Wednesday 5th November

 A Barnacle Goose and 23 Pink-footed Geese flew north at Long Nab, small numbers of thrushes were arriving from the east. Thirteen Fieldfare were in trees at Westway Church, Eastfield early morning. The Red-throated Diver was still at the harbour. The Brambling flock at Adderstones field, Dalby Forest had increased to c100 plus 150 Siskin flew over. Five Stock Doves and a Chiffchaff in a Burniston garden. Seven Little Grebes, 4 Marsh Tits and 2 Jays at Stain Dale Lake, Dalby Forest. At Wykeham Lakes: 6 Goldeneye, 2 Gadwall, Water Rail, Chiffchaff, Golden Plover south, and c250 Starlings over south. 

Tufted Duck Seamer Road Mere - Phil Bennett

2024 Scarborough Bird Report

 2024 Bird Report now added to the blog (see above).

Red-breasted Flycatcher 2024.

Tuesday 4th November

 12 Whooper Swans, 35 Golden Plover flew south past Long Nab, a Great Northern Diver, 2 Arctic Terns, and 5 Little Gulls flew north. Two Hawfinches at Low Staindale Cottage, Dalby Forest early morning. c10 Red-throated Divers, 11 Mediterranean Gulls in South Bay. An impressive post roost (?) flight of 184 Greenfinches over South Cliff. A Red Kite at Rillington. 70 Brambling at Dalby Forest under beech trees at Adderstones field. At Wykeham East Lake: 7 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 3 Teal, Goldeneye, 15 Tufted Ducks. A Purple Sandpiper in Jackson's Bay. Little Egret and Dipper at Scalby Mills.

Redshank Scalby Mills - Nick Addey

Monday 3rd November

 A single Whooper Swan flew south along the coast. A Chiffchaff at Long Nab where small numbers of thrushes were arriving off the sea. A large count of 87 Greenfinches moving south at South Cliff, perhaps from a nearby roost at the Italian Gardens? A Goosander at Seamer Road Mere. Two Brent Geese at Scalby Mills. A Great White Egret at Ruston Carr bridge.  Highlights at Potter Brompton Carr included 5 Whooper Swans, 380 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Pintail, 2 Great White Egrets, 5 Marsh Harriers, 3 Cetti's Warblers.

Goosander Seamer Road Mere - Phil Bennett

Sunday 2nd November

 A Shore Lark flew south over Long Nab Bird Observatory, also past was a Great Northern Diver, Little Egret, and 5 Knot. A Little Gull was feeding offshore, and the high tide roost check produced an Arctic Tern, Knot, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 10 Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank, and 26 Curlews in nearby fields.  A Cetti's Warbler at Wykeham Lakes, in the south-east corner of the Water Sports Lake. A Great Spotted Woodpecker at Cromer Point Water Treatment plant. 94 Wigeon at Scalby Mills. Single Kingfishers at Seamer Road Mere and the Open Air Theatre, 3 Goosanders at the former site. The Jackson's Bay high tide roost held 9 Turnstone, 51 Redshank, Ringed Plover, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 25 Oystercatchers. At Gristhorpe Bay: 10 Ringed Plover, 2 Turnstone, 17 Redshank, 82 Curlews, 49 Oystercatchers, 3 Stonechats. 48 Wigeon, Whooper Swan at Flower of May pond.

Oystercatcher Marine Drive - Chris Bell

Saturday 1st November

 A decent watch at South Cliff in the morning produced a Great White Egret (also past Jackson's Bay), Merlin, 1102 Starlings, a Jack Snipe moving through with six Snipe, a Little Gull, and Snow Bunting. Another Great White Egret flew south past Scalby Mills in the afternoon, a second-winter Caspian Gull was identified there, also there were 2 Shelduck, 8 Teal, Goldeneye, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Dunlin, 100 Wigeon. A Water Rail at the Open Air Theatre. At Wykeham East Lake: 6 Gadwall, 17 Teal, 14 Wigeon, 2 Great Crested Grebes, and 4 Meadow Pipits. A Dunlin in a puddle on the Cleveland Way near Scalby Lodge. Two Goosanders, and a Gadwall flew south at Long Nab, 10 Little Gulls flew north.  12 Mediterranean Gulls in South Bay.

