Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve: A Unique Devon Wildlife Haven

Welcome to Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve, a stunning stretch of protected coastline on the edge of the Exe Estuary in South Devon. Bursting with natural beauty, rare wildlife, and wide sandy shores, it’s a place where beach days and wildlife watching go hand in hand. Whether you’re exploring with little ones, setting off on a scenic walk, or unwinding with the sounds of birds and waves, the Warren invites you  savour its unique charm.

An Ecological Treasure on the Coast

The reserve is part of the Exe Estuary Special Protection Area, a Ramsar site, and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC)—all designations that highlight just how important Dawlish Warren is on a global scale. It’s a sanctuary for wildlife, home to rare plants, shifting dunes, tranquil ponds, and salt marshes that make every visit feel like stepping into a living nature documentary.

Wildlife Highlights

A Birdwatcher's Dream Destination

Every winter, Dawlish Warren becomes a vital resting place for thousands of birds arriving from as far away as Greenland and Siberia. Over 180 species are recorded here annually, including: Black-tailed godwits, Brent geese, Dunlins, Ringed plovers, Slavonian grebes and Red-breasted mergansers

Visit at high tide and you’ll witness an awe-inspiring spectacle: large flocks of birds gathering in one of the few remaining safe roosting areas along the estuary. To help them rest, visitors are kindly asked to avoid walking north-east of Groyne 9 for three hours either side of high tide.

A Sanctuary of Rare Plants and Pollinators

With over 600 flowering plant species, Dawlish Warren is a botanical treasure. Springtime brings out the Warren Crocus, a rare lilac-blue bloom found nowhere else in mainland Britain. The dunes are also home to petalwort, one of the UK’s tiniest and rarest plants, along with colourful dragonflies, sand wasps, and moths like the dazzling Jersey Tiger Moth.