South Devon in Winter

Tour Code: GBR19

A 4-day wildlife break in search of the wealth of winter wildfowl and waders on the Exe Estuary, and a visit to the Devon heaths.

£650

Land Only

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Tour Itinerary and Reports

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1 Itinerary 11 Tour Reports

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Highlights

Impressive flocks of wintering wildfowl & waders
Black-tailed & Bar-tailed Godwits, plus seaducks such as Common Scoter
Many hundreds of wintering Avocets
Large flocks of Brent Geese
Chance of seeing Dartford Warbler & Great Grey Shrike on Devon heaths
Divers, grebes & seaducks at the mouth of the estuary
Possibility of seeing one of south Devon’s special birds, the rare Cirl Bunting
Led by an expert naturalist guide

Summary

We will visit the top birdwatching sites along the rich mudflats of the Exe Estuary which attract Little Egret, Brent Goose, Wigeon, Red-breasted Merganser, Black and Bar-tailed Godwits, Oystercatcher, Curlew, grebes, divers and seaduck among many other birds. We’ll look out for the resident Buzzards and Peregrines which compete with visiting raptors for prey over the nearby marshes, while on the Devon heaths we’ll look for Dartford Warblers and, if we are lucky, perhaps see a wintering Great Grey Shrike. One of the undoubted highlights of this short break will be views of the most famous of the area's winter visitors, Avocets, which sometimes gather in groups hundreds-strong at the water’s edge.

Please download the tour itinerary for details.

Outline Itinerary

Day

Arrive Torquay

Days

2 - 3

Visits to Exe Estuary, Exe Marshes, Dawlish Warren, East Devon Pebble-bed Heaths & Haldon Hills.

What's Included?

Food

Breakfasts and evening meals are included in the tour cost, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 3. Lunches are at additional cost and should be budgeted for.

Accommodation

All accommodation is included in the tour cost. We will be based in a comfortable hotel in Torquay. Sea view rooms may be available, at a supplementary cost.

Documents

Itineraries

Itinerary

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Tour Reports

December 2024

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November 2023

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January 2023

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January 2022

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November 2021

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January 2020

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February 2019

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February 2019

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January 2014

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February 2013

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January 2011

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Dates & Prices

2026

Land Only

£650

Tour Leader

Adam Davison

Adam has recently retired from a forty-year career in UK nature conservation, working for a wide range of environmental organisations, charities and landowners.

2027

Land Only

£650

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2028

Land Only

£695

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!