Wednesday 12th May and it was off to Exminster Marshes for the day with Mavis. The weather forecast was for rain in the afternoon but on arriving at the RSPB car park at around 9am it was sunny and warm. However the forecasted rain did eventually arrive at around 2:30pm but we were very fortunately nearing the end of our walk by this time and managed to get back to the car before the rain really got going.
Our time on the Marsh was very productive with the highlight being a juvenile White-fronted Goose, presumably one of the family of wintering birds that has been left behind.
A Hobby flew through all too briefly while a male Kestrel showed very well hovering overhead and at one point it swooped down and carried off a small rodent.
A partial summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit, a Whimbrel and 22 assorted plumaged Black-tailed Godwit were seen along with Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher and 3 Little Ringed Plover. Mallard, Shelduck, 2 male and a female Wigeon and a pair of Tufted Duck were also seen along with Coot and Moorhen. The resident Snow Goose was found amongst the Canada Geese along with a pair of white feral farmyard Geese.
There were good numbers of Swifts and Swallows over the Marsh with a few House Martin and Sand Martin amongst them. Sedge Warblers and Reed Warblers were very vocal and showy along with Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat but the Cettis Warblers while vocal kept themselves very well hidden.
Green-veined White, a male Orange Tip and a Small Copper were also seen flitting about in the sunnier spells.
A very enjoyable walk, my first at Exminster Marsh for 2 years, with a good range of birds seen despite the deteriorating weather.
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