Gathering in Topsham on a brisk Sunday morning in February, the Exeter and District local group set out to begin their visit o

Bowling Green Marsh 19^th February

Gathering in Topsham on a brisk Sunday morning in February, the local group set out to begin their visit of Bowling Green Marsh and the river Exe. Guiding the group was Richard Swinbank with the help of AJ, the assistant site manager for the RSPB Exe Estuary Reserves.

No sooner had the footsteps begun pounding had the pencils begun scribbling the first sightings of the day. Along the hedgerows and winding lanes, many a flitting feathered friend was seen. Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Dunnock, and Blackbird. In one tree sat Chaffinch and Greenfinch side-by-side, beautifully comparing with one another their lively ‘huits’.

Close by to Bowling Green, a fast moving group of Golden Plover wheeled above, below them the undulating beats of hundreds of Lapwing; both had recently taken flight. AJ focused closely, showing us the sharp winged silhouette of the Golden Plover with light underneath, which often soars with motionless wings when turning direction. Compare to a Lapwing, and you may see that their wing beats keep a steady rhythm when changing course.

Nestling down in the hide with the intricate patchwork of birdlife afore, the sightings list grew. Greylag Geese and Canada Geese. Wigeon grazing, Teal lazing, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveller and Shelduck. Pochard and Tufted Duck dipping and diving. Snipe nestled within the reeds. Escaping the searching scope for many a minute, finally a glimpse of the Little Grebes before they plunged once more.

At the far bank was painted the bright pied colours of the Avocets. 376 was the final tally. Nestled alongside were Black-Tailed and Bar-Tailed Godwits, as well as Redshank. Curlew roosted on the near bank. Little Egret and Grey Heron haunted the edges of the marsh, while Coot, Moorhen and Carrion Crow wandered broadly. Cormorants perched on the intricate bows of a dead tree, which later became perch for a Peregrine, causing quite a stir. The eagle eyes of a young birder had spotted him/her an hour before, doing its rounds and flushing up the Golden Plover and Lapwing. This might explain the movements we saw when approaching the hide.

With space at a premium on the wooden benches, it was onwards to the viewing platform over the estuary. Beautiful views of the Peregrine perched not too far away greeted us here. With numbers in the group dwindling slightly but the chill of the wind not showing similar habits, the sightings again grew. Scopes revealed Red-breasted Mergansers in the distance. Slightly closer were a group of Black-headed Gulls who disguised within them a few Common Gulls. And two Goldeneye! Too far for naked eye, but close enough for a good view in scope.

Heading around Goat Walk, along the river and into Topsham, comparing notes saw our sightings grow again. Missed by he (me) who watched his feet were Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Rook, Jackdaw and Magpie. Wood Pigeon and Feral Pigeon. Starling and House Sparrow. A wren heartily in song. Finally, a Herring Gull, passing overhead and guiding us back to our cars in Topsham. We departed, content with 48 species, with fresh air in our lungs and colour in our cheeks.

Andy Moody (the new, green Voluntary Reserve Assistant at Exe estuary reserves).

Birds seen, in BOU order or alphabetic order

BOU order

Greylag Goose

Canada Goose

Shelduck

Wigeon

Teal

Mallard

Pintail

Shoveler

Pochard

Tufted Duck

Goldeneye

Red-breasted Merganser

Little Grebe

Cormorant

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Peregrine

Moorhen

Coot

Avocet

Golden Plover

Lapwing

Snipe

Black-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Curlew

Black-headed Gull

Common Gull

Herring Gull

Feral Pigeon

Wood Pigeon

Meadow Pipit

Pied Wagtail

Wren

Dunnock

Robin

Blackbird

Long-tailed Tit

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Magpie

Jackdaw

Rook

Carrion Crow

Starling

House Sparrow

Chaffinch

Greenfinch

Alphabetic order