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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Saturday 18th February

This morning's cruise was in excellent, fairly even light, which made for good viewing conditions.

Again, Great Crested Grebes were present in exceptional numbers (for the Exe), with about 15 seen –some of them in breeding plumage now. We also had more sightings of Sanderlings than usual, though only about 10 in all.

The resident Harbour (Common) Seal was hauled out on Bull Hill sandbank … and still there when we returned! With the Redshanks off Powderham there were 4 Greenshanks and a Spotted Redshank, the latter an uncommon sight.

Approaching Turf, we had excellent views of the wintering Red-breasted Goose with hundreds of Brent Geese. Most of the 500-550 Avocets, 500+ Black-tailed Godwits and several hundred Bar-tailed Godwits were lined up for us along the river near Topsham: a superb spectacle.

We had good views of Teal and Red-breasted Mergansers here too. Among the teeming masses of Dunlins probing into the soft mud were dozens of Grey Plover and maybe 20 Knot. Lots of Common Gulls (100?), mainly towards Topsham, and half a dozen adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls (always a scarce bird on the Exe) added variety to the gull flocks.

Dave Smallshire

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4th and 5th February

Apologies for the out-of-order with this blog but technical difficulties ensued with my broadband being down for 10 days! - Dave Smallshire


Saturday 4th February
It was cold today, just above freezing and we even had a few snowflakes during the morning! 

Birding began with a Razorbill diving right next to the boat at Exmouth Quay as we embarked - a good start. Another was later seen inside the estuary close to the shore of Dawlish Warren.
A couple of Sanderlings were scurrying along the shoreline at Pole Sands and  four Great Crested Grebes could be seen out to sea. The latter species was seen frequently as we moved up the estuary - perhaps a dozen or more in total. 
Plenty of Shags were fishing also, though quite scattered between Exmouth and Powderham. There were good numbers of Mallard and Teal (presumably because inland waters were frozen), some Pintail with Wigeon near Lympstone, and three unusual duck sightings: 2 separate Tufted Duck drakes in the Turf-Topsham area, 2 Gadwall flying over the middle of the estuary and a Shoveler at Topsham.
Among the many Black-headed Gulls off Lympstone was an adult Mediterranean Gull; although this species is frequently present around the Exe, it can be difficult to find when hundreds of other gulls are milling around!



 


Sunday 5th February


Today's cruise was in much milder conditions and better light than yesterday. 
Out to sea off Dawlish Warren, 3 Black-necked Grebes were identified with the help of someone’s telescope,but too far to see properly with binoculars. 
The Slavonian Grebe and 3 Little Grebes were off Cockwood, and there were perhaps more than a dozen Great Crested Grebes in the estuary. One of yesterday’s Razorbills gave excellent views off the Warren.
We saw only two Little Egrets, but Grey Herons were visible at their nests behind Starcross Yacht Club. The wintering immature Red-breasted Goose was with Brents near Turf, where a Peregrine was sat on the mud. 
Ducks included 5 Goldeneye and perhaps 80 Red-breasted Mergansers. 

Avocets in flight

Avocets were present in good numbers (500perhaps?) and gave us good views around Topsham, where there were also lots of Black-tailed Godwits today. 





Other waders seen included about 30 Lapwings(Turf), 2 Greenshank (Powderham), Sanderling (Pole Sands) and about 20 Knot. 
Yesterday’s adult Mediterranean Gull flew around us off Lympstone, giving everyone good views. Other sightings included a Kingfisher at the Kenn outlet, several Rooks on the sandbank off Powderham Church (not all crows on the Exe are Crows!) and, most unusually, 2 Ravens keeping the Carrion Crows at bay at a bird corpse (gull?) on Great Bull Hill sand bank off Exmouth.

 


A Harbour(Common) Seal was seen briefly.

 

7th & 8th February 2012

Tuesday 7^th February

  

 Today it was a case of perfect timing.  High pressure with low tide made for slow progress to Topsham.  As we turned for the return journey a large flock of Brent Geese appeared flying in from Darts Farm direction and landed alongside the river in front of us.  It was a wonderful sight that got better as we approached.  The Red-breasted Goose was the first bird giving excellent views and we had the wonderful guttural chatter of the Brent Geese.

  All expected waders were seen but well spread out due to large areas of mud exposed by the tide.

  A female Goldeneye flew past and the Common Seal entertained as it tackled a large flat fish.

Wednesday 8^th February

Similar conditions to yesterday.  As usual we started by checking the exposed beds outside the river mouth where on the sand bar there was a pair of Peregrine Falcons.  The larger female sat looking in our direction whilst the male was enjoying a meal.  First time I have seen them in this area.  If seen they are usually on the sandbanks inside the river mouth.

 Once again waders were spread out but there were still good views of most species, especially Knot and Grey Plover.  There was only a distant view of a Slavonian Grebe but Great Crested Grebes were regularly seen.

 Once again Bar-tailed Godwits outnumbered Black-tailed.  As we returned to the Harbour a pair of Razorbills very obligingly stayed on the surface close to the boat.

P.S. Pleased to say despite the late finish I was on time for treading the boards!