Thursday 9th May

The Woodchat Shrike was again on gorse bushes 100m north-east of Cliff Top House this morning, but was not seen in the afternoon. At Wykeham South Lake the Ring-necked Duck remained, though was at times elusive, and just one Black Tern was seen early in the morning. A Greenshank and 4 Whimbrels were seen there also. Highlights passing Long Nab included a Great Northern Diver in full breeding plumage, a Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, a Turnstone and a Great Skua. At Burton Riggs there were 2 Common Sandpipers, a Willow Tit, a Reed Warbler and 2 Sedge Warblers, while at Seamer Tip Pool there were 2 Teal and a male Shoveler. Harwood Dale Lake again had the male Goosander, plus a Shelduck, 6 Mandarin, a Common Sandpiper, and a Sedge Warbler singing on the island. A Hobby flew east over Crossgates and a few Swifts were around the area through the afternoon.  A Swift was also seen on Yedmandale Road. At Ravenscar there were 4 Wheatears and a Ring Ouzel on the cricket pitch.

Full count from Long Nab here: https://www.trektellen.nl/count/view/1074/20190509

      Sometimes instincts lead birds astray:

Bullfinch attacking his reflection - Ian Mennell

Robin feeding a Blackbird fledgling - Judi Kent Pyrah