23rd April

Sometimes overnight rain works for us - just a couple of days ago it worked a treat - but on just as many days it kills migration dead which is just what happened today, with an overnight downpour and associated strong winds doing nothing for the land or sea. Grounded arrivals were woefully represented, with only Wheatear just managing a double figure totals at the Bill, where 3 Common Sandpipers and a Black Redstart were the only newcomers of interest; Ferrybridge fared hardly better, with 12 Whimbrel and 2 Sanderlings the only waders of note. The weather had blown through by dawn to the extent that hirundines got moving under the clearing sky but even their numbers were nothing to shout about. The sea was well watched but 2 Sanderling, 2 Arctic Skuas and a single Great Skua were the only worthwhile returns off the Bill.