Sunday 19th March

 The first Northern Wheatear of the spring was seen on the Cleveland Way above Redcliff where a male Peregrine flew by. A male Blackcap was on bird feeders at Newby Farm Road and a female Blackcap visited a Stepney garden. Four Corn Buntings were just south of Yedingham and in Wykeham Forest, eight Lesser Redpoll were in the Three Tremblers area and 35 Redwing in fields near the Nursery. Along the River Derwent between Wrench Green there were three Lapwing, one Kingfisher, one Dipper, three singing Chiffchaff, three singing Treecreeper, two singing Yellowhammer and three singing Goldcrest. A Woodcock and Kestrel were also noted. Other Chiffchaffs today, either singing or silent were at Burton Riggs (2), Stepney (1), Burniston (1), Scalby Nab (3), South Cliff (2), Taylor Way (2), Water Sports Lake, NYWP (1) and Long Nab (4). Two Eider flew north at Long Nab and a Peregrine and two Stonechat were present. A Raven flew NE over Crossgates, two Curlew were at Seamer Mead and 20 Fieldfare were at Cayton Carr. The resident Whooper Swan, three Gadwall, four Goldeneye, two little Grebe and singing Marsh Tit and Song Thrush were at Seamer Road Mere. Three Stock Dove visited a Burniston garden. 20 Yellowhammers were at Far Lane, Hutton Buscel near to the grain barn. A Jay, Greenfinch, two Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Nuthatch and Song Thrush were also noted at Scalby Nabs. A Willow Tit and Reed Bunting were seen at the Water Sports Lake (North Yorkshire Water Park. Five calls were heard at 2155hrs of a probable Bittern seemingly flying east over Middle Deepdale.

Greenfinch by Andrew Messenger.