Devon Nature Walks and Birdwatching Courses

A series of nature walks and special birdwatching day courses organised and devised by Devon Nature Walks, an organisation originally set up as Exe Nature Walks and started in November 1999. It is a family run business based in Exeter and the wonderful setting of the Exe Estuary.

Our main objective is to increase the publics' appreciation of nature and help them to learn more about the flora and fauna of Devon in a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere with like-minded people. Our walks offer the chance to learn more about the bird life and birdsong of an area, its' wild flowers, insects and mammals as well as to enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding countryside of Devon.

The majority of our walks are of a gentle nature and suitable for any age or ability whenever possible. No prior knowledge is necessary as the overall purpose of the walks is to observe and learn about the living world around us. We always advise the following: please wear suitable clothing and stout footwear and bring refreshments if required. Dogs are to be kept on a lead at all times.

We actively encourage the use of public transport and try to arrange meeting places and venues that are easily accessible by bus and/or train. Half and full days are offered with distances ranging from 2 miles up to 6 miles.
To see more information about our Spring programme visit www.devonnaturewalks.co.uk

Nature Walks for Spring:

Pre-booking essential. £6 per person (unless stated otherwise), first-come-first served basis with minimum of 8 and maximum of 15 people. Book by email or phone leaving a contact number in case of cancellation. Bookings must be made at least 48 hour in advance of the day of the walk.

Thursday 12th January - 10am
NEWTON POPPLEFORD – Meet at Newton Poppleford car park. Grid ref: SY086896. Up the river to Tipton St John and back. 3 hrs

Monday 16th January - 10am TOPSHAM – Meet at Holman Way car park (Pay & display). Grid ref: SX968882. Birds, birds, birds. 3 hrs

Monday 23rd January - 10am ORCOMBE POINT, EXMOUTH TO SANDY BAY - Meet in front of the toilet block (two thirds of the way along Queen's Drive, Orcombe Point. Pay & display). Grid ref: SY019798. Out along the beach and back along the cliffs. 3 hrs

Thursday 26th January - 10am HAWKERLAND COMMON - Meet Joney’s Cross car park on the A3052 Exeter to Sidmouth Road (by turning for Hawkerland, about half a mile on the Sidmouth side of the Half Way Inn). Grid ref: SY057897. 3 hrs

Monday 30th January - 10am DAWLISH WARREN - Meet at the far end of the car park (Pay & display). Grid ref: SX980787. Birds, birds, birds. 3 hrs. Please note that no dogs allowed on this walk.

Monday 6th February -10am STOKE CANON - Meet at the level crossing. Grid ref: SX936979. Riverside ramble. 3 hrs

Monday 13th February - 10am POWDERHAM TO TURF – Meet at Powderham Church. Grid ref: SX972844. Birdwatching. 3 hrs

Thursday 16th February – 10am RIVER AXE - Meet at Colyford Cemetery car park. Grid ref: SY248915. 3 hrs.
Please note that no dogs are allowed on this walk.

Monday 20th February - 10am RIVERSIDE VALLEY PARK & MATFORD SCRAPES – Meet at Countess Wear canal swing bridge car park, off Bridge Road, Exeter. Grid ref: SX943894. Exploring the watercourses of the Exe where kingfishers and green sandpipers are regularly seen. 3 hrs

Monday 27th February - 10am FINGLE BRIDGE - Meet at Fingle Bridge car park. Grid ref: SX744898. A very scenic walk concentrating on woodland birds. Lesser spotted woodpeckers possible. Please note you need to be sure-footed for this walk. 3 hrs

Thursday 1st March -10am EXMINSTER MARSHES – Meet at the RSPB car park (cross over railway bridge and turn sharp right). Grid ref: SX954872. 3 hrs

Thursday 15th March - 10am AYLESBEARE COMMON - Meet Joney’s Cross car park on the A3052 Exeter to Sidmouth Road (by turning for Hawkerland, about half a mile on the Sidmouth side of the Half Way Inn). Grid ref: SY057897. Heathland ramble. 3 hrs

Thursday 22nd March -10am EXMINSTER MARSHES – Meet at the RSPB car park (cross over railway bridge and turn sharp right). Grid ref: SX954872. 3 hrs

Thursday 29th March - 10am STEPS BRIDGE, NEAR DUNSFORD - Meet at Steps Bridge car park. Grid ref: SX803884. Wild daffodils at their best. Lesser spotted woodpecker possible. 3 hrs

Please note the following guidelines:

It is advisable to wear suitable clothing and stout footwear and bring refreshments if required. The walk leader is a fully qualified first aider and recommends that if you have any particular medical conditions that he/she should know about please let them know at the beginning of the event. Dogs are to be kept on a lead at all times. Some walks can be very muddy and a pair of Wellington boots is recommended after periods of heavy rain. Please note that the safety of individual’s optical equipment and personal possessions are the sole responsibility of the individual. The walk leaders or other members of the group cannot be held responsible for any loss or accidental damage incurred.

