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…

We had nice weather to begin with this afternoon, but the sun went in part way up the estuary and we had a little light rain on the return. A Peregrine was again on Exmouth church tower, later seen in flight heading out over the estuary. Both Grey Seals were together on the pontoon, where…

Sunday 20th January 2019 Another cruise in lovely calm, conditions. Highlights included the Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe and 3 Eiders (immature drakes) off Cockwood. Two of the Eiders were out on Bull Hill Sandbank, with a Crow paying rather too much attention to one of them! There were an amazing 320(ish) Pintail around the…

Saturday 19th January 2019 Today was the first birdwatching cruise of 2019 in lovely calm, sunny conditions. Highlights included a Great Northern Diver and the usual Slavonian Grebe off Cockwood, c20 Great Crested Grebes, c250 Pintail around the mouth of the Clyst, 3 Eiders (immature drakes) between Exmouth and Cockwood, c30 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Sanderlings,…

Welcome to Stuart Line Cruises’ December Newsletter! Christmas Sailings Christmas Boat Party Guided Bird Watching Christmas Sailings In passing conversation, people have often remarked ‘oh that sounds like a fun career – very seasonal though? Must be nice to have the winter off!’ We giggle and swiftly correct them – how mistaken they can be!…