Guided Bird Watching Cruise 12th Feburary 2025

There was a real chill in the air but our hardy visitors were up for the challenge and all dressed up and ready to go! We headed along the seafront first with Pole Sand well uncovered Oystercatchers a few Curlews and plenty of Herring Gulls on view As we encountered Shelly beach area DB Brent Geese were seen with a few Shag fishing too. There were Oystercatchers in good numbers on Dawlish Warren Wildlife Refuge area with Curlew feeding and distant Wigeon were seen in Shutterton Creek along With a few Shelduck. A sizeable flock of Dark Bellied Brent Geese were seen at a distance towards Cockwood with Great Black Backed Gulls and several Cormorants  lingering on the sand bars both sides of the boat. Great Crested Grebes were also seen fishing off Bull Hill Sandbar. Common Cormorants were in abundance fishing and on the sand bars both sides of the boat with a few Shag close by.

As we headed towards Starcross Two Grey Seals were seen one resting on a floating platform stayed for photos while the other was in the water off Bull Hill. Two Great Northern Divers were seen near the water skiing platform off Starcross. Little Egrets were seen fishing and flying across the front of the boat, Our first sighting of a Grey Heron with Little Egrets were viewed near Stracross in the channel were Greenshank. Several Redshank and another 2 Greenshank were seen towards the River Kenn confluence along with our first Avocets near by with Shelduck. A couple of RB Mergansers were fishing off Lympstone. Plenty of Herring Gulls were loafing in the area near the fresh water from the River Kenn as normal with Black Headed Gulls and a couple of Common Gulls in a tight group upstream. Great Created Grebes were also seen near by. Curlew were becoming numerous on both side of the estuary with several feeding along the waters edge off Lympstone and Powderham. Shelduck were seen in large numbers up to 100 birds scattered from Starcross Sailing Club to Turf lock. In the same area the Pintail flock was seen with several birds taking to the Air. Also between the sailing Club and the cycle path Bridge Teal were seen on the waters edge over the Bridge a large flock of DB Brent Geese were airborne pitching in near Powderham Marsh.

As we headed further north Curlew were seen closer to the boat allowing our visitors to see these birds more closely. Beautiful views were seen of  Grey Plover and Dunlin which took flight and flew in front of the boat and landing on the large mudflats opposite. Avocet’s were now seen in good numbers all the way to Topsham estimating 3-400 birds, Avocets in tight groups were feeding and spread out along the channel of the Exe and Clyst confluence. A large flock of Dark Bellied Brent Geese was seen near Powderham Marsh with 100+ birds feeding on grassland. Shelduck were with them. Looking towards Topsham 4-500 Golden Plover were on the Mudflats later seen much closer at Topsham. At the mouth of the Exeter Ship Canal Avocets and Redshank plus a few Teal were seen here.

As we turned the Turf Lock straight Avocet were abundant with Dunlin and Grey Plover seen across the Mudflats.As we sailed towards Topsham the flock of Golden Plover were see closer with their Golden hue obvious to see. As we sailed towards Topsham 2 Male and 2 RB Mergansers were viewed a close quarters and a fly by was observed at close quarters and a nice flock of Black-tailed Godwit were resting on the edge of the channel 20+ Bar-tailed Godwit were viewed at close quarters with several birds taking to the air showing their distinctive bar tailed plumage. Separate  flocks of 100+ Lapwing were seen over the mudflats and on the edge of the channel. Good numbers of Common Gulls were seen close by. We turned at Topsham and cruised slowly back to Exmouth. As we approached Bull Hill Sand bank a lone Sanderling was seen with close views of this beautiful little wader on the bank Oystercatchers were grouping together ready to go to roost and as we approached Dawlish Warren more Oystercatchers were gathering in the wildlife refuge area as they were being pushed off their feeding grounds as the tide was coming in.

A splendid cruise was had by all, a great afternoon was shared with great company.

Derek Carter