Guided Bird Watching Cruise – 2nd February 2026

The weather was dry, chilly and overcast with a strong south-easterly wind. Visibility was good for the duration of our cruise, but it turned out to be a beautiful, sunny and calm ending. With the Pride of Exmouth and Captain Jake at the helm, we set sail along the seafront with great company on board. A group of Oystercatchers, Great Black-backed Gulls and a couple of Curlew 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 couple of Shags were present along with the usual Herring Gulls.

There were several Oystercatchers and a couple of Turnstones on the Dawlish Warren Wildlife Refuge area, with Curlew feeding along with a few Shelduck and Dark-bellied Brent Geese in the Shutterton Brook Channel as we sailed by. Great Black-backed Gulls and several Common Cormorants were lingering on Bull Hill Sandbar – as always, a couple were showing early signs of breeding plumage, with the white thigh patch showing under the wings. A couple of Great Crested Grebes were seen fishing off Starcross along with an odd common Redshank; a small flock of Dark-bellied Brent Geese was also seen here. Two Red-breasted Mergansers were seen at a distance, and on the sandbank off Starcross foraging amongst the seaweed, several Turnstones were seen, though their camouflage made them hard to see.

We passed the River Kenn where several gulls were seen bathing in the fresh water. The small creek further along produced a couple of Greenshank and Redshank, and in front of this group, a Common Seal was resting on the bank. Several Redshanks were seen towards the sailing club. Black-headed Gulls seemed to be everywhere across the estuary today, along with Oystercatchers feeding on the mud. Curlews were also becoming numerous on both sides of the estuary, with several feeding along the water’s edge off Lympstone along with a couple of Bar-tailed Godwit. Our first sighting of Avocets was near the sailing club and on the opposite side between Lympstone and Exton, at least four Great Crested Grebes were seen fishing. Between the sailing club and the cycle path bridge, several Mallard ducks were seen on the water’s edge along with Shelduck. Off Exton, distant waders could be seen – mainly Curlew and a few Black-tailed Godwit, along with Dunlin and, again, Little Egret.

Great views were had of 20 Grey Plover flying by the boat on one side, while 30 Knot flew past us heading down the estuary. A few Dunlin were feeding on the wet mudflats; again, good numbers of Dunlin in flight were buzzing about over the mudflats. At least 100 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 across the mudflats as they took flight and headed further up the River Clyst.

Along the straight towards Turf Lock, a large flock of over 400 Dark-bellied Brent Geese was seen in flight heading towards the right-hand side of the water. Great views were had by all on board as we cruised by; this was a real spectacle with so many geese so close. At the mouth of the Exeter Ship Canal, a lovely group of Common Redshanks was seen, and a large flock of Golden Plover was seen high above the mudflats towards Topsham. Avocets were now seen all the way to Topsham.

A small flock of Black-tailed Godwit was seen on the mud, and several more were spotted across the mudflats towards Topsham. Another Avocet flock was seen at close quarters off the Goat Walk area of Topsham. Common Redshanks were numerous again along this area, and a small flock of Bar-tailed Godwits flew towards the River Clyst. Lovely views of at least 11 Red-breasted Mergansers in groups of two, three and four were seen towards Topsham Quay and gave a great flypast as they headed downstream. It had been reported that a male Goldeneye was seen recently; just as we were about to turn homeward, we spotted him further upstream on the left near the wreck. This was a bonus bird for the day, and Captain Jake manoeuvred the Pride of Exmouth so most people could have a view of this striking black-and-white duck with its golden-yellow eyes.

We were about to leave the area when a Kingfisher was spotted briefly, followed by a cry that a Common Sandpiper had been spotted at the base of Topsham Quay. Excitement was intense at this stage! As we cruised onward towards Turf Lock, a large flock of Avocets took off and flew really close to the boat, reeling about, followed by a Peregrine Falcon trying to catch an Avocet without success. We then spotted a male Kestrel hunting near the lock and, to follow that, a pair of Egyptian Geese flew past the rear of the boat… Wow, what a crescendo!

Once everyone caught their breath, we approached Cockle Sands and Bull Hill Sandbars. Oystercatchers were gathering together ready to go to roost, and on Bull Hill, gulls were plentiful too. As we approached the Dawlish Warren Wildlife Refuge area, more Oystercatchers were gathering and a large flock of Dunlin was seen taking off and landing – an estimated 1,000 birds going to roost.

Another great birding cruise shared with great company.

A special mention to Tom Wallis and Paul Howrihane for the great photographs they’ve sent in.

Derek Carter