Dawlish Warren: Where to watch
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place names to view information
Langstone Rock and the
sea wall.
The main interest in this
area is seabirds, both wintering and on passage. The seawall provides a good
area to view out to sea and Langstone Rock provides a great vantage point
across the mouth of the estuary and Dawlish Bay, although climbing it can be dangerous
especially after rain. Both sites can be exposed in bad weather and LR is not
recommended in strong winds.
Birds seen off these areas
include Divers, Slavonian grebes, and Scoters.
During good sea watching conditions Shearwaters, Petrels and Skuas are
often seen. Scarcities have included Surf Scoter, Little Auk, Grey Phalarope,
Sooty Shearwater, Sabine’s Gull, Leach’s Petrel and White fronted Goose.
At low tide the rocks at the
base of LR and on the sea wall used to be a regular haunt of Purple Sandpiper,
but these are now rare. Turnstone and Oystercatchers still remain as well as
good numbers of gulls.
The landward side of the
seawall is often disturbed but Pied Wagtails and Rock Pipits do feed here. In autumn
and winter there is always the chance of a Black Redstart.
Plants of interest in this
area include the only Hart’s Tongue fern on site, under a boulder in the old
seawall and Rock Sea lavender on LR (LR was not included in the sites published
flora so any records from there would be welcomed). The grassy area behind the
sea wall has been much developed but some areas may still hold Early
Meadow-grass and Small-flowered Buttercup.
The marine life to be found
around LR and indeed much of the Warren is little known so again any
information would be welcome.
The Car park and Buffer Zone
The car park was only
officially created in the late 1970’s and replaced an area of outstanding dune
grassland. The Sand Crocus behind the visitor centre was transplanted to there
from the car park during construction.
The area does not hold much
in the way of birds, except for providing the only breeding sites for Starling
and House Sparrow. Commoner species breed in the Bramble and Gorse and a pair
of Stonechat is often present. Few notable birds have been recorded, although
five Cirl Bunting were recently seen, but this might be because most people
overlook this area!
Before the new drainage was
installed, the car park would flood and after storms species such as Little
Gull and Kittiwake had been recorded. One of these pools was even visited
briefly by a Little Ringed Plover.
Botanically this is one of
the richest areas away from the golf course, it is however not part of the reserve
or SSSI. The heavy recreational use of this area does protect the reserve but
the rarer clovers and other plants are getting hard to find. The disturbed
nature of the area does however produce the occasional surprise, such as Sweet
Violet and Water Figwort, with several garden plants also being recorded. The
flowerbeds on the entrance roundabout used to hold a population of the
nationally scarce Ivy Broomrape, but a change in planting schemes has removed
this for the time being.
White Poplars (Cuckoo’s
Nest)
The poplars have mostly been
removed but the clump of Sycamores has the potential to hold something
interesting. Sometimes this area can hold a good number of migrant warblers,
presumably feeding on the abundant aphids. Several Firecrests have been
recorded but as yet the rarest sighting is of the site’s second Monarch
butterfly.
The only example of Tree
Purslane on site grows under the Sycamores.
Entrance Bushes and the
First Pond
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This refers to the area
between the end of the car park and the visitor centre. The wide range of
habitats mean there is always something of interest throughout the year. The area around the First Pond especially,
can hold good numbers of Phylloscopus and Sylvia warblers in
both spring and autumn, this is also one of the better spots to find Pied
Flycatcher on site. Chiffchaffs and occasionally Firecrest over winter. Both Radde’s
and Dusky Warbler have been recorded, each the first to be twitchable in
Devon. Several Yellow-browed Warblers have been recorded but as yet no
Pallas’s. |
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The willows also provide a
good area to see woodland species that are scarce on site, Great Spotted
Woodpecker, Coal Tit, and recently Treecreeper, can often be found at the right
time of year. The pond holds breeding Reed Warbler in the summer, and in autumn
and winter, Water Rail, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail may be seen.
The area near the visitor
centre has a wide range of rare plants, the star being Petalwort, an
internationally scarce liverwort. The transplanted Sand Crocus has spread and
can be seen in several areas alongside Upright Chickweed and Subterranean
Clover. The damper areas hold species such as Water Mint, Purple Loosestrife
and Southern Marsh Orchid.
Cephero’s and Common
Groundhopper have been recorded in this area and recently Long-winged Conehead
has colonised.
