SURPRISE SURPRISE!
There were plenty of surprises for the 23 birdwatchers who joined Plymouth Branch’s visit to Topsham and the Powderham area of the Exe Estuary on 25 February. These ranged from seeing three Spoonbill at Bowling Green, to bats flying round St Clement’s Church tower in the middle of the day, to the astonishing fact that there were more sightings of Bullfinch than Avocet!
Starting at Topsham Quay with a sail past from three Black Swans, a Kestrel was then seen hovering over Exminster marshes. The Sparrowhawk perched on one of the wrecks sadly didn’t hang around for long. Some members of the group had a good view of a Kingfisher as it flew from its perch on a mooring. From the Goat Walk a small group of Turnstone were seen on a moored raft with Curlew, Redshank and Brent Geese on the opposite shore. A diversion into the wooded area behind the Goat Walk provided us with the opportunity to enjoy a different range of bird sights and sounds, which included a pair of Bullfinch and Wren in full song.
The water levels in Bowling Green Marsh had dropped slightly over the last week exposing more of the muddy margins for waders to roost on. Relatively good numbers of Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit were seen, together with two Snipe hiding deep within the soft rush. Of the three Spoonbill, two were busy feeding and putting to use their impressive bills. Adjacent to them was a Little Egret so the feeding technique of the two species could be compared. The Little Egret was seen shuffling on the spot in the water to disturb its prey before stabbing at it with its bill, whereas the Spoonbill swung its head and bill from side to side as it moved forwards through the water. A range of diving and dabbling ducks were present which gave onlookers the opportunity to hone their identification skills and to observe the different areas of the reserve that they occupy. Those favouring the deeper water at the back of the reserve were Tufted Duck and three Pochard. It was a real treat to see the latter, as it is a duck whose numbers are declining, in part because of short stopping, and is seldom seen in Devon.
After lunch the group relocated to Powderham where Chiffchaff, Firecrest, Goldcrest, Nuthatch and Treecreeper were seen in the church car park area. On the walk towards Turf, closer views of Brent Geese and a number of waders were enjoyed. What was missing was a line of mainly white birds with tails pointing to the sky and bills scything through the water. After a great deal of searching a lone Avocet was picked out on the distant shore. It left the group puzzled about this iconic Exe Estuary bird and questioning whether the recent heavy rainfall has had an influence on its distribution. The sight of three Red-breasted Merganser was a great way to round off the day.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was that it didn’t rain and wall to wall sunshine was enjoyed. A couple of bees and butterflies and a bank with purple and white violets gave a glimpse of spring, that is hopefully fast approaching.
Report by M Johnson
73 species seen or heard (H):
Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Spoonbill, Mute Swan, Black Swan, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Pheasant, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker (H), Great Spotted Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch
