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

 

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.

Frosty and foggy birdwatching visit to Abberton Reservoir - mid-January 2025 - with Golden Eyes, Slavonian Grebes and many other birds

I went on a coach trip to Abberton Reservoir in mid-January.  The first stop was at Layer de la Haye causeway where I saw a Black-tailed Godwit searching for food on the frost-covered grass

Misty view from the causeway

Male Pied Wagtail at the edge of the water

Female Golden Eye viewed from the causeway

and a Slavonian Grebe

View of misty reeds from a viewpoint past the LDLH causeway

Row of Lapwings that were barely visible in the fog

Rather attractive rooster sign near the entrance to Billets Farm

and the real thing!

Frost on the wall at the LDLH causeway

Redshank wandering around at the edge of the water

Common Gull with reflection

Goosander in the faint mist

Two male Goosanders and one female

Several Goosanders

Male Golden Eye

Goldeneye and a Common Pochard

Lunchtime was spent sitting outside the visitor centre where I saw a Blue Tit in the reeds

Three Blue Tits were on a bird feeder

and a Goldfinch was perching on a twiggy branch

After lunch we walked along the path round part of Abberton Reservoir 

The mist had cleared and Fieldfares were perching on bare twigs near the water

Gull City was viewed in varying light and heavy mist from one of the bird hides

We convened back at the coach at 15.30 and were then driven to Layer Breton causeway

Mute Swans were standing on ice on one side of the road

There was a small pool of water in the middle of ice and a group of swans had gathered there

The moon was shining above the tranquil unfrozen water on the other side of the road

Male Goldeneye travelling along near the edge of the causeway

The sky was turning pink

and the sun was setting in the distance

Time to leave!!