Arctic Skua, Stercorarius parasiticus

Local status: Very rare passage migrant

This species is most likely to be encountered inland after strong winds during the autumn. The first two records confirm to this pattern, but the last three have not. Overland passage is a feature of skua migration and it is likely that the two birds from 2012 were purposefully cutting across the land. The June and July birds are much more remarkable as most inland Yorkshire records have occurred during the main coastal passage period, between mid August and late September.

Records:
2020: York, 27th August, feathers found presumed to be from a Peregrine Falcoperegrinus kill.
2014: York, 13th April. Three flew southeast.
2013: Bootham, York, 13th April. Adult flew east.
2012: Sutton-on-Derwent, 30th April. Two adults flew east.
2007: Wheldrake Ings, 25th July. One flew north.
1998: Newton Mask, 17th June. One adult flew north.
1989: Copmanthorpe, 28th September. One adult.
1983: Wheldrake Ings, 21st October. One adult.