Special Birdwatching Courses:

Our birdwatching courses are a new venture that were started last year and proved popular and are organised on behalf of Countess Wear Village Hall Included in these outdoor courses are two handouts per session covering various topics such as waders, wildfowl, birdsong, the Exe Estuary, feathers, migration, conservation issues, social history of birdwatching, etc. Each session involves a round-up of species recently seen in Devon and a summary of what's going on in the birding world nationally.

Please note that these two group courses must be booked for the full course of 5 sessions and individual days are no longer available. Booking deadline for the Wednesday course is 4th January 2012 and the deadline for the Sunday course is 8th January 2012. Please book early to avoid disappointment as limited numbers only are available.

WEDNESDAY BIRDWATCHING GROUP COURSE - all meetings are from 10am - 12.30pm

18th January 2012 at Ludwell Valley Park.
Meet at junction of Ivy Close and Ludwell Lane near Lidl on the Wonford estate, Exeter.

8th February 2012 at Lympstone.
Meet at Lympstone (Underhill) car park behind the Globe Inn (pay & display £1.60 or free parking in nearby streets). Grid ref: SX991840. Estuary birds. Wellies recommended. Bus 57 or train to Lympstone plus 15 minute walk to start.

14th March 2012 at Aylesbeare & Hawkerland.
Meet Joney’s Cross car park on the A3052 Exeter to Sidmouth Road (by turning for Hawkerland, about half a mile on the Sidmouth side of the Half Way Inn). Grid ref: SY057897.

11th April 2012 at Powderham Marshes & Exminster.
Meet at the RSPB car park (cross over railway bridge and turn sharp right). Grid ref: SX954872. Winter bird watching. Bus 2 to Swan’s Nest roundabout.

16th May 2012 at Orcombe Point, Exmouth.
Meet near the toilet block halfway along Queen’s Drive, Orcombe Point. Grid ref: SY019798.

Price for the 5 day course is £40.

SUNDAY BIRDWATCHING GROUP COURSE - All meetings are from 2pm - 4.20pm

22nd January 2012 at Ludwell Valley Park.
Meet at Pynes Hill (from Countess Wear roundabout, Exeter, take the B3181 towards Honiton (then ignore slip-road for Honiton and look for left turn to Pynes Hill). Meet in front of NFU building. Grid ref: SX949908. Winter finches and stubble fields. Bus 52, 57 or 2 to Countess Wear roundabout plus 15 minute walk to start.

12th February 2012 at Lympstone.
Meet at Lympstone (Underhill) car park behind the Globe Inn (pay & display £1.60 or free parking in nearby streets). Grid ref: SX991840. Estuary birds. Wellies recommended. Bus 57 or train to Lympstone plus 15 minute walk to start.

18th March 2012 at Aylesbeare & Hawkerland.
Meet Joney’s Cross car park on the A3052 Exeter to Sidmouth Road (by turning for Hawkerland, about half a mile on the Sidmouth side of the Half Way Inn). Grid ref: SY057897.

15th April 2012 at Powderham Marshes & Exminster.
Meet at the RSPB car park (cross over railway bridge and turn sharp right). Grid ref: SX954872. Winter bird watching. Bus 2 to Swan’s Nest roundabout.

6th May 2012 at Orcombe Point, Exmouth.
Meet near the toilet block halfway along Queen’s Drive, Orcombe Point. Grid ref: SY019798.

Price for the 5 day course is £40.

Places must be booked in advance by phone or in writing. Enrolement forms are available online from http://www.countesswearvillagehall.co.uk/vh/Courses.html for those who prefer to post their form and cheque.

For more information about any of these events or future walks visit our website at www.devonnaturewalks.co.uk. There may be some last minute places available on prebooked walks. To check availability call us on 01392 211247 or contact us via email devonnaturewalks@btinternet.com.