Green Flag Award for Seaton Marshes Local Nature Reserve
Flying the flag for East Devon.
Seaton Marshes has become East Devon District Council’s flagship green space after receiving a prestigious national award.
Green flags are similar in many ways to blue flags for beaches – they are an indication of quality. For many years the award scheme was only open to formal parks, gardens and cemeteries. But, after qualifications broadened to include nature reserves, the council was able to put in a successful bid at its first attempt.
Seaton Marshes was commended on its access, facilities and local community focus, as well as the bountiful natural history interest. The bird hide forms the focus of a winter visit, and wheelchair viewing facilities in the hide; space and interpretation installations all caught the judges’ eyes.
Upon entering the hide you are faced with a wall of information about the wildlife and management of the marshes, and seasonal wildlife spectacles to look out for throughout the year. On the reverse of this information wall are details of what has been seen recently on the reserve, along with an identification chart for the nature reserve birds.
The hide looks out over the Axe estuary, a winter refuge for otters, kingfishers, and countless wading birds. But, unlike many other hides, it has 360-degree views across the nature reserve too. The wet marshes provide valuable feeding areas for ducks, such as wigeon, teal and shoveller. Click here to learn more about Seaton’s wild ducks - wonderful wigeon (23KB).
The activity programme on offer from the hide also received approval from the judges, with East Devon District Council events taking place regularly as well as local interest groups and RSPB visits. Two poster cabinets are located either side of the door to the hide advertising local events and displaying the monthly bird counts.
But a visit to the marshes is more than just a trip to the bird hide. The summer stroll round the nature reserve with the judging panel revealed clouds of dragonflies and butterflies, secret orchid-filled corners and secluded spots for quiet reflection.
What particularly impressed however, was that this entire reserve has only been in existence for the past four years. Before then the marshes were rank grassland, with little wildlife interest. Today however they burst with life, both human and wild. Award-winning projects like this are the key to unlocking the natural world for everyone’s enjoyment.
Click here for more general information about Seaton Marshes Local Nature Reserve or the Seaton Marshes Junior Rangers Scheme.
For more information about schools visits to the local nature reserve contact the Education Ranger by clicking here jchubb@eastdevon.gov.uk .
