Spotted Flycatcher, Kilnsea, 15th November 23, a very late bird! - John Hewitt

Arctic Redpoll, Kilnsea, October 23 - Ian Smith

Hen Harrier, Kilnsea, November 23, - John Hewitt A good autumn for this species along the Humber

Red-flanked Bluetail, Kilnsea, October 23 - Ian Smith

Caspian Stonechat, Hunley Hall, Brotton, October 23 - Ian Smith

 

A NEW SPECIES FOR THE YORKSHIRE LIST

No, not the Flamborough Red-headed Bunting but Scopoli,s Shearwater! This follows the official acceptance of a bird seen at numerous localities along the east coast of Britain including in Yorkshire at both at Filey Brigg and Cowbar on 9th July 2020. The bird was easily tracked as an individual, as, having been photographed and identified in Scotland it had a noticeable white patch on one of its wings, which also allowed for an element of hindsight identification which was the case with both Yorkshire sightings. 

So what about the Flamborough bunting? The bird remains in situ at the time of posting and is generally thought to be a Red-headed Bunting although non breeding plumaged birds are very similar to Black-headed Buntings but with a poo sample obtained it is expected that the identification will be resolved with certainty. Then of course there is the small matter of whether the bird is accepted as a wild bird Both species (particularly Red-headed) were formerly kept commonly as a cage bird, but, as this is no longer the case it is hoped the authorities will view things more favourably. With these complications in mind it probably goes without saying that anyone who has seen the bird should currently retain it on their pending list, but of course, if and when it makes the grade we will ask you to let us know so it can be added to your Yorkshire Listers League tally. For the time being maybe you should just go and enjoy it!

Presumed Red-headed Bunting, Flamborough, Oct 23 - Paul Coombes

Waxwing, Bridlington, Oct 23 - Rich Willison

 

 Rough-legged Buzzard, Stone Creek, Oct 23 - Rich Willison

 

STOP PRESS

An Eastern Olivaceous Warbler has been found at Long Nab Scarborough today.

Added to Your list? Please let us know by email to yorkshirebirding1@gmail.com

All photos - John Harwood

 

                                    STOP PRESS 

Today has seen the discovery of this cracking Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at RSPB Blacktoft Sands 

- photo by Paul Coombes

 

Is your Yorkshire List up to date or do you simply fancy joining the fun? If you require an electronic copy of the recently updated master list please email a request to yorkshirebirding1@gmail.com  and don’t forget to let us know whenever you add a species. Full details can be found by clicking the League Table option.  

 

Do you have photos of any scarce or rare birds taken in Yorkshire that might be suitable to post on this site? If so they would be very much appreciated. Please submit to yorkshirebirding1@gmail.com

 BOOBY TRAP!

In Yorkshire listing terms things don't get much bigger than a County first so there was great excitement when a Brown Booby was found sat on the sea off Flamborough Head. Unfortunately, it didn't linger long and all bar a fortunate few were left hugely frustrated as there was no further sign by dark. Next morning however, the booby was photographed on Filey Brigg and although it flew off, it was quickly relocated at Hunmanby Gap where it spent the next few days allowing most keen listers to catch up with it. When it eventually moved on from Hunmanby it was soon relocated at South Gare (just this side of the Tees which is the Yorkshire border) where it is still present at the time of writing. A Booby trap!. Interestingly some authorities already treat Brown Booby as three species (Atlantic, Brewer’s and Indo Pacific) but should IOC (thus BOU) decide to adopt the split, the Yorkshire bird looks good to be accepted as Atlantic Brown Booby. Anyway, as we envisage no problems with the acceptance of this bird, Brown Booby should be added to your Yorkshire list below Gannet and is deemed countable for the Yorkshire Listers League with immediate effect. The new updated list is available on request from yorkshirebirding1@gmail.com 

The other excitement this month was the record of an Upland Sandpiper which flew south at Spurn on 16th September, sadly never to be seen again. Although nobody saw the bird well enough to identify, it was very vocal, and a fortunate few managed to see that it was a medium sized, Ruff like wader. We will await for official acceptance before adding Upland Sandpiper to the Yorkshire list but the combination of record photographs and a sound recording of the all-important and distinct call should see this bird officially added to the Yorkshire list soon.

