What to see in November!

Early autumn can be kind with lots of warm sunny days, days to light the spectacle of the colours of autumn's fading leaves. November gets warmer yearly, it used to mark the first month of winter, now however, most of the trees are still full of leaf until well into December.

November sees the start of the now famous winter bird-watching cruises on the estuary. There are cruises run by Stuart Line and the RSPB from November right through to mid March, booking is essential. These are without doubt the best way to enjoy and learn about the estuary and its bird life, a full commentary is given throughout the cruises.

This month marks the beginning of the most exciting time of the year on our estuary. Thousands of birds, mainly waders and wildfowl, (30,000 to 40,000 of them) will have now taken up their winter residence, arriving from their far away summer homes in the Arctic. The relatively mild climate of our area together with the phenomenal productivity of the Exe estuary, combine to create a perfect winter haven. Numbers of birds may continue to build throughout the month in response to winter cold further north.

Days can be cold at this time but if you can brave the weather there is so much to be seen. So wrap up warm, get your boots on, hang your binoculars around your neck and get yourself out there. You may be pleasantly surprised at just how much you can find! There are huge flocks of Brent Geese, fresh in from Siberia and even bigger flocks of Wigeon. Both of these species have come to feed on the extensive Eel Grass beds, which are rare in our region but plentiful on the Exe estuary. From Mudbanks to Topsham along the east bank is a favourite place to see these and many other kinds of birds. The new cycleway is now in place so it is even easier to visit. A walk or cycle from Exmouth to Lympstone and back is one of the estuaries very best but take your time. Stop and look, especially in the Mudbanks area when the tide is low. Along the little stream which flows out across the mudflats there can be twenty or more different kinds of birds. Look on the pebbly beach and if you look carefully you may find the wonderfully camouflaged Ringed Plover and perhaps a small flock of Turnstones which hunt tiny snails (Hydrobia) among the stones. Watch the Turnstones because as their name implies they will flick stones over to get at small creatures hiding beneath. Rare and unusual birds often turn up here and over the past couple of years it has been a regular site to see a Spotted Redshank.

Everyone loves the Avocets and they are back too, creating wonderful displays on the upper estuary at Topsham and off Exminster Marshes, near Turf Hotel. It is always interesting to see just how many avocets arrive each year. It is possible that climate change could reduce their numbers. Our Avocets are attracted here from Holland and East Anglia but now with warmer winters in their breeding grounds and considerably less ice, this could reduce their need to migrate. Another problem for the Avocets is I believe heavy winter rain. This washes the surface layer of mud from the upper estuary and with the mud, the Hydrobia snails, the main food item of these birds are carried off downstream.

Try visiting the comfortable hide at Bowling Green Marsh Topsham, it can be really special with thousands of birds doing their very best to put on a show. To get maximum results from the hide you need to get the tide right and one hour before high tide to one hour after is best. Visiting the hides is a good idea especially if you don't know much about birds, there is usually someone there who can help you, you just have to ask. There is another wonderful hide at Dawlish Warren which you really should visit. Throughout winter the high tide roost is spectacular with thousands of birds and if you get the tide just right (one hour either side of high water) they will be up close and personal! Among the other birds most of the estuaries 1500 plus Oystercatchers come here to wait out high tide, preen and socialise before the receding tide exposes their food once more.

At this time Ivy bushes produce a huge amount of flowers. Stop and look at the Ivy bushes around the estuary, they are still in full flower and when we do get some sun they are absolutely buzzing with insects. Ivy is such an important plant but sadly overlooked by most of us. It is probably the last of our native plants to flower and as a consequence provides a vital source of nectar for any insects which are still on the wing. Insects like Red Admiral Butterflies, Bees, Wasps and Hoverflies benefit from the energy rich nectar. Furthermore their activities result in the pollination of the Ivy which then provides copious quantities of nutritious berries to feed our winter Thrushes which may include Redwings and Fieldfares. Arriving here from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe their winter survival may depend on a good berry crop.

The Fallow Deer at Powderham are worth a visit at this time. Although the rut (which can be extremely spectacular) is finished now, many of the big bucks are still brandishing and proudly showing off their huge, majestic, antlers. Try watching them from the estuary road where the cycle way has now been completed. Another excellent and much more convenient place to watch the deer is from the car park and footpath at the Powderham farm shop (they do a great cup of coffee), at Kenton. Another Mammal, elusive but well worth searching for at this time is the Otter. I have often seen them in recent years by or on the river Kenn, here at Powderham. However if you are about around dawn or dusk you stand a really good chance of seeing one anywhere, even at Exmouth. Should you be lucky enough to cross paths with an Otter, stand still don't make a sound and sometimes they will approach surprisingly close if the don't know you are there.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN NOVEMBER

* Visit the woodlands of the upper Exe Valley for their autumn colours and fungi. Try a visit to Backs wood between Bickleigh and Tiverton or Stoke Woods, on the Tiverton road out of Exeter, you won't regret it.

* Stop and admire Ivy plants, count how many different kinds of insects you can see feeding on their nectar.

* Take a bird-watching cruise on the Exe Estuary.

* Take a bird-watching tram ride on the Axe Estuary.

* Fungi are at their best in our river valley woodlands. Go on a fungi foray, it is great fun.

Rod Lawrence