Crossbills

Yesterday morning I heard at least two Crossbills fly over my garden in Kingsteignton. I couldn't pick them out against the blue sky but it sounded like they were heading south.

WeBS count

The highlight of this afternoon's count was a first-summer Mediterranean Gull foraging off Passage House with 18 Black-headed Gulls before flying down the estuary. The first returning waders have begun to appear with 9 Curlew and a Redshank at Passage House and 14 Oystercatchers a Flow Point. Other totals included 40 Mute Swans, 45 Shelducks, 13 Little Egrets and 10 Cormorants.

Black Stork

Just when you think things have settled down for the summer, a Black Stork is photographed over Newton Abbot on Friday lunchtime (pictures here). A great record; top marks to the finder!

Summer-plumaged GND

A brief seawatch after work this evening revealed a Great Northern Diver on the sea off Teignmouth yacht club, looking smart in full breeding plumage. Also 17 Manx Shearwaters flew south between 18:35-19:05. Yesterday an unseasonal Lapwing was at Passage House over the evening high tide.