A GOOD passage of wading birds was the highlight of August.

The Nosterfield area recorded an impressive 25 species and almost 20 species were seen on the A66 ponds.

The most interesting records included 11 greenshank, up to 11 ruff, and sightings of grey plover, wood sandpiper, spotted redshank, curlew sandpiper, two sanderling and an unprecedented count of 19 knot. Birds of prey were also on the move, with marsh harriers seen at Newsham, Masham and Nosterfield, and peregrines at Bolton on Swale and Nosterfield.

The latter site also attracted merlin and hobby, but surprisingly I only received one report of osprey. There was also the excellent news that hobbies have nested in the area this year. This beautiful little falcon remains a very rare breeding species in this area, but hopefully it will soon become an established local nester.

At the end of the month, the bright, sunny conditions, coupled with easterly winds, seemed ideal for birds of prey and I received a number of reports of buzzards well away from their usual haunts.

Looking ahead to September, this is often one of the best months for local birdwatchers as migration gets into full swing. Some of the more exciting sightings in recent years have included Baird’s sandpiper, a couple of Leach’s petrels, white stork, rednecked phalarope and half-adozen pectoral sandpipers. As usual, your best chance of connecting with a rarer species is to visit one of the area’s wetland reserves. Birds of prey should also be on the move and September is one of the best months for seeing ospreys, as well as marsh harrier, peregrine and merlin.

Finally, I mentioned last month a new guide to birdwatching in the Hambleton and Richmond area. This book is now available and covers 27 of the top sites chosen by members of the local RSPB group. Each site chapter includes information on access and parking arrangements, a site map and walk description, as well as details of the more interesting bird species likely to be encountered.

The guide is excellent value at £4 and is available from most local bookshops and tourist information offices, or you can order it by post for £5 from Gareth Wainwright, Throstlenest, Caldwell, North Yorkshire DL11 7QA. All proceeds will go to support the work of the RSPB.