Guided Bird Watching Cruise 13th Feburary 2025

With the wind picking up today there was a serious chill in the air but again our hardy visitors were up for the challenge and all dressed up in their thermals 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 these 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. Common Cormorants several showing breeding plumage white hip patch and greying head 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 a Great Northern Diver was seen off Starcross with Skipper Will manoeuvring the Pride of Exmouth a little closer for better views of this fairly rare visitor from the north. A Little Egret was seen fishing and our first sighting of a Grey Heron in the channel near the wrecks. Several Redshank were seen towards the River Kenn confluence along with our first Avocet nearby with good numbers of 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 water’s edge near Powderham and Lympstone. Shelduck were seen in large numbers up to 100 birds scattered from Starcross Sailing Club to Turf lock. In the same area on the opposite side of the Estuary a large Pintail flock was seen with several birds taking to the Air a couple of Wigeon were seen with the Pintails. Also between the sailing Club and the cycle path Bridge several Teal were seen on the water’s edge over the Bridge a large flock of DB Brent Geese were airborne pitching in near Powderham Marsh something or someone had disturbed these birds.

As we headed further north Curlew were seen closer to the boat allowing our visitors to see these birds more closely. Again beautiful views were seen of Grey Plover and Dunlin which took flight and flew behind the boat and landing on the large mudflats further down the estuary. 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 and off Exton. A large flock of Dark Bellied Brent Geese was seen near Powderham Marsh with 100+ birds feeding on grassland. Looking towards Topsham an estimated 800 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 and hoping for the Long Billed Dowitcher to show also in the area was the Russian White Fronted Goose both were elusive! 

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 300+ Lapwing were seen over the mudflats and on the edge of the channel. Good numbers of Common Gulls were seen close by. The birds in the Topsham area seamed a bit on edge and nervy, with the flock of DB Brent Geese and also Birds on Exminster Marsh were being disturbed we could now see the reason for this, spectacular close views of TWO Marsh Harriers were seen hunting over the Marshes and reed-beds giving everyone clear views of this magnificent bird of prey. We turned at Topsham and cruised slowly taking in the hundreds of birds on show both sides of the channel as we headed back to Exmouth. As we turned Turf Lock corner 11 Cattle Egret was seen on the hill with a herd of cattle which was a bonus to see in this area. As we approached Bull Hill Sand bank we looked for a Sanderling but unfortunately one was not seen, however on the bank Oystercatchers and Gulls 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 came in.

An outstanding cruise was had by all and a great afternoon was shared with great company.

Derek Carter