Thursday 12th May

The Common Swift arrival was further augmented by many reports from across the recording area with counts of 30 plus and 60 through Wykeham Lakes being the highlight. Six Mute Swans, two Dunlins, one Common Sandpiper and four Little Ringed Plovers were also present there. Seven Sandwich Terns were feeding in North Bay this morning A Reed Warbler was singing at Taylor Way Pool and a Peregrine Falcon flew north west over Crossgates this afternoon. A Common Buzzard flying north past Castle headland this morning incurred the wrath of the local Peregrine Falcons. A Raven flew over Sneaton Low Moor ewarly morning. Three Cuckoos, two Jays, Two Common Buzzards, eight Mistle Thrushes and a pair of Stonechats were also in the Sneaton Low Moor/May Beck area. A Cuckoo and three Common Buzzards were at Harwood Dale Moor and a Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Grey Heron were at Scar Wood. A pair of Lapwings with two recently hatched chicks were ushered away from danger on Moor End Road, Harwood Dale to a nearby field.

Dipper by Wendy Goulty.