BIRD LOVERS IT'S A.... BIRD HIDE ON WHEELS
Join us for a ride through two beautiful nature reserves, Seaton Marshes and Colyford Common, next to the glorious River Axe estuary, which plays host to an ever-changing selection of birds through the seasons. Seaton Tramway’s Bird Watching Trips give you exclusive access to remote parts of the valley; you are likely to see between 30 and 50 different species of bird during your 2-hour trip.
Some people like to make lists of birds seen and most seem happy if some of the favourites, like kingfishers, little egrets or birds of prey are seen. You can always expect a range of waders, ducks and gulls. Autumn can bring a passing osprey or wood sandpiper and numbers build up in winter as wigeon, teal, lapwing and black tailed godwits arrive. The evocative calls of curlew, redshank, wigeon and teal add another dimension and as spring arrives warblers add their songs and shelduck carry out their courtship displays.
DON’T MISS OUT on a chance to find out which bird you are looking at and view the Axe Estuary Wetlands.
The trips will be led by local experts who know the estuary well, answer your questions and help you to complete a checklist of birds for you to take away.
* Steve Waite has lived in the Axe Valley for 25 years, studying and photographing the birds and wildlife on Estuary for much of that time. He has seen a total of 258 species of birds locally, with his findings published on his wildlife blog Axe Birding. Steve served as Devon County Bird Recorder for five years, is a licensed Bird Ringer, an Ambassador for a leading optics and camera manufacturer and has authored numerous articles on birdwatching and bird identification
* Gavin Haig has had a passion for natural history his whole life and has been a keen birdwatcher for more than 40 years. The Axe Valley and surrounding area became the focus for this enthusiasm in 2002 following a move to Seaton, where he lived for 12 years. During that time he launched, and for two years helped run, a Devon bird news blog, until it was incorporated into the county bird club website. Gavin has a particular interest in bird identification and has served on ornithological records committees in London and Devon. In recent years he has discovered the fascinating world of sound-recording the nocturnal migration of birds. Gavin publishes a regular blog, Not Quite Scilly, and his writing on birds and birdwatching can be found in two books and a number of ornithological journals.
Space is strictly limited to 20 persons per trip and therefore early booking is essential.
The trips will not run unless a minimum of 12 people have pre-booked places at least 4 days in advance. If you are booked on to a trip that has to be cancelled, we shall contact you to offer a place on an alternative date. The cost is £16.95 per person payable in advance. Although we shall make every effort to operate as advertised, Seaton Tramway reserves the right to alter, curtail or cancel services without notice and shall not be liable for any loss or delay, however caused. In the event of complete cancellation, full refunds will be available. Please ensure that you arrive at Seaton Station in time for a prompt departure. No refunds will be given if you miss the tram. Except in the case of persistent poor weather, we use open top trams in order to give you the best view. You are strongly advised to bring warm, waterproof clothing as the trams are particularly exposed to the elements alongside the river.
BIRDWATCHING REVIEWS
Jeremy P ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was the best two-hour experience I have had at any time in the past two years. The weather was superb, bright and sunny, though not particularly warm! Do wear a hat and dress up warm for sitting outside. It was a special bird-watching event starting at 8.00am on 26/03/2022 and led by local guide and expert in all things ornithological, Mr Donald Campbell. My partner and I sat on the top deck of the tram and we were blown away by the beautiful landscape we passed through and the variety of wildlife, not just birds, surrounding us. We saw deer, rabbits, pheasants, sparrow hawks, godwits, grey heron, swans, etc, etc. Sheer delight. Mr Campbell pointed out the rarer species of birds as we trundled along the narrow gauge railway, stopping every few hundred metres to stand up , look around and take photographs.
– Tripadvisor