John Wyatt Wader Weekend, 11^th – 13^th November by John Allan

 

The usual format for this weekend had, unfortunately, to be altered as John was recovering from a nasty bout of pneumonia and was, therefore, unable to lead either of the weekend walks. A willing Ray Jones stepped into the breach with great success.

 

The Talk – John had revamped his wader talk on the Friday evening to include other estuary birds as well as waders and to explain why the birds visit these habitats. As usual the slides were excellent with birds shown in breeding and non breeding plumage as well as juvenile plumage and the different look of male and females. It sounds very confusing but was helped greatly by John’s usual ‘hints and tips’ put in a way that was easily understood. OK, so there was a lot to take in. Wader identification can be a bit complex but I feel sure that we all took away a few tips that will help us in future. Bird identification is a gradual process to most of us! A thoroughly entertaining talk and we are very grateful to him for travelling and attending when he clearly felt unwell.

 

The Walks – The venues for the walks depended on the weather. Could we walk in the open or would we have to dash for a hide?? As it turned out we were lucky and did not have to limit ourselves to hides. Saturday morning was from Powderham church to Turf and the light was superb. Sparrowhawk, a flock of Golden Plover showing beautifully and 3 Avocets at Turf were amongst the many birds seen on this stretch. Dawlish Warren was the afternoon’s destination and on arrival we were told that a Tawny Owl was roosting in a nearby tree and a Short-toed Lark had taken up residence in front of the hide! We had to have our sandwiches first of course but then it was off to find the owl. It was finally found but we all agreed that it was so well hidden that we would have missed it without instructions. By this time a major twitch was in progress with binoculars and telescopes heading for the hide and we joined in (but not before spotting a Red-throated Diver on the sea). We were assured that the lark was regularly showing itself but despite waiting around for 2 hours we failed to identify it amongst the numerous Meadow Pipits and finches. We did see a Peregrine have a couple of attempts at a Curlew and on the way back, by way of reward for being the last two of the Group to brave the cold, Ray and I saw a female Eider.

Sundays venues were Exmouth and the Otter estuary. Whilst still in the Exmouth car park we saw what I thought was a Common Gull but, thanks to Ray’s identification skills, turned out to be a Ring-billed Gull. Certainly a ‘star bird’. The tide was well out and birds were rather distant but a couple of Pintails were seen together with expected waders and a Common Sandpiper (not really expected!). A Peregrine flashed overhead (same one as the previous day?) and a Kingfisher was seen passing down the water channel behind the houses. The wind had risen and was colder by the time we arrived at Budleigh and we quickly sought the shelter of the hedges on the walk to White Bridge. Several Little Grebes seen and some great views of a Kingfisher near the bridge. Oh…and a Water Rail heard!!!

72 species seen over the 2 days including 12 waders. A very enjoyable weekend.

 

Birds seen: