Exe Estuary Management Partnership

Exe Estuary Management Partnership Wildlife . Stewardship .

Engagement

A collaboration of partners and stakeholders, with the aim of sustainability protecting and enhancing the Exe Estuary for wildlife, user groups, and the public. The Exe Estuary Management Partnership (EEMP) coordinates collaborative estuary management across local authorities, environmental organisations, and community stakeholders. We work to protect the Exe’s unique wildlife and supp

ort sustainable recreation, by communicating and advocating the valuable work of our partners and stakeholders. Our work ensures that the estuary remains a thriving space for both nature and people:
- Supporting wildlife conservation and habitat protection
- Aiding monitoring and research
- Promoting sustainable recreation guidance
- Communicating policy and management coordination
- Initiating community engagement and volunteering
- Providing educational sessions and awareness campaigns
- Delivering estuary wide partnership projects

Follow this page for:
- Wildlife updates and seasonal reminders
- Estuary news and alerts
- Event announcements
- Community stories
- Photos from around the estuary
- Project and conservation updates

Learn More:
-Exe Estuary Management Plan:
https://www.exe-estuary.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2022/03/Exe-Estuary-Management-Plan-2022-2027-003.pdf

-Exe Estuary Codes of Conduct:
https://www.exe-estuary.org/visitor-information/codes-of-conduct/

-Link to sign up to newsletter:
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/subscriber/topics?qsp=UKDEVONCC_exe_estuary

-Become a member of the partnership:
https://www.exe-estuary.org/get-involved/become-a-member/

08/09/2026

🚶‍♀️Exmouth Photo Walk🚶‍♀️

📸 Join us for the Exmouth Photo Walk and discover the beauty of the Exe Estuary through your lens!📸

🌿Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, this guided photo walk is a fantastic opportunity to explore Exmouth.🌿

🌊 Estuary views
⛵ Marina & boats
🦆 Wildlife
🏖️ Beach life
📸 Street photography

📌Reserve your space today: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/exeestuarymanagementpartnership1/2342202



This publication is endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development as a Decade Activity. Use of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development logo by a non-UN entity does not imply the endorsement of the United Nations of such entity, its products or services, or of its planned activities. For more information please access: https://oceandecade.org/legal/

04/09/2026

Wildlife Spotlight: Mussel 🦪

Mussels are an important part of our coastal and estuarine ecosystems, helping to filter the water while providing food and habitat for a variety of marine species. 🌊

🔎 Did you know?
Mussels use a tuft of strong, silky threads called byssal threads, or their “beard”, to anchor themselves to rocks, the seabed and even other mussels. 🦪

🦪 Appearance:
• Black, grey or blue triangular-shaped shell
• Concentric lines across the shell
• Often found clumped together and attached to rocks

🍽 Diet:
• Plankton
• Detritus

⏳ Average lifespan:
• Up to 10 years

🌍 Habitat:
• Marine and intertidal
• Mudflats
• Beaches
• Shoreline

📍 Location:
• Widespread around the UK coast
• Often found in mussel beds, including those cultivated by fishermen

✔️ Responsible wildlife observation helps protect this species:
• Try not to pick up mussels when you find them
• If you accidentally catch them in nets while rockpooling, carefully return them to where you found them
• Leave mussel beds undisturbed and respect sensitive coastal habitats

Next time you're exploring the shoreline, take a closer look at the mussel beds. These small shellfish play a big role in keeping our coastal ecosystems healthy! 💙

01/09/2026

📸 THIS WEEKEND: Photo Walk at Dawlish Warren!

🌊Fancy seeing the Exe Estuary from a different perspective? Join Photo Club Devon and South East Devon Wildlife Wardens this Saturday for a FREE photography walk through the beach, dunes and Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve.

📷 All abilities welcome! Bring a camera, smartphone or film camera and capture the landscapes, wildlife, colours and textures along the way.

🖤 FREE darkroom workshop
Film photographers can also take part in a free darkroom session film development.

