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.
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:
