−−− BY LINDA JENKINSON −−−
How lucky we are to live in Yorkshire! Our county’s vast range of habitats gives us such a diversity of bird life, not only breeding birds but wonderful passage species looking for somewhere to rest and feed during their spring restlessness. Here’s a quick run-down of some of the recent delights at our Yorkshire reserves showing that there’s no need to travel any further.
At my amazing local nature reserve, the restored open-cast mining site of St Aidan’s, it’s possible to see three breeding species of grebes, including the stunning black-necked grebe. Tucked away in the reedbeds are wetland stars, bittern and bearded tit, and it’s also possible to see the UK’s only summer visiting duck, the garganey which has made its way to us form Africa.
In mid-May, a range of summer plumaged waders settled at St Aidan’s to feed, stopping off on their way northwards to breed. These included whimbrel, sanderling, turnstone and bar-tailed godwit. Other passers-by included Arctic tern and little gull.
Further down the valley, at Fairburn Ings, are the most northerly breeding spoonbills, this year seen feeding with heron, little egret, cattle egret and great egret. So far I’ve managed 4 of these species in one view of my binoculars, I’m aiming for all 5. Great egret and cattle egret have yet to breed in the Aire Valley but their regular appearances might indicate future success. Recently another long-legged bird, a glossy ibis, made a brief appearance at Fairburn too.
With a list like that (and I’ve not even mentioned the bulk of the species that can be seen on my local patch) there’s barely any reason to leave the Leeds area but how can you resist when there’s so much more to be seen?
The wonderful North Yorkshire reserves of Staveley and Nosterfield have recently attracted osprey, pectoral sandpiper and black tern while Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Potteric Carr has been hosting a black-winged stilt. Take a lovely woodland walk on the Wharfe at Bolton Abbey for pied flycatcher, spotted flycatcher and redstart and, if you’re lucky, you may even see a wood warbler. Scan the river while you walk for sand martin, dipper, goosander and common sandpiper and listen out for cuckoo on the moors above.
Yorkshire is also home to the only mainland gannet colony in England made even more popular by its puffins and the star attraction once again, a single black-browed albatross. This long-lived native of the Southern Hemisphere has often visited the RSPB’s Bempton Cliffs reserve during the breeding season, resting among gannets, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwake and fulmar. Its long, thin wings and the low-pressure area around the Equator prevent these birds from crossing more regularly into our waters. It’s likely it can’t get back to where it belongs, but it may not be alone. Other sightings have been recorded.
Birdwatchers have also been flocking to the region, as I write, to see European bee-eater at Bempton village, Baikal teal at Flamborough head and golden oriole at Wykeham Lakes. Further north and inland, the North York Moors National Park also hosts crossbills, nightjar, breeding goshawk, honey buzzard and turtle dove. I could go on but there’s not enough space this month!
It’s so amazing to be a Yorkshire birder, so why not become a greener birder and stay home? Ditch the flights to exotic places, save on your fuel bill and do your bit for the climate emergency. There’s so many birds out there to see, not to mention the stunning countryside, right on your doorstep.
Linda Jenkinson teaches people about birds in and around Leeds. For details of classes email linda@startbirding.co.uk or call 07778 768719. Visit www.startbirding.co.uk or Start Birding on Facebook and Twitter
