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Kingsbridge Estuary - Northern Section

Devon  >  United Kingdom

The Kingsbridge Estuary (Kingsbridge Town/Bowcombe Creek/West Chaleton Marsh and Frogmore Creek) is in South Devon.

Added* by Baz Willmott
Most recent update 7 január 2022
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Description

The Kingsbridge Estuary (better described as a RIA or flooded valley) is the largest most Southerly in Devon, at it's mouth is the town of Salcombe, at it's head is the town of Kingsbridge, for most of the middle section of the estuary there is little or no access to the shoreline, being comprised of mostly farmland. A car is almost essential in this Northern section but is renown for poor parking options. Some birds (depending on season) you're likely to see are beluša malá, kazarka pestrá, kačica chrapka, kačica hvizdárka, kačica ostrochvostá, kačica lyžičiarka, chochlačka sivá, chochlačka vrkočatá, chochlačka morská, ľadovka dĺhochvostá, potápač prostredný, kulík zlatý, kulík bledý, kamenár strakatý, pobrežník čiernozobý, kalužiak sivý, brehár hrdzavý, brehár čiernochvostý, hvizdák veľký, hvizdák malý, bojovník bahenný.

Details

Access

This Northern section of the estuary is divided into four parts. (1) Leave central Kingsbridge Eastwards on the A379, this road initially follows close to estuary (few stopping places), when estuary gets obscured by housing look for a Left turn into Warren Road and park on Left side of road, leave car and walk down road and cross over to a path to estuary shore. (2) For Bowcombe Creek continue Eastward on A379, just before bridge turn Left into Embankment Road that follows creek Northwards, along this tree/shrub lined road (check for passerines) are some parking places on the Left, further along this road is a small viewing platform (this road is out and back). (3) Leave Bowcombe Creek and turn Left over bridge (still A379), the main estuary widens here but there is no stopping places, continue on A379 into West Charleton and turn Right into Marsh Lane where there is limited parking at the end near the sewage works (do not block access), follow footpath South across marsh to embankment where there is a bird hide giving good views of both marsh and estuary. (4) For Frogmore Creek leave Marsh Lane and turn Right (still A379), towards the village of Frogmore, there is no parking in the old part of the village, but a newer residential area (on road to East Prawle) has on road parking (do not block access), after parking in this area walk back towards Kingsbridge (onA379) and look for signposted footpath on Left to the creek.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , River , Reedbeds , City/village , Agriculture , Mud flats , Beach , Wetland

Conditions

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

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Autumn migration , Spring migration , Winter , Spring , Autumn

Route

Paved road , Wide path , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Car , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

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