January and we were off to a good start with Green Winged Teal making it on to the Yorkshire list this bird was seen at North Cave Wetlands on the 26th.
February saw a graet snow fall in Yorkshire with freezing temps freezing over many inland reservoirs in the Hudds area bird highlights this month were Smew and Long Eared Owls at Fairburn
March was a special month for me with me paying my 100th visit to Blacktoft Sands adding on the day my 134th species to my Blacktoft list which was a Chiffchaff
April is always a good month for returning migrants and this year was no exception with Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Swallows, Wheatears and Ring Ouzels
May carried on the theme with all the returning warblers now in on the local patch with me adding 3 new birds to the patch list Redstart, Little Ringed Plover and Whimbrel
June saw me adding a 2 new bird species to the patch with Pied Flycatcher and Common Scoters at a local reservoirs. also had a night out at Wharncliffe for Nightjars
July is the start of returning waders non breeders and young birds so I revisited Blacktoft to see Whimbrel, Ruffs, Greenshanks, Green Sandpipers etc Locally was a good find in the form of a Grasshopper Warbler on the walk to work The end off the month saw more waders with Barn Owls and Hobbies at Blacktoft
August saw us again at the Birdfair with a stay at Bridge Cottage seeing the local Red Kites, Buzzards, Hobbies and Kingfisher before we moved on to Dorset and Poole for a holiday taking in also Arne nature reserve
Setember was back at home with my first step into Dragonflies and a Spotted Crake at Edderthorpe Flash
October saw me again out of Yorkshire at Alkborough Flats, this is a great reserve a full day has to be spent here but has no facilities so if you’re having a trip keep this in mind bird of the day was a Barn Owl thru the car park
November saw us again at Rutland Water for a weekend seeing Jack Snipe and Water Rail close in the local highlight for this month was a Scaup at Boshaw Whams
December saw me adding my first Diver species to the patch area list with a Great Northern Diver at Blackmoorfoot Reservoir and Ferruginous Duck later at Pugneys Country Park
Huddsbirder 