Passage continues to tick over far more impressively than ought to be the case in late May, with a big increase in wader numbers and variety a notable feature today. Before getting overrun with holidaymakers and dogs the sandflats at Ferrybridge were busy, with totals that included 70
Ringed Plovers, 13 each of
Dunlin and
Sanderling, 4 each of
Shelduck and
Grey Plover, 3
Turnstones, 2
Shoveler and singles of
Knot and
Redshank; this richer vein of waterfowl and waders was reflected elsewhere, including 5
Mallards and singles of
Whimbrel and
Sanderling at the Bill. Tern passage also continued, with 160 more
commic terns, along with 2
Balearic Shearwaters and a
Great Skua, through off the Bill. In comparison, passerines were the poor relation although even their numbers far exceeded what would usually be expected at this juncture: 2
Hawfinches at the Obs were easily the highlight, with 9
Spotted Flycatchers, 8
Willow Warblers, 4
Whinchats, 2 each of
Tree Pipit,
Wheatear and
Reed Warbler, and a
Yellow Wagtail a more than respectable back-up list from the Bill/Southwell; a
Hobby over Easton was the pick of a similar selection of lower totals of late migrants elsewhere.
The sight of mixed wader flocks was quite a novelty at Ferrybridge after a month-long barren spell...
...a pair of Shoveler were also an unexpected sight there and extends their spring passage period this year to more than three months © Pete Saunders:
Along with a lot of other things right now, the local Common Buzzards obviously have hungry mouths to feed © Pete Saunders:
