NORTH EAST
Highlights
The Blackbrowed Albatross returned to its old stomping ground of Bempton Cliffs RSPB, East Yorkshire in the last couple of days of the month. The Baikal Teal stayed at Swine Moor, East Yorkshire, throughout the month. In Lincolnshire, the White- tailed Lapwing left Halton Marshes in the north (6th) and headed south to spend the rest of the month at Frampton Marsh RSPB.
LINCOLNSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: The long-staying White-tailed Lapwing remained at East Halton (to 6th), before relocating to Frampton Marsh (from 9th), where there was an American Wigeon (10th). Ring- necked Ducks were at several sites in the south of the county, including Langtoft, Baston GP and Tallington Lakes, involving two, possibly three birds. A Glossy Ibis was at Stickney (2nd), with three at Far Ings (20th). Two Cranes flew over Lincoln (6th), with the pair returning to Willow Tree Fen. A Hoopoe flew over Gibraltar Point (30th).
FRAMPTON MARSH:
There was a Long-tailed Duck (1st), three Little Stints (1st), four Spotted Redshanks (9th), a Spoonbill (1st), Hen Harrier (6th-7th), Short- eared Owl (8th), Woodlark (10th), Jack Snipe (12th and 28th), two Little Gulls (23rd), four Garganeys (30th), six Twite (23rd) and a Whimbrel (21st).
GIBRALTAR POINT:
Highlights included a Great Northern Diver (6th), Black-throated Diver (6th), Hen Harrier (7th), eight Crossbills (9th-12th), nine Water Pipits (10th), three Woodlarks (10th), 71 Woodcocks (14th), three Firecrests (18th), a Spotted Redshank (18th), Little Stint (18th), four Bearded Tits (20th), a Hawfinch (21st and 23rd), Long- eared Owl (22nd and 27th), Lapland Bunting (23rd), Little Gull (23rd), Ring Ouzel (24th), two Black Redstarts (24th-25th), a Short- eared Owl (28th), Spotted Redshank (30th) and Yellow- legged Gull (31st). OTHER SITES: A Caspian Gull was at
Mablethorpe (1st), with the over-wintering Purple Sandpiper there (2nd). Cattle Egrets were at Barton (1st-2nd) and Messingham (1st-23rd). Three Smew were at Langtoft (2nd-3rd). A Great Skua was at Covenham Reservoir (3rd). Iceland Gulls were at Pyewipe (14th and 16th) and Wolla Bank (29th). Garganeys were at Anderby, Alkborough Flats, Freiston Shore, Far Ings, Toft Newton Reservoir, Bagmoor, Kirkby on Bain and Louth.
NORTHUMBERLAND
HIGHLIGHTS: The adult drake Black Scoter remained around Cocklawburn Beach (1st-23rd), plus Slavonian Grebe. At Stag Rocks, Bamburgh, there was a juvenile White- billed Diver (1st-12th), 25 Long-tailed Ducks and 11 Slavonian Grebes (1st) and a Grey Phalarope (7th). A Grey Phalarope was at Dunstanburgh Castle (1st-2nd), with a White- billed Diver in the bay there (1st). Two Shore Larks were on Holy Island (1st-23rd), plus a Lapland Bunting, four Short- eared
Owls (11th), Snow Bunting (12th), Hooded Crow (17th), two Wheatears (17th), 94 Whooper Swans over (17th) and a Water Pipit (20th).
A released immature White-tailed Eagle was at Fenwick and Holy Island (6th-7th) and Gosforth (11th). A Grey Phalarope flew past Boulmer (12th). A drake Green-winged Teal remained around Colt Crag Reservoir (13th), and there was one at Grindon Lough (16th-18th), plus an adult Greenland White-fronted Goose, (16th-20th), and an American Wigeon (18th). A Crane went over Newham and Widdrington Moor (25th), and North Blyth (28th).
EAST YORKSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: The Baikal Teal remained at Beverley Swinemoor. The Black- browed Albatross returned to Bempton Cliffs (30th).
FLAMBOROUGH:
There was a Great Shearwater (2nd), Hawfinch (11th), a Firecrest and Lapland Bunting (12th), Mediterranean Gull (15th), Woodlark (17th) and a Snow Bunting (26th). A Velvet Scoter and Siberian Chiffchaff were present throughout, with three of the former (30th).
HORNSEA MERE:
A Black- necked Grebe, Smew and Long-tailed Duck were present throughout. There were four Black- necked Grebes and two Garganeys (18th), five Garganeys (20th), a Mediterranean Gull (2nd) and Iceland Gull (6th).
OTHER SITES:
Four Snow Buntings were at Barmston (3rd). Ulrome had 45 Twite (3rd) and two Snow Buntings (24th). A Snow Bunting was at Paull (4th) and a Twite at Southfield Reservoir (11th). A Smew visited Tophill Low (8th), when a Bittern was near Leven. Three Shore Larks and 40 Lapland Buntings were at Buckton. A Spoonbill was at Blacktoft Sands. A Caspian Gull was at Welwick (20th). North Cave Wetlands had a Garganey (20th), eight Little Egrets and five Mediterranean Gulls. A Great Northern Diver was off Skipsea (21st). Seven Little Egrets were at Hatfield.
WEST YORKSHIRE
BRADFORD: Whooper Swans included six at Lower Laithe Reservoir (1st), 21 on Warley Moor Reservoir (8th), 20 on Ogden Reservoir (20th), two over Oxenhope (21st) and 34 on Reva Reservoir (25th). A Mediterranean Gull was at Thornton (13th). The first Chiffchaff was at Ben Rhydding (10th). Wheatears were at Soil Hill (13th), Barden (15th), Hazelwood Moor (23rd) and Nab Water Lane (25th).
Ospreys flew over Tong Park (17th) and Allerton (27th). A Ring Ouzel was at Hazelwood Moor (23rd). A Sand Martin was at East Riddlesden (26th). There were 80 Curlews at Whetstone Gate (1st) and 60 at Thornton Moor (12th). Some 150 Golden Plovers were at Reva Hill (8th). Three Little Egrets were in Bingley (28th). The Water Rail remained at the Keighley Reserve.
LOWER AIRE VALLEY:
Whooper Swans passed through on eight days, including two parties totalling 41 birds (20th). There were 61 Pinkfeet (24th). Two Garganeys were at Astley Lake (25th-31st). An arrival of Common Scoters (29th) saw ten on the Main Lake and singles at Astley Lake and on the Balance Reservoir. The Great White Egret continued to be seen occasionally, with Spoonbills on four days.
Two Avocets were on the Main Lake (12th) with singles at Skelton Lake (23rd) and at the Main Lake (24th). Three Little Ringed Plovers and two Ringed Plovers were at Skelton Lake (29th). Black-tailed Godwits peaked at 180 (24th). A Little Gull was on the Main Lake (24th) with a Yellow- legged Gull there (2nd). A Wheatear (10th) was our earliest ever.