We began with a short introduction (and application of temporary name badges!) in the office before walking down the canal path towards Turf. Tuesday's Spoonbill was still visible - and still asleep! We looked hard for the otters, but again had no luck. We had some good views of Reed Bunting, the males beginning to look very smart in their breeding plumage, and heard plenty of Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers in the surrounding willows. We arrived at the Turf pub, which had been especially opened for us to enjoy a cup of coffee, and waited for the boat to arrive when the tide was right. I began to get to know the other people, some long-term volunteers for the RSPB, and others newcomers like me. There was talk of an Osprey visible at Bowling Green Marsh the previous day, so we all set our hopes on seeing it!
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Temp chalk name tag - can choose a different name each weekend!
The ferry arrived and we slowly chugged over to Topsham, watching the Black-tailed Godwits and Curlews feeding on the mud. There were even two Avocets left, most likely the last two in the entire estuary! There was one lone male Red Breasted Merganser with some Mallard. We arrived at Topsham and walked along the Goatwalk to Bowling Green Marsh. We turned first to the viewing platform to look over the Clyst. As we looked up-river towards the mast from an old boat, we could see something sitting on the top....lo and behold, there was the Osprey! I took a few token shots, though it was a bit far away to get anything decent! It must have been digesting a fishy breakfast as it refused to do much and was constantly being harassed by Herring Gulls (though it seemed completely unbothered!)
We walked up to the hide for more views of the Osprey, and good views of a Gadwall in with the Wigeon. We were then treated to a trip through the mysterious padlocked gate into Goosemoor, where a regulated tidal exchange gate (RTE) is letting controlled levels of seawater inundate the area. This sight had been freshwater grazing marsh for 160 years, until the RTE was fitted in 2004. The project is designed to investigate the effects of seawater inundation and monitor the development of the saltmarsh. There weren't many birds to be seen here, and the sight is a topic of great debate at the moment in regard to the creation of the Exe cycle route, and where the path will cross the Clyst. Goosemoor is planned to have public access and the cycle path was originally designed to go through it, but the plan for an extension of the railway bridge to include the path has been virtually discarded due to the cost.
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We headed back down to Topsham to wait for the boat, and sat watching two Greylag Geese honking on the slipway. The boat was ready at 1.30 to take us back for a soup & sandwich lunch at Turf - which by then was pretty busy, a good sign for future weekends for the RSPB crew! After our feed we sauntered back down the canal path, and were delighted to find the Spoonbill awake and feeding, swiping its beak back and forth through the water in its own distinctive style!
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Back at the office we were equipped with our information packs - researched and created by Steve Hazell with grant money from Vodafone's "World of Difference" programme. It comprises of three parts. Firstly, a map of the Exe Estuary marked with points of interest, accompanied by a key with brief information bullet points. Secondly, a volunteer folder of useful information, health and safety info and recruitment information Finally, and most importantly, an Exe Estuary Guide: a very detailed (and very well researched) guide to the habitats, history, wildlife and management of the Exe Estuary - everything a person could want to know! A vital mine of information for answering questions and talking to the public about what the RSPB is doing and, most importantly, how they can enjoy it!
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I signed up for a few days on the rota, though I have a feeling I will be doing more days than first planned as not many volunteers seemed willing to commit. But I am so keen to do this, and am looking forward to reading all the information in the pack!
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