Nature Notes

The past week has thrown up a few interesting birdwatching surprises here in north Devon. Firstly I went out to Newbridge near Bishops Tawton on 18th Feb to check out the flocks of geese and swans frequenting the fields bordering the railway line and Taw. Consorting with the many Canadas was a black swan and I must say the creme de la creme of its kind.

On the opposite bank the small group of Mutes held a Whooper. In the same field common snipe by the score - perhaps as many as an hundred - were flushed.

On Saturday 21st February I went in search of the cattle egret recently seen in the Yelland area off the Tarka Trail. Although I didn't  encounter the bird I was treated to a gathering of six spoonbills - three adults and three immatures - at the RSPB's Isley Marsh. Two of the spoonbills had been ringed which suggests they had flown in from Holland, or maybe Spain?