WAXWINGS continued to delight local birdwatchers through January, and up to half-a-dozen birds were seen at many places, including three that took up temporary residence outside the booking office of Northallerton station.

Larger numbers were at Ainderby Steeple, at the south end of Bedale, in Richmond and, most popular of all, a flock of about 100 birds in the centre of Darlington.

This winter has also been a record one for bitterns in the local area. Up to four of these striking herons have been seen at Nosterfield, with other birds near Maunby, at Bolton on Swale lakes, near Masham and at Bellflask. This latter bird was sustained through the cold weather with a regular supply of young trout from the site owner Brian Morland.

At one time, the bittern was feeding on the frozen lake and Brian crawled across the ice to photograph it. When the bird spotted him, it immediately went into threat mode, puffing up its plumage and “snaking” its neck, before charging and grabbing the lens hood of the camera.

Fortunately, Brian had the presence of mind to keep taking pictures.

January also saw some excellent numbers of pinkfooted geese in the area.

There was a particularly strong movement on the 16th when 21 flew north near Knayton, 73 went over Great Langton, more than 100 were spotted at Stapleton and 150 birds were seen at Nosterfield.

More geese should be on the move in February and this can be a good month for scarcer species among the resident greylags and Canada geese.

The regular wintering flock of whooper swans near Kirkby Fleetham returned.

Other whoopers were seen at North Otterington and Pepper Arden.

Another interesting wildfowl record was an influx of shelduck on the 20th when 38 birds were seen at Marfield Wetlands, 20 at Scorton and a further 37 on Newsham ponds.

Other sightings of note in January included a hawfinch in a garden in the town. A water rail was at Thorpe Bottoms, a redbreasted merganser at Wycliffe and a hen harrier near Cowesby.

Nosterfield attracted snow bunting, knot, yellowlegged gull and, the rarest bird of the month, a ringnecked duck. This American visitor was present on Flask Lake for much of the month and may still be in the area.

Finally, it’s worth noting that the local RSPB group now have their own website (www.rspb.org.uk/groups/richmondshireandhambleton) where, as well as information about the group’s activities, you can find a useful link to a local bird sightings page.