NORTH EAST
Highlights
In association with
The month’s
‘rarities’ in the region included a distinct smattering of Gyr Falcons, apparently all escaped from the same place. There were several Alpine Swifts, including an obliging pair at Chapel Point, Lincolnshire. A Black Scoter was off Northumberland and the King Eider was off Redcar, Cleveland.
LINCOLNSHIRE HIGHLIGHTS:
Two Alpine Swifts were at Chapel Six Marshes (20th-25th), with others at Grainthorpe (19th), Gibraltar Point (19th) and Grimsby (30th). Fifteen Cranes were at Willow Tree Fen, with others at Middlemarsh Farm (12th), Swanpool (20th) and Burgh-le-Marsh (24th). A White Stork was at East Halton (25th). FRAMPTON MARSH:
Highlights included eight Russian White-fronted Geese (2nd-11th), a Merlin (2nd), Spotted Redshank (2nd), Hen Harrier (3rd), eight Twite (3rd), a Short-eared Owl (11th), Brambling (14th), four Mediterranean Gulls (14th), four Spoonbills (16th), a Wheatear (19th), 34 Whooper
Swans (22nd), a Cattle Egret (24th-26th) and Yellow Wagtail (30th). GIBRALTAR POINT:
There were Woodlarks (1st, 12th and 22nd), three Water Pipits (1st), 13 Snow Buntings (1st), a Black-throated Diver (2nd), Great Northern Diver (5th), Bearded Tits (6th and 15th), a Caspian Gull (6th), Hen Harrier (7th), Short-eared Owl (7th), Firecrests (17th and 30th), the first Wheatears (17th), a Long-eared Owl (20th) and Brambling (27th). OTHER SITES:
A Smew was in the Whisby area (1st). Caspian Gulls were at Middlemarsh Farm (6th) and Novartis Ings (16th). A Bittern was at Fiskerton Fen (6th). A Tundra Bean Goose was at Baston Pits (6th-17th). A Black Redstart was at RAF Digby (from 7th). A Great Northern Diver flew past Trent Port (16th). Two Purple Sandpipers remained in Cleethorpes
(to 16th).
A Garganey was at Branston (19th). Four Black-necked Grebes were at Covenham Reservoir (29th), with another at Toft Newton Reservoir (22nd). A Long-tailed Duck was at Barton-upon-Humber (25th). An Osprey flew over Wragby (28th). A Willow Tit was at Stenigot (30th). Josh Hedley
NORTHUMBERLAND HIGHLIGHTS:
A Richardson’s Cackling Goose was with Pink-footed Geese around Earsdon throughout the month, with a Russian White-fronted Goose also present most of the time. The adult drake Black Scoter that has been present most of the winter was around Cocklawburn Beach (23rd), and Bamburgh (24th), with a Red-necked Grebe at the latter (29th).
EAST YORKSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: Alpine Swifts were at Flamborough (21st), with two (22nd), and at Grindale (30th). FLAMBOROUGH:
There was a Red-necked Grebe, Iceland Gull, ‘Blue’ Fulmar and Velvet Scoter (2nd), a Caspian Gull and two Mediterranean Gulls (4th), Great Northern Diver (13th), Raven (19th), a Glaucous Gull and a Firecrest (24th) and five Velvet Scoters (28th).
HORNSEA MERE: There was an Iceland Gull
(2nd) and Smew (13th). Two Snow Buntings were along the seafront. SPURN:
A Dartford Warbler (17th-18th) was the first for the Spurn area. Two Alpine Swifts appeared (19th), with one lingering at Easington Gas Terminal (to 21st). Around 700 dark-bellied Brent Geese frequented the Humber area, accompanied by five pale-bellied birds and a Black Brant. Kilnsea Wetlands held six White-fronted Geese (2nd), two Scaup, and a spring record 48 Shovelers.
Over 7,000 Chaffinches flew south, the best tally since 1960. A count of 272 Siskins (25th) was also noteworthy. There was a Great White Egret, Hen Harrier, two Woodlarks, 25 Snow Buntings, six Firecrests and three Black Redstarts. A Shore Lark at Beacon Ponds throughout, was joined by another (24th). OTHER SITES:
Thirty Twite were at Barmston (5th). A Garganey (6th) and five Mediterranean Gulls were at North Cave Wetlands. A Hooded Crow was off Holmpton (7th). A Great Northern Diver and two Snow Buntings were at Paull Holme Strays (11th). Grimston had an Iceland Gull (13th), Snow Bunting (23rd) and Lapland Bunting (26th). A Caspian Gull was at Fraisthorpe (19th).
A Garganey was on the Pocklington Canal (23rd). Spoonbills were at Blacktoft Sands (24th), and over North Cave Wetlands (11th and 25th). Two Cranes flew over Skipwith Common (30th). A Smew remained at Tophill Low, with two Garganeys there (30th). Ian Marshall (01482 627 446) and John Hewitt (07952 293 060)
WEST YORKSHIRE BRADFORD:
Two Yellow-legged Gulls were at Manywells Heights (14th). Fly Flatts had 30 Pinkfeet (2nd), three pale-bellied Brent Geese (19th), a Ring Ouzel (30th) and six Ringed Plovers. Soil Hill had an Osprey (20th) and three Jack Snipe. Whooper Swans included 60 over Oxenhope (8th), 20 over Otley (18th), 64 over Fly Flatts (27th), 120 over Haworth (27th), six on Lower Laithe Reservoir (29th) and 14 on Graincliffe Reservoir (30th).
There were 60 Oystercatchers at Barden Bridge (5th), two Grey Partridges at Leeshaw (5th) and Water Rails at Keighley (12th) and Otley (18th). Returning migrants included eight Wheatears along Trough Lane (19th), a Sand Martin at Fly Flatts (23rd) and nine Redshanks at Leeshaw Reservoir (27th). Chris King (Bradford OG)