Today was Nature Walks first outing of the season concentrating on birds. Our programme said it was to be Seaton Wetlands but the Tower Hide still had a little flooding going along the path so when I heard the news that a Bittern and Spoonbills were visiting Bowling Green Marsh a change of plan was needed.

It was a beautiful sunny morning but there was a delayed start at the hide for most coming from Sidmouth as there were traffic lights causing a severe tailback somewhere on the route.

Thankfully most persevered and arrived at the hide ready to scan the reeds for the Bittern. They did but the most shy and secretive of birds was just doing just that or had he just gone on to pastures new or should we say reeds anew?

The Spoonbill was there though just one being a white ‘blob’ for most of the time but there were many other wildfowl about to keep us interested and see if you could scan them to spot anything unusual. Wigeon were the most prominent wader being identified by sound as well as sight. No, not a quack, a hoot or a Mallard like laugh but a whistle.... pee-ooooh.

We did see two types of Swan though this morning, one being our local mute swan one plus two Black Swans. Were they visiting from Dawlish I wonder?

Janet Fernley

As you will all no doubt remember, we have our own YouTube channel.
Click on the link below for a short Spoonbill video and a chance to recap on the ants of Aylesbeare Common.
@Sidmouthu3aNatureWalks