Record number of ospreys spotted in Devon Estuary

Up to four ospreys were spotted in the Axe Estuary in Seaton

A record number of ospreys have been seen fishing in the Axe Estuary in Seaton, Devon.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) said this caused a huge number of nature lovers to visit to watch the birds of prey diving into the estuary.

It added the estuary was home to grey mullet, a fish which feeds near to the water surface, and was ideal prey for osprey.

Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council’s portfolio holder for coast, countryside and environment, said: "Witnessing spellbinding wildlife encounters such as these is exactly why EDDC has invested in the Seaton Wetlands project.

Nesting platforms

"This natural draw adds a broader shoulder season to our tourism offer in this part of East Devon."

EDDC said up to four of the birds of prey were spotted on 1 September.

James Chubb, countryside manager for EDDC, said: "We’ve seen lots of people already trooping down to the Tower Hide for a view of the ospreys as word has spread locally, but there are so many other spots on the reserve with good views of the estuary."

He added there were plans to install nesting platforms for osprey in the winter in hopes the osprey would become a summer resident in the Axe Estuary.

"Last year we saw the first ever successful breeding of avocet in Devon, here at Seaton Wetlands, and to add osprey to that list would be a sensational achievement," he said.