Good Numbers of dark bellied Brent Geese today with these birds seen throughout the Estuary and 400+ downstream of Turf Lock. The Slavonian Grebe put in an appearance between Cockwood and Starcross with 10+ Great crested Grebe showing in both Summer and Winter plumage in mid section of the estuary. High point in this area…

Weather was set fair for the afternoon cruise with strong early spring sunshine.  A few birds on Pole Sands with 50+ Dark Bellied Brent Geese on show at the start. Nice views of  a Grey Seal on one of the Mussel vessels off Dawlish Warren. Red Breasted Mergansers put in an appearance throughout the Estuary…

A little chillier today than the mild days of late, mostly cloudy. A Grey Seal was close to Exmouth in the mouth of the estuary and another was hauled out on a pontoon off Dawlish Warren – it barely bothered to look up at us! The 3 immature drake Eiders were further upriver, off Starcross…

Another great cruise today with plenty of birds on show. The Three Eiders were seen off Starcross with Great Crested Grebes in winter and Summer plumage. The Slavonian Grebe was seen near the River Kenn confluence with great views of 3 Greenshank with Redshank together showing the difference between the two. Red Breasted Mergansers seen…

After a couple of short, sharp showers, we had a relatively warm cruise with excellent visibility. A Great Northern Diver off Exmouth seafront was followed by the ‘resident’ Slavonian Grebe off Cockwood and 3 immature drake Eiders resting on Bull Hill. Shags at close range revealed their bottle green plumage and some had breeding crests.…

A mild day with a southerly breeze, rather dull to start with but soon brightening up to give excellent visibility. The ‘resident’ Slavonian Grebe was off Cockwood and 3 immature drake Eiders were on or near Bull Hill. Several Goldeneye (1 drake) were seen distantly in a channel towards Lympstone. Three Greenshanks were opposite a…

Great start to todays cruise with  a Great Northern Diver seen very close to the boat between Pole Sands and Exmouth Sea front. Good number of Oystercatchers a few Turstones and great views of a Grey Seal on a vessel near the Estuary side of Dawlish Warren. Still plenty of Brent Geese with 600+ seen…

Saturday 2nd February, 2019 A beautiful sunny afternoon, taking the edge off a chilly northerly breeze. A Great Northern Diver was again off Exmouth sea front, as was the ‘resident’ Slavonian Grebe and a Little Grebe off Cockwood. An immature drake Eider out on Bull Hill allowed us a close approach and 2 others were…

Friday 1st February, 2019 With yesterday evening’s snow still visible down to sea level, it was a cold journey up the estuary this morning. A Great Northern Diver was off Exmouth sea front, where a Grey Seal popped up briefly to look us over and several flocks of Redwings and Fieldfares passed over from the east:…

Tuesday 22nd January 2019 This afternoon, one of the Grey Seals was hauled up on the back of a boat. The 3 immature drake Eiders were nearby, as was one of the Great Northern Divers, the second being off Powderham Corner. Several hundred Brent Geese flew off Starcross Golf Course onto the shoreline as we…