Exe Estuary

10 Dec - A brief visit to the Exe in sunny weather and beautiful light along the estuary-side path, with a convenient train back to Topsham. Good numbers of Curlew, Oystercatchers, Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks, with Brent Geese and Shelduck. A visit to Bowling Green Marsh allowed good views in late afternoon sunlight of the Long-billed Dowitcher that is a first-winter bird and has been present now for a couple of months - the bird appeared on its own on the spit after all the waders were flushed by a passing female Marsh Harrier. Goosemoor held the regular wintering group of Greenshanks alongside accompanying Redshanks.