Isley Marsh is
made up of saltmarsh and intertidal mudflats on the southern edge of the
Taw Torridge estuary and lies largely within the estuary SSSI.As it is mostly underwater at high tide, no management is carried
out and no birds breed. However, it is an important haven in the busy
estuary for undisturbed feeding and resting birds, especially the wintering
flocks of ducks such as teal and waders including significant numbers
of curlew, greenshank and dunlin. In recent years, numbers of little egret
have increased and, in winter, it is often possible to see spoonbills.
An active group of local volunteer wardens monitor the birds and try to
keep disturbance to a minimum. Visitor access is restricted to public
footpaths, largely outside the reserve itself, but allowing expansive
views across the estuary and the surrounding farmland. There is no public
parking within two miles, although the Tarka
Trailruns along the south side of the reserve, allowing easy
foot and cycle access along this former railway track. Chapel Wood is a typical north Devon broadleaved woodland, sited
on a steep hillside, crowned by an Iron-Age hill fort, with a stream running
down either side. Management consists largely of the gradual removal on
non-native species planted during the last century and their replacement
with native trees. The wood takes its name from the remains of Spreacombe
Chapel and well, a scheduled Ancient monument dating from 1270. The site
was donated to the RSPB in 1951 and was the first reserve owned in south-west
England. There are an impressive variety of birds, with occasional nesting
pied flycatchers and ravens in recent years. Other regular nesting species
include tawny owls, nuthatches, and great spotted and green woodpeckers.
In winter, large flocks of thrushes use the surrounding fields and shelter
in the wood. Spring brings a beautiful display of primroses and snowdrops
on the margins of the rides, followed by a sea of bluebells on the higher
areas. Red deer, badgers and brown hares are frequent visitors and dormice
are resident. Exe - The Exe Estuary nature reserve is two areas of coastal grazing
marsh that are on opposite sides of the river, not far from the historic
city of Exeter. One side of the estuary is Exminster Marshes and the other
side is Bowling Green Marsh. In spring, you can see lapwings and redshanks
and listen for rare Cetti's warblers. In winter, during floods or around
high tide, there are thousands of waterbirds including black-tailed godwits
and wigeons. Aylesbeare - You can enjoy a walk along firm paths over quiet heathland
here and have a chance of seeing Dartford warblers and stonechats in summer.
The woodland fringes, streams and ponds abound with butterflies, dragonflies
and damselflies. Stay late on a summer evening to see nightjars at dusk.
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