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  • Labrador Bay

Labrador Bay

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Address
RSPB Labrador Bay, Teignmouth Rd, Shaldon, Torquay TQ1 4TP
Grid ref
SX931705
What3Words
confined.flexed.relations

This beautiful coastal reserve near Shaldon offers stunning views over Lyme Bay.  Purchased to help secure the future of the cirl bunting, a rare bird whose population is almost entirely restricted to south Devon, it is also home to other key species, including peregrines, buzzards and yellowhammers.

Plan your visit

Opening times

Open at all times.

Entrance charges

Free entrance to RSPB members
Yes
Adults
Free
Children
Free
Car park cost

Pay and display car parking.

Facilities

  • Car park
  • Viewing point
  • Nature trails

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

Teignmouth station is two miles (3.2 km) away.

By bus

Unfortunately there is no bus stop on the busy A379 that is within safe walking distance to our reserve.

By road

Labrador Bay is 2.7 miles (4.35 km) south of Teignmouth on the A379 coast road towards Torbay (between Shaldon and Maidencombe).

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

Labrador Bay is on the South West Coastal path.

Get directions from Google Maps
View on What3Words
RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 231Kb

Labrador Bay trail guide

Contact Labrador Bay

  • RSPB Labrador Bay, Teignmouth Rd, Shaldon, Torquay TQ1 4TP
  • exe.estuary@rspb.org.uk
  • 01392 833311
  • @RSPBExeEstuary
  • Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

    Perched Buzzard illustration

    Buzzard

    The buzzard is now the UK's most numerous bird of prey.

    Cirl bunting, male

    Cirl bunting

    They're present at Labrador Bay all year-round.

    Male yellowhammer

    Yellowhammer

    In spring, listen out for the yellowhammer's song.

    Peregrine adult

    Peregrine falcon

    They are a regular sight overhead when a pair is nesting in the area.

     Skylark illustration

    Skylark

    Spring visits to Labrador Bay will be enriched by the beautiful song of skylarks.

Nature spectacles

You might spot dolphins or basking sharks.

Seasonal highlights

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter

In spring, the cirl buntings become territorial and start to form pairs. The males' distinctive rattles can be heard across the reserve. Look out for peregrines as they are seen frequently flying along the cliff top.

During summer, the grasslands on the reserve are looking their best, alive with chirruping grasshoppers and butterflies such as marbled whites and small coppers. Summer migrants such as whitethroats, blackcaps and chiffchaffs will have taken up residence in the scrub along the cliff edge.

Autumn is a good time to see cirl buntings as they will flock up and forage on the stubbles specially managed for them. Other farmland birds are attracted to the stubbles such as skylarks, chaffinches and yellowhammers.

In winter, the number of birds on the stubbles on the reserve should increase as food becomes harder to find. Cirl buntings will sing all year round so on bright sunny days, listen out for the males' rattling calls.

About Labrador Bay

Habitat

Labrador Bay is part of a working farm grazed by cattle in the summer and sheep in the winter. Habitats here include coastal cliff top, woodland, scrub and low-intensity arable and semi-improved grasslands. 

Conservation

This nature reserve near Shaldon was purchased in 2008 to help secure the future of the cirl bunting, a rare little bird whose population is almost entirely restricted to south Devon. 

Site information

The reserve extends along 1.25 miles (2 km) of spectacular south Devon coast.

There is a good variety of cafes, restaurants and pubs in nearby Shaldon, plus pubs in Maidencombe, Stokenteignhead and Combeinteignhead. The closest public toilets are by the Smugglers Tunnel, the Ness, Shaldon, and are a good 20-minute walk away.

Latest blog posts

  • Crisp wintery mornings, peregrine falcon aerial acrobatics, work party antics and Avocet Cruises

    With the marshes filling up, and the winter species moving in, these cold crisp mornings provide fantastic conditions to be out on the marshes. After desert like conditions all summer long, with cracked mud and yellow grass, the last week’s rain has ...

    Posted 19/10/2018 by Tom A
  • Autumns in the air and were getting ready for the exciting arrivals

    With the evening light shortening and the mornings feeling a little chillier, signs that autumn is approaching are beginning. We are eagerly anticipating the autumn/winter migrants; over the next few weeks and months the marsh should regain its marsh...

    Posted 07/09/2018 by Tom A
  • John O’Groats to Land’s End, Over 900 miles in 10 days, for the RSPB and Ecosystem Impact’s Salur Valley Bird Conservation Programme

    On September the 17th my mum and I are cycling over 900 miles, from John O’Groats to Land’s End, in just 10 days. By doing this cycle ride, we aim to raise money for two incredible causes: the RSPB (UK) and Ecosystem Impact’s Salur Valley Bird Conser...

    Posted 21/08/2018 by Tom A
  • Marsh harriers on the marshes, and why not come play in our discovery area!

    Differing greatly from the high speed predation techniques of hobby’s, peregrines and sparrow hawks, marsh harriers are often seen gently soaring across the skyline and can appear to be flying in slow motion. We have had a marsh harrier hanging aroun...

    Posted 11/08/2018 by Tom A
read our blog

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

For more information on events and to book tickets, please visit events.rspb.org.uk/labradorbay

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