Tuesday 11th December 2012

Today we had sunshine, normal river levels and plenty of mud. What a contrast to my last trip!

The car park before we left was the focus of attention as Herring Gulls were dropping mussels onto the surface to crack them open and eat the contents. This had attracted at least five Turnstones who were feeding off the scraps.

Typical example of opportunist feeding.

Our trip out to the river mouth to the exposed beds revealed usual Gulls, Oystercatchers, Brent Geese and Curlews.

A surprise addition were five Bar-tailed Godwits and a Sanderling.

Back into the river four Goldeneye were seen, female/immature birds with a male to be seen later at Topsham.

Excellent views of all waders today in good light although the Black-tailed Godwits were some distance away near Lympstone.

The Long Tailed Duck was very close to the boat at Topsham but two Slavonian Grebes were not so easy to see at Starcross on our return.

It was a pleasant surprise to see two Pale Bellied Brent Geese with the Dark Bellied and a few Ringed Plovers by the wall at Powderham. 

There were Great Crested Grebes in double figures and a few Pintail and Wigeon were noted.

Lastly there was a first for me on the boat trips. A pair of foxes at the edge of the reed beds opposite Topsham were watching the world go by.

Ian Waite

photographs by Sue Smith

Wednesday 28th November 2012

The lovely sunlight allowed us to appreciate colours on the birds today, especially the glossy bottle green of Shags and the heads of drake Mallards and Red-breasted Mergansers.  On the other hand, looking towards the sun turns birds into silhouettes – so in some ways a cloudy day can be better!



Early on, a couple of Brent Geese on Pole Sand had the very pale flanks suggestive of Pale-bellied Brents. There are often a few on the estuary; they come from Greenland rather than Siberia, where our Dark-bellied birds originate. We had excellent views of a Slavonian Grebe close to the boat, one of two seen in recent days. There were also a few Great Crested Grebes and again large flocks of Brents and Wigeon, but only a few Pintails were visible today.



After floods have scoured the fine silt off the surface of the mud at the head of the estuary, the Avocets always move downriver to feed. Predictably, today they were mostly feeding between Powderham and Lympstone, while those at Topsham were resting. The latter gave us a good flying display though, together with hundreds of Redshanks, Bar-tailed Godwits, Dunlins and a few Knot. A small group of Golden Plovers asleep on the mud were nearly missed, as was the Spotted Redshank with Redshanks and 2 Greenshank at Powderham.



We glimpsed a Harbour Seal off Lympstone and had better sightings as we returned towards Exmouth, where one a (second?) was loitering off Bull Hill sandbank. Nearby, some Turnstones were scavenging on the shellfish processing vessel and there were even some feeding in the car park as we disembarked!



Dave Smallshire

Sunday 25th November

Considering the awful weather of recent days we were lucky to have some sunshine and blue skies for our trip but with the volume of water the majority of feeding areas were covered.

Because of this waders and ducks were scarce but still, as always, there were some memorable moments.

A flock of approximately 2000 plus Dunlin flying very close to the boat in a long line.

At least 400 Avocet spread out across the mud near Turf Lock with

excellent views of these birds and their unique way of feeding. We even saw the blue legs.

The Brent Geese were spread out along the river.  The depth of water had made the usual beds of eel grass impossible to graze.

The plumage of the Shags was impressive and they certainly outnumbered the Cormorants.

There were a few Sanderlings, Bar-tailed Godwits, Redshanks and Curlews although as usual Oystercatchers were plentiful.

Turnstones obliged by feeding on the rocks at the Harbour entrance and Red- breasted Merganser made regular appearances.

When I returned home and saw TV news showing the levels of the Exe further upstream I was amazed that the cruise took place and we saw what we did.

Ian Waite

Tuesday 13th November 2012

The first bird cruise of the winter season saw very good numbers of wildfowl and waders. 

The estuary’s two most important species – in conservation terms –Brent Goose and Black-tailed Godwit, were feeding in large flocks. 

The godwits were concentrated on the organic mud at Topsham, but most of the 250 Avocets were feeding off Lympstone, where a Harbour Seal surfaced briefly. 

At least 12 Great Crested Grebes were counted, but other grebes proved frustrating, with the ‘resident’ Slavonian Grebe off Cockwood and 1 or 2 distant Slavonian or Black-necked in mid-estuary. 

A few of the 30 or so Shags were showing signs of their breeding crest already. 

Although there seemed to be a lot of Brent Geese, very few of them are young birds. 5 Pale-bellied Brents were nice to see and 80-100 Pintail were much closer to the boat than usual. 

Some 2000 Wigeon were making good use of the eelgrass and algae all around the estuary. 

Pride of place went to the Long-tailed Duck which came close to the boat at Topsham – let’s hope it stays. 

Several Greenshanks and a Spotted Redshank were along their favoured shoreline at Powderham. 

 

A gleaming adult Mediterranean Gull was a nice surprise, while also among the gulls were about 100 Common, 100 Great Black-backed and 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. 

A few people were lucky enough to glimpse Kingfisher, including the skipper, who saw one fly across the bows while we were docking.

Best wishes

Dave

It's almost time......

 


With the new Guided Bird Watching season almost upon us we are looking out eagerly each day for the arrival of our Winter visitors.  Ian Waite and Dave Smallshire will once again be providing excellent commentary and guidance on our trips and we have asked them to give us their thoughts on the 2012/20313 season;
 

Looking forward to another winter of getting ‘up close and personal’ to the thousands of birds on the Exe and meeting ‘regulars’ and new passengers.

One of the special moments last season was a Common Seal pulled up on a sand bar surrounded by Sanderlings.

 
What special moments will there be this winter?

Who knows?

Ian Waite

Well, the so-called summer has passed and many of the estuary’s wintering birds have flooded back in this month: thousands of wildfowl, waders and gulls, including Brent Geese, Red-breasted Mergansers and of course Avocets. 
The Slavonian Grebe looks set to spend another winter off Cockwood, where a Razorbill recently appeared after a gale. 
Shags have also begun to feed inside the estuary in numbers; how nice it would be if a Great Northern Diver or two joined them for the winter. 
Every winter is different, so I wonder what special birds will join us this winter on our cruises? 
I can’t wait!  
Dave Smallshire

Wednesday 21st March - a little extra trip!

Obviously most of our winter visitors had left but there was still plenty to see on this late trip.

Shag

As usual we started by visiting the beds outside the mouth of the river and I was surprised to see approximately 200 Brent Geese in and around these beds. There was still lots of Eel Grass remaining here providing food for these Brents.

Most of the waders were together some way down river from Topsham.  There were at least 250 Black-tailed Godwits, some developing their beautiful summer colours, with a few Bar-tails and Dunlin.

A group of six Great Crested Grebes and good numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers gave good views.

 

Highlight of the trip was our resident Common Seal lying on a sand bar very close to the boat surrounded by 19 Sanderling.

Our resident seal sharing the bank with Sanderlings

Oystercatchers, a bird not often mentioned, but such an attraction, were still in good numbers and I look forward to seeing them and all the other species next winter.

Ian Waite

Sunday 18th March - last of the season!

Sunday 18th March
A glorious sunny morning for the last birdwatching cruise of the season, continuing a spell of fine weather that has seen some earlydepartures of wintering birds. 

Although the Avocets seem to have left a little early, it was nice to see a recently arrived migrant Sandwich Tern sitting on a buoy off Exmouth seafront. Grebes featured again in the estuary, with some nice views of at least 6 Great Crested; unfortunately the Slavonian and a couple of Little Grebes were only seen at a distance. About 20 Shags and rather more Cormorants,including splendid adults of both species in breeding finery, were seen, sometimes at very close range. 

Red-breasted Mergansers were still present in good numbers(maybe 50), but Brent Geese, Wigeon and Teal numbers are now much reduced. A Buzzard flew over the boat heading towards Exmouth from Dawlish Warren, most probably a migrant bird, and several others could be seen displaying in the breeze over the hills surrounding the estuary.



A tight flock of Golden Plovers sat on the mud near Turf and we had good views of Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits at Topsham, though only a dozen of the latter. The wader highlight was the Spotted Redshank with several Greenshanks off Powderham, where Herons could be seen attending nests.

Surprisingly, only one Common Gull was seen. 

The resident Common (Harbour) Seal was hauled out on Bull Hill sandbank, giving great views.

Common Harbour Seal

Can’t wait until next winter!



Best wishes






Dave

Wednesday 7th March & Thursday 8th March

Wednesday 7^th March

A strong wind coming down the river and low tide combined with high pressure meant very low water and a trip exceeding 4 hours.

As usual we first visited the beds out towards the sea where, as expected this time of year there were quite a few Brent Geese feeding on the Eel Grass.  Having grazed most of the vegetation in the River during the winter this area provides a further source of their favourite food.  They will need it as they will soon be making their long journey north.

The first section of the River was low on birds probably due to the strong winds and it was surprising to see a flock of Grey plovers at the Dawlish Warren end.

We had brief views of Spotted Redshank at Powderham, the Slavonian Grebe was seen  and Great Crested Grebes were still in double figures.  Waders were spread out and only 20 Avocets were seen. Bar- tailed Godwits numbers were also down.

Two female Goldeneye took off and flew past the boat and a first for my trips this year, a flock of Golden Plovers flew in front of the boat heading towards Exminster Marshes.

 

Thursday 8^th March

The wind had dropped today but still the trip lasted over 4 hours due to low water.

A similar picture to yesterday but the best view yet of the Spotted Redshank with the Greenshanks at Powderham and of the Slavonian Grebe diving close to the boat.

There were good views of Turnstone in and around the boats at Dawlish End. At Topsham only a few Avocets and Bar-tailed Godwits.  It would appear many birds have left for their breeding areas already although Black-tailed Godwit and Dunlin numbers are still well up.  Perhaps it’s because they have shorter distances to go?

One advantage of finishing late was that we saw the Little Egrets going into roost in a conifer at the southern end of Powderham.  Like snowflakes on the tree.

My last trip this year with a distinct feeling that it won’t be long before our winter visitors will be off, hopefully for a successful breeding season.

Ian Waite
To close my last Bird Watching trip for this season, here are some fantastic photos by Sue Smith of the rarer birds on these trips

Spotted Red Shank

Slavonian Grebe

Golden Eye

 All Photgraphs copywrite of Sue Smith

A trip with Swarovski and London Camera Exchange

A private trip for Swarovski and London Camera Exchange allowing enthusiasts to try out the latest in camera, binoculars and digiscoping
www.digiscoping.co.uk 
Below are some fantastic photos taken by Sue Smith

Wednesday 22nd February

Despite poor weather being forecast, as so often proves to be the case on a cruise, the reality was much better! The even light was again good for looking towards both sides of the estuary. The tide was again low as we left Exmouth, and again we spent a while near Lympstone waitingfor the rising tide to help us on our way (though today the passing ‘skeletontrain’ was returning north laden with timber!). Several windsurfers, taking advantage of the fresh westerly, seemed to be responsible for a lack of waderson Pole Sands, although our first Brent Geese feeding close to the beach walkers at Exmouth seemed quite unfazed.



Inside the estuary, we found at least 9 Goldeneye and 17 Great Crested Grebes, but the stars were two Slavonian Grebes together near Lympstone: the closest views were of a newcomer, including in flight (sadly the ‘resident’ bird seems unable to fly). The Spotted Redshank was feeding in shallow water again with Greenshanks at its favoured freshwater outlet at Powderham. Sanderlings were again feeding along the sandbanks, but not as many as yesterday. All of the approximately 510Avocets were lined up to give superb views between Turf and Topsham, where large numbers of Dunlin, Grey Plovers and both Godwit species were feeding. The main flock of Brent Geese was out in the fields, but too far away for us to find the Red-breasted Goose that was presumably with them.

Dave Smallshire

Tuesday 21st February

The light was beautiful for this afternoon’s cruise: nice even light to start with and then the sun came out on our return to show the lovely colours on nearby Shags and Red-breasted Mergansers. It also helped us to locate a total of 23 Sanderlings, which shone as they fed actively along the edges of the estuary’s sandbanks. The tide took its time coming in, causing us to ground for a while off Lympstone, from where we had the unusual sight of a ‘skeleton train’! (Actually, this was later correctly identified as a timber train, returning to load up with fellings from near Heathfield.)


 





But back to birds. Great Crested Grebes totalled at least 16, and we had close views of the ‘resident’ Slavonian Grebe, which has moved upriver to near Turf. The Spotted Redshank was feeding in shallow water at Powderham, near two smart drake Goldeneyes. 
 




After passing a Common (Harbour) Seal near Turf, we soon found our first Avocets. The main flock of Avocets, however, was lined up as we approached Topsham, together with hundreds of Dunlin, maybe 200 Bar-tailed Godwits and then about 900 Black-tailed: ‘waderfest’ indeed! Unfortunately, a large flock of Brent Geese bathing and preening nearby flew off before we could find the Red-breasted Goose amongst them.

Dave Smallshire

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Sunday 19th February

Taken by Tom Wallis

  What a wonderful sunny day bringing smiles to the faces on board and illuminating the superb flocks of waders present.

Taken by Tom Wallis

Taken by Tom Wallis

  There were 24 Sanderlings today, a total very near to the maximum for this species in February.  Great Crested Grebes were still in double figures and some on board saw the Slavonian Grebe, surprisingly at Powderham.

Taken by Tom Wallis

Also at this location there was a small group of waders, mixed species illustrating differences in size.

Taken by Tom Wallis

Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Bar-tailed Godwits and Dunlin were in close proximity.

There were thousands of Dunlin seen today in flight and on the mud.

Just a few Knot and 100 Grey Plovers in flight.

Highlight for a lot of passengers was at Topsham- a Peregrine Falcon trying to catch its lunch. Not only were there good views of the aerial display put on by this bird but there were large numbers of Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits that took flight in the sunlight alarmed by the presence of this predator.

  A Common Seal was resting on the sand as we entered the river and still there as we returned, totally unperturbed by our presence.

Taken by Tom Wallis

Taken by Tom Walllis

Ian Waite

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