Directions to Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon Please! (4 Viewers)

[Binocularface]

Hi

Can someone please give me directions for Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon as I am hoping to stop off here on my way down to Cornwall later this week!

Thanks in advance
Tristan Reid

 

[Andrew]

Come off at Junction 30 of the M5 and proceed east down the A376. Take the south road at the next roundabout towards Exmouth. At the second roundabout after this one go West on the second exit towards Topsham and keep going until you come to a rise in the road after crossing the small River Clyst and see a lane on the left marked Elm Grove Road. Go down this road over a railway bridge and drive down to the bottom. You should see a few cars parked there, if not then park up in the side near the first RSPB sign you see. The hide is down the road and the platform a bit further up the road through a wrought iron gate. There is a Goatwalk even further on to view the river or low tide estuarine mud flats. It is all easily done in a rush if you are pushed for time but you can spend an hour or two resting from the journey.

 

[Andrew]

PS : OS Grid Ref is SX973875

Furthermore, a mighty welcome to this stunning forum!

 

[Binocularface]

Hi Andrew

Thanks very much for the directions, I will hopefully have enough time to have a good look around the reserve!

Thanks for the kind welcome too!!

Regards
Tristan Reid

 

[peter hayes]

Tristan

Welcome to the forum, and have a great time when you go to BGM. It's my favourite place. Do let us know how you got on.

 

[Binocularface]

I found BGM without any problems thanks to the excellent directions!

I stopped off at the site on my way down to Cornwall for a weeks holiday!

I was very impressed by the reserve, highlights were, 4 Spoonbills, 8 Little Egrets, Spotted Redshank and Glossy Ibis!!
The reserve must make for an excellent local patch

My week in Cornwall was also great. My highlights were Red-rumped Swallow, American Herring Gull, Richard's Pipit, Shorelark, Rose-coloured Starling and Chough!!

After my week in Cornwall I spent a few days in the Midlands visiting friends and family. This was well timed as it allowed me to day trip East Yorkshire for the Taiga Flycatcher and on the return trip Purple Heron in Notts!

I was also able to stop off for the Bonaparte's Gull at Fairburn on my way back North to Cumbria!!

All in all a pretty memorable holiday!!

Thanks for the Directions!

Regards
Tristan Reid

 

[peter hayes]

Tristan

Don't expect that haul every time you have a week's holiday! But as you say, BGM is a fantastic local patch.

Glad you had such a great time.

Peter

 

[birdman]

I'm flabbergasted, Tristan!

You'll let me know when you're next down my way, won't you - and I'll tag along for some "passive" birdwatching.

Bound to see bee-eater, roller, black-woodpecker, wallcreeper, b****y WAXWING(!!!!! - not that it's getting to me!).

BIG WELCOME to a GREAT FORUM by the way!!!

PS. GGBC - we could use someone with your talent!

 

[Andrew]

Glad the directions were adequate and that you saw Izzy. As for the rest of your holiday, I am staggered! You had a full set of lifers for me in Kernow!

 

[Binocularface]

Hi Andrew

Yes your directions were spot on (thanks again), made finding the reserve very easy!

I got excellent views of 'Izzy'!!

The Holiday was great with four lifers in total for me!!

Back at home in Cumbria has not been to much of a 'come down' as the Pomarine Skua passage has started.
Today I saw a flock of 36 Pomarine Skuas, this is an immense experience. Also a Summer Plumaged Great Northern Diver was a bonus!!

Regards
Tristan

 

[Andrew]

I would love to see Pomarine Skuas too. Maybe this year from Berry Head?

 

[kingfisher]

Welcome Tristan,

Glad you enjoyed BGM and Cornwall, sounds like you have had a great time birding, funny enough i am off to BGM early Saturday morning.......

 

[Andrew]

Kingfisher,

I went to BGM this morning and it was very cold, wet and windy but I still saw Izzy on the far side of the marsh. Nothing much else though, a rubbish day really. Oh, yes the hirundine dispaly is fantastic at the moment and got 11 Swifts right above me!

 

[peter hayes]

Kingfisher, do tell us how you get on tomorrow, won't you?

Peter

 

[kingfisher]

Will post a report but will be on Monday nite when i am home again.......

 

[Andrew]

Kingfisher,
I will post a report too and it will be interesting to see what you get that I missed! You'll be gripping me off with an exotic array of feathered beuaties, probably even see a streaker running in front of the hide too!!! LOL

 

[peter hayes]

I think you two 'pool fans are getting quite carried away!

 

[green_ruk]

Could someone help me with directions please for the viewing platform. I have been to the hide before but it was late in the day and I only had time to dash in to see the ibis before it got dark

Many thanks

Rob

 

[Binocularface]

Hi Rob

If you continue along the road past the hide you will come to a wrought iron gate at the entrance to a path on the left. Follow this path to the viewing platform.

HTH

Regards
Tristan Reid

 

[green_ruk]

Hi Tristan

Many thanks for that

Regards

Rob