📅 Saturday 5 September | 10am–1pm
📍 Dawlish Warren Railway Station, EX7 0PQ
🥾 Approx. 3 miles

🎟️ There’s still time to book your FREE place:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/exeestuarymanagementpartnership1/2293463

Come along, get creative and discover the Exe Estuary through the lens! 🌿📸



This publication is endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development as a Decade Activity. Use of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development logo by a non-UN entity does not imply the endorsement of the United Nations of such entity, its products or services, or of its planned activities.

28/08/2026

Wildlife Spotlight: Hermit Crab 🦀

🐚Hermit crabs are fascinating coastal creatures that rely on empty shells for protection, making them a familiar sight in rockpools and along our shores. 🐚

🔎 Did you know?
Hermit crabs are constantly on the lookout for a suitable shell! When two hermit crabs meet, one may even try to steal the other's shell by attempting to force them out. 🐚

🦀 Appearance:
• Reddish-brown body
• Right-handed pincer is larger than the left
• Often found living in empty periwinkle or whelk shells

🍽 Diet:
• Small invertebrates
• Plankton
• Detritus

⏳ Average lifespan:
• Up to 10 years

🌍 Habitat:
• Marine, coastal and intertidal
• Mudflats
• Rocky outcrops along coastlines and estuaries

📍 Location:
• Widespread around UK coastlines and estuaries

✔️ Responsible wildlife observation helps protect this species:
• Try not to pick up hermit crabs
• If you accidentally catch one in your net while rockpooling, carefully return it to where you found it
• Leave shells and other coastal wildlife undisturbed

when you are at the estuary see if you can spot a hermit crab peeking out from its borrowed home! 🐚💙

25/08/2026

📸 Photo Walk: Dawlish Warren 🌊

Join Photo Club Devon and South East Devon Wildlife Wardens on a FREE photography walk exploring the beach, dunes, coast, wildlife and Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve.

Whether you're a beginner, professional, smartphone photographer or film photographer, everyone is welcome! 📷

🖤 FREE darkroom workshop
Film photographers will also have the opportunity to join a free darkroom session!

📅 5 September | 10am–1pm
📍 Dawlish Warren Railway Station, EX7 0PQ
🥾 Approx. 3 miles

🎟️ Book your place:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/exeestuarymanagementpartnership1/2293463

Come along, get creative and explore the Exe Estuary through a different lens! 🌿📸



"This publication is endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development as a Decade Activity. Use of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development logo by a non-UN entity does not imply the endorsement of the United Nations of such entity, its products or services, or of its planned activities. For more information please access: https://oceandecade.org/legal/"

23/08/2026

Wildlife Spotlight: Common Brittlestar ⭐️

🌊These fascinating marine animals are an important part of our coastal and estuarine ecosystems and can often be found hiding beneath rocks or across the seabed. 🌊

🔎 Did you know?
Common brittlestars have a clever way of escaping predators! They can detect chemicals released by common and spiny starfish and will quickly try to get away. ⭐️

⭐️ Appearance:
• Vary in colour from dull brown to purple, red-orange and yellow
• Five delicate, spiny legs with colourful bands

🍽 Diet:
• Algae
• Plankton
• Small invertebrates

⏳ Average lifespan:
• Up to 3 years

🌍 Habitat:
• Marine, coastal and intertidal
• Rockpools
• Sea and estuary beds

📍 Location:
• Widespread around the UK coast

✔️ Responsible wildlife observation helps protect this species:
• When rockpooling, leave everything as you found it
• Handle brittlestars carefully as their delicate legs can easily break
• Avoid disturbing wildlife and sensitive coastal habitats

Next time you're exploring a rockpool or the shoreline, keep an eye out for these delicate creatures! You never know what might be hiding beneath the rocks. 💙

21/08/2026

📷Photo Competition Update! 📷

✨Exe-citing development! Our photography competition has been endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science as a Sustainable Development Activity✨

📢This means out competition directly contributes to sustainable ocean science, meeting high international standards set by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. 📢

🌊By entering you are contributing to raising awareness of sustainable oceans! 🌊

🎉Get snapping and enter now to be part of this amazing opportunity to make a international difference in a local area🎉

