Exminster Marshes

Exminster Marshes. October 23^rd 2006.

A large group of about 30 assembled under grey skies to see what we could see. We were joined by A.J., the warden of the area, who has a vast knowledge of what is likely to be found where, which is always very helpful. He also told us about the future developments in the pipeline, literally, as they are planning to increase the water levels on the marshes, with dams, sluices and so forth, to improve the habitat for waders, and to make up for other habitats lost by development. He was excited to report that our local breading pairs of Lapwings have stabilised at 25, whereas at most other places the numbers have dropped.

Between us I think that we topped the 50 species seen, but I know I saw 48 and missed the Great Tit and Kingfisher, (again). I think that I had the best view I have seen of a Sparrowhawk flying, as is flew in front of us, and just as it got passed, a Blackbird flew out of a bush at right angles to it, with much squawking and alarm calls a very frightened Blackbird flew back into the bush, into safety. By Turf we saw a large flock of Avocets on a fairly distant sandbank, but were working their way towards us. We saw several Curlew, lots of Black-tailed Godwits, and some Dunlin further out. Among there were a few Redshanks, but in the light and the mud the shanks did not look very red to me!

There were lots of Gulls mostly Black-headed and Herring, but there was one Great Black-backed, which I totally missed until shown it in the ‘scope. Amongst the Gulls was a Common Gull – good spot Dave. These are not so common, which belies its name. It is a small Gull, marginally bigger than a Black-headed Gull. It is similar in shape and plumage to a Herring Gull. It has not head markings a darker grey back, yellow bill and legs, helpful if you can see them. It is really the grey back that is the identification aid. In flight it has black tips to its wings, with a white disc in the centre of the black.

It breeds in Scotland, and travels south, sometimes as far as North Africa for the winter. Unlike most our gulls, it is not a cliff breeder, but nests in colonies on off coast islets; the nest is made of grass bracken and sea-weed and the like. They lay 2-3 eggs at a time, in May or June. They are omnivores, eating eels, voles, fish, eggs, millipedes, and potatoes, turnips, grain, grass, and refuse.

On the field next to the lane home, we had a wonderful view of a Shoveler dabbling away in a pond. It was very close to us, so that not even binoculars were needed. They are very striking birds, with a big flat beak, hence the name. We saw Coots aplenty in the distance on the lagoon. They tend to assemble there because their favourite pond weed grows there.

At the very end of the walk I was lovely to see two flocks of Long-tailed Tit doing their acrobatic tricks in some large trees. They are fun to watch, and the second flock was just over our head. I presume that they have come south from Scandinavia for the winter. All in all a very good day out.

Number of species seen: 53

Ann Crawford

Birds seen, in BOU order or alphabetic order

BOU order

Mute Swan

Canada Goose

Wigeon

Teal

Mallard

Shoveler

Red-breasted Merganser

Pheasant

Cormorant

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Sparrowhawk

Kestrel

Moorhen

Coot

Oystercatcher

Avocet

Golden Plover

Lapwing

Dunlin

Black-tailed Godwit

Curlew

Redshank

Black-headed Gull

Common Gull

Herring Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Sandwich Tern

Wood Pigeon

Kingfisher

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Skylark

Meadow Pipit

Wren

Dunnock

Robin

Stonechat

Blackbird

Song Thrush

Cetti’s Warbler

Long-tailed Tit

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Magpie

Jackdaw

Carrion Crow

Starling

House Sparrow

Chaffinch

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

Linnet

Reed Bunting

Alphabetic order