April started with a Snow Bunting south and a Manxie north at Hunmanby Gap. Puffins also appeared off North Cliff in numbers with 75 counted. A Red Kite was seen on 3rd. A Black Redstart appeared in a local birders garden in the evening. Bottle-nosed Dolphins featured offshore all month. A massive 2012 Meadow Pipits went north at Hunmanby Gap on 6th. The springs first Yellow Wagtail was seen on the same day. 1458 Common Gulls went inland on 8th. Two Little Grebes in the bay corner the same day were unusual. A Red-rumped Swallow was at Hunmanby Gap on 9th seen by a lucky few, followed by the local Black-browed Albatross going north! Two spring Jays were at Hunmanby Gap on 10th. A Grey Plover at Filey Dams on 11th was unusual. The Albatross returned south on 12th. Ring Ouzels were seen off and on from 12th. Our second ever Cattle Egret appeared at Filey dams on 13th, but was unlucky for most, disappearing into the back fields rather quickly. A Marsh Harrier, Osprey and a Crane also appeared in the skies. The Cattle Egret briefly showed at roost at Filey Dams in the morning of 14th before flying off south. Sedge Warbler and a Garganey were at Filey Dams the same day. Three White Storks from the Knepp introduction scheme flew over Primrose Valley. A Hooded Crow and another Red-rumped Swallow went south at the Gap on 18th. A Redstart and an Iceland Gull were seen the same day. Short-eared Owls frequented the area from 19th onwards. A pair of Garganey at the Dams from 21st raised breeding hopes. A local rarity, a Pied Flycatcher appeared on 27th in Parish Wood. A Swift and a Tree Pipit were in on 28th. A chilly April will surely be followed by a warm May?
