| South Efford Marsh | |
| Map: | Devon |
| Map Width: | 210 |
| Location: | near Aveton Gifford |
| Coordinates: | 50.307°N -3.8446°W |
| Grid Ref Uk: | SX 688 468 |
| Operator: | Devon Wildlife Trust |
| Website: | South Efford Marsh |
South Efford Marsh is a nature reserve of the Devon Wildlife Trust. It is situated by the River Avon, about 0.5miles south-west of the village of Aveton Gifford, in Devon, England.
The site, area, is leased by the Devon Wildlife Trust. It was bought by the Environment Agency in 2009; it had been a grazing marsh by the river estuary since the 1780s, when a retaining wall was built. A tidal gate was installed in 2011, which allows sea water to flow in at high tide. There is now pasture and a developing saltmarsh. Cattle are sometimes put in the marshy fields in order to keep down coarser plants.[1] [2] [3]
There is a footpath around the northern half of the site; visitors are discouraged from exploring the more open southern half, where there may be nesting and feeding birds.[1]
There is a bird hide, with all-round views, at the end of the perimeter path.[2]
There are different habitats in the site. In the northern half are sedge warbler, reed bunting and kingfisher; on the banks next to the river, birds to be seen include linnet, whitethroat and chiffchaff; in the salt and brackish water in the south, black-tailed godwit, green sandpiper and oystercatcher are among the birds that may be seen.[1]