north in north further move most but Devon, in Most feeding is done on surrounding land. In land. surrounding on done is feeding Most Thousands feed and roost in the estuary but are most are but estuary the in roost and feed Thousands

with peak numbers in winter, some breed some winter, in numbers peak with known as West Mud and Greenland Bank. Greenland and Mud West as known

Black-headed gull Black-headed (closest station, Topsham) station, (closest

estuary at high tide. Seen throughout the year the throughout Seen tide. high at estuary reaches of the river on the tidal flats tidal the on river the of reaches

mainly on mussels and roost to the south of the of south the to roost and mussels on mainly found in large roosting flocks in the upper the in flocks roosting large in found

Unmistakable with a heavy orange bill and red eyes, they feed they eyes, red and bill orange heavy a with Unmistakable With their golden speckled breast and white belly, they are often are they belly, white and breast speckled golden their With

Low Countries. Countries. Low

Oystercatcher plover Golden

(All Avocet Line stations) Line Avocet (All Exton) and Topsham stations, (closest that breed in eastern England and in the in and England eastern in breed that

important as a wintering site for avocets for site wintering a as important

They breed in northern England, Scotland and in northern Europe. northern in and Scotland England, northern in breed They near Topsham. The Exe is nationally is Exe The Topsham. near

throughout the year. A few pairs now breed in the UK annually. annually. UK the in breed now pairs few A year. the throughout high tide, they roost to the south of the estuary. the of south the to roost they tide, high flocks on the upper parts of the estuary, the of parts upper the on flocks

regular sight on the Exe and other estuaries other and Exe the on sight regular down and probe rapidly into the mud. At mud. the into rapidly probe and down symbol of the RSPB) congregate in congregate RSPB) the of symbol

the UK before 1989, they are now a now are they 1989, before UK the worms. When feeding they keep their heads their keep they feeding When worms. of these elegant birds (the birds elegant these of

found throughout the estuary. A rarity in rarity A estuary. the throughout found on small invertebrates such as molluscs and molluscs as such invertebrates small on From October to March, approximately 450 approximately March, to October From

Little egrets also feed on fish and can be can and fish on feed also egrets Little middle and upper parts of the estuary, feeding estuary, the of parts upper and middle Avocet (closest station, Topsham) station, (closest

Little egret Little In winter there may be 5,000 dunlins using the using dunlins 5,000 be may there winter In (all Avocet Line stations) Line Avocet (all

Dunlin (closest stations, Exton and Exmouth) and Exton stations, (closest

mentioned. mentioned.

tops of tall trees. tall of tops west in Europe. in west found elsewhere in the estuary as well as near the stations the near as well as estuary the in elsewhere found

the west of the estuary in the in estuary the of west the mainly in northern England and further north and north further and England northern in mainly All the birds described below are mobile and therefore may be may therefore and mobile are below described birds the All

summer, some birds breed to breed birds some summer, birds stay through summer. They breed They summer. through stay birds A guide to estuary birds estuary to guide A

estuary’s rich supply of fish. In fish. of supply rich estuary’s upper parts of the estuary. Some young Some estuary. the of parts upper

times of the year feeding on the on feeding year the of times winter in large numbers in the middle and middle the in numbers large in winter beautiful birds. beautiful

Herons are found throughout the estuary at all at estuary the throughout found are Herons depths that other species cannot reach. They reach. cannot species other that depths people every year as the estuary offers unrivalled viewing of viewing unrivalled offers estuary the as year every people

Grey heron Grey

the curlew to reach food buried in the mud at mud the in buried food reach to curlew the (all Avocet Line stations) stations) Line Avocet (all occasionally oystercatchers. This spectacle attracts thousands of thousands attracts spectacle This oystercatchers. occasionally

The down-curved beak, the longest of any wading bird, enables bird, wading any of longest the beak, down-curved The wetland birds including herons, little egrets, redshanks and redshanks egrets, little herons, including birds wetland

Curlew

(closest stations, Topsham, Exton and Exmouth) and Exton Topsham, stations, (closest estuary and surrounds are home to a wide range of breeding of range wide a to home are surrounds and estuary

