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Record-Breaking Year for Visitors at Seaton Wetlands Nature Reserve

Friday, 10 January 2025 06:00

By Chris Collman

Seaton Wetlands Nature Reserve, which is owned and managed by East Devon District Council’s Countryside Team, welcomed 112,608 visitors in 2024, a 12% increase compared to 2023 and a new record for the site.

A key factor to the site’s success in 2024 was the opening of a multi-user path connecting the heart of the reserve to the town of Seaton. This tarmacked, level pathway improved accessibility to the wetlands for walkers, runners, cyclists, and those using pushchairs or wheelchairs, making it easier than ever to explore the reserve.

The reserve saw its busiest day on September 28, this coincided with the annual Colyford Goose Fayre and followed the excitement of a record number of osprey fishing in the Axe Estuary. Wildlife enthusiasts and visitors keen to learn more, flocked to the Wetlands to try and catch sight of these iconic birds.

Thanks to a successful volunteer recruitment campaign, the Discovery Hut visitor centre was open more frequently in 2024. This encouraged visitors to the site to learn about local wildlife, watch nest cam footage, purchase refreshments, and hire pond-dipping equipment from the site’s dedicated volunteers.

Portfolio Holder, Coast, Country and Environment, Cllr Geoff Jung said: ‘‘East Devon District Council is exceptionally proud of Seaton Wetlands. The Countryside team work tirelessly to provide a space for local wildlife to thrive, while providing a unique and magical year-round experience for visitors. This year Seaton Wetlands achieved a Green Flag Award once again, with the first being awarded in 2006. It attracted avocets, otters and osprey, and provided some lucky visitors with barn owl sightings, under the watch of the resident kingfishers, a real treat to behold!’’

James Chubb, Countryside Manager, celebrated the team’s efforts and looked ahead to an exciting future: “Our team and volunteers are dedicated to making Seaton Wetlands a haven for both wildlife and visitors. In 2024, we celebrated the successful breeding of kestrels, sand martins, and swifts, discovered a number of rare bat species on site, and hosted a thriving educational and events programme. To reach well over 100,000 visitors is a fantastic accolade and something we are all extremely proud of. We have ambitious plans for 2025 including site expansion and conservation projects to provide much needed wildlife habitat.”

To find out more about the work of the Countryside team, and to plan your visit to Seaton Wetlands visit: wildeastdevon.co.uk.

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