Coastal North - May

Ash Baines ticked off a number of scarcer spring migrants including Tree Pipit and Gropper to retain top spot in the comparative league. Seumus Eaves makes it a west coast 1-2 with his Fleetwood patch scoring points for Pomarine Skua and a passing Marsh Harrier out at sea.

Stewart Sexton completes the top three with a Terntastic day on the 31st, bagging points for Little, Roseate and Arctic.

In the points league, the heavyweights have hit the top spots with the Yorkshire coast filling the top three spots. There is just one species difference between Mick Turton at Easington and Martin Garner at Flamborough, but Mick has a 13 point advantage, but there is plenty of time to go! Nick Addey completes the top three with a Temminck's Stint the best of the month at Long Nab.

Bird of the month goes to the Bee-eater which was also a garden tick for Martin Garner. This bird gets the bird of the month award purely on looks as this multi-coloured beauty has frequented a number of patches across the UK this month. Temminck's Stint is a classic May species, and a number of patches scored points for this diminutive visitor, but four together at Druridge found by Iain Robson and then appreciated by Jonathan Farooqi was impressive indeed.

Flamborough Bee-eater. Picture courtesy of Mark Pearson 

Chris Bradshaw's highlight at Long Nab was a Dotterel, leading to much chagrin that this falls short of hitting bonus points. Wood Sandpiper and another Temminck's helped Chris into fifth place. James Spencer finally connected with the Iceland Gull at St Mary's Island, somewhat unseasonal in May but welcome all the same.

Finally, mention to Tom Cadwallender at Alnmouth who scored with a cracking summer plumage Spotted Redshank, one of my personal favourite birds.