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Friday 6 April 2012

Exminster marshes

What a difference today; bright, sunny and calm. Obvious influx of migrants over night with an increase of singing willow warblers (7), a male wheatear, 4 swallows, at least 3 sand martins and a yellow wagtail. David Cope heard a sedge warbler on the canal bank.
The flock of shelduck had increased to 45 but the numbers of shoveller had declined to 24. Scattered over the marshes were about 20 wigeon, c25 teal, 6 tufted ducks and 8 mallard.

Yesterday evening there was an impressive number of curlew roosting at high tide (c500), 2 oystercatchers, c30 swallows and c50 sand martins.