Main Pond
This is the largest area of freshwater on the reserve
and as such holds a range of species found nowhere else on the reserve. In the
summer there are several pairs of Reed Warbler and a pair of Reed Bunting as
well as Coot, Moorhen and Little Grebe – the latter a rare breeding species in
Devon. Mute Swan and Canada Goose have also bred in the past.
Kingfisher, Water Rail, Grey
Heron and Cormorant are regular visitors but few waders have been recorded
except Snipe. Rarities have included Bittern, Bearded Tit and Great Reed
Warbler.
Wildfowl on the pond is
usually confined to Mallard and a few Teal, but in the past species such as
Shoveler and even Tufted Duck were regular in winter and there are several
spring records for Garganey.
The scrub around the pond,
like that around the First Pond, can hold good numbers of warblers but has yet
to hold any rarer species. Occasionally Tawny and even Long–eared Owls have
roosted here.
A range of aquatic plants
present includes Mare’s Tail and Spiked Water-milfoil, both rare in Devon.
Southern Marsh Orchid, Brookweed and Ragged Robin can also be found in several
areas. Fritillary was even found flowering here recently. The path between the
VC and here is a good area to look for Early Meadow-grass.
The pond is a good site for
Odonata; the rarest of these is Hairy Dragonfly, which is seen in small numbers
each year. Commoner species include Emperor, Broad-bodied Chaser and Migrant
Hawker. The reedbeds also support a number of moth species with a good range of
Wainscots, in particular, being present. Some of these, along with
Cream-bordered Green Pea, which breed in the sallows, occur at few other sites
in Devon. Large numbers of Common Toads breed in the pond.
Back Meadow
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This small area of
grassland is a good area to view the edges of the woodland; this is a good
place for Spotted Flycatchers and Redstarts during migration. Yellow Bartsia,
Cuckooflower and Yellow Rattle can all be found here. Its sheltered nature is
ideal for butterflies with Orange Tip and Common Blue being particularly
numerous, there is also a small population of Marbled White. |
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This is the largest area of Alder woodland away from
the golf course. The alders can hold migrants but viewing can be difficult.
Holding some of the tallest trees on site both Carrion Crow and Magpie breed,
Sparrowhawk has in the past. Breeding numbers of other species are low, due to
the lack of natural holes, but Great and Blue Tits regularly use nest boxes.
Rarities recorded here include Nuthatch, Nightjar and amazingly Red-eyed Vireo,
which was first found here before moving nearer the Main Pond.
The ground flora is fairly
impoverished under the trees; the combination of leaf litter, grass cuttings
and even a dead dolphin has heavily enriched the soil. The flush of nettles and
bramble does however provide good nest sites for Blackcap and Dunnock. Other species
present include Skullcap and Greater Pond-sedge, which is spreading in from
Greenland Lake.
The rides hold good numbers
of Speckled Wood, and are regularly patrolled by Migrant Hawkers in autumn.
Lunar Hornet Clearwing has been recorded breeding in the sallows.
Greenland Lake
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This area has a
fascinating human and natural history. The area was originally a tidal creek
separating the two sandspits. The
name originated from the 19th century, when fishing and whaling
vessels were laid up over winter for repair before heading back to fishing
grounds off Greenland. The area was also used as a commercial shell fishery
for several years. The entrance was blocked up and the creek was partially
infilled in the 1940’s in an effort to stabilise the Warren. Once it ceased
to become tidal, the area eventually began to dry out and the process of
succession moved on rapidly. |
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Being a large area of open
ground this is a favoured site for Wheatear, but a wide range of rarer migrants
has been recorded here including Hoopoe, Woodlark and Great Spotted Cuckoo.
In winter, if flooded, the
area can hold Snipe and during storms even other waders such as Turnstone, Dunlin
and Lapwing, Whimbrel often use the area in spring. This is also one of the
best areas to see the rarer (in Dawlish terms) thrushes; Ring Ouzel has been
recorded as well as flocks of Fieldfare and Redwing.
In summer the wetter areas
are covered with Southern Marsh Orchid, several thousand spikes can be present.
Other species present include Marsh Helleborine, Adder’s Tongue Fern as well as
the exotic Blue-eyed Grass. This area also holds the only examples of Guelder
Rose and Creeping Willow on site. Towards the eastern end of the lake the drier
grassland holds species such as Autumn Ladies Tresses, Restharrow and Portland
Spurge.
Brown Argus can also be
found in these drier areas, Common Blue, Large and Small Skippers are also
present. The longer vegetation supports a good colony of Long-winged Coneheads
and several Great Green Bush-crickets. Other species that have been recorded
include Wasp Spider and Red-veined Darter, the latter, a teneral male, was
found drying its wings and had presumably emerged from the Main Pond.
