The winter migration of birds to the Exe Estuary often attracts birdwatchers – and it's also drawn the attention of ITV Westcountry News.

Every year dark-bellied Brent geese arrive in the estuary from Eastern Siberia, a journey of 3,000 miles, to spend the winter there.

There are two wildlife refuges in the estuary, marked out with buoys, at the area known as the Exmouth Duck Pond and Dawlish Warren.

This week a TV crew went out on the water with representatives of Teignbridge and East Devon district councils, and the South East Devon Habitat Regulation Executive Committee, to film the birds.

A report on the importance of protecting the migrating birds and respecting the refuge areas featured on Westcountry TV News on Friday, September 24.

The local authorities are asking anyone planning to go and see the birds in the coming weeks to stay out of the refuge areas and follow the Exe Water Users Code of Conduct.

'This is something worth protecting'

Dawlish councillor Martin Wrigley, who is Chair of the South East Devon Habitat Regulation Executive Committee and Teignbridge Executive Member for Communities, Housing and IT, said: "Watching the return of the overwintering birds to the Exe Estuary, seeing them feed and gather on clear blue-sky autumn days, reflected in the glassy water surface, brings a feeling of calm serenity. It's definitely something worth protecting.

"The Exmouth Wildlife Refuge at Exmouth Duck Pond is active until 31 December to protect the feeding grounds of birds such as Brent geese. The Dawlish Warren wildlife refuge is active all year round.

"Please watch from a distance and remain outside the wildlife refuge to respect their space and ensure they can feed free of disturbance. Dogs are seen as predators by birds, so please keep them away from the foreshore to avoid disturbing them. After such a long journey, it's a simple way to show how welcome they are here."