I was chuffed when the weather cleared a bit this afternoon and I took a trip out to the marsh. It is now flooded and the small pools are now “large” pools, the ditches are over flowing to add to the lying water that now provides a perfect environment for the thousands of birds that were there today. It was almost high tide and at those times the birds move off the estuary to the safety of the flooded fields. There were immense flocks of Black-tailed Godwits which made a dramatic spectacle as they wheeled around from pool to flooded pool.

Along the lanes, from time to time contact was made with small flocks of Tits including Long-tailed and amongst them the odd little warbler which I failed to see well enough to identify. Probably Chiffchaffs as they are known to stay in Devon fro our relatively mild winters. They say that if the hedges are laden with berries then we are in for a cold winter. Well I haven’t seen Hawthorn bushes quite so heavily laden as you can see.

Stonechats were again in their territories and the male at the top was showing really well in the low watery sun which highlighted his plumage and lovely eye.