Category: David

Reeds, with last year’s seeds, in reed beds by the Estuary of the River Exe and its tributary, the River Clyst.

The out of focus building in one of the pictures is the former lock-keeper’s cottage on the Exeter Canal at Topsham.

A lone starling looks out from the vantage of a chimney pot, while another small group prefer a lookout over water as well as land. Topsham, south Devon.

Alder catkins (reddish) and in one picture hazel (greenish) alongside the cones on alders from last year’s fertilised female flowers.

The Exe estuary in south Devon is an important wintering area for many migratory birds which summer nearer the Arctic, including places as far away as Siberia. Bewteen Exeter and the river’s mouth there are a string of RSPB reserves , with thousands of geese, ducks and waders.

When the tide is low, many head out on the mud to feed. This lone teal drake was busy sifting the mud for things to eat, directly under the Quay at Topsham.

In the midlands, the first early flowers are still the likes of snowdrops and crocuses. In the milder climate of south Devon, violets were already out recently.

A small group of mallards heading across the upper pool at Perton, almost in a line.