Second-winter Caspian Gull Scalby Mills - Dave Mansell

Friday 31st October

 The Ring-necked Parakeet was seen again, spending most time around Hillcrest Avenue in the afternoon. A different first-winter Caspian Gull at Scalby Mills, also 56 Wigeon. Three Little Egrets were at Folkton bridge. Two Willow and 4 Marsh Tits were along the Ellerburn Trail, Low Dalby. Five Whooper Swans and a Great Northern Diver past Long Nab. A Red-throated Diver in the harbour. Small numbers of thrushes were arriving along the coast.

Goosander Seamer Road Mere - Andy Messenger

Thursday 30th October

 A Ring-necked Parakeet flew over near Raincliffe School. Two Snow Buntings flew south over Long Nab Bird Observatory. Also past were 2 Velvet Scoters, 153 Pink-footed Geese, Great Northern Diver, 4 Arctic Terns and a Brambling. The first-winter Caspian Gull still at Scalby Mills. 80+ Pink-footed Geese flew south over the harbour where 2 Red-throated Divers and 3 Guillemots kept the photographers occupied! At Wykeham East Lake: 55 Teal, 17 Wigeon, 11 Tufted Ducks, 4 Goldeneye, 12 Coot. Five Little Grebes on the Water Sports Lake.  A Cetti's Warbler at Seamer Tip Pool. A Goosander at Seamer Road Mere.  Two Woodcocks west at Scalby Mills at dusk. 

Guillemot in the harbour - Mark Hepples

Wednesday 29th October

 Single Red-throated Divers in South Bay and off Marine Drive. A Great Northern Diver flew north at Long Nab, a Twite flew south. A Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, and Purple Sandpiper at Jackson's Bay. Six Whooper Swans, 17 Crossbills flew south at South Cliff. 

Goshawk Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint - Roy Barker

Tuesday 28th October

 200 Siskin were at Sataindale Lake, Dalby Forest. A male Blackcap in a Burniston garden. At Long Nab a Snow Bunting and 121+ Pink-footed Geese flew south. Present were a Short-eared Owl, 2 Woodcocks, a Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaffs. A Red-throated Diver again in the harbour. Five Redwing flew in off the sea at Scalby Mills, 5 Ringed Plovers there. A Great White Egret and 45 Pink-footed Geese seen from Ruston Carr bridge. Three Goldeneye, 16 Gadwall, 100 Teal at Wykeham Lakes. Three Ravens in Troutsdale. A Woodcock near Wykeham village. At Potter Brompton Carr: Shelduck, Pintail, Shoveler, 138 Mallard, Redshank, and Marsh Harrier, A Dunlin and 2 Purple Sandpipers in Jackson's Bay.

Raven Troutsdale - Roy Barker

Monday 27th October

 Fifteen Whooper Swans flew south over Ravenscar. Eight Brambling under beech at Adderstones field area of Dalby Forest. Red-throated Diver in the harbour, 2 Purple Sandpipers seen leaving towards Holbeck. Two Blackcaps at Scalby Lodge gullies. Three Great Northern Divers and an Arctic Skua past Long Nab.

Kestrel Long Nab - Chris Bell

Sunday 26th October

 A single Twite near Long Nab Bird Observatory. A Snow Bunting flew north there, 7 Whooper Swans, and 18 Arctic Terns flew past. A Great Northern Diver, Red-breasted Merganser and Manx Shearwater past Marine Drive. Two Goldeneye, 2 Great Crested Grebes and Whooper Swan heard over at Wykeham Lakes. c60 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Cloughton. A Little Egret and 2 Ringed Plovers in Gristhorpe Bay.  The first-winter Caspian Gull and two Red-throated Divers around the harbour. An unconfirmed report of a Glaucous Gull at Scalby Mills mid-afternoon. A Dipper back in Peasholm Glen.

