Several "big" events have taken place in the last two days, first of all there was the seal encounter as you can see from the photo above. The other big things…….My stash of Christmas beer has come to an end and the Christmas Tree has been put back in to the garden for another year. As well as that we have snow!!!!! 

So all in all some momentous events!  But first, the Seal! 

The story unfolded yesterday. I made an effort and left the  garden Redwings to get on with their cotoneaster berry feast, taking place now right in front of my kitchen window!  I dressed up like an Arctic explorer and went out to Turf, here the Ship Canal joins the estuary. There is a smashing little spot where the tide recedes to leave a sheltered mud flat close to the path and small boat landing for the Hotel.  Avocets, Redshanks, Grey Plover and Dunlin are pretty much constant occupants here and if you are tucked away and remain quiet you can get close. The sun was as bright as it is possible to be and even though it was freezing it was a glorious , glorious day!  I snapped away at Grey Plover and Dunlin and watched a Greenshank which didn't come close enough for a good photo, but it was wildlife watching at it's very best, nobody around and lots of birds. After a while I decided to move to the little inlet across the path. As I approached the water, now just in front of me, I stopped in my tracks……….  a massive seal was "humping" out of the water only 25 yards away. I dived to the grass…… in the icy wet…… what a hero, and crept forward. The seal went under the water and I made my move, rising and sprinting to the waters edge and then diving down again before it surfaced oblivious of me. I took a few photos before she eventually caught sight of me just as she began to haul out of the water. It amused me because the wading Redshank and Grey Plover had no idea what to make of this intruder and just kind of flapped away rather than fly in terror.  With that, she was gone, never to be seen again. As usual my photos are not as wonderful as I would  like. In Florida last year I had been feet from a Manatee and hadn't managed a decent shot and this was just the same kind of wonderful encounter. That's wildlife watching for you, I take my hat (and gloves) off to those experts who, when the chips are down and you need that instant shot, somehow manage to get it!

This is a female Grey Seal - Halichoerus grypus, and it is not the first I have seen in the Exe Estuary, but never this close.  Can you believe that translated,  the scientific name is "hooked-nosed sea pig". A seal is seen regularly, hauled out on the sand bank in the middle of the Estuary opposite Cockwood Harbour and I would suggest that it is the same animal.

I manged to take some really great photos of a Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola. In the USA called a Black Bellied Plover, but the same species. This bird is in it's winter plumage.

 I also managed some lovely shots of the equally lovely Avocet – Recurvirostra  avosetta. I didn't get as close as I would have liked even though I sat under a camo cover. I am prety sure that they were not disturbed by me, it was just that the feeding potential was better nearer the water line.
 In fact, there were two individuals moving around together and as there is such a dramatic difference in the markings of these two birds then I would suggest that it is a true pair. The one above is the male and the one below the female.

So, all in all a pretty good day out. Even more good news. The water level on my nearby Alphin Brook has dropped to a sensible level again. In the late afternoon I went to have a look to see if there was any sign of the Kingfisher. I am glad to say that within seconds of arriving  I caught  sight of him as well as Grey Wagtail. I repaired my hide which has been under water for weeks, I couldn't believe how well it has stood up to the weather, the brook has been flooded for at least 8 weeks.  I replaced the perches that were around about. Tomorrow if I can stand the cold,  I am going to return to see if I can get some photos of him. Should be good particularly if the weather is frosty and snowy, this will make for very photogenic pictures although it will be a bit cold with my feet in icy cold water……. can't wait.