So much for the Met Office’s ‘first day of spring’! With the temperature below zero, the ‘Beast from the East’ met with warm air from storm Emma heading up from the south, and the result was a blizzard of fine snow that covered the intertidal areas and brought in large numbers of Lapwings, Golden Plovers…

Today’s cruise was a bit challenging, with the ‘Beast from the East’ bringing a chilling easterly wind (the temperature barely rose above freezing) and occasional light snow flurries. We saw the Great Northern Diver off Cockwood, where the Slavonian Grebe had retreated eastwards, presumably to get out of the wind. No doubt for the same reason,…

Tuesday 13th, Weds 14th, Thursday 15th February Three successive trips and as always each one different. On Tuesday water was high and there was a strong Northerly wind which pushed the majority of birds up river where it was more sheltered. This did not apply to the Slavonian Grebe as it showed just a few yards away…

Tuesday 30th January Large numbers of birds today particularly Golden Plover and Lapwing. Between Turf and Topsham, on either side of the boat, there were large flocks of both species. Total recorded, 1,100 Golden Plover and 1,300 Lapwing. Certainly the most I have noted. Plovers were close enough to see the coloration Very low water…

Guided Birdwatching review – Wednesday and Thursday 17-18th January Both cruises were sandwiched between periods of heavy rain, but as is usually the case, the weather on the estuary wasn’t at all bad. Great Northern Divers featured on both cruises, with one off Exmouth seafront and two others inside the estuary affording better views. Likewise, the…

Birdwatching Trip.  Sat. December 30th Water levels were up following rain and wind but conditions for the trip were excellent. An even light with just some sunshine to illuminate the flocks of waders at Topsham. Large groups of Dunlin in their thousands certainly impressed in flight and on the mud and Avocets of course gave…

On Saturday just gone, I was thrilled to join my Dad on a Stuart Line Cruise up the Exe Estuary, which set off from Exmouth at 1pm. Dad has led some of these winter trips for many years now, and I always like to try and get on at least one a winter. With no telescopes on…

My first trip of the season featured divers. Two Great Northern Divers and a Red Throated Diver. All three sighted in the Starcross area where we also saw a Slavonian Grebe. Wigeon numbers were very high especially round the Clyst where they were joined by Pintails. This is one of the benefits of an early…