Avocet cruises on the Exe Estuary

Cruise the Exe Estuary this winter to get a peek at the Audrey Hepburn of birds, with their distinctive black and white plumage and upturned beaks.

According to TV naturalist Chris Packham, the avocet is the ‘Audrey Hepburn of the bird world’. With a delicate upturned bill, long blue legs and striking pied plumage, it’s certainly elegant and (for birdwatchers, at least) seriously sexy.

The Avocet was extinct as a breeding bird in Britain by the mid 1840s but made a remarkable come-back during the Second World War. Efforts to protect the bird has since allowed them to thrive, and they remain the emblem of the RSPB in recognition of the successful conservation project.

Why not take a boat trip with the experts on the Exe estuary in Devon to see these wonderful waders? From the deck of Sea Dream, you’ll enjoy close-up views of a wealth of other over-wintering wildfowl too, with helpful commentary from the RSPB leaders on board. Cruises last 1–1½ hours (times vary due to tides) and run from early November to the end of February. They’re hugely popular so booking is essential.

For a full list of dates and to book a place, go to rspb.org.uk/events