Top of the bill (excuse the pun) on both days were waders in
the sunshine. Wonderful displays with
headlines going to the Avocets, but good supporting cast of ‘Flings’ of Dunlin
with flocks of Bar-tailed Godwits.
On Sunday the Black-tailed Godwits returned to the river to
join in the display. They have been
spending most of their time recently on Exminster Marshes. We only saw one on Saturday. Other waders
seen were Turnstones, Grey Plovers, Redshanks, a few Knot and of course
Oystercatchers and Curlews. Only one Greenshank seen on Saturday but six on
Sunday at usual Powderham location.
Sanderling revealed themselves on returning journeys feeding on the edge
of the sand bars.
As expected at this time of year Common Gull numbers are
up. Approximately 100 showing mainly
towards Topsham. We should see larger
numbers as winter progresses. One Lesser
Black Backed Gull was spotted both days (this species prefers reservoirs to
rivers)
Slavonian Grebe and Little Grebe were very distant, not
easily seen but a couple of Great Crested Grebes were closer. Red-breasted Merganser seem to get closer to
the boat as their numbers increase.
On Sunday large numbers of Pintail were
seen (not a usual sight as they prefer the margins of the river) and Heron
numbers were up, particularly in the area of the Heronry. We should see
activity round the nests on next trips.
Sunday also saw the appearance of the resident Common Seal very close to
the boat.
I must mention that one of the Black-tailed Godwits was a
bird I knew from its colour rings. It
was ringed on the River Axe, Seaton,
March 2011, seen en route to Iceland April 2011, then spotted on the Exe
October 2011 where it appears to have stayed.
Ian Waite
All photographs by Sue Smith
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