23rd March 2020

A day that felt cold due to strong south-east winds and temperatures pegged back to seven degrees C, despite sunny intervals. During the morning’s seawatch, two Pintail, 14 Common Scoters, four Little Gulls and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew south. Raptor interest was provided by two Marsh Harriers heading south, three Red Kites and a male Merlin, whilst a Grey Plover visited flooded fields. Passerine interest included 2500 Starlings, seven Chiffchaffs, four rubicola-type Stonechats, a Black Redstart, a White Wagtail, four Siskin and 30 Yellowhammers; the latter at Hartendale. Two Goldcrests, a Chiffchaff and 12 Siskin were recorded at Buckton.

Red Kite, outer head, by Andrew Allport
Grey Plover, outer head, by Andrew Allport
Stonechat, High Holme, by Andrew Allport
Starling, Lighthouse Road, by Phil Buxton