scunny additions

no new birds on the patch today but over the last two weeks the Scunny list has risen to 170; the key bird was a Broad-billed Sandpiper found in a restricted area at Alkborough on the 16th by a local birder I was able to see the bird during its 3 hour stay that night; Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper and a flock of 5 Temminck's Stints have been additional year ticks but strangely I have still not had a Greenshank or Green Sandpiper on the patch this year. Some appalling record shots of the BBS above. 

147

a singing male Spotted Flycatcher on the traditional territory in Baysgarth Park today was out competing the Barton Town brass band and took the tally on to 147 but still without any significant May migrants

subbuteo at last

a long overdue Hobby dashing by this afternoon broke the monotony of a total lack of anything which could be considered a new arrival; so far May has failed to produce anything scarce or rare which may mean that the month end score is one of the lowest on record contra the April result; 146

one more wobbler

at best we usually have one Garden Warbler territory around the pits each year so the return of last years male to its territory on Waters' Edge was a pretty obvious sign that it was the same bird; but still no real May goodies 145 

two new waders and a near miss

Grey Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit were patch year ticks today but I was left wondering if I overlooked the big one two days ago when I only gave the Dunlin flock on Chowder Ness a cursory scan with bins while avoiding the drunken yobs in the car park---Broad-billed Sand would have been a patch tick! 144

a May mega

after a ten day break in Ontario I might have expected to add a few May goodies n return but the only addition today was a drake Red-crested Pochard! additional wildfowl were Velvet Scoter and drake Scaup adding to the wintery feel; the 13 2cy Little Gulls were a sign of hope but I have still only seen Common Tern on the patch this spring; 142