Watch the birdie! Cameras at the Wetlands

East Devon District Council's Countryside team are pleased to have their own version of ‘Springwatch’ going on right now at the Axe Estuary Wetlands.

Cameras have been set up in two of the nest boxes on the nature reserve, allowing visitors to watch the fascinating comings and goings of nesting Blue Tit and Kestrel pairs live on monitor screens in the Information Centre.

The kestrels are a new nestbox-camera species for the wetlands, much to the delight of site manager Steve Edmonds: “The pair have five eggs which are expected to hatch sometime this week. Once hatched, the chicks will take roughly a month to fledge, but it will be another few weeks before they are truly independent, still relying on their parents to bring them a regular supply of small mammals from the meadows around the site. Our staff and volunteers are going to really enjoy watching them develop, just as we hope visitors to the site will too”.

There is plenty of other wildlife to see at the Wetlands even when the Information Centre is closed. Marsh Harriers, Swallows and Grass Snakes have all been seen in recent weeks, so catching a break between the showers can be a truly worthwhile wild experience, and if the heavens do open, there are plenty of bird hides and shelters to take some respite, all offering different views over the site.

The Axe Estuary Wetlands are open to the public at all times, free of charge, as are all the EDDC managed nature reserves across the district. There is free parking at the Wetlands car park, through Seaton cemetery. The Information Centre at the Wetlands is staffed mainly by volunteer wardens, and is open between 10am and 4pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays through the summer.

For more information call 01395 517557 or email Countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk or check the Countryside page on the EDDC website – www.eastdevon.gov.uk/countryside