Although the weather was brighter with good visibility to start, fine drizzle later in the cruise limited visibility a little – but the birds were still to be seen!
The Slavonian Grebe was again in its favourite area off Cockwood, near Red-breasted Mergansers and a splendid group of 13 Goldeneye that included two drakes.
Towards Lympstone were Great Crested Grebes, but only five today. A few Sanderlings and Bar-tailed Godwits were seen along the sandier stretches of shoreline in the outer part estuary.
Again, the first Avocets were with Greenshank at Powderham, where the estuary’s sole wintering Spotted Redshank was seen on the return journey.
Most of the Avocets (500?) and hundreds of Black-tailed Godwits and Dunlins were well scattered over the darker, organic mudbanks between Lympstone and Topsham.
A few Lapwings were resting on the mud alongside Curlews and a few Grey Plovers as we approached Turf.
Here a Grey Seal kept surfacing for brief periods to look at us, clearly showing its characteristic Roman-nose profile.
After seeing small numbers of Common Gulls in the outer estuary, there were lots more resting and bathing as we approached Topsham; a rough count suggested over 300, which is a good total for the Exe Estuary.
The female-type Long-tailed Duck was on the river at Topsham, again giving us excellent views. Although it was alone at first, it joined Red-breasted Mergansers and flew back towards Turf with them.
Dave Smallshire
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