The Langwith Barn Owl Matthew Cormack
The month started very well, with three Great White Egrets in the area, another three Wheatear and a Redstart. Arguably better still, was the continued presence of singing Corn Bunting at the Southern Henge and a singing, but still invisible, Grasshopper Warbler at Langwith gate.
The South Henge Corn Bunting Alan Tremethick /Steve Hustwick respectively
The most frustrating day of the month and most likely the year, was on 2nd, when a ringtail harrier flew over two observers at the Reserve screen. By the time the video system was in action it was too far away to clinch an identification. The consensus from the video from both local and national experts was that it was Montagu’s/Pallid Harrier, with a straw poll favouring the latter. In times gone by, even considering Pallid Harrier would have been regarded as lunacy, but nowadays they are equally as likely as Montagu’s. You win some, you lose some!
Also present on 2nd was the Wood Sandpiper on Keith’s field and the first Turnstone of the month, the latter commencing the first of a total of ten bird days for this species throughout the month.
Another continued theme was set by Garganey, which were recorded on 13 days through the month, with up to four males by the month’s end and two claims of single females. Unfortunately, the latter did not provide enough evidence to prove breeding.
Turnstone, Sanderling and Whimbrel all put on a good show Tim Jones (Harrogate)
Ten Whimbrel present on 3rd continued the great run for this species, which peaked two days later with 19 on the Flasks Lake silt and altogether through the month, added a further 66 bird days to the final spring tally of 169, unprecedented for us.
On 4th, it was one of those great Nosterfield days where all sorts of birds popped up and in total 104 species were recorded. Amongst the 17 species of wader, a brief single observer Temminck’s Stint was the highlight. Five Sanderling and side by side summer plumaged Bar and Black-tailed Godwits were equally memorable. Arguably, the best record of the day was an invisible, singing Turtle Dove near the reed bed, our first for several years.
On 6th, a singing Cuckoo appeared in the area of Langwith Gate and 45 Ringed Plover were in the area. The latter are also having a great spring at Nosterfield and the peak count out of the 334 bird days in May occurred on 14th, with 53 present in the area.
Water Rail are probably present in the area all the time, but it was nice to hear one on 7th to prove this. A Knot was also present the same day, with two singing Grasshopper Warblers.
Garden Warbler Dave Ward Lesser Whitethroat Pam Boulton
Both species were present in good numbers
The Turtle Dove was present again on 8th, with the first of up to two Ospreys seen on and off until the month’s end.
Cuckoo and Grey Plover were highlights on 16th, but these were topped by two Spoonbill on 17th and one on 20th, when there were also two fly-over Crossbill.
The month drifted gently to an end, with variable numbers of Sanderling appearing and sporadic sightings of Bittern interwoven with the threads described above, but interrupted by the unexpected arrival of two Whooper Swans on 25th and a squadron of nine Barnacle Geese the next day. The latter included birds from a nearby colour ringing scheme that had been observed as far away as Kent (not Svalbard!).
Spoonbill Gareth Jones
Andy Hanby 08/05/24