Shark!

A fairly run-of-the-mill morning in the Passage House area was interrupted by the wholly unexpected sighting of a shark species swimming on the far side of the estuary! After sharing a short video via WhatsApp groups, thoughts on identification included a type of Smooth-Hound and even Basking Shark, but it seems most likely to have been a Tope Shark. What it was doing 5km up the estuary was a mystery, however it appeared to be swimming freely so perhaps it followed prey in. 

 

Birds were very much secondary but did include 11 Greenshanks and six Whimbrels.

Marsh Tit

Having drawn a blank on Marsh Tit at Rackerhayes over the past year, it was equally surprising and pleasing to hear one along the nearby section of the Stover Canal trail this morning. The adjacent clay pit held a/the Bar-headed Goose, c.300 Canada Geese, 10+ Mallards, a Cormorant, a Kingfisher, two Grey Herons, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Great Black-backed Gull. 

Late news for 30 July: 14 Dunlins at Passage House.

WeBS

Three Little Ringed Plovers at Passage House this morning, including a juvenile, suggested that breeding may once more have occurred in the vast and inaccessible clay pits complex north-west of Kingsteignton (or that's the theory anyway). Mediterranean Gulls were again lacking with just a single 2cy bird noted; it's been a poor summer so far for them on the upper estuary. Other totals included 135 Oystercatchers, 46 Curlew, three Whimbrels, 10 Greenshanks, 11 Redshanks, six Common Sandpipers, one Dunlin, 200 Canada Geese, 38 Mallards, 29 Mute Swans, 18 Little Egrets and nine Cormorants. 

Juvenile Canada Goose

Red Kites

Two ragged-looking Red Kites flew low north over Kingsteignton yesterday evening. Earlier on a Black-tailed Godwit was at Passage House during high tide.

Little Ringed Plover

Waders continue to trickle through Passage House with a Little Ringed Plover on Friday morning the pick of recent days. On Saturday there were four Greenshanks, and yesterday two Whimbrels had joined the Curlew flock which stood at 43. 

'Autumn' begins

Returning/migrant waders are now starting to appear on the estuary, with four Common Sandpipers and a Greenshank at Passage House on Sunday morning. Several Mallard and Shelduck family parties and a whopping 335 Canada Geese were also in the area. No Mediterranean Gulls but Kev had 15 on The Salty last Wednesday.

WeBS

This month's totals included 42 Oystercatchers, seven Curlew, 45 Little Egrets, 110 Canada Geese, 56 Mute Swans, 17 Mallards, six adult Shelducks with two successful broods, three Cormorants and five Black-headed Gulls (including a juvenile). 

WeBS

An unremarkable count this morning. Totals included 49 Oystercatchers, six Whimbrels, 38 Mute Swans, 10 Mallards, eight Canada Geese, seven Shelducks, 24 Little Egrets, seven Cormorants, 65 Herring Gulls, one Great Black-backed Gull and one Lesser Black-backed Gull. 

Shelducks - ringed bird 'A41' and one having lost most of its neck feathering

Whimbrels

Below some of the 14 Whimbrels at Flow Point today. Also two Greenshanks, and two Little Ringed Plovers remain at Passage House.

Swifts

The Kingsteignton Swifts have arrived back early this year, with the first bird reported at the church on 18th April, nine days earlier than last year. On Saturday up to 10 House Martins over the town were hopefully a sign that the small local breeding population has returned once more.