Saturday 9th March 2013

A cold misty trip with rain at times but still many birds on the river, although numbers down on some species.

Usual mix of Gulls, Crows and Oystercatchers on Pole Sands with one Sanderling feeding on the tideline, the only one seen on the trip.

Four Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the sands were unexpected.

A Seal was seen making its way from the mouth of the river towards Dawlish with a second one pulled up on Bull Hill.

Only a handful of Red-breasted Mergansers were seen en route to Topsham, but on return many more sighted.

 

Spotted Redshank was one of the few Waders at Powderham. The two Greenshanks seen today were further up river.

Brent Geese were in small groups at various locations seeking out the remnants of Eel Grass. 

No large flocks of Avocet or Black-tailed Godwits but many smaller groups seen. No Bar-tailed Godwits noted today and no sign of Long-tailed Duck.

Ian Waite 
Photos by Helene Buse