35 Yorkshire Naturalists' Union : Annual Report, 1920. 



5th April six new nests were seen between Patrington and Easington, 

 where the bird had been exterminated before the war. 



The breeding of the Brown Owl has been resumed after last season's 

 miss, but clutches of two and three only were observed. The White 

 Owl has hardly bred at all, but Long-eared Owls have been normal, 

 though late in laying. 



Snipe had laid before March was out, and four pairs of Shovcler 

 frequented some low-lying land, converted into a marsh all the spring, 

 being seen later on with young broods. I have only one previous record 

 of such an occurrence. 



The migrants arrived about the average date. Swallows, House and 

 Sand Martins were very much below the 1919 numbers ; Spotted Fly- 

 catchers and Redstarts above the average numbers. 



Breeding of the Warblers was generally seven to ten days later than 

 the average, and some very late nests were seen. 



The Goldfinch again shows a satisfactory increase in the East Riding. 

 WTiinchats are scarcer than in 1918-1919. 



The Turtle Dove is extending its breeding range. Three Corncrakes 

 were heard in Holderness, and but eight round the foothills of the Wolds. 

 The bird shows a still further decrease. 



A Woodwren was sitting on four eggs in Burton Constable Woods 

 on 26th June. It has always been an occasional visitor to this part of the 

 Riding, but this is the first record of its breeding there. 



The abnormal migration of Woodcock, in November, 1919, was 

 followed by a record bag at Burton Constable, where 198 birds were 

 secured November-March, the highest number ever shot in one season. 



The Goldcrest has again established itself as a breeding species in 

 Holderness, and has been seen in Howdenshire. Evidently our overseas 

 migrants have become residents. 



The Little Owl was seen on 18th April near Keyingham, and during 

 the summer near Leconfield. 



The Tufted Duck and Dipper again bred in the Riding, and a pair 

 of Grey Wagtails was seen, but no nest was observed. 



On 23rd November, 1919, a small party of Crossbills was seen at 

 North Ferriby, and on 21st January, 1920, one out of a flock of about 

 twelve was shot near Brough. 



On i8th January, 1920, a flock of Snow Buntings was recorded at 

 Bridlington. 



Pheasants are showing the effects of underfeeding, and on some estates 

 the young birds are dwindling. Partridges started nesting early, with a 

 strong breeding stock, and hatched well, but the wet cold July and August 

 left very few alive out of what were strong coveys to start with. 

 Pink-footed Geese arrived on the Wolds on September 22nd. 



The bird perches on Spurn lighthouse have been re-erected. 



On 30th July the East Riding County Council decided to apply to 

 the Home Secretary for orders to protect the Peewit all the year round, 

 and to prohibit the taking of eggs after 15th April. The orders have 

 since been granted. 



There is no change to report in the status of the Stone Curlew in the 

 protected area at Warter. 



North Riding. — Mr. W. J. Clarke writes : — Most species of birds are 

 fully ccpial in numbers to those of previous years, and some are increasing. 



The abundance of Tawny Owls and Goldfinches continues, and the 

 former is now becoming a very common bird. Complaints of the ravages 

 of bird catchers among the Goldfinches are received from two observers 

 in the \Miitby district. 



Tree Creepers, Golden Crested Wrens, and Longtailed Tits are regaining 

 their numbers, and are again up to the standard of 1916-17. 



The Turtle Dove has also been more common this year, while Magpies 



Naturalist 



