HONEY Buzzard was undoubtedly the species of the month in September with a massive arrival of birds on the English east coast. A similar influx occurred in 2000 and most birdwatchers assumed this was a once in a lifetime event so this second arrival was quite remarkable.

This impressive bird of prey somewhat resembles the common Buzzard but with a long, narrow almost Cuckoo-like head.

Its diet too is very different with a preference for wasps and bees although it will take prey such as small mammals and earthworms on occasions. As birds then filtered inland a number of local observers were fortunate enough to catch up with the species and birds were seen over Nosterfield (2), Sutton Bank (2), Mount Grace Priory, Skeeby near Richmond, Bilsdale and RAF Leeming.

Ospreys also seemed to be associated with this movement with birds seen at Great Langton, Skeeby and Nosterfield with two seen over Catterick racecourse.

Later in the month local birders were treated to another wildlife spectacle with a very large movement of Pinkfooted Geese on the morning of the 28th. Nearly a 1,000 birds were counted over Nosterfield, 200 over Thirsk, with records also from Danby Wiske, Catterick, Northallerton and Great Smeaton but one fortunate observer on the edge of the Hambleton Hills recorded the most impressive numbers.

For more than three hours geese were moving over, ranging from small family parties to large skeins and he estimated up to perhaps 5,000 birds were involved, by far the largest movement ever recorded over this area. I’m afraid I could only manage a single, rather lost, individual flying south over Ainderby Steeple.

These geese weren’t the only winter visitors seen in September with the first Fieldfares recorded in the west of the area by month end and a large influx of Song Thrushes and Blackbirds on the 28th.

These birds overlapped with latestaying summer migrants with Swallows and martins still widespread to the end of the month.

I even received news of a pair of Swallows whose third brood fledged on the exceptionally late date of 24th September. A tardy Swift was also seen over Ainderby Steeple on the same day.

Waders were also on the move although high water levels at a number of local sites meant passage was not particularly heavy.

Pick of the sightings was yet another Pectoral Sandpiper at Nosterfield, continuing an astonishing series of records this year.

Nosterfield also attracted a number of sightings of Curlew Sandpiper whilst highlights at Thorpe Farm pools included up to five Green Sandpipers and eight Ruff with a party of 18 Ruff seen at Catterick.

Other sightings of note during September included two Egyptian Geese and 17 Barnacles at Newsham ponds, Little Egret and two Short-eared Owls at Thorpe Farm, Peregrine at Ainderby Steeple and Marsh Harrier at Lingham Lake.

Finally, a reminder that the second year of survey work for the British Trust for Ornithology’s Bird Atlas project will shortly be kicking off. You can either do a timed count at an agreed location or simply submit information about any birds you’ve seen and it’s a great way to give some real added value to your birdwatching. Full details on the survey and the name of your local organiser can be found on www.birdatlas.net or by contacting the Atlas Co-ordinator, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, IP24 2PU. Tel.01842 750050.