Wot no spring?

Its been a quiet start to 2013 for the Yorkshire lister with very little quality birds turning up. And of the few things that did arrive, many of them courted controversy, their identification being in hot debate.

The 'Kumlien's' type Gull at Barmston - Justin Carr. Fighting nearly broke out during heated debate of the identification of this bird.

There were a few sub-rarities around to give a bit of incentive to go out such as this Great Grey Shrike:

Great Grey Shrike at Market Weighton in January - Mike Ashforth

And Anglers CP. continued in a rich vein of form:

This Great Northern Diver visited Wintersett, Anglers CP during February - Ron Marshall.  

And of course the Med' Gulls were always available at Holbeck:

One of at least eight Mediterranean Gulls at Holbeck - Mike Ashforth.

Moving into March, a Black Brant obliged at Kilnsea:

'Black Brant' (centre) at Kilnsea - Rich Willison

And you could tie it in with the lemmings of Withernsea - is it really that bad?

Snow Buntings or Lemmings? - Rich Willison

Spring was pretty much on hold with the biting cold weather but the first Little Ringed Plovers are beginning to filter in:

LRP displaying at North Cave Wetlands - Rich Willison

A few eyebrows were raised with the announcement of a possible 'African Chaffinch' at Hatfield Moors. The real deal? Blue flanks apparently suggests not.

The mooted possible 'African Chaffinch' at Hatfield - Justin Carr

This thought 'Continental Stonechat' at Barmston looked a better bet:

'Continental Stonechat' at Barmston at Easter - Justin Carr