Red-throated Diver in the harbour - Terry Hobson

Saturday 25th October

 Fresh NW winds and a few keen birders were out seawatching! Four different Long-tailed Ducks were reported; two north at Long Nab, one south past Marine Drive and a well photographed adult female in the harbour. Long Nab highlights included 8 Barnacle Geese, Velvet Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, 11 Eiders, 5 Arctic Terns, 6 Little Gulls, 2 Arctic & 2 Great Skuas, Merlin, Great Northern Diver, and 2 Sooty Shearwaters. A flock of seven Twite were feeding by the Bird Observatory. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still present. Two Red-throated Diver, Purple Sandpiper and Caspian Gull  at the harbour, also a Woodcock flew in off the sea, and two Common Scoters. South past Marine Drive: Merlin, 6 Arctic Terns (plus 1N), and Great Northern Diver. A Common Redstart was brought in by a cat at Old Town in the evening (in care overnight).  The Dark-bellied Brent Goose and Caspian Gull was still at Scalby Mills plus a Kingfisher and Dipper. A Yellow-browed Warbler in Cloughton at Court Green Close. 

Female Long-tailed Duck in the harbour - Simon Temlett

Friday 24th October

 The Yellow-browed Warbler still at Long Nab, a Snow Bunting flew south along the cliffs there. Also past at sea were 170 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, a first-winter Caspian Gull, 22 Little Gulls, 2 Arctic Terns, and a Great White Egret. A small flock of Brambling were reported from Adderstone, Dalby Forest under beech trees there. A Little Gull in South Bay, Red-throated Diver, 2 Guillemots off Marine Drive. Three Whooper Swans at Burton Riggs. A first-winter Caspian Gull, adult Mediterranean Gull, and juvenile Dark-bellied Brent Goose at Scalby Mills. 

Wigeon at Scalby Mills - Mark Hepples

Thursday 23rd October

 One Yellow-browed Warbler still at Long Nab, also a Blackcap and Kingfisher there. Moving past were a Great Northern Diver, Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwater, Arctic Skua, Arctic Tern, 3 Little Gulls and 2 Mediterranean Gulls. The Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Arctic Terns, and Mediterranean Gull at Scalby Mills. A Red-throated Diver and Razorbill in the harbour.

Curlew at Scalby Mills - Andy Messenger

Wednesday 22nd October

 A PALLID SWIFT arrived from the east at Long Nab Bird Observatory 08.55 hrs. It remained to feed a short while over Crook Ness then departed south around 09.10 hrs. Two Whooper Swans, 65 Pink-footed Geese, little Gull, 2 Brambling flew south, 3 Twite, and 8 Arctic Terns flew north. Three Yellow-browed Warblers were still present, also a Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcaps. The Dark-bellied Brent Goose again at Scalby Mills plus a first-winter Caspian Gull, and a Little Egret flew north. A Cetti's Warbler at Seamer tip pool. Several skeins of Pink-footed Geese, totalling 450+ flew south over Hutton Buscel and Wykeham Lakes in the afternoon. A Goldeneye, 20 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 22 Teal, Kingfisher, 8 Lapwing at East Lake. A Jack Snipe was at Johnson's Marsh. Red-throated Diver, and first-winter Caspian Gull still in the harbour. A Purple Sandpiper, 10 Ringed Plover in Jackson's Bay. 

Pallid Swift Long Nab - Nick Addey

Tuesday 21st October

 Two Yellow-browed Warblers at Long Nab, also Chiffchaff, Blackcap and two Brambling. A Merlin flew south early morning. Several skeins of Pink-footed Geese were on the move today. A Kingfisher at Scalby Beck. A Kingfisher, Little Grebe, 2 Teal, Grey Wagtail at Brompton Ponds. A Raven at Ellerburn and 3 Willow Tits at Sand Dale. The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was again at Scalby Mills, also two first-winter Caspian Gulls, and 7 Whooper Swans arrived from the east.  A Little Egret flew south at North Bay. The Snow Bunting again at East Pier. A first-winter Caspian Gull and a Purple Sandpiper at the harbour. 

