Exminster Marshes

What a difference a day makes. Warm, sunny and calm. I heard Cettis calling from at least 4 locations on the canal bank and from both sides of the canal. One showed particularly well at the viewing platform. Few other small birds apart from one goldcrest and one stonechat. A kingfisher on the canal and about 50 skylarks over flying west, included one flock of 27 birds.

On the lagoon the number of teal has risen to over 130. Also about 30 shoveller, 20 wigeon (but more arrived as I left) and one tufted duck. At 10.00 there were 5 or 6 gadwall but I could only see one at 11.30. On the fields it was great to see 6 curlew feeding in the fields and 31 lapwing. A sign of wetter things to come.

At Turf 10 redshank, 5 black-tailed godwits and 2 little egrets. A small flock of 6 meadow pipits, one rock pipit and 2 chaffinches.