![](https://www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Avocets-Exe-Estuary-22.11.22_00002-1-Copy.jpeg)
A beautiful sunny afternoon with spring-like temperatures.
After seeing a Grey Seal’s head close to Exmouth, we saw two whole Grey Seals hauled out on the back of the local mooring servicing boat, Can-Doo; one was the dark bull seen a couple of weeks ago.
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3 Greenshanks were at Powderham, and good numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits were off Lympstone.
![](https://www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Pintail-Reduced.jpg)
Several dozen Pintails were still by the Marines Camp, by which time the numbers of Black-headed Gulls and waders were impressive.
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As usual, the mudflats between Turf and Topsham were thronged with birds: maybe 1000 Golden Plover and hundreds of Lapwings were joined in the air by hundreds each of Dunlin, Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits – a lovely sight in the sun!
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The Spotted Redshank was at its favoured spot as we turned to get a second helping of all the waders. We added about 20 Knot to the total, estimated over 350 avocets and 200 Common Gulls, and saw a distant Marsh Harrier soaring over Exminster Marshes.
![](https://www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Black-headed-Gulls-feeding-P2190077-1024x768.jpg)
Returning to Bull Hill sandbank, there were small numbers of Sanderlings along the shoreline and several Lesser Black-backed Gulls with their larger cousins. And the Grey Seals were still snoozing on the back of Can-Doo!
![](https://www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/20A4365.jpeg)
Dave Smallshire
![Anchor-Icon-Blue Anchor-Icon-Blue](https://www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk//wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Anchor-Icon-Blue.png)
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