The Wryneck Path
As the name suggests Wryneck has been recorded here,
the short turf and surrounding cover provide ideal feeding areas for this rare
migrant. This area between the main path and the dune ridge is part of
Greenland Lake, but the habitat is markedly sandier. The area has recorded
Hoopoe as well as Wryneck, but the bramble and elders hold most avian interest.
Whitethroat, Linnet and Stonechat all breed, but also occur in numbers on passage,
migrant Whinchat also favour this area. Rarities have included Barred Warbler,
Woodchat Shrike and Rose-coloured Starling.
The grassland here also
holds a similar range of species as the dry areas in Greenland Lake, including
Autumn Ladies Tresses. More unusual species include Asparagus, Butcher’s Broom
and recently Pyramidal Orchid. Lesser Centaury grows in damper areas near the
path.
Dune Pond (Far Pond)
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This small pond despite
its size has held breeding Moorhen and Mallard and regularly attracts flocks
of birds to drink and bathe; in autumn this is the best place on site to find
Sedge Warblers. The only population of
Glaucous Bulrush on site grows here, also around the pond, orchids, Marsh
Pennywort and Lesser Centaury can be found. Several species of dragonfly
breed, but the small population of Ruddy Darter was lost several years ago,
although migrants are still seen occasionally. |
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Back Path
This path runs from the visitor centre to the
windmill, alongside the golf course boundary. The habitat along the length of
this path is a mix of dune grassland and bramble and Elder scrub. This is a
good area for breeding species, Sylvia warblers in particular and
similarly is a good area for them on migration, especially nearer the Dune
Pond. Species regularly recorded include Dartford Warbler and Lesser
Whitethroat; rarer species include Red-backed Shrike, Nightingale and
Rose-coloured Starling.
The mown areas are slowing
recovering their botanical interest, although Yorkshire Fog is becoming
dominant in some areas. The older areas hold a good range of spring ephemerals,
including several species of Chickweed and clovers. Rarer species include
Shepherd’s Cress and Hairy Rockcress. Along the edges of the path itself there
is a variable population of Cut –leaved Dead-nettle, another rare species in
Devon.
The areas of scrub around
the Back Meadow and Greenland Lake are a good place to find the Great Green
Bush-cricket. This, the largest cricket in the UK, is a Devon BAP species and
is present in good numbers on the reserve.
Dune Ridge
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“Along the dune ridge” can
mean anywhere between the seawall and Warren Point. The whole length of the
site is underpinned by a series of stone filled gabions; these were put in
place in the 1970’s to protect the site from coastal erosion. It has been
calculated that without the Warren, the high tide up estuary would be six
feet higher! |
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The
whole length provides a good view both up the river and out to sea. Visible
migration and seawatching are the two main activities on this part of the
reserve; favoured areas include the end of the promenade, the windmill and
the end of the golf course for seawatching. Visible migration can be
rewarding almost anywhere but is probably better from the windmill eastwards. |
Few birds are actually recorded
on the ridge, but Snow Bunting have been found feeding on the path on several
occasions. The few bushes along the top of the ridge have held rarities such as
Wood Warbler and Tree Sparrow.
The main plant of this area
is Marram, without it there would be no dunes, growing amongst it can be found
Sea Bindweed as well as Hare’s Tail Grass but little else can survive. Fungi
can be obvious in autumn with stinkhorns especially so. Convolvulus Hawkmoth
caterpillars have been found occasionally feeding on the sea bindweed. Emperor
dragonflies often patrol along the ridge along with robberflies and sand wasps,
this is also one of the few areas on the reserve where Wall butterflies can be
seen. Most sightings of Stoat tend be along the ridge, the open terrain making
them more obvious as they hunt for Rabbits.
The Beach and sandbars
Conveniently divided into
sections by the installation of groynes in the 1970’s, this one of the main
high tide roosts on the estuary. The majority of the birds gather at the
eastern end and wardening and signs help to prevent disturbance to the roosting
flocks beyond groyne nine.
