The Camel Estuary provides an excellent habitat for birds with its large areas of salt marsh and mudflats which encourage a wide variety of waders.

Peregrines are commonly spotted, as is a migrant osprey, breaking his journey for a few days of fishing and swimming in spring and autumn. Mute swans nest at several locations, including a small island near the bridge in the centre of Wadebridge, and several types of duck, including shelduck, shoveller, teal and mallard, make the estuary their home.

There are a number of purpose-built hides on the estuary with those on the Camel Trail open to the public. In addition there are guided walks organized by Cornwall Wildlife Trust plus local blogs to record your sightings such as camelbirder.wordpress.com.

At the very least it’s a good excuse for a lovely level walk or bike ride alongside the River Camel.