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Self-catering  accommodation and country cottages for bird watchers in SW England

Yarner Wood National Nature Reserve, a couple miles west of Bovey Tracey in Devon - mixed woodland with mainly sessile oak, Scots pine, holly and rowan.   It is located to the east of the Dartmoor National Park.  Among the birds that breed here are wood warblers and pied flycatchers (in nest boxes), grey wagtails and dippers.

Exe Estuary - near Exmouth in Devon.  Extensive mud flats and sand-flats are exposed at low tide which attract numerous waders.  The marshes are divided into two areas: Exminster Marshes and Bowling Green marsh.  Opposite Exmouth,  is Exe Estuary Bird Sanctuary, which is worth a special visit.  In the spring lapwings and redshanks breed here.  Also find greenshanks, spotted redshanks, black-tailed godwits, purple sandpipers and sanderlings. Various migrant terns and waders visit during the autumn. Over-wintering birds are curlews, lapwings, Slavonian and black-eyed grebes, red-breasted mergansers, shelduck, Brent geese, wigeon and pintail.

Aylesbeare Common - a heathland with valley bogs and streams surrounded by scrub, heather, gorse and mixed woodland. Find tree pipits, buzzards, ravens, nightjars, stonechats and Dartford warblers. Two nature trails.

Chapel Wood - RSPB mixed wood.  It's a small wood 3 miles north of Braunston, Devon. Find woodland birds; nuthatches, redstarts, tree-creepers, warblers, tits and possibly ravens and buzzards.

Radipole Lake in Weymouth,  Dorset. This RSPB nature reserve contains freshwater and brackish lagoons.  It is an important resting place for migratory birds in the autumn, e.g. swallows, sand-martins, yellow wagtails, black terns and other waterfowl.

Abbotsbury Swannery is worth a visit at the end of May until mid June to see hundreds of mute swans nesting and their cygnets. Swans have been breeding at Abbotbury in Devon for almost 700 years. The herd is protected, their diet supplemented and the nests themselves are discreetly looked after by staff and volunteers. A tourist industry has arisen around the swans and visitors will find an 'Ugly Duckling Trail', an audio visual presentation, plus the usual coffee and gift shop.  The nearest station is Weymouth.

West Sedgemoor  near Bridgwater, Somerset - one of England's largest wet grazing meadows.  Find waders and waterfowl, particularly teal, wigeon and lapwing.

Cottages in the West Country for bird watchers and nature lovers

Walkers Farm Cottages near Bridgwater, Somerset    High quality cottages sleeping 2-4 people in the peaceful hamlet of Stathe near Bridgwater, Somerset. This area is the heart of the award-winning willow craft industry where willow is grown, stripped, boiled and fashioned into baskets and cane furniture. It is also part of the old cider-making area. Bird watchers will be interested in RSPB : West Sedgmoor reserve, host to over wintering water fowl in natural surroudings, with hides for viewing, Parret estuary (Steart) and the Exe estuary for waterfowl, Spetacular starling displays in the winter at Godney and the Exe river at Topsham. Local walks include the River Parrett Trail and MacMillan Way, but we keep maps and details of many trails from small strolls to longer hikes on the Quantock Hills. Why not walk or cycle to one of our local pubs or restaurants in Stoke St. Gregory or North Curry. There is a local hire centre, with south Somerset cycle routes, good cycling along country lanes without too many hills but plenty to see.

Contact: Call Di and William on  01823 698229

Rural Cottage Sleeps 2- 4 or 5, near Ashburton, Devon 1 Stoodley Barn ( sleeps 5) near Ashburton in Devon is in a secluded setting surrounded by miles of rolling Devon countryside.  Lots to do in the area.  Dartmoor National Park.    Devon's beaches are within 35 minutes drive.  Click on photograph for details.

Contact: Telephone Richard on 01364 631 212 to book now - this one will be popular.

Sleeps 4 in a 4 Star Annexe in Weymouth An ideal cottage if you're wanting to visit Abbotsbury Swannery in late May or June.   Stonebank Annexe forms part of a Grade II listed building, which dates from the early 17th century. Situated in a quiet location near the centre of the village of Chickerell, it is set back from the road in pleasant gardens. From the lounge, the patio doors lead to the enclosed garden and patio. It is a mile from the Fleet (the narrow lagoon between Chesil Beach and the mainland) and the South West coastal path.  More cottages  available near Weymouth - view under Dorset in menu on left.

Contact:  Email Pru or Telephone +44(0)1305 760 120

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