Pomarine Skua

A short Teignmouth seawatch from 16:40 - 17:40 on Friday after the worst of the rain had cleared was productive, with a dark Pomarine Skua at 17:35 the highlight. There were also four Arctic Skuas, three of which were hassling Kittiwakes, and a flock of c.40 Common Scoters on the sea. Heading south were 29 Manx Shearwaters, six Sandwich Terns, a juvenile Common Tern, four Mediterranean Gulls, a Great Black-backed Gull and a Fulmar.

This evening a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull on the Salty, with it or another also around the estuary mouth on Thursday. 

WeBS, Med Gull influx

July is the best month for Mediterranean Gulls on the Teign Estuary as birds disperse from breeding colonies, and a total of 14 at Passage House over high tide this morning was a good count although there were no juveniles amongst them. There was a reasonable mix of waders on the estuary including 42 Curlew, 29 Oystercatchers, three Greenshanks, three Common Sandpipers, one Black-tailed Godwit and one Whimbrel. Other totals included 132 Canada Geese, 40 Mute Swans, 30 Mallards, four adult Shelducks plus four recently fledged young, 31 Little Egrets, three Grey Herons, 240 Black-headed Gulls (five juveniles) and five Cormorants.

Two adult Mediterranean Gulls and a second-summer bird among Black-headed Gulls

Osprey, WeBS

Thanks to the local gulls sounding the alarm I was able to pick up an Osprey over my house heading towards the estuary at 13:45 yesterday. This is the second June Osprey on the patch in three years, with another bird following almost the same flight path in 2021. 

Typical mid-June fare around the estuary this morning: 134 Canada Geese, 49 Mute Swans, 14 Mallards, 12 adult Shelducks plus two juveniles, 18 Black-headed Gulls, 16 Little Egrets, 16 Oystercatchers, 15 Curlew and six Cormorants. A Coot was heard over Teignmouth last night with a Green Sandpiper on Wednesday night.

Honk Honk, patch tick

...of sorts! A single Bar-headed Goose was heard calling over Teignmouth on the night of the 4th June, heading west amongst Canada Geese. Presumably the long-stayer from the Exe.

A Bar-tailed Godwit flew over early morning on the 2nd June, with a second calendar year Herring x Lesser Black-backed Gull hybrid on the Salty the next day. 

More rare herons

26th May saw the appearance of another two rare herons on the patch. Lee Collins had a Great White Egret at Passage House during the morning, last seen flying off in the direction of Flow Point. Having been absent prior to 2021, this species has now been recorded annually since. In the evening a Purple Heron flew in off the sea at Teignmouth and continued up the estuary (per Birdguides) but wasn't seen again unfortunately.

Late raptor news - a Red Kite was over Kingsteignton on 19th May.

Whimbrels, Yellow Wagtail

Five Whimbrels were at Flow Point over high tide on Sunday morning. Few other waders present; just one Curlew and 41 Oystercatchers. As I was walking back to the car an unseen Yellow Wagtail called overhead.

Firecrest, Wheatear

After missing out on yesterday's action I was keen to get to the coast this morning, but a strengthening north-westerly breeze and clear conditions no doubt contributed to Bundle Head being virtually devoid of migrants, except for a flighty male Wheatear and a skulking Firecrest. I was hoping for a Whinchat on the racecourse but it too was disappointing, with just two male Stonechats and 25 Linnets of note.

WeBS

Thick fog first thing on Sunday morning thwarted early attempts to cover Passage House, although a Whimbrel was heard and a male Mandarin was an unexpected flyover. Once visibility improved it was clear most birds were roosting at Flow Point, where totals included 41 Oystercatchers, 10 Curlew, 13 Shelducks, six Little Egrets and one Common Sandpiper. Another Common Sandpiper was at Polly Steps in Teignmouth, and six Turnstones were along the Back Beach. 

Black Redstart

A smart male Black Redstart was the pick of the migrants on the racecourse this morning, viewed distantly from outside the Leisure Lounge Cafe. Also noted one Wheatear, one Whitethroat, two Swallows and 4+ Stonechats. Next door at Hackney Marshes two Reed Warblers and two Willow Warblers.

Night Heron

Reports of a Night Heron at Jetty Marsh on Thursday were confirmed on Friday lunchtime when an adult bird was located in willows behind B&Q. Luckily for me it stayed put until I finished work and was able to get there, although by the evening it wasn't showing as well as earlier in the afternoon (Mark Bailey has posted some decent pictures and a video on Twitter - thanks Mark for the updates). It was still present first thing this morning but flew off north at 08:00; there is plenty of suitable habitat in the area but unfortunately not all of it is accessible.

It has been an excellent spring so far for rarities around the Teign, and I've got a feeling we're not done yet!