Brown Booby, South Gare, September 23, Damian Money

Images below - Brown Booby, South Gare, September 23, Martyn Sidwell

Upland Sandpiper, Spurn, September 23 - Harry Appleyard

Pectoral Sandpiper with Ruff, Beacon Ponds, September 23 - John Hewitt

Pectoral Sandpiper, Beacon Ponds, August 2023 - John Hewitt

Roseate Terns, Beacon Ponds, August 2023 - John Hewitt

Temminck's Stint, Kilnsea Wetlands, August 2023 - John Hewitt

 

Ruddy Shelducks, Beacon Ponds, August 2023 - John Hewitt

June kicks off in style!

Great Snipe, Spurn, June 2023 - John Hewitt

Male Red-backed Shrike, Spurn, June - 2023 - John Hewitt

 

Icterine Warbler, Kilnsea June - 2023 - John Hewitt

The big news of the spring so far came last night with the discovery of a male Penduline Tit at Seamer Carr Scarborough late evening. Fortunately, the bird roosted up and was still present briefly this morning before flying off high west and at the time of posting  has yet to be seen again. For those quick enough off-the-mark this was first twitchable Penduline Tit in the County for over 30 years so well worth the effort. 

The other major excitement this spring has been the discovery of an adult Black Kite at Duncombe Park in mid-April, still present at the time of writing. Despite numerous sightings in Yorkshire all have been pretty much fly-throughs (mostly at Spurn and in May) and as such this bird has become the first to be twitched in the County. If only life was that simple! The reality is that the origins of this bird is being hotly debated as rather unfortunately it's chose to spend much of its time feeding with the various free flying captive birds (including a Pallas's Fish Eagle!) over the National Birds of Prey Centre. However, 'wild' Red Kites also do the same as they come to scavenge food put out for the captive stuff, so surely it shouldn't be written off just because of this behaviour. As best we know so far, it appears it hasn't originated from the centre (although they do keep Black Kites (sporting jessies) and it isn't ringed or tagged. Unfortunately, we have also learnt that Black Kites have become popular in captivity and several known escapes have travelled a long way including one with a transmitter (apparently hard to see) that had moved from West Midlands to Cornwall. The debate is set to rage on for a while yet but if you have seen this bird please let us know and we will hold it on a pending list (Black list!) until more is known. Hopefully it will help it's case by moving on pretty soon!

Male Penduline Tit, Seamer Carr, April 23 - Dave Mansell

Black Kite, Duncombe Park, April 23 - Rich Willison

 

Black-crowned Night Heron, Ossett, April 23 - Rich Willison
One of at least two very obliging birds present

Alpine Swift, Kilnsea, April 23 - Ian Smith
Although this wasn't one of them, there have been several twitchable birds in the County this spring.

Hawfinch, Kilnsea, April 232 - John Hewitt
A typical spring influx so far for this species.

There's been a bit of early spring excitement in Yorkshire during the last week with a 2 day Dartford Warbler at Spurn (still a rare bird in the County and also a first for Spurn!) and then a share of the huge influx of Alpine Swifts that have hit the country recently, with twitchable birds at Easington, Flamborough and Scarborough so far. Hopefully many more to come!

Dartford Warbler Spurn, March 2023 - John Hewitt

Alpine Swift, Easington Gas Terminal, March 2023 - John Hewitt

Shore Lark, Beacon Ponds, March 2023 - John Hewitt

 

Is your Yorkshire List up to date or do you simply fancy joining the fun? If you require an electronic copy of the recently updated master list please email a request to yorkshirebirding1@gmail.com  and don’t forget to let us know whenever you add a species. Full details can be found by clicking the League Table option.   

Shore Lark, Beacon Ponds, Feb 23 - John Hewitt One of two birds wintering at the site

 

Do you have photos of any scarce or rare birds taken in Yorkshire that might be suitable to post on this site? If so they would be very much appreciated. Please submit to  yorkshirebirding1@gmail.com

 

Is your Yorkshire List up to date or do you simply fancy joining the fun? If you require an electronic copy of the recently updated master list please email a request to yorkshirebirding1@gmail.com  and don’t forget to let us know whenever you add a species. Full details can be found by clicking the League Table option.  

 

Walrus, Scarborough Harbour, December 22 - Rich Willison

Drake Smew with Goldeneye, Tophill Low, January 23 - Rich Willison

Ring Ouzel, Nayburn, January 23 - Rich Willison

 

Do you have photos of any scarce or rare birds taken in Yorkshire that might be suitable to post on this site? If so they would be very much appreciated. Please submit to  yorkshirebirding1@gmail.com