Looking back over the past month I think one of the key features that has stood out for me is how cold and grey it has has been. Yes, we have had some sunny spells but a cold north easterly has really dominated the weather – as such early migrants have really been affected. Monday 3rd of April I visited Troutsdale and it wasn’t until 11:45a.m. that I saw my target bird a juvenile Goshawk only briefly- but it it was well worth the wait. Common Buzzards were late to the party too … they only showed about 11:15 am and it was noticeable only the same two buzzards showed in the immediate area – one was particularly dark. I also recorded my first local swallows for this year!! A great morning!!
On the 9th April I had a walk down the local Carrs and it was good to see some Swallows and my first Sand martins of the year. Chiff-chaffs were calling too and there was also a surprise a very nice view of a Kingfisher – first one of the year! Saturday 15th April … another Spring Migrant … this time a Blackcap on the eastern side of town along Leas lane !! This was one of the best sunny days we have had so far this Spring; apart from the Blackcap singing many other woodland birds were very active too – including a beautiful Treecreeper that allowed a very close approach …. It was such a privilege to watch this little bird climbing and feeding as it explored the surrounding trees.It was also great to see some early Spring butterflies including; Brimstone, Tortoiseshell and Orangetip.!!
Although later than last year, finally I found my first Willow Warbler of 2023 – on the 18th of April- a number of singing birds were seen and heard along Westgate Carr: there is just something magical about hearing your first Willow Warbler of the season. To think that little bird has flown all the way from Africa avoiding all those natural and man made obstacles to breed here … and then repeat the process by migrating back to Africa in the Autumn is pretty amazing!! Wednesday 19th April saw me and my birding mate Alf at Chimney bank looking for Wheatear and Ring Ouzel … we saw our first Wheatears quite easily ..but not a trace of Ring Ouzel!!! After Chimney Bank, we went onto Lowna Woods where we had a great surprise in the form of a male and female Mandarin on the river Dove at Lowna Bridge.
From Lowna we then travelled east over to Wykeham lakes where we had a great afternoon; the regular Cetti’s warbler was in fine voice at the ‘Climbing Wall Corner’ and we also picked up some nice summer migrants in the form of Little Ringed Plover and Sand Martins; once again proving quite difficult to photograph!! Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was an adult Little Gull in full summer plumage …. a bird that neither of us had seen for a number of years !!!
Talking of surprises I had heard news of a Black Kite at Helmsley a few days earlier, thinking it had moved on I was even more surprised to learn that it was now at Duncombe park interacting with the local Red Kites as they in turn interacted with free flying birds at the Birds of Prey Centre. The ‘twitching’ temptation was too much !! So today, Wednesday 20th April saw me and my Mrs have a nice trip into Helmsley. After a frantic ride round, we eventually saw the Black Kite flying down the valley between Rievaulx Abbey and Helmsley, giving great ‘scope views; unfortunately, I failed to get any worthwhile photos’ the only thing I managed were distant specks. After seeing many Black Kites abroad, it was surreal to see a wild Black Kite flying in the local area. The bird continued to stay in the area for about a week more. In fact, I went back to Helmsley on the 26th April for ‘seconds’ but that morning apparently the bird had flown. But it wasn’t a wasted trip, as I saw my first House Martins: what a great way to end April.
