258 
BIRD NOTES FROM THE YORK DISTRICT. 
SYDNEY H. SMITH. 
Tue whole of March and the greater part of April 1973, 
was wet and stormy and the spring migration period was par- 
ticularly distinguished by gales that were bound to act disas- 
trously upon immigrant and emigrant species. Many were 
very late in arriving in their usual haunts, but in some in- 
stances, notably the swallow and the swift, the date of arrival 
was unusually early compared with previous years. The 
wheatear, a species that calls on passage, generally staying a 
few days, was never seen this season in one locality I know. 
possibly as a result of a favourable wind tempting them to 
continue their flight straight up country to their moorland 
haunts. The Landrail also put in an appearance several days 
before it was expected. Last year we had a record early date of 
arrival of the cuckoo. This season a corresponding fairly late 
date. Other records are :— 
Chiff Chaff York March roth, 
Swallow East Cottingwith March 27th (3). 
Swallow East Cottingwith March 28th (5). 
Swallow Moreby Park April 14th. 
House Martin Moreby Park April 14th. 
Cuckoo. East Cottingwith April 17th. 
Landrail York April 30th. 
Landrail Aldby Park May oth. 
Swift East Cottingwith May ist. 
Swift York May oth. 
Blackcap York 4 May 5th. 
Redstart York May 5th. 
Tree Pipit York May 5th. 
Nightjar Aldby Park May oth. 
Willow Warbler York March 23rd. 
Willow Warbler York April toth 
(num bers) 
Whitethroat York April 8th. 
Sand Martin Moreby Park April 14th. 
Cuckoo Moreby Park April 21st. 
Cuckoo Skipwith April 27th. 
Turtle Dove Aldby Park April 27th. 
Yellow Wagtail East Cottingwith May 4th. 
Spotted Flycatcher York May 5th. 
Garden Warbler , York May 5th. 
Sedge Warbler York May 5th. 
Pied Flycatcher Castle Howard May 6th. 
Reed Warbler Castle Howard May 6th. 
The first Lapwing’s eggs (2) were taken at Wigginton on 
March 26th, and at Fulford (3) March 26th. 
A big flock of geese and ducks, exact species undetermined, 
passed over York about 11 a.m. on April 23rd, they appeared 
to be flying N.E. but as they could not be seen the exact 
Naturalist, 
