TELEVISION wildlife celebrities have spent a day on the Exe Estuary.

Autumn Watch presenters Chris Packham and Kate Humble visited the RSPB’s nature reserve at Bowling Green Marsh near Topsham to film footage for last week’s show.

Chris and Kate took a cruise on the Exe Estuary to enjoy a huge range of winter birds including avocets, godwits, Brent geese, wigeon and teal.

“The Exe is one of my favourite winter estuaries for birds and it’s great to be able to share this place with the millions of people that tune in to Autumn Watch every week,” said Chris.

“One of the best things about the estuary is not just that there are so many birds, up to 20,000, but that you can get so close to them here.”

On the show the team looked at the importance of estuaries for birds as well has helping viewers understand some of the amazing things the estuary birds get up to.

Kate Humble said: “It was fascinating to watch and film the ducks out on Bowling Green Marsh courting one another.

“They all look so amazing at this time of the year and the dances the drakes do to impress the ducks are both fascinating and hilarious. It’s well worth watching.”

Kate Humble is president of the RSPB, and Chris Packham a vice president.

Tony Whitehead of the RSPB in the South West said “It was great to host Kate and Chris, along with the film and production crew and we’re all looking forward to a great response to the show.

“Like them both we are all very fond of the estuary and its remarkable bird life – and we’re really keen that this winter as many people as possible get out and enjoy it for themselves.”