19th July

Having been stupefied by the ongoing heat into too casual an approach to the day's prospects it came as quite a surprise when the tardy start to fieldwork at the Bill quickly revealed the likes of 4 Willow Warblers and 2 Grasshopper Warblers grounded, an overflying Spotted Redshank and the beginnings of a steady passage of Swallows and Sand Martins; waders too showed up with 39 Dunlin and 4 Sanderlings at Ferrybridge, whilst 58 Common Scoter, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, a Great Skua and the summering Red-throated Diver provided interest on the sea at the Bill. Activity dwindled as the heat built but 2 showy Roseate Terns that dropped in at Ferrybridge were a nice later highlight.


The Ferrybridge Roseate Terns put on a good show © Debby Saunders...


...and © Pete Saunders: