Weekend of the 20th, 21st & 22nd January

Friday 20^th January

Goldeneye

All the usual birds today but two sightings of male Goldeneye were a first for my trips this winter, the mild weather delaying their appearance.   
Shag numbers were down and only three Great Crested Grebes were seen but 13 Sanderling is a good number.

Razorbills

In the Harbour area were two Razorbills and a Guillemot.  The appearance of the sun was once again well timed illuminating large numbers of waders at Topsham.

Saturday 21^st January

The large flock of Black tailed Godwits were missing today.  Could it be that they don’t like strong winds?  On two previous occasions with the same weather conditions we experienced the same situation.   At least there were a few to compare with the Bar-tailed Godwits.   
Flocks of 40 Grey Plovers and 60 to 70 Knot gave us some good views and the sun was on time again.

Redbreated Merganser

Common Gull numbers approximately 250 today.

Brief glimpse of Green Sandpiper flying up from mouth of River Kenn into the grounds of Powderham.

Sunday 22^nd January

My theory of high winds affecting Black-tailed Godwit numbers was obviously wrong because we had both today.  The large flock of Bar-tailed Godwits was not in the usual place but these birds were seen in smaller groups in various points along the river.

Redshank

Shag

Grey Plover flock was up to approximately 90 showing ‘black armpits’ as they flew close to the boat.

Large numbers of Brent Geese provided aerial displays and the Common Seal put in an appearance.

These last three trips have found the Sanderling on the edge of sandbanks mid-river and three Lesser Black-backed Gulls showing as well as the two Razorbills and a Guillemot.

Sanderling

Ian Waite