Friday 11th October 2024 - Otter Estuary Nature Reserve.

 

mixed flock of birds (how many can you see) Bath Birdwatcher.

One of the reasons for this short break was to visit a fairly new wetlands at the mouth of the river Otter at Budleigh Salterton. Parking in the Otter Nature Reserve car park we started walking down the western side of the reserve it was low tide so lots of exposed mud to search and a Little Egret was our 1st sighting one of many we saw during the walk. Mute Swan, Mallard, Black Headed Gull and Moorhen were also noted. Fly over Woodpigeon and Magpie were seen but I was surprised by the lack of wading birds then Bryan spotted our 1st of the day a Curlew followed shortly after by an Oystercatcher just one of each. As we continued Herring Gull and Wigeon were added also a fishing Cormorant in a channel close to where we were walking. As we neared the bottom of the estuary more water and wet mud was seen and here Redshank and Ringed Plover were feeding while Teal were also spotted with a Carrion Crow and a Great Black Back Gull. Heading for the coffee stop and meeting our wives we added Blackbird and Starling. While drinking we found Pied Wagtails on the pebbles. Coffee over we set off to walk back to the car park on the opposite side of the reserve and soon found several Meadow Pipits and a large flock of feeding Swallows. Canada geese were on the far bank of the river and their numbers must have been well over 100 and probably 200. As we walked on Robin, Dunnock and Wren were found as well as a Grey Heron. Goldfinch flew over and below us down in the reeds Bryan noticed movement which turned out to be Chaffinch and Greenfinch probably drinking as there seemed to be very little for them to eat. A short distance on more movement and looking into the thicket I managed to find a male Kingfisher and as we watched it dropped into the shallow water and came out with this tiny fish. We then came to an area when the reeds had been cut with just the ends showing and here, we found 4/5 Willow Warblers fly catching we also found a pair of Reed Bunting and 2 Blue Tits. Lunch time so back to the car for a packed lunch. We had been told earlier that a Spoonbill had been seen on the reserve but during the morning we had not found it, but walking over the new bridge to the car a sleeping white bird was spotted so lunch finished we walked back and through the telescope we were able to identify it as a Spoonbill here we also found a small flock of Dunlin and a soaring Buzzard. Time for a cuppa so we drove to Otter Mill where tea and cake were enjoyed by all. We then had a short walk down the River Otter hoping for a Dipper but with no luck however we did add Jay, Mistle Thrush, Jackdaw and Great Tit. This is the 1st time I have visited this new reserve and would certainly visit again given the opportunity.

Little Egret (Bath Birdwatcher)


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