Seasonal Change
Everything is changing down on the marshes and, I confess, the view from where I am sitting is very exciting and I am full of anticipation for the coming winter! The biggest change for the team has been the departure of our Site Manager, Sally Mills, to newer pastures: she will be sorely missed, but we wish her all the best in her new job.
Irrespective of internal changes to the RSPB team here, each of the Exe RSPB reserves are continuing, in full swing, with their winter transformation: the trees are looking distinctly barer, Redwing and Fieldfare have been frequenting the local hedgerows of Station Road (Exminster), and the spring/summer interpretation signs at Bowling Green have been exchanged for their wintry counterparts. Starling murmurations have also been appearing in the sky and, with the arrival of Avocets, the RSPBs popular Avocet Cruises have resumed their winter schedule (bookings for these trips can be made through the RSPB website).
Floods
The rain and flooding has affected the whole of the Exe Estuary, and our work on Exminster has been hugely disrupted when we found ourselves unable to access any of the fields! Instead, we took the opportunity to visit some of the other RSPB reserves in Devon, including nearby Aylesbeare, Labrador Bay and Chapel Wood (North Devon). On the upside, many interesting waders, including avocets and black- and bar-tailed godwits, have been spotted on the Exminster fields.
Chapel Wood RSPB Reserve
Labrador Bay RSPB Reserve
Exminster Marshes - 2012 Floods
Station Road, Exminster - 2012 Floods