NORTH EAST
Highlights
Once more, the biggest story concerned a Black-browed Albatross seen at Bempton Cliffs RSPB, East Yorkshire, which even came and settled with Gannets on 28th, before heading further north along the coast, being seen off the Durham and Northumberland coasts the next day. A barking male Little Bittern was at Old Moor RSPB, South Yorkshire on 25th.
CLEVELAND
HIGHLIGHTS: A Rose-coloured Starling was at Billingham (11th-13th). Marsh Warblers sang at Saltholme (3rd-7th) and Bowesfield (4th-19th). A Spotted Sandpiper at Scaling Dam (16th) was the fifth county record. NORTH TEES MARSHES: A Red-necked Grebe was at Saltholme (17th) and Greatham Creek (18th). A Curlew Sandpiper and Little Gull were at Saltholme (2nd), with a Spoonbill there (3rd and 11th), two Wood Sandpipers (19th), a Roseate Tern (30th) and two Marsh Harriers. OTHER SITES: An Osprey was at Lockwood Beck (9th-11th). A Red Kite flew over Acklam (16th). A Great White Egret was at Scaling Dam (21st). A Black Guillemot was off South Gare (24th). A Roseate Tern was off Saltburn (25th). Chris Sharp 01429 865163
NORTHUMBERLAND
HIGHLIGHTS: An adult Black-browed Albatross flew past the Farne Islands (29th). SOUTH NORTHUMBERLAND: Up to three Spoonbills lingered in the Druridge area throughout. The Red-necked Phalarope remained at Grindon Lough (1st-4th). A Slavonian Grebe at Bothal Pond and Linton Pond was unusual (from 17th). A Great White Egret was at Swallow Pond (21st) and Newton Pool (22nd-25th). Jonathan Farooqi
EAST YORKSHIRE
SPURN: A stunning summer-plumaged White-winged Black Tern arrived at Kilnsea Wetlands (29th). A Great White Egret and two Spoonbills flew south (1st), with the next good day for ‘viz miggers’ (9th), when Iceland Gull, Crane and Spoonbill were all logged. A second Great White Egret flew south (15th), when Swifts peaked at just over 3,000. Other noteworthy species passing south included Osprey (22nd), a (singing!) Wood Sandpiper (23rd) and Long-tailed Skua (29th). A Garganey was at Kilnsea Wetlands (9th), where a Brent Goose took up residence. Common Scoters peaked mid-month with over 700 counted. A Red-necked Phalarope spent a couple of days on Holderness Field (from 11th), and a Curlew Sandpiper was on nearby Beacon Ponds late-month. There was a clear taste of Scandinavia (3rd), with Redwing, Icterine Warbler, Common Rosefinch and Honey Buzzard all arriving. A singing Nightingale was at Rose Cottage (5th-7th), Spurn’s latest ever spring record, but other highlights were confined to a Bullfinch on 15th (scarce here) and a handful of Crossbills. John Hewitt 07952 293060
NORTH YORKSHIRE
SCARBOROUGH: Highlights included a Bittern at Wykeham South Lake (14th), a Great White Egret at Johnson’s Marsh (21st) and a Spoonbill flying south over the harbour (3rd). Three Honey Buzzards, two Red Kites and several Hobby sightings were reported from Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint. An Osprey was at Hackness (3rd). The Glaucous Gull, first seen in early March, was at Long Nab (4th). Nick Addey (www.scarboroughbirding.co.uk) WEST YORKSHIRE BRADFORD: Best birds were up to four Little Ringed Plovers at Leeshaw (4th), a Grasshopper Warbler at Tong Park (17th), a Yellow Wagtail at Otley (20th) and two different Common Scoters at Warley Moor Reservoir (22nd & 23rd). One or two Yellow-legged Gulls were also seen several times at Leeshaw. Plenty of Cuckoos were about with birds at Pennythorn Hill, Barden Scale, Fairweather Green, and Leeshaw throughout the month. A Garden Warbler was at the Keighley Reserve (4th), a Ring-necked Parakeet at Saltaire (12th), two Wood Warblers were seen at Stridd Woods (14th) and a Tree Pipit was at Beamsley (21st). Chris King – Bradford Ornithological Group