As described in the previous post, conditions for nocmig were frustratingly crappy throughout spring '23, and expectations were lowered accordingly; however, in contrast with the very limited returns at Filey during the period, my Flamborough recorder (still in a garden in the village) punched above its weight and against the odds. March and April were surprisingly productive, while May and June at least produced some occasional quality.
Please use headphones to listen to the sound clips
A pretty much full month's coverage through March produced a good variety of early spring migrants. Rallids figured throughout, and Coot were particuarly prevalent (with a peak of five on 30th), while Moorhens were regular and Water Rails were sprinkled through the month. Golden Plovers, Oystercatchers and Curlews were the most well-represented waders, with Redshanks, Snipe, Dunlin and Knot also recorded.
Thrushes were a feature throughout the month, with Blackbirds and Song Thrushes on many nights and Redwings often in double and sometimes in triple figures, with 231 on 22nd and 197 on 23rd the highest counts. Common Gulls were particularly numerous, and a single flock of Pink-feet headed back north on 27th; but two species stood out in the month, both classic and welcome early spring nocmig targets.
With so few picked up on my Filey recorders, it was a pleasure to find Common Scoters beeping on seven nights over Flamborough, totalling 19 flocks, beginning on 18th and continuing to the month's end (and beyond - see below). Not to be overlooked - although it can be easy to do so on the spectrogram - the growling nocturnal flight calls of Bitterns registered twice in March, on 17th and 27th - right on cue as wintering birds return to the continent.
Bitterns recorded on Flamborough nocmig (since recording commenced in autumn '20)
April, while not a classic, was still productive. Common Scoters continued to move throughout the month, with 44 flocks recorded over a total of seven nights, with a peak of 21 flocks on 10th (and the last on 25th). Waders included flocks of Bar-tailed Godwits on 8th and 14th, a strong movement of Curlews and a flock of Black-tailed Godwits on 13th, Common Sandpipers from 22nd, and a Snipe giving an 'alternative' flight call (thanks Magnus!) on 9th (see below), as well as regular Redshanks and other common species.
Thrushes were dominated by Redwings, with 366 throughout and a clear peak of 188 on 6th, while a Ring Ouzel chacked over the recorder on the same night; the welcome 'nocmig-song' of a flyover migrating Blackcap on 30th was a satisfying way to end the month.
By all accounts, the aforementioned prevailing conditions and cold north-easterly airflow wiped out May, with modest numbers and variety of common species, and few highlights; of the latter, a Greenshank on 10th, Turnstones on 17th, a Shelduck (a new nocmig species) on 2nd, a Swallow on 10th and a flock of Sandwich Terns on 18th were the pick.
Nocmig possibilities and expectations lessen greatly as June arrives, and running the recorder is more out of hope for a late spring bonus then anything - and so it was very rewarding to pick up my first Flamborough nocmig Quail, quip-whip-whipping over on 11th. Two flocks of Sandwich Terns (15th and 27th), a Little Ringed Plover on 13th, and a scattering of rallids, Little Grebes and Oystercatchers completed the cast.
