THE early signs of wader migration provided most of the interest for birdwatchers in July. As usual, Nosterfield was the main focus with an excellent 20 species of wader seen here. This included yet another pectoral sandpiper.

At the time I wrote The Birds of the Northallerton & Richmond Area, there had only been eight local reports of this American wader, but now there are almost that many sightings each year.

An even rarer transatlantic wader, an upland sandpiper, was also reported at Nosterfield although the sighting remains unconfirmed.

Other shorebird sightings here included up to 20 black-tailed godwits, greenshank, ruff, spotted redshank, two wood sandpipers, knot, turnstone and sanderling. Ruff and green sandpiper were seen at Bolton on Swale and a wood sandpiper was reported at Pepper Arden.

Other sightings of note in July included little egrets, which were seen on three dates in the Nosterfield area. These sightings may relate to a bird which regularly roosted on the lakes at Kiplin Hall in late June.

Ospreys were seen at Nosterfield and Great Langton and hobbies at these two sites and also near Hornby and Ingleby Arncliffe.

A Mediterranean gull was spotted at Bolton on Swale and Nosterfield.

Finally, there are early signs of another major influx of crossbills this year with large numbers moving through the northern isles and Scottish mainland. There have already been reports of small flocks in the conifer forests along the Hambleton Hills but numbers could increase significantly over the next few weeks.

Looking ahead to August, this marks the peak of wader migration and one of the best months for picking up a rarer species with recent Augusts turning up rednecked and Wilson’s phalarope, Temminck’s stint and a handful of pectoral sandpipers.

Birds of prey will also be on the move and August is often good for species like red kite, osprey and marsh harrier, particularly on sunny days with light winds.

In my own village, regular watching from an area with a good view of the sky has turned up a dozen species of birds of prey over the years, so I would encourage everyone to keep their eyes peeled wherever they are.

I am always pleased to receive any interesting bird sightings, so please feel free to email these to me at nick.morgan1@virgin.net.