Combesgate

Exe-Rated Birding......

It's mid-February - snowdrops, early daffs....and the Coastwise annual birding pilgrimage to the Exe marshes.

Ably organised and led by expert (evidently so, but hotly denied) John Broomhead, members took the train to Topsham and walked down to the RSPB hide, a totally inadequate name for this newly expanded and rather grand viewing facility.

Thirty-three species were spotted and most members benefited from John's identification of the most interesting, including plenty of pintails, teal, gadwall, tufted duck and shelduck, with constant arrivals and departures.

Members also appreciated the elegant avocets and plovers, but the highlight for your blogger was the spectacular dancing display (Right) by two Grey Herons just offshore Topsham. Fighting ? Mating ? Perhaps a clue lies in the early spring timing. Fortunately they had the consideration to perform close to the shore, well with photographing distance.

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