As we reach the end of Spring; because in meteorological terms Summer starts June 1st, it is interesting to note that Spring 2021 i.e. March, April and May has been the coldest on record for the last 60 years.The weather, especially in May has been utterly miserable. Many days have consisted of driving rain and and strong Northerly winds. I find it utterly amazing how our Summer migrants cope with such adverse conditions. I think if I was in their shoes, I would have packed my bag and headed back to sunnier climes. In the process I would also have asked for my money back – or at least a partial refund!!
Unfortunately due to the abysmal weather not a lot of birding was done this month – however a few good birds were found and photographed. Whitethroats showed quite well despite the bad weather, returning Lesser Whitethroats were noted on 5th may on Pickering’s southern carrs ; amazingly, this was the exact date as last year. Unfortunately several attempts were made to photograph this species – but all ended in abject failure!!! The birds were calling really well, but I couldn’t even see them let alone get a few photos !!! Swifts were late this year ; normally I record Swift within the first few days of May; but this year that did not happen. It wasn’t until the 9th May that I connected with Swift. They are such amazing birds; screaming out their high pitched calls and doing crazy high speed aerobatic manoeuvres over the local roof tops is a joy to watch on a warm Spring evening. This time it was rather different; watching them in leaden grey skies accompanied by rain and a stiff Northerly breeze; Oh the joys of British birding !!!
I had the privilege of recording another one of our enigmatic Spring migrants on the 11th May; this one being much scarcer than Swift – Turtle Dove!!! It is a massive shame that these beautiful birds are under such pressure at the moment, not only do they have to contend with the impacts that intensive farming has had on their summering areas in the UK. But also the massive number that are shot on their return migrations to Africa. Only recently the Italian government has acquiesced to a request from the Italian hunting community that they are allowed their permitted quota of 15 Turtle Doves to shoot. However with 500,000 licensed hunters this equates to around 7 million birds. Surely whole scale numbers like this being shot and killed is going to have devastating consequences for the population as a whole. Let us fervently hope that internal protests from Italian conservation bodies and international condemnation comes to bear on the Italian government and they ban the hunt come September.Unfortunately all attempts to photograph this bird failed miserably…. so I will keep trying!!!
News broke on the 12th May or thereabouts of a cracking bird on York University campus: A Savi’s Warbler. The bird was rung during a ringing session and after its release, it was subsequently relocated. The bird took up residence in a small reed bed in Heslington and gave a star performance for nearly a week; enabling many birders to get some great views and photographs.This record was all the more special as it was the first Savi’s Warbler to be recorded in the York area.
I had a visit to Castle Howard on the weekend of the 15th/ 16th May ; to see if any young Mute Swans had hatched as on a previous visit a few weeks back I had noticed a female had been sitting: I wasn’t disappointed!!! One pair had 9 cygnets; these fluffy balls of energy were very demanding on their parents – besides which, the cuteness factor was off the scale!! Apart from the swans a good walk around the grounds produced two more sought after migrants both Reed and Sedge warbler on the margins of the small lake close to the Atlas fountain.
Apart from the ‘bird’ interest the wild Bluebells put on an amazing show and deep swardes of blue were noted on many woodland margins ; creating some great photo opportunities!!
I must admit I am not very hot on butterflies, however on Tuesday 18th I had the opportunity to visit a site where Pearl bordered Fritillaries breed and had an excellent couple of hours photographing these gorgeous butterflies; what a privilege it was !!
On the 21st May, news broke of a cracking new bird for me a Franklin’s Gull at Swillington Ings: over in West Yorkshire – only an hours run from Pickering. What made it even better was that this bird was in full Summer plumage !!! So the twitch was on. However, the trip proved fruitless – despite nearly 3 hours of searching there was no sign of the bird. Oh well you can’t win them all. So I’m afraid that Franklin’s Gull still remains on the ‘Birds to See List’ – maybe one day !!
The month could not have ended better for me. I was very privileged to watch a local Peregrine Falcon, this bird was an adult and performed brilliantly – allowing me to take some nice flight shots. What a way to end the month !!
