22nd December

On a lovely sunny day last gasp island year-ticks weren't at the forefront of anyone's mind so a presumably wintering Treecreeper that appeared out of the woodwork at Pennsylvania Castle was a welcome surprise, 3 Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff were also ensconced there. Elsewhere, 3 Mute Swans passed over at Ferrybridge, a Chiffchaff was still at Southwell, a Black Redstart was at the Bill and a lone Red-throated Diver passed through on the sea there.

A single Rusty-dot Pearl at the Grove provided the night's only immigrant moth interest.

In bygone times (1970-71) a Short-toed Treecreeper overwintered at Pennsylvania Castle - sadly, today's bird displayed none of the necessary attributes that might have led us to believe a repeat of that event was on the cards:


Goldcrest numbers this autumn never really took off to the extent that might have been hoped but there are still a handful - like this one at Pennsylvania Castle - lurking about in sheltered wintering spots:


The Ferrybridge Mute Swans © Pete Saunders: