Another visit to RSPB Bowling Green Marsh followed by a walk past the grounds of Powderham Castle on the other side of the estuary - 18th March 2026

On Wednesday, 18th March, I went by train to Topsham and visited Bowling Green Marsh for a second time during my week long visit to East Devon

One Spoonbill was standing at the end of the grassy land in the middle of the lagoon

It preened its feathers

and then flew away!

There were lots of Wigeon on the lagoon

a Black swan sailed majestically past all the Wigeon and other ducks

Pair of Eurasian Teal in front of the bird hide

and a pair of Wigeon in the same place

As I walked away from Bowling Green Marsh, I spotted a Rove beetle on the muddy lane

I then went on the train to Starcross on the other side of the Exe estuary and walked down the lane past Powderham Castle

There was a large group of mainly female Fallow deer sitting on the grass inside the grounds of Powderham Castle.  They were easily viewed from the lane through the wire fence.

I think that they were disturbed by the sound of my clicking camera as they suddenly stood up

When I walked further down the lane, I could see the castle in the distance

Lovely large tree on the estate

A few stags were gathered together in the distance

More interesting trees

Little Egret standing near a pool in the Powderham grounds

Further on, I crossed over the railway bridge and saw two Oystercatchers on the Exe estuary at low tide

A train from Exmouth trundled along the railway line on the other side of the estuary

Sleepy Curlew standing on the river bed

Lympstone Village on the other side of the estuary

On my way back to Starcross, I took a photo of Powderham church

and was startled by a train traveling along the railway line between the estuary and the lane!

 

Spoonbills, Goosanders, Little Egrets, Godwits, Sandpiper and Greenshank (plus Parasitic Wasp) at the Otter Estuary nature reserve and along the river Otter - 17th March 2026

I visited the Otter Estuary nature reserve for the second time on Tuesday during my week in Devon

The two Spoonbills were feeding in front of a Little Egret

A Dunnock perched in a bare shrub

Group of Black-tailed Godwits feeding near the bridge in the centre of the nature reserve

I found a creepy Parasitic Wasp creeping around in one of the bird hides

I went for a walk along the footpath at the edge of the river Otter and came across a pair of Goosanders

a second female Goosander was in the water a little further upstream

Back in the nature reserve, a Black-tailed Godwit was feeding in the mud

Two Little Egrets were stepping daintily around in a shallow pool

A Common Sandpiper was standing in shallow water at the edge of the mud

A Greenshank was wading through the water while looking for food

Another Little Egret was walking around in shallow water near the coastal end of the reserve

 

Black Swans, ducks and geese in Dawlish - 16th March 2026

I was staying in Sandy Bay and walked down the hill to the bus stop for Exmouth.  I was a little early so wandered around the village for a short while.  This thatched cottage (actually a cafe) was for sale.

I went on the train to Dawlish, where I found some Chinese Water geese on the brook

and some hybrid geese - maybe Snow/Greylag mix or similar????

Dawlish is famous for its captive Black Swans, so I was not surprised to see the wonderful exterior of the public toilets!!!!

One of the Black Swans was asleep on a nest

I came across four Black Swans on the footpath at the edge of the brook

Another Black Swan was guarding a second nest in Dawlish

Three Muscovy ducks were resting on a pebbly island in the middle of the brook - I expect these were captive too at one time (or escapees).  I gather most of the captive wildfowl in Dawlish recently contracted bird flu and their wildfowl collection was closed down.

Hybrid Mallard on the brook

Two Black Swans near the weir - one showing off its pinioned wing

 

Spoonbills, Wigeon, Godwits and Black Swans at Bowling Green Marsh nature reserve, Topsham - 15th March 2026

I was staying in East Devon for a week and, on Sunday, I took the train from Exmouth to Topsham.  Then I walked to RSPB Bowling Green Marsh and sat in the bird hide for some time.

Row of Black-tailed Godwits in both summer and winter plumage

Wigeon feeding on the grass

Spoonbill and Shelduck on a narrow island in the lagoon

In fact, there were two Spoonbills on the little island

Spoonbills and a long row of Black-tailed Godwits

Little Egrets flying above some Black-tailed Godwits

A pair of Black Swans were on grass at the other side of the lagoon

Pintail on the lagoon

The two Spoonbills were feeding when the Black-tailed Godwits decided to move

Spoonbills preening behind two Godwits

The pair of Black Swans moved into the water and sailed past the bird hide

talking to one another as they sailed along the water

I came across a male Blackbird on the lane leading from Bowling Green Marsh

Curlew and Redshank feeding on the mud in front of the Goat Walk in Topsham

 I had a great time and planned to visit again later in the week.