Enter Now: https://zealous.co/devoncountycouncil/opportunity/exe-photo-competition/?utm_source=Referral&utm_medium=Opportunity%20Button%20Click&utm_campaign=devoncountycouncil&utm_content=exe-photo-competition



# unoceandecade

"This publication is endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development as a Decade Activity. Use of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development logo by a non-UN entity does not imply the endorsement of the United Nations of such entity, its products or services, or of its planned activities. For more information please access: https://oceandecade.org/legal/"

14/08/2026

Wildlife Spotlight: Common Shore Crab 🦀

🦀 If you've spent time exploring rockpools or walking along the estuary shore, chances are you've come across a common shore crab hiding amongst seaweed, on the mudflats, and in rockpools. 🦀

🔎 Did you know?
You can tell male and female shore crabs apart by looking underneath their shell. Males have a long, thin triangular flap, while females have a much broader, rounded flap used for carrying eggs.

🦀 Appearance:
• Colour can vary from greenish to orange or red
• Distinctive pattern of spikes around the edge of the shell known as the carapace
• They have five upturned spikes on each side of the carapace
• With three rounded lobes between the eyes

🍽 Diet:
• Small invertebrates
• Detritus (decaying organic matter)
• Algae

⏳ Average lifespan:
• Around 3–6 years

🌍 Habitat:
• Marine and Intertidal
• Mudflats
• Rockpools
• Eelgrass beds
• Seaweed habitats

📍 Location:
• Found along the south and west coasts of Britain and Ireland, including estuaries

✔️ Responsible wildlife observation helps protect this species:
• Try not to pick shore crabs up out of the water
• If you do handle one, place it back exactly where you found it
• Respect sensitive coastal and estuarine habitats

Next time you're exploring a rockpool or shoreline, take a closer look you might spot one of these fascinating crabs going about its day. 💙

10/08/2026

🏃‍♀️🐟 Salmon Run 2026 🏃‍♀️🐟

🌊Look out this September, for runners taking on an incredible challenge following the journey of Atlantic salmon from the sea at Exmouth to their spawning grounds upstream along the River Exe. 🌊

🎽 You can GET INVOLVED, choose between:
• The 43-mile Ultra from Exmouth to Dulverton
• The Community Relay, where teams run one section of the route and pass on the handcrafted salmon baton, "Samantha"

🐟 The Salmon Run celebrates one of the River Exe's most iconic migratory species, highlighting its ecological and cultural importance, while raising awareness of the challenges salmon face, including habitat loss and climate change.🐟

📍 Starting in Exmouth and following the River Exe inland, the route connects communities along the river and brings people together in support of this remarkable fish and the landscapes it calls home.

👏 Whether you're running, supporting from the sidelines, or joining one of the activities taking place along the route, it's a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the River Exe and its wildlife. 👏

📅 19 September 2026

🔗 Find out more and get involved:

07/08/2026

Wildlife Spotlight: Ragworm

🪱 These fascinating worms are an important part of our estuarine ecosystems and provide a valuable food source for many birds and fish. 🪱

🔎 Did you know?
Ragworms create burrows by feeding on mud and sand, extracting nutrients and organic matter before leaving behind casts on the surface.

🪱 Appearance:
• Long, segmented body with small bristles, giving them a millipede-like appearance
• Colour ranges from pale brown to pink
• Males turn bright green during the breeding season

🍽 Diet:
• Plankton
• Small invertebrates
• Mud
• Detritus

⏳ Average lifespan:
• Around 1–3 years

🌍 Habitat:
• Marine and Intertidal
• Mudflats
• Beaches
• Shoreline

📍 Location:
• Widespread across sandy and muddy coasts and estuaries throughout the UK

✔️ Responsible wildlife observation helps protect this species:
• Make sure to put any worms back where you found them
• Avoid disturbing birds that are feeding on worms
• If you are collecting bait, please follow our bait collecting code of conduct
• Respect sensitive coastal and estuarine habitats

Next time you're walking along a mudflat or sandy shore, take a closer look at the patterns in the sand and mud. They're a reminder of the hidden wildlife living beneath our feet. 💙

Address

Devon County Council, Room 120, County Hall, Topsham Road
Exeter
EX24QD

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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