Bird Watching trip report – Sunday 1st February

A lovely cold but sunny day with good light ideal for the several photographers on board.

A Seal was beside the boat as we left and a second one seen at Topsham.

Avocets in their hundreds in flight glistening in the sunlight at Topsham were probably everybody’s highlight.

although there were many other birds to be noted.

A solitary Knot was seen with a small group of Black-tailed Godwits with the main flock once again at Turf.

A flock of Bar-tailed Godwits flew around with the Avocets and a Spotted Redshank was with a  Greenshank at Powderham.

One male Goldeneye flew past and many Red-breasted Mergansers impressed, especially the males catching

the sunlight.

Great Crested Grebes were well into double figures.  Grey Plovers amongst the Dunlin were easily spotted.

Large numbers of Brent Geese on the river today, and having seen a few Sanderling earlier on the trip, three

were close by on the shore line as we returned to the docks.