Year To Date Total 179- up to 31st December
| Rank | Lister | Birds | Updated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dave Hunton | DIH | 167 | 28 Nov |
| 2= | Alan Robertshaw | AR | 165 | 31 Dec |
| 2= | Paul Morris | PRM | 165 | 31 Dec |
| 4 | Rob Leighton | REL | 164 | 14 Nov |
| 5= | Paul Scholes | PS | 162 | 11 Nov |
| 5= | Dave Hunter | DAH | 162 | 31 Dec |
| 5= | Joe Eckersley | JE | 162 | 14 Nov |
| 8 | Jonathan Scragg | JSc | 160 | 27 Nov |
| 9 | John Martin | JM | 157 | 31 Dec |
| 10 | Julian Pickering | JP | 155 | 03 Nov |
| 11 | Dave Musgrove | DM | 151 | 12 Nov |
| 12 | Paul Coates | PGC | 148 | 15 Nov |
| 13 | Morgan Caygill | MC | 147 | 30 Nov |
| 14 | Mike Chambers | MCh | 134 | 21 Nov |
| 15 | Abi Cairnswood | AC | 126 | 17 Nov |
| 16 | Reuben Mew | RM | 110 | 03 Nov |
| 17 | Phil Walton | PWW | 96 | 31 May |
| 18 | Jim Munro | JDM | 92 | 02 Oct |
Updates
Sunday 31st December. Well done to Dave Hunton on winning the 2023 Swilly Listers Challenge with a total of 167 bird species seen out of 179 species that were recorded in the recording area. Alan Robertshaw & Paul Morris came joint second on 165 species seen.
Saturday 23rd December. Two new additions since the last posting taking the year list total to 179, two Wa><wings on the 13th and a female Merlin reported on the 19th.
Tuesday 28th November. No new birds to report since last weeks Crossbills, but a few listers have been adding a few species to their lists with the leader DIH finally adding Brambling onto his list which takes him to 167 and is now three clear at the top.
Monday 20th November. Just one addition to the year list with a pair of Common Crossbills that were seen flying over Astley causeway on the 17th by @jonnybirder. The year total now stands at 177.
Saturday 11th November. A very good day on site today with two new birds for the year and one of them was new for the recording area, a Glossy Ibis was seen in flight early morning with no further sign until just before noon when it was seen on the main lake briefly before flying off site again only for it return in the afternoon onto the ERB for a while. While looking for the Ibis this morning DIH picked up a Leach’s Petrel over the R & F which then continued North over the hillside and lost to view, it was probably this bird which was seen further North over Bardsey. It will take the birds seen in the recording area to 264 & the year list to 176.
Saturday 4th November. Several listers have been out adding Marsh Tit, Rock Pipit, Short Eared Owl & Brambling over the last few days. See the above table for the latest totals.
Wednesday 25th October. Marsh Tit added to the year list today after one was photographed at the Marina, it takes the total for the year to 174.
Saturday 21st October. Apologies for lack of posts this month, a couple of additions to the year list with a Rock Pipit on the 14th found by JE, and today a Red Throated Diver was found by a visitor allowing several listers to add it onto their year and life lists, the last R T D was in 2013.
Tuesday 3rd October. A juvenile Gannet seen and photographed flying over the reserve on Friday 29th September takes the year total to 171. The Lesser White Fronted Goose of unknown origin is not yet acceptable on the Swilly list with the provenance of this bird being in question, a description of the bird will need to be forwarded to the YNU for deliberation and until then could those listers who have added it onto their BUBO list kindly remove this species as it distorts the overall combined and ranking totals.
Friday 29th September, Apologies for missing off a Short Eared Owl seen by DIH on the 31st August, so the year list stands at 170. A Lesser White Fronted goose was photographed yesterday and was relocated today on the main spit, it will probably end up in category E because of the probability of it being an escaped bird and of unknown origin.
Thursday 21st September. As you will have noticed the above table is not in rank at the moment but the totals are correct, hopefully everything will be back to normal shortly. Several listers have been adding the mobile Curlew Sandpiper onto their lists this week. What will be the 170th species for the year, maybe a Grey Phalarope or something more exotic like an American Warbler which is highly unlikely but we live in hope.
Sunday 17th September. A rather quiet period with just another Black Tern, Little Stint, two Spot Reds and Arctic Tern were the Highlights in the last twelve days. So the finding of 3 Curlew Sandpipers by Tony Wood this evening was the first new species since the Spot Reds on the 5th, it takes the year total to 169.