Arctic to breed. breed. to Arctic tiny creatures; rich pickings for hungry birds. In summer the summer In birds. hungry for pickings rich creatures; tiny

estuary. In summer they move to the to move they summer In estuary. can reach 1,500 in January. in 1,500 reach can look like lifeless mud and sand is in fact teeming with billions of billions with teeming fact in is sand and mud lifeless like look

tide they roost to the south of the of south the to roost they tide important for these birds and peak counts peak and birds these for important mild climate and abundant food in the estuary silt – what might what – silt estuary the in food abundant and climate mild

to catch worms and molluscs. At high At molluscs. and worms catch to snows and frost. The estuary is nationally is estuary The frost. and snows wildfowl and waders flock to the estuary. They are attracted by our by attracted are They estuary. the to flock waders and wildfowl

movements in the mud and then lunge then and mud the in movements many thousands of miles to escape winter escape to miles of thousands many enjoy good sightings of birds all year round. In winter, up to 15,000 to up winter, In round. year all birds of sightings good enjoy

alone and in flocks. They watch for tiny for watch They flocks. in and alone Exe breed in northern Siberia, and travel and Siberia, northern in breed Exe internationally important Exe Estuary is one of the easiest ways to ways easiest the of one is Estuary Exe important internationally

reaches of the estuary feeding both feeding estuary the of reaches packed groups. The birds that winter on the on winter that birds The groups. packed Travelling by rail along the Avocet Line to key sites on the on sites key to Line Avocet the along rail by Travelling

winter on the middle and upper and middle the on winter surrounding fields. They feed and roost in tight in roost and feed They fields. surrounding

Grey plovers are normally found in found normally are plovers Grey Brent geese are found on the estuary and graze on grass on grass on graze and estuary the on found are geese Brent

Introduction Grey Plover Grey Brent geese Brent (closest station, Exton) station, (closest (closest station, Exmouth) station, (closest

Rail information for the Avocet Line Red-breasted merganser Your guide to..... (closest stations, Exton and Lympstone Village) ♀ • Exeter St Davids to Exmouth service (with almost Up to 135 red-breasted mergansers use uninterrupted estuary views from Topsham onwards). the estuary in winter, forming loose ♂ Wild birds flocks and hunting fish. Look for their punk hair-styles. • Journey time - half hour (Exeter to Exmouth). In spring and summer they move to northern • All trains stop at Exeter Central, Topsham, Lympstone England and Scotland to breed. by train Village and Exmouth.

Redshank (closest stations, Topsham, Exton and Exmouth) • Exton is a request stop available on most journeys. The Avocet Line - Exeter to Exmouth These solitary feeders are found in good numbers in winter and in • Weekday services from 6 am until midnight. smaller numbers in summer with a handful of pairs staying to breed on Exminster • Regular half hourly pattern during the day - hourly in the Marshes. They often defend feeding evening. territories on mud at low tide. They • Sundays - hourly service from late morning (earlier trains in have a distinctive 'teu-teu' call. the summer months). • Visit www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk for a timetable or pick up ♀ a leaflet from staffed stations. Teal (closest station, Topsham) Off Peak Return Tickets allow a return journey on the date shown Our smallest wintering and breeding ♂ duck - up to 1,000 occur on the estuary in winter, especially on the ticket and can be used after 08.40 Monday to Friday, or any in creeks and on marshland. These dabbling time at weekends. ducks take small plants and animals from near the water’s surface. They breed in Single, Anytime Return and Off Peak Return tickets allow journeys northern England, Scotland and northern Europe. to be broken at intermediate stations in either or both directions of travel, so long as the journey is then continued in the same Wigeon (closest stations, Topsham and Exmouth) direction. Forming large flocks to feed on the estuary’s surrounding closely Group Save fares allow up to four passengers to travel together ♀ cropped grassland and saltmarsh, up to 2-3,000 are on the estuary in winter. In spring and summer for the price of two adult Off Peak Returns and up to four they move to northern England, Scotland and accompanying children for £1 each return. Valid after 08.40 Monday to Friday, or any time at weekends. ♂ northern Europe to breed.

Up to two bicycles can be carried on all services (space permitting) on a first come first served basis. Folding cycles can be carried as hand luggage without restriction. Cycle racks are available at Topsham, Lympstone Village and Exmouth stations. Protecting wildlife on the Exe Estuary The national and international importance of the Exe Estuary for The Avocet Line Rail Users Group (ALRUG) represents users of wildlife, especially for its wintering bird population, is reflected in the Exmouth to Exeter line, presses for action to improve rail its many protective designations. It is a Site of Special Scientific services on the line and is a forum for local rail users. Interest and a Ramsar site – a wetland of international importance Membership £5/year – visit under the Ramsar convention of 1971. It is also a Special www.avocetlinerailusers.wikispaces.com Protection Area under the EC Wild Birds Directive of 1979. See ALRUG’s notice boards in the shelters at Topsham , Lympstone Village and Exmouth stations for information about If you want to help protect birds and other wildlife of the Exe the Group and local rail services. “From Topsham onwards, the estuary views are almost uninterrupted.” Estuary, please join the RSPB. Contact the RSPB South West England Regional Office on 01392 432691 for further information or visit www.rspb.org.uk/join

Exmouth Design: www.freeline-gfx.co.uk 01392 499455 January 2009 Town Council