Osprey catching fish dinner
A juvenile osprey shakes water from its feathers as it catches a grey mullet on the Axe Estuary, Seaton. Credit Peter Twamley

September 2024 has seen a record number of ospreys fishing in the Axe Estuary at Seaton, with up to four of these iconic birds being spotted on Sunday 1st.

This has led to a huge number of nature lovers heading for the Tower Hide at Seaton Wetlands in East Devon to enjoy close-up views of them plunging into the estuary waters right outside the bird hide. The estuary is home to grey mullet, a fish species which feeds near to the water surface, and is ideal prey for the fish-specialist osprey as they look to build up energy reserves before a huge southerly migration to sub-Saharan Africa.

East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) Portfolio Holder for Coast, Countryside & Environment Geoff Jung, said:

"Witnessing spellbinding wildlife encounters such as these is exactly why EDDC has invested in the Seaton Wetlands project. This natural draw adds a broader shoulder season to our tourism offer in this part of East Devon."

James Chubb, Countryside Manager for EDDC, explained:

"The site has been designed to bring people and wildlife close together without causing disturbance. 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. In previous years Osprey have been seen right up until the end of September so we hope to enjoy this spectacular scene for a few more weeks!

"We have plans to install nesting platforms for osprey this winter, in the hope that they might 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!"