Birdwatching Trip Report - 6th September 2025
7th September, 2025
Saturday 6th September dawned dry but windy, with a strong south-easterly blasting across the valley. The weather had certainly stirred up the birds offshore in Lyme Bay, with local birdwatchers treated to exceptional numbers of some seabird species from first light, but would it deliver for us on the Birdwatching Tram?
Within a few minutes of setting out we were enjoying one of the highlights of the trip - a flock of Cattle Egrets feeding among the Devon Red cattle that graze on Sheep's Marsh, at the southern end of the Axe valley. Cattle Egret is one of the success stories of the 21st century. Prior to that it was a rare bird in the UK, but the last 25 years have seen this species go from strength to strength. A trickle of birds from the Continent during the first few years of the century gradually became a flood, and Cattle Egret is nowadays a regular sight in many locations, with three-figure flocks seen on the Somerset Levels in recent years. It was difficult to count our little flock in the tall vegetation, but 10+ was likely. One or two juvenile birds were among them, aged by their dark bill rather than the bright yellow of an adult.
Although we encountered Oystercatchers, Curlews and Redshanks on the estuary, there were surprisingly few waders on the river. The reason why was obvious when we reached Black Hole Marsh, which was in superb condition and packed with birds. Good numbers of Black-tailed Godwits, Ringed Plovers and Dunlins were feeding or resting here, along with a few Lapwings and a couple of Common Sandpipers. On the return leg we added a bonus wader in the shape of a single Bar-tailed Godwit on the estuary, never a guaranteed species here.
Kingfisher is a bird which we do expect to see at this time of year, but they can be so fickle! We did have a few sightings, but most were brief and fleeting, and the only perched bird we saw was quite distant. Thankfully they are not always such a tease!
Other nice birds which added to our tally included Buzzard and Kestrel, a few Stonechats, a squealing Water Rail, and a Little Grebe on the river.
Apart from the splendid flock of House Sparrows alongside the tram line by the housing estate close to the Seaton terminus, small birds were at a premium on this trip. Likely the strong wind encouraged them to keep their heads down!
A total of 45 species were seen or heard, all listed below.
Gavin Haig
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Species List - 6th September 2025 |
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Mute Swan |
Curlew |
Carrion Crow |
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Canada Goose |
Common Sandpiper |
Starling |
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Shelduck |
Redshank |
House Sparrow |
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Teal |
Black-headed Gull |
Greenfinch |
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Mallard |
Lesser Black-backed Gull |
Linnet |
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Little Grebe |
Herring Gull |
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Cormorant |
Great Black-backed Gull |
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Cattle Egret |
Feral Rock Dove |
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Little Egret |
Woodpigeon |
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Grey Heron |
Kingfisher |
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Buzzard |
Swallow |
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Kestrel |
House Martin |
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Water Rail |
Dunnock |
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Moorhen |
Robin |
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Oystercatcher |
Stonechat |
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Ringed Plover |
Blackbird |
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Lapwing |
Blue Tit |
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Dunlin |
Magpie |
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Black-tailed Godwit |
Jackdaw |
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Bar-tailed Godwit |
Rook |
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