Purple Sandpiper at the harbour - Chris Bell

Monday 20th October

Six Yellow-browed Warblers in the area; Scalby Beck, Castle Hill, Long Nab (3), and Throxenby Lane. At Wykeham East lake: 9 Wigeon, 14 Teal, Goldeneye, 19 Lapwing. Four Great White Egrets flew south past Long Nab, also 9 Shelduck, 6 Knot,  2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 5 Little Gulls, Arctic Skua. The Snow Bunting again at East Pier, and a first-winter Caspian Gull on rooftops at West Pier. Two first-winter Caspian Gulls, and the Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 100 Wigeon, 8 Ringed Plovers at Scalby Mills. A flock of 100+ Siskin, 3 Willow and 2 Marsh Tits, Dipper, 2 Grey Wagtails at Wrench Green. Two Blackcaps at Castle Hill plus one at Long Nab. A Great White Egret in a ditch near Snainton. Green Sandpiper at Brompton Ponds. 

Bullfinches Dalby Forest - David Hutchinson

Sunday 19th October

 A Long-eared Owl flew in off the sea at the Castle Headland and settled in trees near the skate park. A Firecrest at Long Nab, also 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, five Purple Sandpipers flew south. A high tide roost of 13 Herons at Johnson's Marsh. A Raven at Ellerburn and 20 Golden Plover flew east over Nabgate, Dalby. The Snow Bunting still at East Pier, a Red-throated Diver in the harbour. 

Long-eared Owl Castle Hill - Chris Bell

Saturday 18th October

 Highlights past Long Nab included 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Long-tailed Duck, 340 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 13 Red-breasted Mergansers, 4 Arctic & 2 Sandwich Terns, a Pomarine Skua and 2 Arctic Skuas, 24 Little Gulls, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, Great Northern Diver. Present were 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, Woodcock, 6 Brambling, Ring Ouzel. 40 Fieldfare flew west near The Flask PH. A Great White Egret at Johnson's Marsh (prev seen flying south at Long Nab). The Snow Bunting still on the East Pier, a Red-throated Diver in the harbour. A Yellow-browed Warbler with a tit flock in Woodlands Ravine. Two Brambling at Cloughton Wyke. Four Little Egrets at Ebberston. 

Red-throated Diver harbour - Mark Hepples

Friday 17th October

 The Snow Bunting was still at East Pier. At Harwood Dale Lake: 11 Teal, 15 Wigeon, 29 Lapwing. Three Fieldfare at Burniston. A Yellow-browed Warbler by the old railway station at Ravenscar, also two still at Long Nab. Past Long Nab were 4 adult Pomarine Skuas, 4 Arctic Skuas, 2 Barnacle Geese, 4 Arctic Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns, 19 Little Gulls, Mediterranean Gull, Four Little Egrets, 34 Lapwing, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, 7 Fieldfare at Folkton Carr. 2,400 Pink-footed Geese roosted at Potter Brompton Carr, also a Twite present in the Linnet flock.

The harbour Snow Bunting - David Hutchinson

Thursday 16th October

 Three Pintail, 2 Great White Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Cetti's Warbler, Crossbill(flew north) at Potter Brompton Carr. Two adult Pomarine Skuas flew north, 23 Whooper Swans flew south off South Bay. 125 Mallard in Peasholm Park was a recent increase. The first-winter Caspian Gull remains around the harbour, also the Snow Bunting at the southern end of East Pier. 63 Teal, Goldeneye, 2 Snipe Wykeham East Lake. A Yellow-browed Warbler at Ravenscar at the cliff top 400m south of the tea rooms, also one still at Long Nab. A Velvet Scoter flew north at Long Nab. 150 Pink-footed Geese north over town. 

Little Owls Staintondale - Chris Bell

Wednesday 15th October

 A GLOSSY IBIS flew south over the town at 17.15 hrs. Four Yellow-browed Warblers were at Long Nab, where the seawatch highlights included Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Pomarine Skuas, and a Purple Sandpiper. At Selley Bridge Lake: 2 Little Grebes, 2 Coot, 8 Moorhens, Tawny Owl and 120 Pink-footed Geese flew south. The Little Egret still at Brompton ponds. The Snow Bunting again showed well on East Pier. At Wykeham Lakes: 4 Barnacle Geese, 6 Pink-footed Geese, 131 Teal, 6 Gadwall, 9 Wigeon, 4 Goldeneye, 7 Coot, Dunlin, and 40+ Redpolls. A Dark-bellied Brent Goose at Scalby Mills, also a first-winter Caspian Gull there. Several Red-throated Divers along the coast. A Red-necked Grebe flew south past Marine Drive, a single Velvet Scoter, Manx Shearwater and 4 Common Terns flew north.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Long Nab - Nick Addey

Tuesday 14th October

 A new species for the district today and only the second record for Yorkshire! A drake BLACK SCOTER flew north past Long Nab @ 09.14, it was seen at several locations to the north (photo below from Hartlepool @ 10.34). Another busy day of wildfowl movement: 177 Barnacle Geese, 2 Velvet Scoters, 674 Common Scoters, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, Pomarine Skua, 2 Arctic Skuas, Red-necked Grebe, Sooty Shearwater, and a Caspian Gull offshore. Other Caspian Gulls were at Scalby Mills (Polish ringed bird) and the harbour (unringed). A Raven over Newlands Dale Pond plus a Blackcap there.  The two Yellow-browed Warblers were still at Cliff Top House, Long Nab plus one on the south side of Castle Hill (top path). A Little Egret at Brompton Ponds. Three Redwing flew west at Falsgrave Park. The Snow Bunting still on East Pier. 110 Teal, 15 Lapwing Wykeham East Lake. 

Black Scoter with Common Scoters - Martyn Sidwell

Monday 13th October

 Highlights today included the Snow Bunting and Caspian Gull still at the harbour, 557 Barnacle Geese past Long Nab. Also past Long Nab were a good selection of wildfowl, 17 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, a Black-throated Diver north, Great Crested Grebe, 93 Little Gulls, and good numbers of Redwing arriving with some Fieldfare, Blackbirds and a Ring Ouzel. Late afternoon saw the arrival of three Yellow-browed Warblers (2 Long Nab, one at Cornelian Ravine). A Barnacle Goose was with Canadas at Johnson's Marsh. Five Whooper Swans and 52 Barnacle Geese flew NE over Wykeham Lakes, also 96 Teal, 4 Snipe, Pink-footed Goose, Goldeneye, and Brambling south over. A juvenile Brent Goose at Scalby Mills plus 80 Wigeon there. A Brambling at Scalby Mills Road and Goosander at Scalby Beck. 

Snow Bunting at the harbour - Phil Bennett

Sunday 12th October

 The Snow Bunting and first-winter Caspian Gull both showed well at the harbour, also an adult Mediterranean Gull near the harbour mouth. The monthly BTO WeBS count at Seamer Road Mere: 74 Mallard, 36 Tufted Ducks, 47 Gadwall, 8 Little Grebes, 137 Coot, 92 Moorhens, Kingfisher and 2 Marsh Tits. 30 Pink-footed Geese south over Johnson's Marsh. An adult Sandwich Tern in South Bay. In Wykeham Forest: 4 Crossbills, 19 Redpoll, 8 Siskin, Green Woodpecker, Willow Tit, 3 Marsh Tits, 75 Linnets. A Whooper Swan and 18 Pink-footed Geese at harwood Dale Lake. A Nuthatch at Long Nab (5th site record), Grey Plover, 9 Golden Plover, Great Spotted Woodpecker flew south. Five Willow Tits, 3 Marsh Tits, 3 Jays, 8 Buzzards Dalby Nabgate/Sand Dale area. 

