On another hot July morning we met for a morning birding around Bowling Green Marsh. We popped into the Hide to collect a few more members before having a walk to the Goat Walk to see what was on the Exe Estuary. There were many birds but identification was made difficult by the bright sunlight which was causing a dancing heat haze. But we did recognise Shelduck, Cormorant, Oystercatcher and gulls and waders of differing varieties.

We called at the “Look Out”, now reduced in size by RSPB. and in need of a bit of “gardening” as the wildflowers were making a good “café curtain”. This looks out onto the R. Clyst where it meets the Exe. A few more birds added to the list and back to the hide to see what had come in on the in-coming tide.

An additional bird which came in, a Common Sandpiper, was my bird of the morning, a small bird amongst the other waders recognised by its bottom bouncing up and down as if on a spring. Some people had spotted a Knot, usually a bird of flocks but this was a lonesome one not often seen at Bowling Green Marsh.

We left having collected a bird list of 27 not bad for a hot, July day.

Janet

Thanks to David for the bird list and Malcolm for the photos.