Guided Bird Watching 27th February 2025

Setting off this afternoon into pleasant sunshine we had an enjoyable time of things as we cruised
up to Topsham and back. Overall bird numbers had dropped from their mid-winter peak but there
was still good variety to be seen and the light was lovely.

Cormorants and Shags were both very obvious in the lower estuary, the former sporting dazzling
white flank patches in readiness for the forthcoming breeding season; the latter with impressive
crests and looking startlingly green in the bright sunshine. Shelduck were out in numbers on the
mudflats along with Oystercatchers, Curlews and the usual range of Gulls, whilst a few Little Egrets
and a group of Great-crested Grebes fished in the shallows.

At Turf lock, we found the wintering Long-billed Dowitcher, a rare vagrant from North America and
proceeding up the channel we passed good numbers of Teal and started to see a wider range of
waders, including lots of Dunlin, Redshank and Grey Plover. By the mouth of the Clyst we enjoyed
good views of a flock of over 80 Pintail and then 30 or so Avocet, elegant as ever. There were Bar-
tailed and Black-tailed Godwits too, at least one Knot and, at Topsham, a surprise Spotted
Redshank giving itself away with its distinctive “Che-wick” call and flying in to join a little group of
mixed Godwits, allowing for a nice comparison.

A couple of head bobbing Harbour Seals were spotted by the keen-eyed amongst us on the way
back and we rounded things off as we returned past Dawlish Warren beach with close views of a
Sanderling. All in all a successful afternoon!
Andy Smith.