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

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.