Two young ospreys spotted above restored Devon wetlands

This comes almost exactly a year after a major restoration project reconnected the River Otter to its floodplain.

The juvenile ospreys' arrival is seen as a testament to the success of the Lower Otter Restoration Project (LORP), which has significantly expanded the intertidal area of the estuary, creating an ideal hunting ground for the fish-eating birds of prey.

John Varley, chief executive of Clinton Devon Estates, said: "It was the vision of the Estate and the late 22nd Baron Clinton who saw, 20 years ago, the need to devise a plan to mitigate the flood risk on the Otter and take the bold decision to let the seawater back onto the floodplain; adapting the landscape for a changing climate by transitioning 55 hectares of pastoral landscape into new mudflats and salt marsh."

The estuary is like a motorway service for ospreys (Image: Mark Wills, HI-LINE ecologist)

The project reached its peak a year ago with the carefully managed breach of a 200-year-old embankment built during the Napoleonic Wars to create more farmland.

The embankment had posed a threat to the environment, communities, and businesses due to its potential failure.

Mr Varley said: "It was a challenging project to bring to fruition, however, Clinton Devon Estates, and our Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust – in partnership with the Environment Agency - made it happen.

"Now, a year on from the breach, which let the seawater back onto the floodplain, we are seeing the benefits.

"It’s a proud and quite emotional moment."

The project has also benefited the community by keeping roads and farmland free of floodwater and allowing Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club to enjoy an uninterrupted season after years of flooding.

The Otter Estuary is now part of the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve (NNR), following a declaration as a King’s Series NNR by Natural England in February this year.

Kim Strawbridge, reserves manager for the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust, said the restoration of the tidal estuary had been hugely beneficial to wildlife and the environment.

She said: "The ospreys certainly like it.

"Because the intertidal area and creek network has expanded so much, it gives the birds easier access to fish, particularly some sizeable mullet, and it’s now a happy hunting ground for the ospreys."

The two ospreys are believed to be on their way to Senegal, where they will spend the winter.

The estuary is their last stop before the more than 3,000-mile journey.

Ms Strawbridge said: "The estuary is like a motorway services for ospreys.

"They need to be in excellent condition for migration and they will be filling up on fish before the long journey south."

Over the past year, since the breach, the terrestrial vegetation has died off and the sediment has been moved around by the tides, finding its new levels.

New salt marsh is also being created, boosting the growth of marsh samphire and sea aster.

Winter migrants like waders and water birds, including teal and curlew, are also starting to arrive as the autumn progresses.

Ms Strawbridge said: "The site has had more visitors than ever over the past year.

Two young ospreys have made a final stopover on the Otter Estuary (Image: Mark Wills, HI-LINE ecologist)

"The publicity around all the work on the Lower Otter has attracted people and the site is now much more accessible for people with walking frames or in wheelchairs and for families with children in buggies.

"It is really lovely to see so many people enjoying the reserve."

To mark a year since the breach of the embankment, the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust is holding a Wetland Weekend on October 18, 19, and 20.

There will be guided walks, bird watching, and the opportunity to learn more about the nature reserve.