Raptors

The first raptor of the day was a Rough-legged Buzzard from Winter's Gibbet, drifting north west over Harwood Forest. Excellent scope views were had as it was briefly joined by 2 Common Buzzard. Next up were Goshawks with at least two separate birds soaring over the wood and hunting along the moor edge. Another 2 Buzzard were high over the wood along with 2 Raven.

Down to the coast, but after the early success there was no sign of any Marsh Harrier at East Chevington. The Black-necked Grebe has still here and a Water Rail dashed across a ride through the reeds. Another couple of stops along the coast revealed nothing new.

No sign of the Short-eared Owls at Prestwick Carr, perhaps a bit breezy. There were 3 Willow Tit on the feeders by the view point. A Small Tortoiseshell here was my first butterfly of the year.

Shibdon held 2 drake Shoveler, 13 Shelduck and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull.

At Lamesley the 22 Pink-footed Geese were behind Horse World and 2 Oystercatcher were on the water meadows.

The Golden Plover flock on Burdon Moor has built up to 602 along with a small flock of Lapwing. A Curlew was back on territory and 3 Snipe were flushed.