APRIL should be the month when summer migrants flood in; this year it was barely a trickle. Most birds were very late in arriving, and in generally low numbers. At the time of writing our village Swallows have only just returned, a good fortnight later than usual. Numbers of virtually all species are well down on this time last year with birds like Whitethroats particularly scarce. Hopefully a bit of warm weather, and more conducive winds, will still see numbers recover in May.

Pick of April’s birds was a Slavonian Grebe at Nosterfield. It was present throughout the month, at times showing exceptionally well in front of the main hide. Over the course of April it has been moulting into its beautiful summer plumage including developing golden ear-tufts which gives the bird its American name of Horned Grebe. Later in the month it was joined by another scarce grebe, Black-necked, giving local birders a great opportunity to compare and contrast these closely related species.

The conditions which have slowed the arrival of our summer visitors also seems to have effected wading birds with a very poor passage through local waters. Highlights included up to 16 Black-tailed Godwits at Nosterfield; 14 Little Ringed Plover, 22 Avocet, Greenshank and Ruff at Newsham ponds and Green Sandpiper at Great Langton.

Birds of prey sightings included Marsh Harriers at Nosterfield and Scorton, Osprey over Richmond and a series of Red Kite sightings. These involved birds at Brompton, Melsonby, Patrick Brompton, Morton-on-Swale and a number of sightings of birds around Leeming Bar.

Fifty-eight Whooper Swans at Bolton-on-Swale was a superb count. Another 33 were at Nosterfield on the 9th with what were presumably the same birds seen flying over Hunton and Marrick Priory later the same day.

The mass arrival of Hawfinches into Britain was undoubtedly the ornithological highlight of the winter and there were still some records this month as birds moved out. This included friends in Ainderby Steeple who rang me to say they had three Hawfinches on their bird table. They even managed this great picture through their kitchen window (SEE ATTACHED PIC). Typically the birds departed just before I arrived!

Other sightings of note in April included three Egyptian Geese at Great Langton, 22 Shelduck at Ainderby Steeple, Water Rail at Bolton-on-Swale and Red-crested Pochard, White-fronted Goose and four Little Gulls at Nosterfield.

Looking ahead to May, this is the month that sets many birdwatchers pulses racing in expectation of rare birds. In recent years the Nosterfield area has been the best local site for finding rarer birds but there are some other great places worth exploring. Bolton-on-Swale lakes, for example, have an enviable record of scarce birds but receive relatively little coverage these days. And how about Sutton Bank? This area has attracted some outstanding rarities, including Yorkshire’s first records of Rock Thrush and Black Kite, so would definitely repay regular watching. As a bonus the visitor centre there is now one of the best sites in northern England to see the beautiful, but sadly declining, Turtle Dove. If you are lucky enough to spot an unusual bird I would love to hear from you at nickmlinden@gmail.com