Guided Bird Watching Cruise 29th January 2025

There was rain in the air but our hardy visitors were up again for the challenge. Our first bird encountered off Shelly Beach was a Great Northern Diver and always a bonus Bird as it happened there were to be 3 in the Estuary a real triple bonus!  There were Oystercatchers in good numbers  on Dawlish Warren Wildlife Refuge area with Curlew feeding and distant Wigeon in Shutterton Creek along With Shelduck. A few Dark Bellied Brent Geese were seen at a distance towards Cockwood with Great Black Backed Gulls lingering on the sand bars both sides of the boat. Great Crested Grebes were also seen fishing off Cockwood. 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 resting on a floating platform one stayed for photos while the other was more shy and headed for the water.The second Great Northern Diver was 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. As we passed this area Turnstones were seen foraging in the seaweed debris. Several Redshank and another 4 Greenshank were seen towards the River Kenn confluence along with our first Avocets. A couple of RB Mergansers were fishing off Lympstone. Plenty of Gulls were loafing in the area near the River Kenn displaced from their normal area as normal with GBB Gulls Black Headed Gull and Herring 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. 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 the third Great Northern Diver was seen and on the waters edge Teal were seen.

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 in tight groups feeding and spread out along the channel of the Exe and Clyst confluence. A Common Seal was seen along the straight towards Turf Lock 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 3-400 Golden Plover were airborne high above the Mudflats later coming down to roost in the same area. At the mouth of the Exeter Ship Canal a little grebe was spotted along with Avocets and Redshank. Two Common Buzzards and two Kestrels seen near Turf Lock probably the birds that disturbed the Golden Plover and Lapwing.

As we turned the Turf Lock straight Avocet were abundant with Dunlin  a couple of Bar-tailed Godwit and Grey Plover seen across the Mudflats. In the distance towards Topsham the flock of Golden Plover were seen and as we sailed closer the Golden hue was obvious to see. As we sailed towards Topsham 3 Male and 2 RB Mergansers were viewed a close quarters and a large flock of Black-tailed Godwit were resting on the edge of the channel 300+ birds were viewed at close quarters with several birds showing a Rufus Red tinge to the plumage, at least 6 Bar-tailed Godwits were amongst this flock. Turning to look back over the reedbeds a flock of 100+ Lapwing were seen over Exminster Marsh. Common Gulls and a lone Lesser Black Backed Gull was close by. We turned at Topsham and cruised slowly back to Exmouth. As we approached Bull Hill Sand bank at least 4 Sanderling and as we approached Dawlish Warren Oystercatchers were gathering in the wildlife refuge area as they were being pushed off their feeding grounds as the tide was coming in. A distance view of at least 4 Cattle Egret feeding with cattle to the left of Cockwood. Along the inside edge of Dawlish Warren a lone Sanderling was spotted but extremely hard to see in amongst the debris on the shoreline.

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

Derek Carter