Wolves Wild

The River Clyst is one of the last tributaries to join the Exe estuary before the Exe itself joins the sea. The lowest reach of the Clyst is tidal, with exposed mud at low tide. These pictures were taken after a spell of wet weather, so the mud extended up the banks and in the neighbouring fields.

A steep bare gully was visible leading down from the field to the river. Along its middle, signs that some largeish creature had used the gully as a slide. At the time I thought it was probably a fox or a badger, but an otter could also have been about the right size. Less distinct, at least from my point of view on a footbridge over the river, I thought I could also see prints left by paws in the soft mud.

There was a similar gully directly across the water on the other bank. It too had what looked to me like hints of tracks, but even harder to make out.

Looking down the last stretch of the River Exe estuary. Where the east (left) bank meets the sea, there’s Exmouth. On the opposite shore, Dawlish Warren. In the middle, at low tide, big areas of exposed mud. On the mud, flocks of waders, geese and ducks, not to mention gulls, scavenging.

Close-up on one spike of a purple heather in flower.

A cormorant swimming on the River Exe by Exeter Quays, heading down-river. A moment later, the bird took off and flew towards the other side of the river to join several of its fellows on one of the protective buoys strung across the weir.

Alexanders plants were really common by the side of roads and lanes in south Devon, and the yellow flowers were beginning to open on some of them in mid-February.

The River Exe directly below the church at Topsham. When the tide is out, as it was here, a wide stretch of very soft and squelchy looking mud is exposed. A pair of teal, wading through the mud, prospecting for things to eat.