It was a bank holiday Sunday, and we had a free afternoon, so we thought why not head up to Topsham? So we went into the town, had cake at a lovely cafe, and then topped it all off with a great days birding just round the corner! Read on to find out more!
Mute Swans and Canada geese gathered on the far side of the river, partly obscured by the many boats moored on the Exe. The Goat Walk was busy today, with dog-walkers and families all strolling past or sat on benches. A Black-Headed Gull strutted about on the riverbank, with the black spot behind its eye stark against the white plumage.
An August Bank Holiday weekend stroll was about to turn into some productive birding, as we were headed to the RSPBs Bowling Green Marsh reserve, one of the best wildlife sites on the Exe Estuary. This site is always productive, and delivers on each and every visit. Waders and wildfowl galore always seem to be present, although less so at this time of year. But there is always something to look at, so we turned onto the track that led to the reserve.
The gate creaked slightly, but its black metal swung open willingly. Our first port of call was to scan the marshy field adjacent, as there were often a few geese in there around this time of year. However, diligent searches revealed nothing bar a ruffled looking Magpie. A Great Tit chirped from a rowan tree, already with a cluster of berries clinging to its branches. A Chaffinch broke cover and flew its undulating flight into the reeds. We came to the raised, narrow platform that served as a viewing point, and immediately a large, glossy black Cormorant flew low across the estuary, its flailing wings beating rapidly.
The tide was in, so all the birdlife had assembled on the prominent sandbar, situated on the far side of the lake. Black-Headed and Herring Gulls, about 80 Black Tailed Godwits, a couple of Curlew, and another Cormorant perched on a post. It was the height of summer, so I had expected to see little, but the amount of birds was incredible! Out there, surely there must have been over 200 individuals! And, out of nowhere, a glorious Redshank ambled out from behind the reeds, its red legs muddy and obscured. And just then, a bullying Great Black Backed Gull flew in, putting the Godwits to flight and extremely agitating all the others. Natures pecking order, eh?
We continued on to the Lookout, the large bird hide set up by the RSPB overlooking the tidal marshes, complete with Lapwing shaped bike racks and a Wildlife/herb garden. As soon as I looked out, the sheer number of Black-Tailed Godwits hit me! There was surely over a hundred here, some still in their rich, rusty red breeding plumage! All paddling and wading through the water, feeding up. Two Gadwall directly in front of us seemed a lot calmer, seemingly enjoying the peace afforded by the channels. Mallards and Shovelers sat preening on the banks, with two Lesser Black-Backed Gulls watching over proceedings. No less than six Little Egrets sat among a smaller group of Godwits further away, joined by a Wigeon and a group of regal Pintail.
Lapwing whistles told of peewits, and the Godwits piping calls played a prominent part in the sounds assaulting the senses. The raucous squawking of the larger gulls scared the surrounding curlews, but they stood their ground and continued probing the mud with their thin, long, curving bills.
Eventually, we left the hide, and I was sad to leave, but an afternoons great birding had been completed and Im sure we would be back again soon.
The Bovey Birder 