Guided Bird Watching Cruise – 9th November 2026

The visibility was a marked improvement from Saturday and Sundays cruises that suffered fog so today we were blessed and which turned out to be an outstanding cruise with plenty to see throughout.

The cruise started along Pole Sands with a few birds on show mainly Great Black Backed Gulls and Cormorants. As we came back towards the the estuary Dark Bellied Brent Geese were plentiful with 50+ birds on Bullhill sandbar. As we turned the Dawlish Warren corner we could count 100+ Duck in the Shutterton Brook on the Wildlife Refuge they were mainly Wigeon and Mallard. Shelduck were also plentiful with good numbers of Oystercatchers along the shoreline in front of Cockwood towards Starcross. Mute Swans were also in good numbers here too. On a small pontoon off Starcross two Grey Seals were resting and good views were had by all. Close views of the DB Brent Geese were also seen on Bullhill Sandbar.

As we passed Starcross towards the two wrecks a single Greenshank a Red Breasted Merganser were seen with Cormorant’s fishing in the backwater. At the Wrecks a Kingfisher was spotted fishing from the first wreck and a Greenshank and Grey Heron was also seen.

Near Lympstone at least 10 Great Crested Grebe Bar-tailed and Blacked Godwit and Curlew were feeding on the shore with Little Egret fishing in the Shallows. A flock of Dunlin and BT Godwit were flying upstream. River Kenn outlet was active with Gulls bathing and a few Common Redshanks were present too.

As we approached the River Clyst Confluence Avocets were seen in good numbers with plenty of Pintail Teal Wigeon and Mallard were loafing in the river. Mute Swan Two Spoonbill Great Crested Grebe and Curlew were seen along the straight towards Turf Lock. Another Kingfisher was briefly seen along this straight too. Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Avocets Common Gull a small flock of Grey Plover and a first sighting of Lapwing with a distant view of Golden Plover were seen all the way to Topsham Quay. Great views of two Marsh Harriers were seen hunting over the Reed beds with 13 Greylag Geese flying over the boat on our way back to Exmouth.

With the tide now making birds were getting ready to Roost with BT Godwit Oystercatcher Dunlin Avocet Golden Plover and Lapwing all taking to the air they was still plenty to occupy us on board. Someone mentioned to me that a Short Eared Owl would top this cruise off as a top Cruise and we were all very excited that this wish came to Fruition when someone spotted a Short Eared Owl high heading towards Exton, this bird was the bird of the day though that was my personal opinion.

What a great cruise shared with lovely people,

Derek Carter