WeBS

An adult Spoonbill east of Passage House was the highlight of this morning's count. This is now the second consecutive year that at least three birds have graced the estuary, following two in late December / early January and three last October. 

Totals from around the estuary this weekend included 285 Oystercatchers, c.30 Curlews (probably more but disturbance to roosts was high), 13 Greenshanks, nine Turnstones, five Common Sandpipers, four Dunlins, three Ringed Plovers, two Whimbrels, one Black-tailed Godwit, 40 Little Egrets, 20 Mallards, 19 Mute Swans, one Shelduck, 400 Black-headed Gulls, one Mediterranean Gull and one Kingfisher.

This evening Kev had a couple of Balearic Shearwaters south past Teignmouth.

Spoonbill

Mediterranean Gull

Shark!

A fairly run-of-the-mill morning in the Passage House area was interrupted by the wholly unexpected sighting of a shark 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.

WeBS

A variety of waders on the estuary on Saturday morning comprised three Little Ringed Plovers, four Common Sandpipers, 25 Turnstones, 66 Oystercatchers, three Curlew, two Whimbrel, six Greenshanks and one Redshank. Other totals included four Sandwich Terns, 15 Shelducks, 14 Mute Swans, 13 Little Egrets, eight Cormorants and one Common Gull. A female Wheatear and a singing Sedge Warbler were on the racecourse.

Warblers, LRPs

Three singing Reed Warblers were back on territory at Hackney Marshes this morning, but there was not a lot else of note there and nothing on the adjacent racecourse. Rackerhayes was also pretty quiet except for three migrant Willow Warblers. A Little Ringed Plover was off Passage House car park, with three present there yesterday. 

Little Ringed Plover

Coot

Sparrowhawk (4-Apr)

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.

Goosanders

Despite the apparent suitability of the habitat, Goosanders are highly infrequent at Rackerhayes so the presence of three redheads this morning was noteworthy. Other waterfowl included 17 Tufted Ducks, six Great Crested Grebes, three Mandarins, one Shoveler and the usual Bar-headed Goose. 

Goosander

Egyptian Geese on the move

Three Egyptian Geese, the first on patch since February 2024, flew south past Teignmouth early morning, around 10-12 minutes after they had flown past Dawlish Warren from further east. Also offshore still at least two 2CY Little Gull and a Great Northern Diver.

Signs of spring over recent nights with Little Grebe and Moorhen calling over Teignmouth. 

Cattle Egret, Little Gulls

Not a bad end to the month, with the first Cattle Egret of the year at Teigngrace and as many as 15 Little Gulls (a mix of adults and first-winter birds) scattered along the seafront between Teignmouth pier and Sprey Point. At least 12 Great Northern Divers were also in the Teignmouth area. 

Little Gulls

Cattle Egret