Recommendation Of The Week: Darts Farm Wetlands

Today I am going to review the darts farm wetlands from my perspective. Address: RSPB darts farm, Topsham rd, Exeter EX3. This reserve is particularly good for brent geese.

When you reach the car park, there will be fields one side and a large shop on the other. Ignore the shop for now and head towards the doors, just don’t go in. When you get to the doors, turn left and you will see a hill. There is a path one side of the hill so head for this path.

The path will take you by a pond and this area is very good for kestrels and if you’re lucky, maybe a kingfisher. Take a moment to stop by the pond and look out over the fields. Up in the sky in the evenings, the Brent goose flock might just be returning (if you are visiting in the winter) from their feeding grounds.

Carry on along the path and you will come to a bird hide. The hide looks out over some marshland and on the stream, there can be Canada geese, greylag geese, teal, wigeon and maybe a heron. Brent geese will some times join these birds here but they are usually in the fields.

Head back along the path that I have just described and head for that hill. When you get to the end of the path, there should be another path that leads up the hill. Head up the hill and watch out for finch flocks in the winter. There can occasionally be peregrine falcons so keep an eye open for that. When you get to the top of the hill, take a moment to take all of it in. The wonderful view, the sounds of bird song and the faint sound of running water. After this, head back down another path at the top and that will take you back to the car park.

And after a long walk, you can take a break and relax in the cafe or go shopping around the building. If you are on a day trip, I would suggest joining RSPB bowling green marsh in as it is just round the corner.

Overall, I would give this place 5 out of 5 stars! There is always something to see or do and most of the paths are flat so good for walking. My experience was really good as I was on a guided tour, trying out my new scope. I saw linnets, Canada geese, Brent geese and lots of others.