October: Osprey

Like busses, reviews come all at once. Here is a whizz through sightings from October. The unquestionable highlight, possibly bird of the year, was an Osprey drifting west - quite a late date for this species in Yorkshire.

8-9th October

Mute Swan - 21, incl. the Kelk Beck family with 5 young
Pink-footed Goose - 1 on stubbles at Wansford
Greylag Goose - 250+
Canada Goose - 41 is a record local count
Wigeon - 110
Teal - 4
Red-legged Partridge - 16 at Harpham, tame / released
Grey Partridge - 18
Cormorant - 6
Grey Heron - 14
OSPREY - 1
Sparrowhawk - 3
Buzzard - 19
Kestrel - 9
Golden Plover - 300+
Lapwing - 260+
Snipe - 4
Green Sandpiper - 1
Barn Owl - 1
Kingfisher - 1
Skylark - 50+
House Martin - 20+
Swallow - none seen
Meadow Pipit - 10
Grey Wagtail - 1
Pied Wagtail - 15 together at Harpham
Stonechat - 1 at Kelk Beck
Fieldfare - 1
Redwing - 90
Blackcap - 1
Jay - 3
Goldfinch - 60+ flock

My third record of Osprey in the area, though my first in autumn. October is getting late for passing Ospreys so this one was either in no hurry due to the mild weather, or maybe from northern Europe and fresh in over the sea. Either way, an absolute beauty!

Two year ticks...

106 Stonechat
107 Osprey