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The remainder of the beach
is often disturbed, but birds can be found roosting and feeding almost anywhere,
especially during spring and autumn. In winter Sanderling and Turnstone are
often present even at low tide, but the majority of Dunlin, Oystercatcher,
Grey Plover etc are present over high tide. Depending on where they roost or
the recent patterns of erosion/deposition these flocks can be easily viewed
from the dune ridge. Many of the rare
waders seen on site have been recorded roosting on the beach including
Baird’s, Broad-billed and White-rumped Sandpiper. |
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As the beach widens towards
Warren Point, the increase in vegetation and embryo dune can attract large
numbers of Linnet and other finches in autumn and winter. These birds are
feeding on the seed of plants such as Sea Rocket and Prickly Saltwort, which
often grow here in abundance. Other plants recorded in the embryo dune include
a range of Oraches and occasionally Yellow-horned Poppy. Other species, which
have been recorded along the tide line, include Thorn-apple, Sunflower, Hazel
and Beech.
Storm tides often change the
shape of the beach but they can also bring large amounts of debris from further
up the Exe. This debris accumulates on the beach and provides habitat for a
range of species including a nationally rare woodlouse, although this has not
been recorded recently. Larger debris is often used as a feeding perch by local
Peregrines.
At low tide the sandbars
offshore are exposed, large numbers of gulls can gather here to feed. Other
species that can be present include Curlew, Oystercatcher and Brent Geese.
Red-breasted Merganser can be seen feeding in the channels sometimes with
scarcer species such as Long-tailed Duck and Velvet Scoter.
Warren Point
Another area of the site with an interesting
geological and human history. The Point has been at various times, an island
separated at high tide from the remainder of the Warren, since the installation
of gabions in the 1970’s the prospect of this occurring again has been much
reduced. During the middle of last century (c1920-1960) a series of holiday
homes and dwellings were built on the Point, but these were abandoned over time
to winter storms and the shifting sands. Their legacy however continues with
many of the reserve’s alien plants thought to have originated from the gardens
of these houses. Examples to be found on the Point include Yucca, Tea-plant and
Tree Lupin.
Birding the Point can be
very unrewarding, a long walk often for little more than a few Skylark and
maybe a Chiffchaff, however it can hold migrants, even when the rest of the
site appears quiet. The open ground, with a few Sycamores and brambles, is
ideal for migrant Wheatear, Whinchat and Redstart. Warblers and Spotted
Flycatchers can also be present in good numbers in the Sycamores. Occasionally
Warren Point does live up to its promise with Great Spotted Cuckoo, Savi’s
Warbler and Lesser Grey Shrike all being recorded.
Being the largest area of
relatively undisturbed dune on the reserve, especially now dogs are banned,
breeding Skylark are present in greater numbers than on the rest of the site.
Other breeding species present include Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit and
Stonechat, Shelduck and possibly Red-breasted Merganser have bred in the past
along with the last Devon breeding record of Common Tern.
The dune grassland is
similar to the rest of the reserve with few plants found only here, although
the large areas dominated by lichen and stonecrop, which are not found
elsewhere. Sea Spurge can be found and recently Sea Holly has been rediscovered
on the Point. This species was widespread in the 1950’s but had disappeared
from site, despite still being present in good numbers on the Maer at Exmouth.
The rarest plant on Warren Point is however Pennyroyal, discovered in 1998,
this Nationally rare species is present at only one other site in the county.
Several species of Fungi were recorded as new to science after being discovered
here by Victorian naturalists, it is not known whether these species are still
present, but in good years several species of Earthstar fungus can be found.
The few Buddleia bushes on
the Point can attract migrant butterflies, including Clouded Yellow and Painted
Lady in good years; Hummingbird Hawkmoths have also been recorded. Breeding
species include Brown Argus and the nationally rare Jersey Tiger moth can be
found around the Sycamores midsummer, along with the increasing scarce Scarlet
Tiger.
All three species of native
cockroach can be found in the open grassland and the reserve’s only record of
Speckled Bush-cricket was found in an isolated Dogwood clump. This flightless
species must however have been overlooked elsewhere on site. Perhaps the most
unusual record is a species of leafhopper that was recorded here in 1980, when
found it was a new species for Britain, but the reserve has no other indication
of its status; Was it just a vagrant? Is it still present? Has it spread to
other areas of Britain?
The Bight
This shallow bay on the estuary side of the spit is
one of the last places on the Exe to be covered by high tide. Because of this,
it is also one of the first and last places waders can feed either side of the
tide, were they can be checked and counted relatively easily. Dunlin and Ringed
Plover use the area most on the falling tide, the larger waders preferring to
wait to feed on the wider estuary, however on the incoming tide larger waders
such as Curlew and Godwits gather before moving to roosting areas. There is
often a build up of larger gulls also either side of the tide with 600+ Greater
Black-backed Gulls being counted. At high tide it also provides a feeding area
for Brent Geese and Shelduck, although diving duck, such as mergansers, prefer
the deeper water of the main estuary. Rarities recorded using the Bight,
include Semipalmated and Greater Sand Plover, although most of the rare waders
recorded on site have also used the area. Other species include Iceland Gull,
Shorelark and Leach’s Petrel.
Being a tidal area few
plants occur but those that do are regionally important, due to the scarcity of
this habitat in the southwest. Six
species of Glasswort have been recorded along with other species such as Annual
Seablite and Sea Purslane. At present it seems the bay is slowing silting up
with areas of cordgrass and saltmarsh increasing.
Finger Point
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Since the early 1990’s
this promontory on the western corner of Warren Point has developed into an
important roosting area. Prior to this the area would be cut off and even
covered by high tides but coastal processes have built up the spit, the
addition of fencing to protect the area over high tide has also reduced
disturbance to roosting birds. As the
point has built up, several strandline and embryo dune plant species have
colonised, these include Sea Beet, Marram and Sand Couch. The area can become the
main roost depending on weather and disturbance, Curlew often use the point
on an evening tide or if the Railway Saltmarsh is disturbed. A few waders
have been recorded here over a high tide before disappearing, these include
Kentish Plover, Purple, and most recently, Pectoral Sandpiper. The only
reserve record of Lesser Yellowlegs spent it time on the northern shore of
Finger Point, where it was not visible from the hide. |
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The Hide and Roost
The hide is situated on a small promontory of land
adjacent to the golf course overlooking an area that is a popular roost site on
lower tides. It gives good views across the Bight and onto Finger Point as well
as across the reserve to the Railway Saltmarsh. The same coastal processes that
have built up Finger Point and areas of the Bight had reduced the potential of
this area as a high tide roost, so an artificial island has been constructed. This
too is constantly altered by the power of the tides, but remains a key roost
for species such as Oystercatcher. The wooden posts also provide roosting sites
for terns, although most now remain on the mud around the roost.
These flocks, mainly
Sandwich Tern, often hold Roseate Tern in midsummer, the Warren is a nationally
important site for this species, rarities have included Gull-billed, Caspian,
Elegant and Lesser Crested Tern.
Railway Saltmarsh,
Shutterton Creek and Wreck
This area along with the golf course is not open
to the public and because of this lack of disturbance is an important
roosting and feeding site. Curlew and Godwits, along with smaller numbers of
other waders, roost on the Railway Saltmarsh before moving onto the mudflats
with the receding tide. Large numbers of Black-headed Gulls roost here over
high tide and in the evening, with Mediterranean Gull often being picked out.
In the summer the tern flock can also gather here. Grey Heron and Little Egret
also roost in this area, these have been joined by rarer species such as
Spoonbill and Great White Egret. In autumn and winter large flocks of Brent
Geese, Teal and Wigeon can be seen, other wildfowl can be scarce on site but
are most often picked up with these birds. In winter over the high tide,
Red-breasted Merganser, Goldeneye and sometimes Long-tailed Duck can be seen
feeding in Shutterton Creek and around the Wreck. Cormorant and Shag use the
Wreck as a roost at high tide.
The saltmarsh vegetation is
similar to that found around the Hide and Bight but is slowly being eroded by
higher sea levels and Cordgrass is only present in many areas. This may soon
also disappear; hopefully the displaced birds will be able to adjust to other
roosting areas on the reserve.
This area can be difficult
to view and a telescope is essential, on sunny days the heat haze and evening
sunset can cause severe problems. The tern flocks are often flushed by passing
trains, this is the best time to try and pick up any Roseates, before they
settle down again amongst the saltmarsh vegetation. Trains rarely flush the
waders, except Common Sandpiper; in July they can often be picked out flying
along the estuary wall as a train passes.
Golf Course
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This area, along with the
mudflats and saltmarsh, is owned by the Devon Wildlife Trust and is not
open to the public at any time. The lack of disturbance allows many species
to thrive, many waders and wildfowl feed along the saltmarsh edge and exist
happily alongside the golfers. In winter Brent Geese, and in spring Whimbrel,
can regularly be seen feeding on the fairways between groups of players. The
fairways are also favoured areas for Wheatear, whilst the Gorse supports good
populations of Linnet and Whitethroat. The management of the
fairways allows for several dune plant species to survive, Sand Crocus is the
most well known of these, but many rare or scarce grasses, clovers and
storksbills also occur. Other interesting plants found elsewhere on the
course include Allseed, Royal Fern and Grass Vetchling. |
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