Presumably the same Spotted Redshank is back for another winter, roosting with c.40 Redshanks off Passage House this morning. Three Dunlins and a Common Sandpiper also noted, and overhead numerous Redwings, a Fieldfare and small flocks of Skylarks were on the move. Later in the morning a Little Gull was reported near Shaldon Bridge.
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| Spotted Redshank with Redshanks and Curlew |
The highlight of the past week has been the unexpected discovery of a singing Woodlark on patch. As a scarce Schedule 1 species that has appeared in potentially suitable breeding habitat, the exact location won't be publicised. It will be interesting to see if it remains into next year and sets up a territory.
Last Sunday's count produced another two Cattle Egrets, both adults on Flow Point, with six recorded at Passage House in the evening. A tern first seen briefly east of Passage House was initially identified as an Arctic Tern, before prolonged flight views around Coombe Cellars confirmed it as a first-winter Common Tern, with a second bird also present at Flow Point. Other totals included 290 Oystercatchers, 50+ Curlews, 34 Turnstones, 20+ Redshanks, 19 Dunlins, three Bar-tailed Godwits, three Common Sandpipers, 41 Little Egrets, 37 Mallards, 17 Mute Swans, three Little Grebes and three Kingfishers.
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| Common Tern |
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| Cattle Egret |
A detour through Teigngrace this afternoon proved worthwhile, with five Cattle Egrets feeding among the cows in fields near the level crossing, at least three of which were juveniles. On the estuary, three Bar-tailed Godwits east of Passage House were the first of the year, with an adult Mediterranean Gull also noted.
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| Cattle Egrets |
