Guided Bird Watching Cruise – 20th November 2025

What a perfect day for my first cruise as a commentator (note by Stuart Line here, we think Steve did a fantastic job). The weather was dry, sunny and with a chill brought on by a brisk northerly breeze. Visibility was very good, ideal for the photographers on board. Jake skippered the Pride of Exmouth and Derek Carter was on board to act as my spotter.

We left Exmouth Dock and sailed along the seafront for a good way. Pole Sands had the regular Herring Gulls, Oystercatchers, Curlew and a solitary Great Black Backed Gull. But today’s cruise was really one for Dark Bellied Brent Geese and the first small group were spotted at the northern tip of Pole Sands and as Jake turned us around to head up-stream we spotted good numbers of Brents along the Dawlish Warren foreshore.

We headed round to Shelley Beach area, where a small number of Brent Geese performed a satisfying fly-by for us and then on to Dawlish Warren Wildlife Refuge. A few Oystercatchers along the strandline. It was about here we saw our first Great Crested Grebe of the afternoon plus Cormorants and Shag fishing. Moving on towards Starcross, we picked up our first Greenshank and three Red-breasted Mergansers fishing in the channel off the sea wall. Two Grey Seals lounging on a pontoon paid us little attention despite all the attention we gave them! A few more Greenshank were seen along this stretch towards the Kenn outlet, also Shelduck, Little Egret, Wigeon and one or two Redshank. More Brent Geese were spotted along the shoreline.

As we followed the channel towards Turf Locks, we caught out first glimpse of Avocet and two flocks of Golden Plover wheeling high overhead. Mallard, more Brent Geese, Canada Geese and a pair of Black Swans were also spotted here. Dunlin began to appear along the waterline on the eastern side of the channel and a quick fly past of half-a-dozen Turnstone. Dunlin numbers steadily increased until the
mudbanks seemed alive with them. Also, plenty of Black Tailed Godwit feeding along the water’s edge. At one point a flock took to the air giving a fine display. A small flock of teal also put in a surprise appearance. Distant views of Grey Plover mixed in with Dunlin feeding on the mudflats and Pintail towards Lympstone. As we passed Turf Locks, wader numbers increased and we began to gain good views of Avocet, much to everyone’s delight. The mudflats around the Clyst were busy with waders and Black Headed Gulls with a few Common Gulls mixed in. A similar mix was seen of Topsham Goat Walk. We lingered a while in Topsham where a small flock of Lapwing were on the mud to the west, and then, soaring above the M5 came four Marsh Harriers, which was a real treat. A Kingfisher darted past the stern of the boat as we turned to leave.

The return to Exmouth allowed all on board to appreciate the estuary in its full glory as the sun began to set, the tide rose, and flocks of Dunlin took to the air. One last treat was in store, but fleetingly and at distance, when Derek and I spotted three Goosander disappearing behind Bull Hill Sandbank. For me the highlights of the afternoon were the Brent Geese and the wheeling flocks of Dunlin skimming the surface of the mudflats.

Thanks to everyone who came along for making my first trip an enjoyable one.
Steve Manning