Wheatear numbers (at least the European-type birds - the Iceland/Greenland types fared rather better) were pretty dismal in the spring and if the last fortnight is anything to go by they're not going to be much better this season - the cumulative total at the Bill still hasn't got into double figures! This was one of the three at Ferrybridge this morning © Debby Saunders:
1st August
In much quieter conditions there were encouraging signs of migration picking up just a little. A small flurry on the ground at the Bill included 15 each of Sedge and Willow Warbler, and singles of Turnstone, Wheatear and Garden Warbler (another 3 Wheatears were at Ferrybridge), whilst overhead 2 Ringed Plovers, a Whimbrel and a Tree Pipit were additions to the trickle of Sand Martins and Swallows on the move. Waders numbers also improved, with 60 each of Dunlin and Ringed Plover, 8 Turnstones, 7 Sanderlings, 2 Curlews and a Whimbrel at Ferrybridge. The sea remained the poor relation, with just 30 Mediterranean Gulls, 20 Common Scoter, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and a lone Manx Shearwater through off the Bill.