A few hours of more local coverage east of Hull produced a couple of new area firsts for me earlier today including a recently-arrived Cuckoo and a Common Tern making a very brief appearance as it flew through Burstwick. #yorksbirds

The best birds of the day, my 2nd ever Golden Oriole in the Triangle and a Crossbill heading south over Canal Scrape were fleeting but some of the 18 Green Hairstreak butterflies (minimum) seen across the Spurn peninsula were much more obliging. #spurnbirds Spurn Bird Observatory

The persistently awful conditions for #nocmig finally ceased last night, producing 3 occurences of Whimbrel, Oystercatcher, Grey Heron and finally my first Common Sandpiper for nocmig in the early hours of this morning, recorded over Keyingham, East Yorkshire. #yorksbirds

Certainly one of the darkest skies I've seen over the Spurn peninsula in a while this morning. Fortunately with the clouds heading away. Spurn Bird Observatory Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

A flypast from a ringtail Hen Harrier through The Triangle was a welcome interruption to lunch today, later followed by a Ruff showing well in the evening sunshine on Kilnsea Wetlands. #spurnbirds Spurn Bird Observatory

The sound of a Cuckoo felt rather unseasonal in today's conditions at Spurn. Other finds included small numbers of Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest seen well at Canal, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, the lingering Green-winged Teal and Ruff on Kilnsea Wetlands. Spurn Bird Observatory

A quiet but not fruitless morning around the Kilnsea area today, brightened by the lingering Green-winged Teal and Black Brant combo and easily one of the best views I've had of a Brown Hare. #spurnbirds Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Spurn Bird Observatory

A storm passing the south end of Milton Keynes produced a weak funnel cloud, lasting about 3 minutes just before 5pm this evening. Rotation was very clear in the cloud base, drifting off southeast. Timelapses attached below. TORRO (Tornado & Storm Research Organisation) Simon Culling

Recording of a 'mixed singing' Firecrest found locally in Milton Keynes this morning, almost perfectly mimicking Goldcrest song with occasional full Firecrest phrases, which can be heard in this after 40 seconds in. Unfortunately only seen briefly. bucks bird club Bucks Bird Alert

The local patch always delivers in April, even in Milton Keynes! Record shots of a male Cuckoo dropping into Tattenhoe earlier today, which was the 2nd earliest of the 8 records I've had of them in the area so far and my first one here since 2021. bucks bird club Bucks Bird Alert

Fantastic 1st visit to Castle Howard today. My 1st Tree Pipit of the year was the bird of the day, others including a 'mixed' singing Willow Warbler uttering a few Chiffchaff-like notes, 3 Mandarin Ducks, at least 3 Marsh Tits and Red-Crested Pochard among about 40 species.

Long Bank's lingering Green-winged Teal was the highlight of 50+ bird species seen on today's Bespoke Birding Tour at Spurn. Also Black Redstart, 3 Wheatears, a light movement of Siskins and hirundines plus a flyby from one of the 1st Green Hairstreaks of the year. Spurn Bird Observatory

A Woodlark heading south over the breach was the best of today's Spurn birds for me, followed by up to 8 Peacock butterflies across the peninsula, my first Green-veined White of the year (before Small White!), Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell at The Point. Spurn Bird Observatory

The on and off rain didn't dampen a great spring day's birding across Spurn today. Highlights included a Ring Ouzel, 2 Red Kites heading south, the lingering Green-winged Teal on Long Bank and finding the earliest spring Whinchat for the area to date! #spurnbirds Spurn Bird Observatory

A bit slow grabbing the camera for these but a flock of at least 8 Whooper Swans flew low to the northwest over the outskirts of Hull between Hessle and Dairycoates at about 16.40 this afternoon. Seemingly came over from the Humber. #yorksbirds BirdGuides

Enjoyed a closer view of the Green-winged Teal on Long Bank Marsh again this morning. Again very active, shadowing a female Eurasian Teal for a while and briefly scrapping with one of the drakes near the end of the video. No sign of yesterday's bird. #spurnbirds Spurn Bird Observatory