Morning walk at Seaton Wetlands, 9th September 2023
Eighteen of us gathered in the car park at Seaton Wetlands on an absolutely glorious morning. (It was that bit of summer that we had at the beginning of September, if you remember.) But there was a light mist which made bird identification difficult as we set out as the waders on the water were all in silhouette. We were a couple of weeks late for the avocets which bred there this summer. To avoid overcrowding in the hides, the group was split into two, led by Richard and Stuart. Richard’s half of the group moved on to the Lookout, where we found Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, and a lone Greenshank. There was lively discussion as to whether a particular bird was a Little Egret or a Great White. When a Grey Heron moved next to it, it definitely looked smaller but…unfortunately it refused to show us its feet.
We then moved on to the Island Hide, where the landscape was beautifully calm and peaceful. Our experts managed to spot a Ruff, a Knot, Common Sandpiper and 2 Curlew Sandpiper as well as Heron and several more Little Egrets.
Moving towards the Discovery Hut we passed the Sand Martin wall, constructed over 10 years ago, where the birds finally bred this summer. By now the sun was very hot and those who had made a last-minute decision to leave their fleeces in the car were probably glad they had. We crossed Colyford Common; no Wheatears but a couple of Stonechats, and into the hide where Richard spotted a Stock Dove. Lovely to see lots of Curlew there as well as Lapwing, Ringed Plover and Dunlin. Finally, for our group, the Tower Hide, passing on the way a pair of Goldfinch described by someone as ‘a juvenile and a moulty adult’ which seemed a little uncomplimentary!
Large flocks of Black-headed Gulls were at the Tower Hide, together with some Great Black-backed and a large flock of Canada Geese resting on the shore; more Herons, Little Egrets and a pair of Mute Swans.
A very enjoyable morning; many thanks to Richard and Stuart for their expert leadership, as always.
Tina Lunt
54 species identified (H denotes heard-only): Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Knot, Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Barn Owl, Kingfisher, Kestrel, Peregrine, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Swallow, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Robin (H), Stonechat, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch