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RSPB Isley Marsh, Yelland Quay and Instow

Devon  >  United Kingdom

RSPB Isley Marsh, Yelland Quay and Instow, are all on the South shore of the River Taw Estuary in North Devon.

Added* by Baz Willmott
Most recent update 7 October 2021
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Description

These closely grouped sites are midway between Barnstaple in the East and Bideford to the West, on the Northern edge is the River Taw Estuary. Yelland was once an electricity power station site, after demolition the Eastern part of the site was 'capped' with soil and turned into grassland, the remaining hardstanding Western area is used today as a ready mix concrete depot, there are plans to possibly build houses on this depot area in the future. RSPB Isley is a large area of saltmarsh on it's Eastern edge, the Tarka Trail cycle path runs along the Southern border of the sites.

Details

Access

Leave Barnstaple (South of the river) on the B3233, pass through Bickington and Fremington, on reaching Yelland take a right turn into road signposted Estuary Business Park, at the end of this road park on the right just before the cycle path (BE AWARE of cyclists and pedestrians as this is a popular trail), DO NOT block access to industrial units or cycle path. On leaving car walk North to cycle path and turn right. The path overlooking RSPB Isley is on the left just before the large area of saltmarsh. Follow map trail that gives elevated views over both estuary/saltmarsh and grassland eventually ending at the village of Instow before returning via cycle path.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , River , Sea , Reedbeds , Agriculture , Mud flats , Beach , Wetland

Conditions

Flat , Wet , Slippery , Open landscape , High water possible

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Summer , Spring migration , Spring , Autumn , Autumn migration

Route

Paved road , Wide path , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Car , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

DO NOT FOR ANY REASON DEVIATE FROM THE MARKED PATH ON THE ESTUARY EDGE. Part of path near Instow Cricket Club is TIDAL use path marked with a star on map if tide is high.

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