Whooper Swan (recorded in October)
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After moving to the northern suburbs of York last summer, this is my second autumn recording migrating birds overnight and over our (sleeping) heads here.
A few nights at the end of July produced two Common Sandpipers, plus Skylark and Oystercatcher, before our usual lengthy summer trip to the States; back at the end of August, when four nights produced Water Rail, Meadow Pipit, Golden Plover, Oystercatcher and Moorhen.
Fifteen nights were recorded in September, with 4th and 5th providing quality passerine migration - Pied Flycatcher, Tree Pipit (and Robin) on the former date, and two Spotted Flycatchers on the latter. The first Common Scoters of the season beeped over on 19th, and the first Pink-footed Geese followed on 21st, while more Scoters and a Dunlin were picked up 22nd.
A generally quiet end to the month provided several more Snipe and Skylarks amongst other species, which scattered through the month included several Water Rails, Grey Herons, Moorhens and Oystercatchers, with Golden Plovers recorded on five occasions, and Robins on a further three.
Seventeen nights were attempted in October from 5th, with a slow first half of the month featuring small numbers of Song Thrushes, Redwings, Robins, Skylarks, Golden Plovers, Common Scoters on 7th and Pink-feet over on two nights.
An upturn in numbers from mid-month saw the best Redwing counts for October - still modest, but into three figures - of 328 on 17th, 386 on 18th and 122 on 20th, with a Common Snipe over on 17th, Common Scoters over on 21st, Pink-footed Geese on 21st and 23rd, and Whooper Swans on 29th.
Song Thrushes were a constant throughout September and October, with a peak of 65 on 17th, and additional passerines of interest included Siskin and two Meadow Pipits on 18th, Skylark on 20th, and small numbers of Blackbirds on various dates.
Barn Owl - surprisingly an autumn regular over the suburbs here....
Blackbirds arrived in much bigger numbers at the end of the first week of November, with 212 on 5th and 171 on 6th being by far the highest counts of the year. Redwings likewise peaked over the same 48 hours, with 876 and 407 respectively; four Robins and two Redpolls on the 5th were also notable.
Siskin (recorded in October)
A further week of recordings produced diminishing returns as the month went on, with continuing poor conditions and limited records consisting of smaller numbers of thrushes, odd Moorhens, Teal on 15th, and a final skein of Pink-feet on 17th.