Tuesday 5th September. A report of a Black tern on Birdguides yesterday was quickly followed by a Spotted Redshank which was a new bird for the year, only a couple of listers caught up with the bird so it was a relief that the Spot Red was still present this morning tho still elusive a few more listers connected today. This takes the year total to 168.
Thursday 31st August. A early morning Short Eared Owl was seen by DIH which takes his total to 159 and back into the lead on his own, the owl was also seen by JE.
Monday 28th August. The Year list has risen to 167 with the addition of Yellow Legged gull found yesterday by AJM/DM and a Wood Warbler found by PRM. Several listers added a Spotted Flycatcher today which was found by DAH, this is the second sighting of this species this year after one was seen earlier by DIH & PRM. We now have joint leaders on 158 with DIH & JSc with the latter having added four species in the last week.
Wednesday 24th August. A couple of late additions since the last posting, a Tree Pipit on the 17th seen by J. Martin while doing a Vismig, and yesterday a male Red Crested Pochard was found by a visitor had several listers dashing down to add it to their year lists, how sad !!!, LOL. The year list stands at 165 with these two additions.
Tuesday 8th August. Two Sandwich Terns on the 6th & a Common Redstart today had a few listers ticking them off having missed the earlier sightings of these two species, otherwise still very quiet at the moment.
Monday 24th July. A very quiet month as always so very little to report on any new species, a couple of Knot over the wet weekend allowed one or two listers the chance of adding this species having missed the previous spring sighting.
Friday 30th June. Only two new species were recorded in June leaving the year total at 163, not unless someone finds something new before midnight. DIH is still in the lead on 156 with DAH in second place on 154 followed by AR in third place on 153.
Monday 12th June. After a quiet week a Cattle Egret was reported on the website not sure by who as only first name given, it’s a bit of a problem at the moment with people only using their first name on the website and on WhatsApp and especially if the people are newcomers to the reserve, on WhatsApp several people have the same first name so it’s difficult for the recorder to assign and credit people with any find in the yearly report. DIH continues to lead the way with 156 species seen, the year list stands at 163.
Sunday 4th June. Spotted Flycatcher found by DIH takes the year total to 162, it also increases his total to 155.
Thursday 1st June. Seven new species for the year were seen in May with the highlight being the Black Winged Stilts which have now departed, also a Male Ring Necked Duck gave some of the newer members a life tick, 3 Common Cranes did a flyover without many members seeing them, Turnstone, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint and not forgetting the very colourful Mandarin Duck made up the new birds for May. DIH remains in the lead on 153 with DAH on 152 and REL in third place on 151.
Sunday 28th May. Three Little Stints today takes the year total to 161, they were found by MB.
Tuesday 23rd May. The elusive Ring Necked Duck finally showed well today allowing a few more listers the chance of adding it to their year lists, for some listers it was a Swilly life tick.
Sunday 21st May. The long staying Ring Necked Duck in South Yorkshire came seeking new pastures when it was found on Astley lake this morning, it went missing mid morning when it probably hauled itself out onto one of the tree filled islands presumably to have a rest after it’s long trip, it was reported again this evening showing well. So that’s the 160th species for the year.
Friday 19th May. Not one for the purists but a Mandarin Duck was found this morning on the Leventhorpe horse field pool, it sounds like the duck flew off before several listers arrived, it was seen by PRM, will amend if any further news is forthcoming.
Tuesday 16th May. After a bit of a lull over the weekend a Wood Sandpiper was seen on the North Ings by DIH at lunchtime, it makes Dave the first to see 150 species for the year, he had also seen 9 Turnstones early morning on the main spit. The year total is 158.
Friday 12th May. Late news from yesterday, 3 Common Cranes were seen flying over the reserve by visitor C. Davis, it sounds like a few listers had their backs to the birds as they flew over or were dashing back to their cars to avoid the heavy rain which could be seen heading their way with the black clouds in the distance. The Year total now stands at 157.
Wednesday 10th May. After the excitement on Sunday things have calmed down a bit with no new sightings, an Osprey this morning allowed a few listers to tick this species having not seen the earlier sightings of this species. Which lister will be the first to see 150 species ???
Sunday 7th May. A good day for the listers when a new bird for the site was seen by MB & PRM, 4 Black Winged Stilts flew in from the South which were probably the same 4 that were in the York area yesterday. It takes the year total to 156 and the recording area total to 263. DAH & DIH are tying for the lead on 149.
