Dawlish Warren NNR includes the full range of coastal habitats, from mudflats to sand dunes. The reserve provides shelter and food for up to 12,000 wading birds and also helps to protect the Exe Estuary from wave action, which is particularly important during storm events.
Main habitats: coastal
Management: Dawlish Warren is jointly owned and managed by Teignbridge District Council and the Devon Wildlife Trust.
Teignbridge District Council: Update - August 2020
Sadly, winter weather has resulted in significant erosion of an area of Dawlish Warren, and this is constantly changing. The sand level is now considerably lower and we are advising extreme caution when visiting this area. There is no access along dunes from groyne 10 and groyne 12 and there is cliffing of the dunes from groyne 10 to groyne 18 so there is no access between the beach and the dunes.
This means all access to Warren Point and the bird hide, remains via the beach with the risk of being cut off for around an hour either side of high water.
Walkers can no longer complete an entire circular walk at Dawlish Warren as the only return route to the car park from the far end is via the beach from groyne 18.
Exe Estuary: Dawlish Code
Dawlish Warren is a beautiful part of the Devon coast, and an internationally important site for wildlife.
The Warren is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a National Nature Reserve (NNR) and forms part of the Exe Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site. It includes the main roosting area for the estuary’s birds and has over 600 types of British wild plant.
A variety of water activities take place around the Exe Estuary. Without great care some activities can disturb wildlife.
https://www.exe-estuary.org/visitor-information/codes-of-conduct/dawlish-warren-code/
