Above: Avocet and Red-breasted Merganser © Richard Bottle
Leader: Dave Newman
After a much longer coach trip than expected down to Exmouth 31 members of Bath Nats and the Bath RSPB groups made it aboard in the nick of time. At one point, when yet another traffic issue arose, team leader Dave Newman was contemplating alternative options.
It was a cold, grey February morning when we set off in the capable hands of Captain Will. Our route took us past Starcross, Kenton and Powderham Castle on the west bank of the River Exe and Topsham and Lympstone on the east.
The shingle banks of Pole Sands at the mouth of the estuary were covered with Oystercatchers, Curlews, and various gulls. Amongst their number was the sizeable Greater Black-backed Gull. After passing Dawlish Warren and the lower stretches of the estuary we saw many Brent Geese and a good number of Cormorants and Shags. A Great Northern Diver was spotted in the distance.
We were told some of the delightful Great Crested Grebe were coming into their breeding plumage. On a mudbank there was a surprise sighting of an adult Mediterranean Gull, with its neat white wing tips.
Avocets © Richard Bottle
Red-breasted Merganser drake © Richard Bottle
It was a delight to see the RSPB emblem, the Avocet, foraging on the water’s edge. There must have been several hundred. We were also treated to Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits as well as Redshank, Grey Plover and Dunlins. A bit further off was a tight group of Golden Plovers who the commentator, Andy Smith, thought totalled 300. Pintail and Teal appeared in good numbers.
It was also pleasing to come across a couple of harbour seals. Resting in the shallows, one eyed us lazily.
Passing Topsham we saw a few Red-breasted Mergansers on the water. On the other side flying over the reeds was a female Marsh Harrier.
As we returned to the quay it was quieter though we did see a pair of Cattle Egret on an old wreck and a group of Sanderling on an area known as Great Bull Hill.
Peter Watson recorded 40 species of birds.
A big vote of thanks must go to Dave Newman for organising the visit in the most trying of circumstances.
Andrew Harrison
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