Variety is the spice of life

It is always interesting to visit other nature reserves and see a few different birds.

So not surprisingly I enjoyed my visit to the RSPB Lookout hide at Bowling Green Marsh on the side of the Exe Estuary.

Being in the hide late in the afternoon, I took the opportunity to talk to one or two of the local bird watchers. What struck me was that the birds that caught my eye because they were different to the ones that I would normally see, were hardly noticed by the local bird watchers. They obviously see them frequently.

So, while I really enjoyed seeing the godwits and the teals, they were obviously old news to the locals.

Even the four Spoonbills which were possibly the highlight of the visit for me, didn’t raise lots of interest and enthusiasm.

The exception to the rule seemed to be the Marsh Harrier which had them leaning forward and taking shots.

...and having included one shot of a bird in flight, it gives me an excuse to share some more of birds in flight

And talking of shots I apologise that many of mine are not that great or as sharp as they should be, which just prompt me to say once again, one of these days (when I win the lottery) I must buy myself a long lens.