A morning walk at Exminster Marshes
Despite the heavy rain of the previous week, the sunshine came out the morning the group gathered at Exminster Marshes. A wish list of birds we hoped to see was created, and we were promptly able to tick off marsh harrier from the car park. This was our first of many sightings, with great views from various look out points along the walk. The sounds of chiffchaff drew our attention to the tree-tops, before seeing one fly away. Paul led the group down the road towards the canal path, stopping at gateways to admire the views and mainly distant birds. We saw many hirundine flying high, with confirmed sightings of sand martin. Ducks, geese and mute swan were out on the marshes and we witnessed carrion crow mobbing a marsh harrier. Other corvids from the walk included jackdaw and raven. A kestrel was seen hovering on the wing and brief views of buzzard.
From the hedgerows and along the canal we saw and heard robin, blue tit, goldfinch, house sparrow, great tit, woodpigeon and blackbird. Wren was heard, but, as far as I know, not seen. Long-tailed tit flitted around the trees in groups. We stopped on the tow path for uninterrupted views of the geese and ducks, including brent goose, Canada goose, shelduck, shoveler, wigeon, mallard, teal and tufted duck. The wind picked up, but we avoided any rain and the sun continued to shine. Moorhen and coot were seen on the canal itself as well as out on the wetlands. A pair of oystercatcher kept their backs to us, but lapwing, redshank, little egret, curlew and both bar-tailed and black-tailed godwit showed well. Occasionally the waders seemed to be disturbed, flying up and over our heads before settling again. Magpies showed well, with their iridescent sheen glimmering in the sunshine. Skylark sang loudly and fluttered overhead in their typical spring-time display. A brightly coloured cock pheasant was spotted tucked in amongst the grass, and a grey heron flew across the horizon. Cormorant and herring gull were seen across the wetlands.
The group continued to Turf Locks for refreshments and views of a great black backed gull sitting on the buoys in the estuary. We watched pied wagtails dance along the sea walls and heard Cetti’s warbler in the reeds. The whole group decided to continue the Exminster Marshes loop, despite the recent heavy rain that had made the path rather “damp” – Paul’s words, not mine! The water level was high, so few birds were on display behind the bird watching screens, but it was pleasing to undertake the circular route.
Thank you to Paul for leading and Mark for co-leading from the rear. It was a very pleasant morning, with the weather on our side and spring in the air. A total of 46 different species were seen or heard.
Emma Whitton
Bird list (H denotes heard-only): Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Domestic Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Shoveler, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Sand Martin, Cetti’s Warbler (H), Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Wren (H), Blackbird, Robin, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch
