Alpine Swift, Apus melba

Local status: Very rare vagrant

The sight of one of these huge swifts powering north over Wheldrake Ings must have been impressive and remains the only accepted record of this species in the York area. A record from Cawood on 7th October 2001 was rejected by BBRC. Whilst birds can turn up as early as March, mid-May boasts the most records in Yorkshire

Records:
1975: Wheldrake Ings, 21st September.