Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus

Local status: Very rare passage migrant

Autumn migrants blown inland by strong winds account for most records of this species in the York area. The two birds from 1986 buck the pattern with the February record being remarkable as most Manx Shearwaters should be wintering in the South Atlantic at this time. Four of the seven have been picked up exhausted and released successfully at the coast. In 2017 a startling influx occurred in September when three young birds were found in two days, driven inland by gale force winds from
Storm Aileen.

Records:
2017: York garden, 15th September. one unfortunately did not survive.
Gardens at Barmby Moor and Fulford, 14th September. one – The birds were rehabilitated, ringed and returned to the coast
2016: In a sandpit in a garden in Heworth, 8th September. one – Rescued from there, it was subsequently released safely on the coast

2006: Elvington, 20th September. Picked up and released on the east coast.
1994: York, mid July. Picked up and released on the east coast.
1991: Lower Derwent Valley, 6th October. Killed by a Peregrine, Falco peregrinus.
1990: Laytham, 8th October. Picked up and released at Spurn.
1986: Wheldrake Ings, 26th May.
1986: Deighton, 11th February.
1983: Stockton-on-the-Forest, 15th September. Picked up and released at the coast.