14th April

What had once looked likely to be among the most promising days of this week gradually looked less and less of a possibility as time ticked down and, sure enough, turned out to be a partial write-off in yet more rain and a gale-force southeasterly. What fieldwork was possible during the afternoon did reveal the year's first Lesser Whitethroat at the Bill, an Osprey overhead at Sweethill and hints of some wader passage getting going both at Ferrybridge and offshore; the Hoopoe was also still about at Weston Street as was the Ring Ouzel at Sweethill. There were grounded arrivals about but they were never easy to get amongst and the wind and mizzle that persisted after the rain stopped, with singles of Yellow Wagtail and Firecrest of interest at the Bill/Sweethill.; a light overhead trickle of Swallows, House Martins and Meadow Pipits also developed at this time. The tiniest hint of sea movement, included 7 Whimbrel and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits through off the Bill, with 7 more Bar-tailed Godwits and 2 Grey Plover also dropping in at Ferrybridge.

The Osprey over Sweethill where the Ring Ouzel lingered on © Pete Saunders: