Rare Bird Sighting on the River Exe Stuns Bird Watchers across the Country

The Exe Estuary is already known as an international wildlife superstar, but passengers on our Guided Bird Watching Cruise today, got an unexpected sighting that has sent ripples of excitement through the national birding community!

The Exe Estuary – A Winter Wonderland for Wildlife

As a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with Ramsar designation, the River Exe estuary is an incredibly special place. Its vast mudflats are crucial feeding grounds for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds that fly in every winter from places like Greenland, Iceland, and even Arctic Siberia. These birds make a long, treacherous journey to exploit some of the richest natural food sources in the world, and the calm, sheltered waters of the Exe provide them with the perfect sanctuary.

We frequently welcome a diverse range of waders every winter, and the Exe Estuary is particularly famous for its impressive numbers of Avocets, drawing nature enthusiasts from far and wide. You’ll also often spot favourites like Oyster Catchers, Golden Plover, Red-breasted Mergansers, Shelduck, Dunlin, Godwit, Kingfishers, and Herons.

The Unexpected Visitor

But during today’s cruise aboard the Pride of Exmouth, our passengers were thrilled – and quite frankly, shocked – to be joined by a seriously rare bird: a Lesser Crested Tern!

This isn’t just a slightly unusual sighting; finding a Lesser Crested Tern in the UK in winter is highly exceptional, as this species should typically be much further south in the tropics.

Passenger Grahame Madge, a seabird surveyor and Met Office climate communications expert, described the incredible moment:

“I heard a tern calling and decided to try to get a record shot, as terns are highly unusual in the UK in winter. The bird came close to the boat but was only in view for a few seconds. It was only moments later when I reviewed my shots that I realised the enormity of what I had photographed. I quickly issued the photograph to local birders from the boat who were then able to spread the news.”

Grahame, who volunteers with the MARINE life charity, noted that this is “the rarest by far that I have found.” Thankfully, fellow passengers also got fantastic views of the bird on the return journey down the estuary.

Promoting the Pride of the Exe

Jake Stuart, Skipper of the Pride of Exmouth, was ecstatic that his passengers were able to witness such a momentous sighting:

“I am thrilled that my passengers were able to observe this rare species. My family have worked tirelessly over the years to promote the significance of the River Exe for its wildlife in winter and it is truly wonderful to see such excitement among the national bird watching community.”

It’s a testament to the international importance of the Exe Estuary that it can attract such rare and exciting visitors. This unexpected encounter proves that you never truly know what you might see when you join us on a cruise!

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Ready for Your Own Wildlife Adventure?

While we can’t promise another Lesser Crested Tern, we can promise you unforgettable views of the Exe Estuary’s incredible winter wildlife!

Book your ticket for our next Guided Bird Watching Cruise and experience the magic of the Exe for yourself.