Our second meeting this month, for those that can make it, will be a visit to the Skern and Isley Marsh. Dave will leave the Stratton Car Park at 11.00am so that we are in place before high tide.
We will meet at Skern on Northam Burrows at about 11.45am.
If you are driving straight there, the turning for this part of Northam Burrows is off the coastal road running between Westward Ho! and Appledore. Please note there are several entrance gates on to Northam Burrows. The one we are reaching is the further from Westward Ho! Just before reaching Appledore, turn left into Board Lane, which leads into Burrows Lane and out onto the Burrows, past the car park attendant’s hut (this will not be manned at this time of year) with a small car park at the end. You can bird watch from you car if you want! The postcode for this is Burrows Lane, Appledore, Bideford EX39 1NG
We will then be driving on to Isley Marsh, which is over the high bridge at Bideford – takes about 17 minutes from Skern. We are going to RSPB Isley Marsh, Barnstaple EX31 3EN. After crossing the bridge, turn left just before the traffic lights to the lower road to East-the-Water, Instow and Yelland and then turn right at the next roundabout. Drive towards Instow and continue to Yelland (a couple of miles). The turning left to the parking for Isley Marsh is in Yelland, before reaching Fremington. The left hand turning is immediately after a large used car forecourt, signposted to ‘Estuary Business Park’. As you turn into the road, you will see another sign saying ‘Yelland Quay’. We park in this road – please note that the lower half of the road is double yellow lines, so we need to park about half way down this long road. There is a walk of about 15 minutes to the bird watching area. Please note that this is not a strenuous walk, there will be pathways on the road and sand dunes but these are gentle slopes, although may not be suitable for everyone if you can only walk a short distance. You may want to make your own way to Skern and just do that part of the visit instead of going on to Isley Marsh as well; whatever suits you. I suggest you bring your own lunch picnic as we may be out 3-4 hours altogether or so. If anyone wants to go on to Fremington Quay for a cup of tea (just about another few miles towards Bideford on from Yelland), after Isley Marsh, if there is time, there is a very nice cafe/restaurant there, which I think closes at 4pm. This is another lovely bird watching area at the end of the estuary with plenty of parking.
It would be helpful to have an idea of who intends coming to this meeting. If you need to arrange a lift, please make your own arrangements between you or turn up at Stratton to arrange car sharing.
