Feathered migrants descending on the Exe

Birds doing what birds (and bees) are famous for

People are being asked to avoid wildlife refuges on the Exe Estuary at Exmouth Local Nature Reserve from Tuesday 15 September to the end of the year to protect wildlife for future generations. It's because many of the birds are doing what birds (and bees) are well-known for - and, quite frankly, would you like to. be interrupted by a lot of people with binoculars looking on and whispering about you? Others have just had a long trip from Siberia and need a bit of peace and quiet.

At Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve, you need to stay away all year round. The wildlife refuges are marked with yellow buoys with “WR” in black letters printed on them.

We're about to get feathered migrants crossing the sea from foreign lands. As breeding grounds in Siberia turn icy cold and food supplies there dwindle, this prompts an exhausting annual migration of thousands of water birds. The rich food resources found in the Exe provide a welcome home to these birds, many of which travel in family groups. Think of them as avian grockles.

Both refuges continue to be monitored to understand the effects on wildlife, with the results of the second year due to be reported to the South East Devon Habitat Regulations Executive Committee (SEDHREC) in November. A report which considers how well the refuges are working is due to be completed in Summer 2021.

The Imperial Recreation Ground slipway in Exmouth can still be used to access the foreshore during this time, although everyone is being asked to turn left at the end of the slipway, to avoid the refuge.

Councillor Rachel Sutton, Exeter City Council’s lead councillor for climate and culture, and chair of SEDHREC, said: “The chance to see vast numbers of overwintering and migrating birds is one of the joys of visiting the Exe Estuary in the autumn. We hope that everyone will respect the Wildlife Refuges to avoid disturbing the birds at this important time.”