The sun shone when there was a break in the storm clouds on Tuesday morning. Mid Devon’s field trip to Exminster Marshes took advantage of the opportunity and clocked up 48 species during a 4 hour morning saunter along the lane and canal path to Turf Lock. Wildfowl and waders prevailed with close up views of the more common species at this time of year. It’s comforting to see a large, undisturbed mix of Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Teal, Shelduck and the odd diving duck of freshwater and estuary. Snipe, Lapwing and Curlew in the fields while flocks of Godwit, Lapwing and Dunlin circled above. The Peregrine emerged and the Kingfisher fished at the lock. Avocet, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Redshank, Curlew, Dunlin and Oystercatcher were present on the estuary. The group split in to two for the return leg when the rain forced us back to the cars at 2pm. Eleven members enjoyed the company and opportunity to forget everything else.
Nick Armstrong
