South-east Devon - Sat 20 Feb

I was picked up at 7.30am for a day in south-east Devon with my four best birding mates.
Our first stop was Trinity Hill not far from Axminster where we got on our target species within a couple of minutes and without moving more than ten yards from the car, a pair of Common Crossbills flew in to some trees right in front of us.
We then drove down to Bowling Green Marsh RSPB in Topsham. It was high tide, and from the hide we saw numerous Avocets and Bar-tailed Godwits roosting. There was a good variety of duck species present also, with a couple of Pintail being the pick.
Leaving Topsham we drove up to Exminster parking at the top of the hill near the M5 cutting. Getting out of the car we walked around a couple of fields, first picking up a couple of Cirl Buntings and then seeing a small flock of five Woodlarks.
Our next stop was Dawlish Warren, and after a quick look out to sea we found the long-staying female Surf Scoter with a few Common Scoters. Also on the sea were several Great Crested Grebes and a single Slavonian Grebe. We then walked out towards the hide where waders were evident, seeing Knot and Sanderling amongst commoner species.
The walk out was as tiring as ever on the sand, and when we got back to the car we had our lunch before a quick stop at Starcross where we added Greenshank to the day list.
We then headed back towards home, stopping for about thirty minutes at Aylesbeare Common RSPB where we had a cracking view of a displaying Dartford Warbler.
Our final stops of the day were Colyford Common where we picked up about half a dozen Water Pipits and then the Axe Estuary where six adult Mediterranean Gulls were in amongst the pre-roosting gulls.
A very productive and enjoyable day.
UK list for 2010 now at 142 species.