Lapland Bunting, Calcarius lapponicus

Local status: Very rare passage migrant and winter visitor

This species occurs in small numbers on autumn passage and as a winter visitor along the Yorkshire coast, with higher numbers in some years. Birds often join flocks of Skylarks, Alauda arvensis, along with other finches and buntings, and careful scrutiny of these flocks could reveal the next record of this handsome longspur.

Records:
2007: Knavesmire, York. 20th December.
1994: Wheldrake Ings, 14th October.
1996: Flamingo Land, Kirby Misperton, 4th January.
1991: Heslington, 11th December.
1984-5: Riccall Ings, 11th December 1984 to 27th January 1985.
1975: Kexby, 19th October.
1970: Fryton Fields, Hovingham. Date unknown. 25.

Unsubstantiated Records:
2009: Wheldrake Ings, 22nd December. (Birdguides).
2001: Rawcliffe Cornfield NR, 18th April. No description submitted