The River Axe flows through

Scenes along the River Axe in Axminster. Ref mhr 19-17TI 2679. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

The River Axe rises near Beaminster, in Dorset, and flows out to sea at Axmouth, passing close to Axminster on its way.

It is fed by various streams along its route and by the larger tributaries of the rivers Yarty and the Coly.

Meandering through improved dairy pasture, for 13km of its length, it forms a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), most of which is in the Devon section, running down to the tidal limit near Colyford.

The SSSI supports diverse aquatic and marginal flora, including in the higher reaches, some plant types which are usually confined to sandstone catchments in Scotland.

Scenes along the River Axe in Axminster. Ref mhr 19-17TI 2676. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

In the lower reaches, this gives way to a community more typical of rivers flowing slowly over clay.

For those interested in seeing what the river has to offer, there are a number of vantage points where walkers can observe the water as it flows by, with public paths going close to the watercourse at various points along its route.

As the river gets closer to the sea, so it flows into Seaton Wetlands, which is made up of four main sites - Seaton Marshes, Black Hole Marsh, Colyford Common and Stafford Marsh.

There are signposted trails at the Wetlands, so it is a perfect area for a peaceful stroll in the fresh air and it offers the chance to enjoy the wide range of wildlife from the five hides on the site.

Scenes along the River Axe in Axminster. Ref mhr 19-17TI 2674. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Seaton Marshes is a freshwater grazing marsh, with scrapes, ditches and ponds that attract considerable wildlife interest, from Wildfowl and Wading Birds in the winter to dragonflies and butterflies in the summer.

Black Hole Marsh offers a man-made saline lagoon on what was previously a drained agricultural field, with little wildlife interest. It attracts breeding oystercatchers and is now well populated with crustaceans and molluscs that support a wide range of wildfowl and waders.

Colyford Common is regularly flooded by high tides, so this salt-marsh has very unusual flora and fauna, supporting many locally rare and nationally important species.

At Stafford Marsh, there is the Discovery Hut, pond shelter, a picnic area and various other facilities.

Scenes along the River Axe in Axminster. Ref mhr 19-17TI 2669. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

The Seaton Wetlands area is run by East Devon District Council and you can get more information by contacting the Countryside team or visiting www.eastdevon.gov.uk

Scenes along the River Axe in Axminster. Ref mhr 19-17TI 2667. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Scenes along the River Axe in Axminster. Ref mhr 19-17TI 2661. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Scenes along the River Axe in Axminster. Ref mhr 19-17TI 2656. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Scenes along the River Axe in Axminster. Ref mhr 19-17TI 2643. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Scenes along the River Axe in Axminster. Ref mhr 19-17TI 2640. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1856. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1855. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Kesterls on the wetlands at the River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1843. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

A Coot on the River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1839. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

A Mute swan on the River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1836 Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1828. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1827. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

A Mute swan on the River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1817 Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

A Mute swan on the River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1811 Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

A Mute swan on the River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1813 Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

A Mute swan on the River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1808 Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

A shelduck on the River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1799. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

A tram driver alonf the River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1795. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

A tram ride along the River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1789. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

A little egret on the mud flats along the River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1787. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

A little egret on the mud flats along the River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1783. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

A male pheasant on the River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1780. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

The public hide on the wetlands along the River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1773. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

River Axe. Ref mhr 16 17TI 1772. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)