Sandwich Tern, Sterna sandvicensis
Local status: Scarce passage migrant
This large tern usually gives itself away with its characteristic raucous call and it can be detected passing over the area even well away from water. As may be expected, many of the records are from the Lower Derwent Valley and Castle Howard where observer coverage is high and birds are more likely to linger. There is an even split between sightings in spring and autumn with a handful of records in mid-summer. 1992 and 1993 were exceptional years with four records apiece, with another five years recording two records.
Records:
2022: Elvington & Bank Island, 12th November, one south
2022: Bank Island, 12th April, one flew through
2021: Wheldrake Ings, 14th July. one flew west
2019: Hagg bridge near Sutton upon Derwent, 23rd April. one over
2018: Wheldrake Ings, 7th May. one @birdingdad: Anyone for a Sandwich?
2016: Bank Island, 16th July, one east
2016: North Duffield Carrs, 2nd April. two south
2014: Bank Island, 8th July. Two.
2014: Copmanthorpe, 3rd April. Three.
2013: Hemingbrough, 5th April. Two.
1999: North Duffield Carrs, 4th April. Two.
1999: Wheldrake Ings, 11th July. Five.
1996: North Duffield Carrs, 11th April.
1993: Wheldrake Ings, 18th September.
1993: Lower Derwent Valley, 16th September.
1993: Wheldrake Ings, 7th May.
1993: Wheldrake Ings, 27th April.
1992: Red House Reservoir, 17th September. Two (adult and juvenile).
1992: Wheldrake Ings, 12th July. Two juveniles.
1992: York University, 20th May.
1992: East Cottingwith, 28th April. Two.
1991: Wheldrake Ings, 30th April.
1989: Acaster Airfield, 5th August. Two.
1983: Wheldrake Ings, 1st October.
1983: Castle Howard, 10th September. Two.
1982: Wheldrake Ings, 2nd September. Juvenile.
1982: Castle Howard, 29th April.
1980: Fulford Ings, 20th September. Two juveniles.
1978: Chapelfields, York, 9th August. Two.
1978: Stockton Lane, York, 2nd July.
1977: Wheldrake Ings, 7th June.
1976: Naburn, 13th and 16th September.
1976: Castle Howard, 12th September.
Unsubstantiated Records:
2009: Wheldrake Ings, 18th May. (Birdguides).