[Polecat]

Seaton Marshes Nature Reserve/Bird Hide is situated close to the Estuary of the River Axe, for those that don't know the area, the Main estuary is around 1 mile long and 5-750m wide....though the tidal range speads back nearly to the A3052 ( lyme regis - Sidmouth rd ) . The Nature reserve is on the main estuary but cover salt Marshes also, to the West. The Bird Hide is close to the high tide mark of the estuary .
There is disabled access to the hide, and in fact, on my visit last week there was a person in a wheel chair at the hide.

Over many years, its the salt marshes that have rewarded me with some great birdy sights!!......yet I think the hide caters more for the mud estuary sort of bird watcher and the proper marshes inland from the hide are barely visible.


A real pain is that the hide has been built with the seaton tramway track between it and the estuary, with the associated overhead wires and trams every 5minutes at peak times. So its nigh impossible to get a good photo of a bird flying because of the wires and some of the tram drivers hoot their horn and wave at the quiet unassuming birders!!!......just what you don't want.........and then loads of tourists gork at you!!

Though don't let this put you off visiting the hide, even if you decide a better view is afforded from the road between seaton and axmouth opposite, which lets you get even closer to the estuary!!! ( see photo )

There is much to be applauded with this initiative though its location by the tramtrack is appalling.....but a nice quiet time can be had between trams! The reserve has built some pools around the hide and provided bird tables close to the tramtrack, though these were void of food during my visit.

Parking for the hide should not be a prob, as marked on the map and if those 4 places are full then theres plenty of unrestricted parking 50 yds further back.


Some pics