Page 6 - Out Birding Summer 2024

shape and plumage. A lone Shelduck gave us its back view on an island and Malcolm, using his scope, identified a good number of Black-tailed Godwit in the distance. Lapwings were dotted wherever we looked but were rarely in flight. Another flurry of excitement - could that large blob in the distance be the much hoped for White-tailed Eagle - no - a pair of Cormorant sitting close together giving an impression of size and bulk. The predominant geese were Canada Geese but at the final hide a few of us found a group of 5 Greylag Geese - there are plenty on the reserve but the floods have given them a much greater area and so sightings are less frequent. At the other hides overlooking the brooks there were many Teal. The Shovelers clearly preferred the area in the eastern area of flooding. I insisted that we also record the Mallards dotted round that are so often overlooked because they are so common, and it was only at the last hide that we added Moorhen to our list. On our stroll along the meadows and paths between the hides we were treated to a male Stonechat on a fence; a fast flyby by a Peregrine Falcon; a Rook and Jackdaw calling near Jupps View.
Our final sighting of the day were House Sparrows in the hedges in the car park.
So our final count was 40 species. We all commented on the lack of the expected Heron, Little Egret, Coot, waders generally and sadly no sighting today of the White- tailed Eagle. I will be returning frequently to try to get this lifer - it has been seen in Shoreham-by-Sea where I live but I have never been looking up at the right time. Many thanks to Eva, Teena, Lee, Carol, Lesley, Peter, Malcolm, Linda, Sandra, Helen, Kath and Norma for braving the cold and joining me for this event, supporting me in my role as stand-in leader, and pooling their identification skills for us all to enjoy seeing so many birds together. A great day
Sue Crane
Bird Watching on the River Exe 09/02/2024
GBC ou􏰀ngs should, perhaps, be adver􏰀sed with a hardiness ra􏰀ng. A summer trip at an RSPB reserve with an ace café a􏰁ached merits 5-stars; a mid-winter 5 a.m. start, up a cold and freezing wet mountain trail (believe me, I’ve done that) merits a minus-star ra􏰀ng! Despite a wet and cold expedi􏰀on on the River Exe in early February, the five of us GBC’ers who gathered at the Pierhead at Exmouth were made of sterner stuff and enjoyed the expedi􏰀on.
Clear instruc􏰀ons from Stephen meant that we got to the start point and checked in with the office of Stuart Line Cruises, in sufficient 􏰀me to ‘bag’ a convenient parking space, right at the point of embarka􏰀on. (Tip: although eager passengers queued to get on board, in our experience this was not necessary). The Pride of Exmouth takes approximately 40-odd passengers, with sea􏰀ng on deck (rather exposed) as well as below deck (with good, big viewing windows). It is roomy enough to permit walking about and most passengers did exactly that. An added plus is that the café boasts excellent pas􏰀es plus soup (note: you are not permi􏰁ed to bring your own food on board). A bonus is that there is a good on-board bird guide, who has excellent local knowledge. The majority of those aboard were keen birders - a great help in no􏰀ng and calling out what they saw.
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