Osprey

An early Osprey at Passage House this evening was very welcome after a somewhat slow start to spring. It hovered a few times over the channels before drifting down the estuary, mobbed by gulls. 

Osprey

Curlew ring recovery

In the absence of anything else interesting to report, the WWT have provided background details of a ringed Curlew at Passage House on Sunday morning. '2J' was a headstarted bird released on Dartmoor in 2024 and subsequently seen around the Tamar Estuary last year.

Late news from Teignmouth; two Red Kite N on 20th with one N next day and three Sandwich Tern offshore on 25th. 

WeBS

The wintering Spotted Redshank made an appearance at Passage House on Sunday morning, roosting with 41 Redshanks. Also at Passage House at least 61 Common Gulls was a good total for this stage in March. Other totals from around the estuary reflected departure to breeding grounds but included 40 Oystercatchers, 36 Turnstones, 14 Curlew, two Common Sandpipers, 20 Mute Swans,16 Shelducks, 10 Red-breasted Mergansers, 18 Little Egrets, five Cormorants and three Shags.

I somehow missed any Red Kites but good numbers of Common Buzzards and a couple of Sparrowhawks put on a good show overhead in the warm and sunny conditions.

Sand Martins

Great to see a dozen or so Sand Martins at Rackerhayes on Saturday morning, about a week earlier than normal. On the estuary still 16 Red-breasted Mergansers and another Goosander, with singles of Red-throated Diver, Great Crested Grebe and Razorbill off Teignmouth seafront.