What to see in October!

During this month the last of the migrant birds pass through. Look out for Sandwich Terns, Wheatears and Swallows, finally leaving our area for warmer climes in Africa. Towards the end of the month many of our winter visitors will have established themselves and this is the beginning of the most exciting time of year on the estuary. So many birds are arriving and include, spectacular well known birds such as Avocets, Bar and Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Brent Geese and Wigeon, all of which can be seen in huge, breath-taking flocks. Other birds are more solitary or feed in small groups but these are equally spectacular. There are Greenshank, Redshank, Oystercatchers, Red-breasted Mergansers and many, many more. Look out for Spoonbills which are beautiful large, white birds. At a distance they can look like Egrets but their unusual, spoon-shaped bills give their identity away. Several have been seen in recent years.

Best places to go and enjoy the birds are Imperial car park and Mudbanks in Exmouth. Bowling Green Marsh at Topsham (there is a wonderful comfortable hide there) and Goat Walk also at Topsham. On the West bank there is the fabulous Exminster Marshes, a huge area of beautiful wetland waiting for you to explore. Try to arrange a walk here around high tide when large mixed flocks of birds roost and feed on the floodplain and on the pools. They remain here until the tide recedes once more when most will return to the mudflats to feed. You will get wonderful views of the Avocets from Turf Hotel as the tide begins to ebb. A walk along the estuary road at Powderham, will be extremely rewarding with lots of different birds. However at this time of year it is the Fallow Deer that steal the show. Just walk along the road and you can usually see them quite close by. The huge antlers of the bucks will be clashing in fights to acquire as many does as possible. The sight and the sound with the dominant bucks bellowing like lions is really something to see and hear. You can also watch the deer on the footpath that leads out from Powderham farm shop.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN OCTOBER

* The Fallow Deer should be rutting at Powderham.

* Autumn migration is at its peak and everywhere is alive with waders and wildfowl moving south.

* On warm days butterflies and dragonflies will still be abundant especially at the Warren and Exminster.

* Watch out for migrating Ospreys especially on the Exe and Axe estuaries.

Rod Lawrence