Monday 1st May. Started well with a Turnstone found by DIH it takes the total for the year to 155. A claim of another RBM was soon cancelled when the true identity turned out to be a moulting Goosander, an Egyptian Goose was on the bulge early morning, a few reports of Hobby are beginning to filter through. The number of new species recorded in April was 28.
Saturday 29th April. An early morning fly through Hobby seen by R.Parsons is the 154th species for 2023.
Thursday 27th April. Two species added to the year list with Lesser Whitethroat & Black Tern takes the total to 153.
Wednesday 26th April. Garden warbler heard last night was seen this morning by REL/AR increases the year total to 151.
Tuesday 25th April. The 150th species for the year a Cuckoo was seen flying over the reedbeds by P. Singleton. DAH is in the lead on 142, with REL in second place on 140 and DIH is in third place on 139. Totals will be updated in the morning.
Sunday 23rd April. A very good day with four new birds for the year, it started with a Red Breasted Merganser found by MB, only DAH of the listers saw the bird as it soon disappeared after the initial sighting, MB then found a Sanderling on the Lagoon islands, the third bird was a Whinchat found by REL, and this afternoon 5 Whimbrel were seen by DM. Late news from yesterday a Raven was seen heading South by several observers, BvdV, JP. |The year total stands at 149, which species will be the 150th. Turnstone ?? Lesser Whitethroat ??? Garden Warbler ?? Ring Ouzel ??? Black Tern ?? Little Tern ?? Spotted Redshank, Cuckoo, Hobby or something more exotic !!!!!
Friday 21st April. The first Swifts of the year were reported by REL this morning, the morning started off very well with Grasshopper Warbler, Barwit, Greenshanks & Little Gulls reported with the Swifts but things fizzled out by mid morning with nothing much else reported.
Thursday 20th April. Just one new bird for the year today with a Grasshopper Warbler seen at the bottom of the hillside which was found by DIH.
Wednesday 19th April. A very good day with 3 new species for the year, the first a Bar Tailed Godwit found by R. Dawson, by late afternoon there was 14 of this species (JE). the second new species was 3 Greenshank found by DIH, then PRM saw the first 3 Little Gulls which by early evening had grown to over 50+. The year list now stands at 142, DIH is still in the lead with 134 species seen. The totals will be updated in the morning.
Tuesday 18th April. A male Common Redstart found by GYL on the hillside late morning takes the year total to 139, a female was also seen later in the same vicinity. DIH moves onto 130 with the addition of the above species.
Sunday 16th April. Another find by DIH again this morning was an Arctic Tern, it takes the year total to 138 and DIH to 129.
Saturday 15th April. Two new species for the year today, the first was a male Garganey found by DIH, and later a Sandwich Tern seen by MB, DIH, JE. More Whitethroats, Reed & Sedge warblers are now been reported allowing several listers to get them onto their lists. Grasshopper, Garden, Lesser Whitethroat should be the next Warblers new in for the year with Redstart & Ring Ouzel a possibility.
Friday 14th April. The first Whitethroat was heard singing this morning by R.Dawson. Wednesday’s Sedge has been accepted by the records committee, so the year total stands at 135.
Wednesday 12th April. A singing Sedge warbler was reported at the bottom of the hillside by assistant warden A.Tiffany this morning, given who the finder is the record will have to go to the records committee for acceptance, LOL.
Tuesday 11th April. Common Sandpiper found by Vaughan Lister today takes the total to 133.
Friday 7th April. Reed Warbler found by PRM takes the year total to 132. A surprising return of the Great Northern Diver on Blowers lake (well that’s what it says on the Sightings page) gave those listers who couldn’t get down on Tuesday the chance of adding it to their year list and Life lists. The question is where has the Diver been for two days, Swilly Park fishing lakes ??? The park is closed to fishermen this year so it’s possible the bird could be on there going unnoticed.
Thursday 6th April. The year list keeps on rising with the addition of Yellow Wagtail which was found by Bert, it takes the total to 131. I expect the next three weeks will see the arrival of more Summer migrants pushing the year list around the 150 mark.
Tuesday 4th April. A bit of an exciting day for some when a Great Northern Diver was found on Bowers lake, it’s 11 years since the last record of this species so it will be a Swilly lifer for some of the newer members. Also a Red Knot was found by DAH early afternoon. The year total is 130 with the addition of the above. Totals will be updated tomorrow.
Saturday 1st April. Two new species added to the year list, the first was a House Martin found by DIH, and in the afternoon a Common Tern was found by JSc. REL is back at the top of the table on 120. No luck today for visitor RDH on his vis-mig from the hillside, thanks for your efforts during your visit.
