14 Yorkshire Naturalists' Union : Annual Report, 1932. 
Three pairs of Nightjars nested successfully at Sandhutton, and others 
were noted at Strensall and at Scoreby. 
Two nests of Blackcap Warbler were found at Sandhutton and the 
young hatched safely ; both nests were photographed by Mr. F. Vear, 
who states they are the first Blackcap Warblers he has seen there for several 
years . 
The same observer found six nests of the Tree Creeper at Sandhutton, 
but states that two were destroyed by the heavy rains ; the species is 
rare in the vicinity of York, and I hope this note indicates a probable 
increase of such an interesting bird. 
Mr. Vear also reports finding the nest of a Song Thrush built on the 
ground in a plantation at Sandhutton, and a nest of the Chaffinch built 
in the side of a haystack at the same place — both are most unusual 
situations. 
A Nightingale frequented the lane leading to Waplington Hall, near 
Pocklington, and was singing every evening during June. 1 
Cuckoos have been fairly numerous, although late in arriving ; during 
July a young Cuckoo being fed by a pair of Pied Wagtails had been reared 
in the grounds of Allerthorpe Hall, where it was watched over by 
Alderman H. Rhodes Brown, J.P. (Lord Mayor of York) and his lady. 
Corncrakes have been very scarce ; one pair was noted at White 
Sike Farm, Sandhutton, by Mr. Vear early in May, and this is the only 
record sent to me. 
Six pairs of Herons nested in the Shire Oak Woods at Healaugh, 
but do not increase in number. 
Lapwings are fairly common, thanks to the protection of the Wild 
Birds Acts, and they would increase further if their nests were not 
destroyed by farmers' rollers on newly seeded arable land in the spring ; 
this destruction appears to be unavoidable. 
Mr. V. G. F. Zimmermann informs me that during the last week 
in February three pairs of Great Crested Grebes returned to the ponds 
at Dringhouses, York, after being absent through the winter. At the 
same time and place two pairs of Pochards were seen ; these latter birds 
were noticed several times during the spring, and Mr. H. Shorney 
believes they bred in Askham Bogs. 
The eggs in the Great Crested Grebes’ nest on Mr. Hesp’s pond were 
taken by some boys on May 8th. On May 25th there was a young Great 
Crested Grebe on Mr. Leetham’s pond and two young ones on Mr. Hepper’s 
pond ; also the pair which had their eggs taken on May 8th had built 
another nest in the centre of Mr. Hesp’s pond and were sitting on three eggs. 
During the latter part of February there was a very large flock of 
Brambling Finches feeding on beech-mast in the wood between Terrington 
and Castle Howard, and several small flocks were noticed near Crambe 
Beck and the Castle Howard Farm School. 
Curlews were often seen on Strensall Common and Alne Moor during 
the spring and summer, but I have no evidence that they bred there. 
Mr. Zimmermann, in his report to me, also states : — - 
‘ On June 5th I saw a male Stonechat- on Gilling Moor, and on the 
two following days I again saw it in the same place ; evidently its 
mate was sitting somewhere near, as on July 10th I saw a pair of Stone- 
chats and three young ones in the same locality. 
1 On June 19th I saw a Reed Warbler’s nest with four eggs at Nidd ; 
the nest was built amongst some reeds in the side of the lake. 
‘ The same evening I heard the call of the Landrail near Ripley, 
also at Green Hammerton — the only times I heard the Landrail this 
year. Mr. H. Shorney informs me that the only time he heard it was 
near Bishopthorpe on May 18th. 
‘ During the last week of September and for a few days in October 
1 ? May (H.B.B. & Ed.) . 
The Naturalist 
