WeBS

Lower than expected numbers of birds on the estuary for this morning's count (postponed from last weekend when both high tides fell during hours of darkness), likely due to the recent turbulent conditions. Totals included 280 Oystercatchers, 49 Turnstones, 20 Snipe, 25 Redshanks, four Greenshanks, nine Avocets, six Ringed Plovers, two Common Sandpipers, 16 Shelducks, seven Mute Swans, five Little Grebes, three Great Northern Divers (two at Teignmouth and one at Flow Point) and one Great Crested Grebe.

Teigngrace, by contrast, was a hive of activity with the flooded fields holding a further two Greenshanks, a Green Sandpiper, six Mandarins, six Teal, two Shovelers, 100+ Mallards, 18 Mute Swans and a Bar-headed Goose with numerous Canada Geese. On the racecourse were two Lapwings (perhaps last winter's pair) and two Stonechats. At Teignmouth two Little Gulls continued to show around what's left of the pier.

Great Northern Diver