A virtual lack of wind and good, even light provided excellent conditions for this afternoon’s cruise, the first of the season for me! We saw lots of birds feeding offshore on Pole Sands and especially inside the estuary off Dawlish Warren, where hundreds of Wigeon, Brent Geese, Oystercatchers and other waterfowl were taking advantage of the year-round Wildlife Refuge. Little Egrets seemed to be everywhere in the estuary today, including groups of up to 7 feeding together. The first of half-a-dozen Great Crested Grebes was off Cockwood and Shags were scattered as far up as Powderham, with the castle itself making a stunning backdrop.
As we approached Lympstone there were again lots of birds, this time including a large flock of Pintail and hundreds of Black-tailed Godwits; we almost missed 4 Avocets, the only ones of the day (a big arrival must be imminent!). A Harbour Seal was hauled out on the sandbank opposite the Marines Camp and another seal watched us from mid-channel. Lots more Godwits, together with several hundred Golden Plovers and Lapwings, were on the mud at Topsham. A Spotted Redshank flew across our bow, but more surprising was a family of Black Swans flying upriver. These proved to be 2 adults and 3 youngsters; 2 others – presumably the remainder of a family party of 7 – flew downriver later. I understand that these were seen on the previous cruise by Derek, so I was happy to see them again.
Returning back, we saw a Greenshank among the Redshanks at Powderham and then a total of 7 Cattle Egets on two wrecks close to the wood where they roost overnight. There was a feeding frenzy of Black-headed Gulls off Starcross and a nice end to my first cruise of the season was a juvenile Peregrine sitting on Bull Hill sandbank.
All in all, it was a great opening trip for myself and those who joined me onboard.
Dave Smallshire
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