On our outing to the Otter Estuary at Budleigh Salterton an osprey and some beautiful bearded reedlings are just some of the birds we were going to tell Janet we had seen, but didn't really.

The osprey perch visible in the centre of the photo was instead occupied by 5 basking cormorants. However, it was warm and sunny and there was an irridescent kingfisher perched on a reed, which nearly made up for it.

Owing to the recent supermoon (apparently) the high tide was particularly high for our visit and the footpath we wanted to use was under water. It also meant no visible mud flats, so a dearth of wading birds. There was however a small flock of godwits and a curlew. And a Cetti's warbler which was, as so often is, heard but not seen.

Both Edward and Malcolm decided it was not a day to bring cameras, so all we have is the photo of a dead tree in the middle of some water.

Lunch was in a tent at Otterton Mill*.