Guided Bird Watching Cruise – 18th November 2025

The weather was dry sunny with a cold northerly wind blowing down the estuary. Visibility was good and set fair for the duration of our cruise but possibility of rain around 15:00. The Pride of Exmouth with Captain Rick at the helm, Steve Manning as my spotter, we set sail along the seafront, then up the estuary with great company on board. Plenty of Herring Gulls, Oystercatchers, Dark-bellied Brent Geese and Common Cormorants were seen foraging on Pole Sands. As the tide was making, we headed for the Shelly beach area to have a quick check in this location. A few Shag were present fishing along with the usual Herring Gulls. A group of 50 Dark-bellied Brent Geese were seen on the shelly side of Bull Hill Sandbar. 

There were several Oystercatchers on Dawlish Warren Wildlife Refuge area, with Curlew feeding along with several hundred Wigeon, with a few Shelduck and Dark Bellied Brent Geese in the Shutterton Brook Channel as we sailed by. Again, a sizeable flock of Dark Bellied Brent Geese were seen at a distance towards Cockwood. Our first sighting of a Little Egret was seen fishing near a group of rocks. Greater Black Backed Gulls and several Common Cormorants were lingering on Bull Hill Sandbar, with juveniles also present with them. Several Great Crested Grebes were seen fishing off Starcross, along with a Greenshank and Grey Heron on the shoreline. Our first sighting this season of three Red-breasted Mergansers, two male and a female which was pleasing to the visitors. A close-up sighting of our first Grey Seal in the water, then great views on two pontoons off Starcross, one Common Seal and two Grey Seals on one pontoon and a Male and female Grey Seal on the other, both were extremely close and unaffected by our presence and great for the visitors.  

 Several Little Egrets were seen near the wrecks in the channel, and on one of the wrecks, a Kingfisher was seen fishing, and another Greenshank was seen in this location. Several Redshank were seen towards the River Kenn confluence, along with several Shelduck, with a large flock of Herring Gulls and Black Headed Gulls present as well. Curlew were becoming numerous on both sides of the estuary, with several feeding along the water’s edge off Lympstone and Powderham Estate. In the Powderham Estate, the herd of Fallow deer were seen grazing the area under the oak trees. In the same area between Lympstone and Exton, at least 6 Great Crested Grebe were seen fishing on the algae and Eel Grass beds. Numerous Pintail Ducks were seen feeding in this area also. Between the sailing Club and the cycle path Bridge, several Mallard Ducks were seen on the water’s edge. Off Exton, distant waders could be seen, mainly Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit, along with good numbers of Dunlin and again Mute Swans and Little Egrets. 

Great views of Grey Plover mingled with a few Dunlin were feeding on the wet mudflats. They all decided to take flight and flew in front of the boat and over the mudflats, showing off their aerobatics. Again, a good number of Dunlin in flight, buzzing about over the mudflats. Our first sightings of at least 30 of the exotic-looking Avocets were seen upstream of the Starcross Yacht club and in the channel off the Exe and Clyst confluence, more Avocets were seen as they took flight and headed further up the River Clyst. A nice view of the Black Swans were also seen here.

Along the straight towards Turf lock, several Lapwing were feeding on the mud where a few took flight and flew over the boat. Curlew and Redshank were seen in this area. At the mouth of the Exeter Ship Canal, Redshank were again seen with two Canada Geese. Common Redshank and Common Gulls were numerous in this area and all the way to Topsham.

As we turned the Turf Lock straight, Dunlin and Grey Plover were again seen across the Mudflats. A small flock of Black-tailed Godwit some on the edge of the channel. Across the mudflats towards Topsham, a great sighting of roosting Golden Plover, 150+ was a fair estimate of their numbers. Another Avocet flock was seen at close quarters off the Goatwalk area of Topsham for all to see. Common Redshank were numerous again along this area with Bar-Tailed Godwit and Black-tailed Godwits, and a nice group of Knot in attendance Close to Topsham Quay a nice group of Teal. 

We turned at Topsham Quay when a shout rang out “Kingfisher” flew by and pitched on a chain at the far end of the Quay. Also a few Turnstones were seen opposite The Goat walk.

 Before we left the area and cruised slowly back to Exmouth several people saw a Grey Seal swimming upstream with a fish. As we approached Cockle Sands and Bull Hill Sandbar, Oystercatchers were gathering together ready to go to roost, and on both sandbars we saw at least 15 -20 beautiful little Sanderling skurrying about on the shoreline where most on board saw this delightful little wader at close quarters. As we approached Dawlish Warren Wildlife Refuge area, Oystercatchers were gathering and a few more Sanderling were seen at close quarters along the waters edge as we headed for Exmouth Marina. Another great birding cruise shared with great company. 

Derek Carter

Thank you for photographs by Derek Carter, Ian Tompson and Claire Fry