The highlights of a walk from Barnstaple to Isley this morning were:

- two Cattle Egrets on Penhill Marsh;

- a sixty-plus flock of Winter thrushes, perhaps two-thirds Redwings;

- the Spotted Redshank in Fremington Pill. No Ibises as the water was too high - where do they roost? Missed the Goosanders reported earlier;

- two Spoonbills asleep on Isley Marsh;

- at least ten Water Rails. Squeals came from every patch/strip of suitable habitat.