Another fantastic Stuart Line Cruise, where the highlights were an immature Great Northern Diver near Cockwood; the immature Spoonbill by the River Kenn outflow; over 20 Great Crested Grebes; 2 Egyptian Geese in Powderham Park; estimates of 500+ Avocets, 1500 Lapwing, 650 Golden Plover, 1000+ Black-tailed Godwits and 70 Knot; single Spotted Redshank and Ruff at Topsham; and an immature Marsh Harrier over Topsham Reedbed. The Brent Goose flocks must have totalled well over 1000 and included the leucistic bird and a Barnacle Goose. A pair of Grey Herons sat next to what appeared to be a nest in a willow beside Exeter Canal. A sandbank off Exton today had 3 Harbour (Common) Seals hauled out: yesterday’s adult and rufous youngster plus another slightly larger individual. There were also 2 Grey Seals near the Warren, one resting on a pontoon.
