It’s been all go at the shop over the past few weeks. Where to start? Let’s see, The Autumn Watch team popped in to say hello in-between filming an episode featuring parts of the Exe Estuary, Bowling Green Marsh, and our Cruise. It was good timing on their behalf as a Cattle Egret could be seen feeding out among the herd of Devon Red cows from our window. 

Colin Scott

The bird was on site for a good week and lots of people came by to tick it off their year list or just because they’ve never seen one before (myself included). Lot’s of Brent geese are now using the fields around the farm to feed on; it’s quite a sight to see hundreds of geese fly in early in the morning, the sound of their calls is something everyone should listen out for at this time of year. It’s a real call of the wild.

Very busy in the shop, with all this cold weather people have been streaming in buying bird food to help their garden birds through these bitter conditions. Suet or fat based foods are good as they are high in energy; fresh water to a must as temperatures fall. Look out for Redwings and Fieldfares birds from the thrush family, also many smaller birds like Reed buntings, Linnets and so on. Fingers crossed we may even get treated to small flocks of Wax wings, now that would be a great Christmas gift.

 

Gareth Williams