Two immature Spoonbills were feeding off Mudbank Lane late morning, before today’s Stuart Line cruise departed. No sign of the G N Diver today, but still 15+ G C Grebes and c15 Mergansers; dozens of Pintail and huge numbers of Black-headed Gulls were around the mouth of the Clyst, while around Topsham there were 1500+ Lapwings and 1000+ Golden Plovers on the mudflats, plus masses of Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits and Dunlin, and smaller numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits. The wintering Spotted Redshank at Topsham gave excellent views, a flock of Canada Geese over Exminster Marshes contained a Snow Goose, and the wintering Ruff was feeding on the mud near Turf. A pair of Egyptian Geese flew into Powderham Park. Also, there were an exceptional 7 seals in the estuary today: three Grey Seals on a pontoon off Dawlish Warren, including an almost completely black bull, and a third young Harbour (Common) Seal had joined the adult on a sandbank off Exton.
Dave Smallshire