Friday 31st March. A vis-mig by visitor Rob Hunton revealed a flyover Brambling which was heading East he also had a Blackcap, Willow Warbler plus a Barnacle goose and a few other common species on his visit. After several days out of action PRM has added 8 species on his return taking his total to 119, REL is in second place with 118. A Robertshaw has updated his total and is now on 117 and now equal with D, Hunton.
Wednesday 29th March. A singing Willow Warbler was added to the year list yesterday, then today an Osprey drifted over the dragline and headed north, thanks to the Fairburn boys for the heads up that the bird was heading our way, and then news of three Ruff on Astley on the website by JP this evening takes the year total to 125. As far as i’m aware only DAH of the listers saw the Osprey.
Monday 27th March. After a gap of two years a male Scaup was found in Black pipe bay by PRM taking the year total to 122.
Saturday 25th March. Swallow reported today by REL takes the year list to 121. REL is now in the lead with 115 species seen.
Friday 24th March. The 120th species for the year a Grey Plover was seen yesterday by BvdV (Bert), as far as i know no listers saw the bird.
Saturday 18th March. The first Wheatear of the year was found by Owen Watson, it takes the year list to 119. Avocets, Jack Snipe, Ring Necked Parakeet, Sand Martins, Whooper Swans were some of the species added to several listers totals today.
Thursday 16th March. We have had two new wader species for the year this week, a Little Ringed Plover on the 14th & a Avocet seen today on Astley lake.
Sunday 12th March. Two new species added to the year list today, the first was a Common Scoter on the main lake and the second was the first returning Sand Martin which was reported on Birdguides. We have two new listers who have joined the race, John Martin & Jonathan Scragg. (Just a note for them and any other listers, birds have to be seen by the lister to count towards their total with the exception of Quail being allowed on call). Todays totals will be updated in the morning.
Wednesday 8th March. Egyptian Goose added to the year list takes the total to 114, a pair were seen at Skelton lake by PRM this morning.
Sunday 5th March. A White fronted goose seen yesterday which eluded the listers was found again today and 3 Kittiwakes on the Cattle gate pond this morning takes the year total to 113. REL & PRM are now joint leaders on 107 species seen.
Friday 3rd March. February just had nine new species for the year which left the year total on 111. Rob Leighton is now at the top of the leader board with 105 species seen with several listers not far behind him. March should see the first of the Spring migrants returning with Sand Martin probably leading the way.
Monday 27th February. After a quiet week the 111th species for the year a Spoonbill was reported flying West over the reserve on Saturday 25th.
Saturday 18th February. The first Ringed Plover for the year was seen by PRM, it takes the year list to 110. We seem to have a bit of congestion at the top of the table with several listers on 100, PS still leads the way on 101. (Posted 19.20).
Wednesday 15th February. Nine Whooper Swans seen flying over yesterday evening by Rob Parsons takes the year list to 109. Alan Robertshaw takes his year total to 100 with the addition of a Barn owl this evening. (Posted 19.50pm).
Monday 13th February. Well done to Paul Scholes on being the first lister to see 100 species this year, Paul Morris is in second place with 99 species followed by Dave Hunton in third place with 98. (Posted 18.00).
Sunday 12th February. Mediterranean Gull was the 108th new species for the year, it was reported by Steve Cribbin.
Friday 10th February. Another two species were added to the year list today, the first was the first returning Black Necked Grebe which was initially reported as a Slavonian Grebe, the second was a 3rd Winter Iceland Gull which was reported by REL. Which species will be next on the list ?? Possibly Ringed Plover could be a good candidate. Just a note, the totals table are normally updated in the following morning by PWW.
Thursday 9th January. Two waders have been added to the year list a Redshank and Black Tailed Godwit, both were found by PRM, the Redshank was seen yesterday and the Blackwits today. Two Caspian gulls on the main spit again today following one that had been in the area for the past few days which allowed a few listers the chance of getting this species onto their year lists. Which Lister will be the first one to see 100 species !!!!!
Tuesday 7th February. The first new bird seen for February and the year was a party of 4 Ring Necked Parakeets seen in Temple Newsam by Peter Griffin, which takes the year list to 103. Still no reports of Redshank or Whooper Swans. The January total of 102 species is the lowest since 2009.
Wednesday 1st February. 102 was the worst January total for a good number of years, at least it gives you listers 11 more months to see more birds !!!!! Let’s hope it’s a record year with a few new species for the recording area.
SWILLINGTON INGS BIRD GROUP 