Trip reports

MINIBUS TRIP TO EXETER AND EXMINSTER MARSHES - TUESDAY MARCH 20TH 2007

Tuesday, 20 March 2007

Nineteen keen folk left Salisbury at 8am, on a bright, cold windy day, the first target being the long-staying first winter Laughing Gull at Countess Wear. After our customary stop at Exeter Services, the Swing Bridge Car Park was reached by 10.30. We set off down the Riverside Country Park cycle path, but were soon met by a friendly local birder, whilst we were enjoying a pair of Bullfinch and the first Sand Martins of the spring, who told us that we were not quite in the right spot. However, he suggested that it was worth the short walk along the path to view some pools where Snipe were generally present. This we did, and 6 were seen, along with Teal and Moorhen. Following our "new recruit" over the swing bridge to the roundabout, we arrived at Matford Pools, where the gull had been seen. Unfortunately, we were greeted by the news that it had flown less than a minute before! We added Greylag and a few Wigeon, then Dick picked up 2 distant Green Sandpipers, which we enjoyed through the scopes. Shortly afterwards, some Black-Headed Gulls arrived, with the Laughing Gull in tow! It bathed for a couple of minutes and then flew off again. This was a lifer for most of the Group.

We drove the short distance to the Cirl Bunting site, but the cold northerly wind kept most birds down, although a Raven and a Kestrel were seen. There was brief excitement whilst searching the hedgerows, when a couple of Buntings were found. Unfortunately, these were Reed, not Cirl. We were just clambering into the buses, when JV's persistence paid off. However, despite 20 minutes' patient observation of the weedy stubble, where the bird had been seen, no further sightings were had. It was decided to have lunch in the buses, but then Barbara, who had noticed 2 birds leave the stubble for the hedge, discovered a perched male in full view. All but 3 members had great scope views before this bird departed. However, a female in the same hedge was enjoyed by all.

After lunch, we finally made it to Bowling Green at 2.20pm. With the next high tide not due until 8pm, birds were limited, but Dick found a White Wagtail, and more Sand Martins were about. From the River Clyst overlook, a few Black tailed Godwits were with the Curlews and Shelduck, and the only Redshank of the trip flew past. Only 3 Common Gulls were added from the Goat Walk, before we returned to the buses.

An unhindered journey home had us arriving in Salisbury at 6pm.

Little Grebe, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Shelduck, Shoveler, BH Gull, Laughing Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black backed Gull, Herring Gull, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Pheasant, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Rook, Crow, Raven, Jackdaw, Magpie, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Linnet, Blackbird, Redwing, Song Thrush, Fieldfare, Wren, Robin, Dunnock, Reed Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Blue Tit, LTT Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Woodpigeon, Red breasted Merganser, Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew, Lapwing, Green Sandpiper, Black tailed Godwit, Snipe, Sand Martin, Pied Wagtail, (White Wagtail), Starling. (59 species in total)

Reported by Steve Oakes