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 Town Council Town January 2009 January Design: www.freeline-gfx.co.uk 01392 499455 01392 www.freeline-gfx.co.uk Design: Exmouth Exmouth or visit www.rspb.org.uk/join visit or England Regional Office on 01392 432691 for further information further for 432691 01392 on Office Regional England Estuary, please join the RSPB. Contact the RSPB South West South RSPB the Contact RSPB. the join please Estuary, “From Topsham onwards, the estuary views are almost uninterrupted.” almost are views estuary the onwards, Topsham “From If you want to help protect birds and other wildlife of the Exe the of wildlife other and birds protect help to want you If the Group and local rail services. rail local and Group the Lympstone Village and Exmouth stations for information about information for stations Exmouth and Village Lympstone Protection Area under the EC Wild Birds Directive of 1979. of Directive Birds Wild EC the under Area Protection See ALRUG’s notice boards in the shelters at Topsham , Topsham at shelters the in boards notice ALRUG’s See under the Ramsar convention of 1971. It is also a Special a also is It 1971. of convention Ramsar the under www.avocetlinerailusers.wikispaces.com Interest and a Ramsar site – a wetland of international importance international of wetland a – site Ramsar a and Interest Membership £5/year – visit – £5/year Membership its many protective designations. It is a Site of Special Scientific Special of Site a is It designations. protective many its services on the line and is a forum for local rail users. rail local for forum a is and line the on services wildlife, especially for its wintering bird population, is reflected in reflected is population, bird wintering its for especially wildlife, the Exmouth to Exeter line, presses for action to improve rail improve to action for presses line, Exeter to Exmouth the The national and international importance of the Exe Estuary for Estuary Exe the of importance international and national The The Avocet Line Rail Users Group (ALRUG) represents users of users represents (ALRUG) Group Users Rail Line Avocet The Protecting wildlife on the Exe Estuary Exe the on wildlife Protecting Topsham, Lympstone Village and Exmouth stations.