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!

 

Birds at Brancaster Staithe and wildlife at Holkham Hall during my last day in north Norfolk - 9th March 2024

I walked along to Brancaster Staithe on my last day in north Norfolk to catch a quick glimpse of the birds there during the early morning low tide before getting the bus to Holkham.

A Black-tailed Godwit in breeding plumage was searching for breakfast in the mud

The Godwit was joined by an Oystercatcher

A Curlew was also searching for breakfast

Brent geese were on the move

 After the quick birding search at Brancaster Staithe, I got the bus to Holkham and walked along Lady Anne's drive to the coast.

View of Holkham Gap from the boardwalk leading down to the beach

I was unlucky this time and didn't see any Snow Buntings in the roped-off area near the beach.  Other people were looking for them too.  Apparently they had moved on to the other side of the Gap.

I then walked up to Holkham Hall and walked round the grounds where I saw a lot of deer

Three Tufted ducks and a leaping Little Grebe were visible on the lake

Two Muntjac deer were wandering along one of the paths

The Coke Monument towered above me

Female deer were gathered together

A stag stared at me

More deer were scattered around the park

I was intrigued to discover that a group of Oystercatchers were visiting the park too