NORTH EAST
Highlights Rare birds in the NE included a possible Bonaparte’s Gull at Saltholme RSPB, Cleveland, a possible Black Scoter off Ross Sands, Northumberland and a possible Ahsy-headed Wagtail at Spurn Point, East Yorkshire. Everything was building up for early May’s Grey-headed Lapwing…
NORTHUMBERLAND
HIGHLIGHTS: A Richardson’s Cackling Goose was with Pinkfeet and a Russian White-fronted Goose at Earsdon (1st-2nd). A male (white-spotted) Bluethroat was at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea (2nd-3rd). A Crane went over Morpeth (3rd), Cresswell (4th) and Whitley Bay (23rd). A Grey Phalarope was at Boulmer (9th). The Black Scoter was seen around Stag Rocks on occasion. A Black-crowned Night Heron was over Holy Island (9th).
EAST YORKSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: Alpine Swifts were at Hornsea Mere (1st), Bempton (5th) and Flamborough (11th). Flamborough also had a Red-rumped Swallow (5th) and Serin (7th).
FLAMBOROUGH; There were two Hawfinches (1st), a Snow Bunting (2nd), Firecrest (3rd), Garganey (5th), Iceland Gull (from 7th), four Cranes (19th), Velvet Scoter (25th), Blue-headed Wagtail (25th), Yellow-legged Gull (26th) and Great Northern Diver (29th).
HORNSEA MERE: There were two Garganeys (4th), two Great White Egrets (27th) and a Smew.
OTHER SITES: Garganeys were at Blacktoft Sands, near Wheldrake and at Tophill Low (two). Two Ravens flew over Bempton (6th). Spoonbills were at Welton Water (9th) and Welwick Saltmarsh (25th). A Black-necked Grebe visited Southfield Reservoir (10th). A Richard’s Pipit was near Patrington Haven (14th). Three Cranes were at Blacktoft
Sands (17th), and one remained at West Carlton (from 17th). North Cave Wetlands had a Great White Egret (23rd and 26th), and six Mediterranean Gulls. Ian Marshall (01482 627 446)
WEST YORKSHIRE
LOWER AIRE VALLEY: Some 130 Pinkfeet (9th) and 62 Whooper Swans (2nd) were the last of the spring passage. Four Egyptian Geese flew over (3rd). There were up to three Garganeys (from 15th). There were two Common Scoters (9th), with singles (11th, 18th, 23rd), and a Red-breasted Merganser (23rd). A Great Northern Diver was on Bowers Lake (4th and 7th-9th). A Great White Egret flew over (23rd and 27th) with one or two Spoonbills on eight days.
Waders included 50 Black-tailed Godwits, an Avocet, Knot (4th), three Greenshanks and 15 Bar-tailed Godwits (19th), a Sanderling and six Whimbrels (23rd), two Ruff (1st), a Grey Plover (17th) and a few Green Sandpipers. Little Gulls peaked at a record 75 (19th). Caspian Gulls were seen on five dates. Three Kittiwakes (1st) were followed singles at Astley Lake and Bowers Lake (13th).
A Sandwich Tern flew over (15th), with four (30th). Arctic Terns (from 16th) peaked at 22 (28th). Three Black Terns were over the Main Lake (27th). The last Water Pipit was noted (4th). Maxima included eight Wheatears, three Whinchats and two Redstarts. A Raven flew south (22nd).