Naturalists spot plenty of birds
THE Taw and Exmoor branch of the British Naturalists' Association enjoyed a bird watching trip to the Exe estuary on a cloudless day.
The first port of call was the RSPB reserve at Bowling Green Marsh, near Topsham. This had more water in it than anyone could remember, but this did not deter the large number of wigeon, black-tailed godwits and brent geese, to name but a few.
A passing sparrowhawk spooked a lot of the birds to provide a temporary aerial display.
Down on the River Exe, the usual large flock of avocets were observed together with a few red-breasted mergansers and several different types of gulls.
While having a picnic lunch at Dawlish Warren, a red admiral butterfly was seen basking in the winter sunshine.
Quite a few birds were seen from the bird hide, including a huge flock of oystercatchers.
By the time the group turned for home, some 72 species of birds had been identified.
Anyone interested in joining the branch should contact local secretary Brian Sims on (01271) 343607.
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