29th of March 2013.
RSPB Isley Marsh & River Taw Estuary.
Species seen 39.
After weeks of bad weather in the midlands, a holiday in the
West Country is just what’s needed. Today started with sunshine that lasted
nearly all day, it was a little on the cold side, however a beautiful spring day
was enjoyed walking along the River Taw Estuary.
Starting at the RSPB Isley Marsh Reserve just off the Tarka
Trail, my walk began checking out the sandbanks, as usual they held a great
many Shelduck, more than 50, Oystercatchers numbers were over 200 and Curlew
over 30. The Little Egret population grows from strength to strength with many
birds seen at numerous locations along the estuary.

Spring visitors seen today were Wheatear in the grassed
areas and a Chiffchaff within the trees lining the Tarka trail.

However, moving on, I spotted a very rapid moving bird, as it flew closer the
bird was clearly a small falcon; a Merlin tick for North Devon is a first for
me!

Shelduck, Widgeon, Teal, Red Breasted Merganser, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Buzzard, Kestrel, Merlin, Water Rail (heard), Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Sanderling, Black Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Herring Gull, Yellow Legged Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Rook, Magpie, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, Robin, Wheatear, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Rock Pipit and Turnstone.
On the way back, this is one of the reasons, I come to Devon
often, it's not just the superb wildlife!