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

2022 - It's the end!

Waxwing, Kilnsea - John Hewitt

 

Little Auks, Spurn - John Hewitt

 Wagtail delight?

 

Late autumn excitement has been limited in Yorkshire so far, but without question the highlight for most County listers was what was generally thought to be an Eastern Yellow Wagtail at Kilnsea Wetlands on 27^th and 28th October. Despite the fact that this taxon is generally thought to have occurred in the County previously, there are no accepted records (or even submissions?) so far of this recently split species. Although most observers were happy that this bird looked very much the part there has been some doubts expressed with regards to the sound recordings, fortunately however, a sample of poo has been sent for DNA analysis which should hopefully resolve the identification beyond any doubt.

For the time being we will adopt the same policy as with the Bempton ‘presumed Turkestan’ Shrike, (no, nothing further on that yet!) thus we will await formal acceptance from the BBRC before allowing inclusion in the Yorkshire Listers League.

Putative Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Kilnsea Wetlands, October 22 - Thomas Willoughby

Putative Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Kilnsea Wetlands, October 22 - Hazel Wiseman