There was excitement for Yorkshire listers this weekend when news broke of two colour-ringed Choughs in the Yorkshire Dales close to Victoria Cave near Settle. Both birds were apparently ringed as siblings in a nest on Anglesey and thus known wild birds rather than escapees. Choughs were said to be breeding in Yorkshire in the 1800s but the population eventually died out. Rare and Scarce Birds in Yorkshire (Wilson and Slack) considers three 20th Century records acceptable with the last being a single at Flamborough Head on 30th July 1981.  It appears that the Settle birds were first reported a week previous but were not confirmed until 6th September. Being the first ever twitchable in the County in living memory they were always going to be popular and have now successfully twitched by a number of observers, but be aware, they are wide ranging and have currently become tricky to locate.

Chough, Settle, September 2019 - John Hewitt

This Blyth's Reed Warbler was trapped in Church Field, Kilnsea yesterday (9th September) whilst the adult White-rumped Sandpiper remains at Kilnsea Wetlands - photos John Hewitt

Adult White-rumped Sandpiper, Kilnsea Wetlands, August 2019 - Rich Swales. One of at least two seen at this excellent site  recently

Gull-billed Tern, Adwick Wash, July 2019 - Roy Twigg

As would be expected this Gull-billed Tern has been popular with Yorkshire birders during its recent visit to Adwick Wash. Although it spent at least two days on and off at this cracking RSPB reserve its presence only came to the fore late evening on the first day when photos emerged revealing its true identity. Fortunately it remained next day giving a good few Yorkshire listers a much desired tick. The only other twichable individuals in the County were birds at Thorne Moors on 30th May 2012 (although very few people made it in time) and one at Old Moor RSPB on 16th June 2016. With the Adwick and Old Moor reserves being just a couple of miles apart one has to wonder if these two records could relate to the same individual?

 Roller, Crimsworth Dean, June 2019 - Nick Dawwtrey

  Roller, Crimsworth Dean, June 2019 - Gary Waddington

Rose-coloured Starling, Kilnsea, June 2019 - John Hewitt

Is the invasion on again?

Serin, Easington, May 2019 - John Hewitt

Baikal Teal, Kilnsea Wetlands, May 2019 - John Hewitt

As with many wildfowl there is heated discussion as to the origins of this bird. Given that it is fully-winged, un-ringed and currently conforming to behaviour one would expect from a wild bird we are happy to deem it countable for the Yorkshire Birders Listers League for the time being, although of course the BBRC will have the last word on it.

Temminck's Stint, Kilnsea Wetlands, May 2019 - John Hewitt

Brown Shrike, Cowden, May 2019 - Rich Willison

Collared Flycatcher, Easington. May 2019 - Rich Willison

Other than in the case of adult males the identification of Collared Flycatcher is fraught with difficulty. Although no DNA was collected from this bird it was multi-observed and also well photographed. Many of the photographs have already been circulated and the current thinking is that it is indeed a Collared Flycatcher. Obviously to allow as countable in the Yorkshire Birders Listers League the bird will need to be ratified by the BBRC but for the time being we are happy to allow people to add it to their tally.

 Little Bunting, Easington, April 2019 - John Hewitt

Little Bunting, Easington, April 2019 - John Hewitt

Spoonbill, Kilnsea, May 2019 - John Hewitt