May 2014 bird sightings round-up

Wed 4th Jun, 2014

Following Flamborough's star turn towards the end of April, stand-out highlights were less easy to pick this month, but a couple of classy rarities topped the bill at opposite ends of our illustrious coastline. 

A Pallid Swift gunning south with its commoner relatives at Spurn on 31st was a great find, and a spring first for the site, which is unarguably the place for rare swifts in the UK. In a period which has seen an unusual influx of singing Blyth's Reed Warblers into the country, sharp-eared observers at Long Nab kept Yorkshire in the mix on 25th, where the bird was later trapped and ringed but not seen subsequently. 

Back-up was plentiful and often colourful, with popular southern European crowd-pleasers out in full force. Five Bee-eaters entertained many during a 48-hour stopover at Flamborough, tracking back south via Tunstall and later Spurn before disappearing into Lincolnshire, while Hoopoes were again widespread, with birds reported from Buckton, Ravenscar, on the Wolds at Kirby Grindalythe, and most memorably at Beverley (where many enjoyed a showy bird at very close quarters). 

A striking (Black-crowned) Night-heron revealed itself to latecomers twitching a Spoonbill at Filey Dams, before quickly going into hiding; thankfully it lived up to its name and came out to feed as dusk fell on 25th, but wasn't seen again. Talking of Spoonbills, it was a particularly good month for this always impressive wetland dweller, with sightings at six locations (including four records from Filey, an annual record for the site). Less accommodating was the Black Stork which came tantalisingly close to the coast late in the month, heading over both Goole and Malton. 

Spurn continued its fine tradition of hosting overshoots from sunnier climes with a Red-rumped Swallow on 5th, a Serin on 6th, a White-winged Black Tern on 29th, at least two Golden Orioles, and not one but two Subalpine Warblers towards the month's end (a first summer male and a female). 

Scarcities destined for more northern reaches were a little more equally spread however, and the classic roll-call of late-spring drift migrants were pleasingly well represented. Red-backed Shrikes were at Filey (four), Spurn (ten), Flamborough (three) and Scarborough, Bluethroats were at Flamborough (two) and Spurn, Icterine Warblers were at Filey (two), Spurn (five), Long Nab and Flamborough, and Red-breasted Flycatchers were at Spurn (four) and Long Nab. 

Marsh Warblers continued their recent good form by arriving at Filey, Long Nab, Flamborough and Spurn (with the latter two sites scoring two each). Rarer raptors were a little thin on the ground, but Montagu's Harriers visited both Wykeham and Spurn, while Honey-buzzards graced the skies above Flamborough (two), Filey and Hornsea; odd birds were also reported from the forests late in the month. 

Other quality scarcities included a Richard's Pipit at Flamborough from 3rd-5th, Wrynecks at Withernsea and Skeffling, a Rosefinch at Spurn on 24th, a Shorelark at Beacon Ponds on 2nd, Blue-headed Wagtails at Flamborough and Spurn, a fine Black-necked Grebe in Filey Bay on 4th, and a Nightjar at Bempton RSPB on 13th, while the best waders of the month consisted of a Temminck's Stint at Tunstall, a gorgeous Red-necked Phalarope at North Cave, and a Pectoral Sandpiper at Swine Moor.

YCN would like to thank members of all our three Yorkshire Bird Observatories for the help in putting these regular articles together and for the use of their fantastic photographs! Please visit their web sites here:

Flamborough Bird Observatory  Filey Bird Observatory  Spurn Bird Observatory

Mark James Pearson