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
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