28th May

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: