SOME readers may recall in my July column I suggested local birdwatchers keep an eye out for the very rare two-barred crossbill after a notable influx of the species to the northern isles.

It took a couple of months, but for once my predictions came true with the discovery of a superb male in Bilsdale. The bird was found in the garden of Garfitt’s Farm, a few miles south of Stokesley.

Thanks to the generosity of the householders in releasing the news, the bird proved to be a major ornithological attraction.

Many hundreds of birdwatchers from all over the country made the trip to see this obliging bird, which regularly fed on a peanut feeder in full view of the appreciative crowds.

It was intensely aggressive towards other species, driving all other birds, with the exception of great spotted woodpecker, from “its” feeder. It was also occasionally seen in the company of small numbers of common crossbills, which allowed for comparison of these two closely related species.

This wonderful bird would have been reward enough, but a purple patch at Nosterfield early in the month meant November 2008 was a really memorable month for local birdwatchers. First sighting was a grey phalarope, one of only a handful of local records of this scarce wader.

A couple of days later, the canvasback returned, allowing many of those who missed the bird in late October to catch up with it (including me), though it still disappointed the crowds that arrived the following day having disappeared overnight.

To cap a spectacular couple of days, a fine great grey shrike was found on the reserve, the first local record for more than 20 years. After these outstanding sightings, everything else was bit tame, but there were some records of note including, as predicted, the early signs of a local waxwing invasion.

The first was a bird in the car park of the Wellington Heifer at Ainderby Steeple, rapidly followed by a flock of nine in Brompton on Swale, 21 at Nosterfield, five in Richmond and three at Hutton Magna.

With up to 200 in Stockton and large numbers elsewhere in the North-East, there should hopefully be many more local sightings as we approach Christmas.

Whooper swans were also on the move, with up to five seen at Nosterfield, seven briefly near Stokesley, two at Bolton on Swale and a nice herd of 15 at Thorpe Farm pools. I’m pleased to say I received yet more records of barn owls in November, with one seen near Thrintoft and another on the outskirts of Great Smeaton.

Other sightings of note included female scaup, kittiwake and five whitefronted geese at Nosterfield, a goshawk near Grinton, hen harrier at Hutton Magna and two jack snipe and 21 brambling at Newsham.

This month, it may be worth keeping a look out for roughlegged buzzards. This spectacular raptor was almost an annual visitor in the 1990s but has become much scarcer in recent years. With a number of sightings in northern England this winter, including an amazing three together near Pocklington, this may be the year to find a local bird.

Any of the upland areas are worth checking, but the most reliable sites have tended to be the lovely little valley of Colsterdale or the high ground around Leighton and Roundhill reservoirs.

If I get this prediction right, I’m obviously on a roll so next month I’ll forecast the winning lottery numbers.

Finally, may I wish my readers a very merry Christmas and a happy and bird-filled new year.