Sunday 26th April

Today's surprise visitor was a Hoopoe - first seen early this morning on Columbus Ravine, from where it moved to a back garden at Peasholm Cottages and then on to the bowling green at the Bowls Club. At Wykeham South Lake first thing this morning there were 400+ Herring Gulls, 2 Great Crested Grebes, a Wheatear, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Yellowhammer, an Oystercatcher and a Reed Bunting. A male Marsh Harrier flew south past Long Nab, and later 2 Corn Buntings and a drake Eider flew north. At Seamer Road Mere there were 25 Tufted Duck, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 pairs of Teal, and just one Pink-footed Goose. 2 Avocets were seen heading west at Gristhorpe cliff, where there were also 6 Wheatears, a Ring Ouzel, and 2 Yellow Wagtails. A Golden Plover and a Shelduck both flew north, and a Merlin flew south. At Darrell's Low Farm: a Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler, a Pied Wagtail and 2 Yellowhammers. Garth End Road: 2 Chiffchaffs, a Wheatear, 9 Yellowhammers, 2 Swallows, a Kestrel, 4 Whitethroats, and 2 Goldfinches. Yedmandale Road: 2 Bullfinches, a Yellowhammer, a Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat and a Pied Wagtail. 6 Song Thrushes, Blackcaps and a Lesser Whitethroat were near the Youth Hostel, and at Johnson's Marsh there were a Little Egret, 2 Lapwings and a Lesser Whitethroat. A Sedge Warbler was at Burton Riggs, 2 Lesser Whitethroats were at the motor cycle track, and a Reed Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat were at Seamer Tip pool. The Grasshopper Warbler remains at Scalby Nab and another was singing at Deepdale, north of Eastfield. 3 Swifts flew over Crossgates, and 4 Swallows and a Heron were at Cockrah Road. Last night's recording at Peasholm picked up 3 flocks of Common Scoter, a Coot, a Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpipers and a Blackcap.

Full count from Long Nab here: https://www.trektellen.nl/count/view/1074/20200426

Hoopoe - Chris Bell