Caspian Gull at the harbour - Steven Clipperton

Saturday 11th October

 No sign of the needletail but a sighting by a non birder at Ravenscar of a swift like bird flying north at Ravenscar at 1pm!

Two Wheatears at Long Nab plus one at the harbour. A Snow Bunting showed well on East Pier (harbour) all day. Moving past Long Nab today were 35 Whooper Swans, 645 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 5 Golden Plover and 128 Skylarks. A Yellow-browed Warbler and a Brambling were at Oliver's Mount. A Great White Egret at Ruston Carr bridge, 170 Pink-footed Geese flew west there.  At Wykeham East Lake: Green Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, and 132 Lapwing. A first-winter Caspian Gull seen off the harbour. At Potter Brompton Carr: 615 Pink-footed Geese, Whooper Swan, 3 Pintail, Jack Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Great White Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Red Kites, 2 Willow Tits, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Stonechats, Crossbill.  A Raven over Harwood Dale Forest.

Snow Bunting East Pier - Dean Brookes 

Friday 10th October

 An exciting day! Around 10.15am Jim Middleton found a WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL feeding on the south side of Castle Hill. It remained to feed around Castle Hill for about 2 hours and was twitched by many visiting birders. It was seen to leave northwards along the cliffs. At 3.18pm John Hewitt and Hazel Wiseman observed the swift arriving at Long Nab from the south, it then turned round and left back south. There were no further confirmed sightings.  The previous two days this individual had been seen at Bempton RSPB reserve and Filey Brigg.  This is only the 11th British record!

A total of 1600 Pink-footed Geese and 29 Whooper Swans flew south along the coast. 250 flew north over Stepney.  A Marsh Harrier also flew south over Castle Hill. A first-winter Caspian Gull was seen flying north at Scalby Mills, and a Snow Bunting was at the harbour. A Wheatear and 4 Mediterranean Gulls in South Bay.

White-throated Needletail - Chris Bell

Thursday 9th October

 A Lapland Bunting in stubble just south of Cromer Point Water Treatment in the afternoon. A juvenile Whooper Swan at Scalby Mills. 160 Pink-footed Geese south over Stepney. At Wykeham East Lake: 3 Pintail, 15 Pink-footed Geese, 26 Lapwing and Kingfisher. 

Dipper at Scalby Mills - Andy Messenger

Wednesday 8th October

 78 Pink-footed Geese flew west over Wykeham Lakes. 22 Whooper Swans NW over Cloughton, and 16 Pink-footed Geese flew south.  A single Whooper Swan on the sea off East Pier. Two Jays at Scalby Nabs. At Sycarham Wood, Cloughton: 4 Goldcrests, 4 Chiffchaffs, and 5 Red-throated Divers flew south. The Little Egret at Brompton ponds again. 52 Wigeon at Scalby Mills. A Red-throated Diver off Marine Drive. 200 Pink-footed Geese flew north over town, and 30 north over Scalby. In the Jackson's Bay / Scalby Lodge area: Bar-tailed Godwit, an adult Little Gull flew north, 2 Sandwich Terns, 3 Blackcaps, Garden Warbler, 3 Chiffchaffs.

Little Grebe Seamer Road Mere - Martin Moseley

Tuesday 7th October

 Lots of Pink-footed Goose movement today. 70 flew east over Oliver's Mount, followed by 150 south there. 500 flew north-west over Gristhorpe carrs, and 50 in the same direction over Seamer. 55 went south over Cayton Bay, and 61 north over Newby. 18 Whooper Swans, 3 Pintail, Ruff , 2 Great White Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, Cetti's Warbler and a crossbill (over) at Potter Brompton Carr . Two Wheatears by the southern watchpoint(bench) at Long Nab. At Wykeham East Lake: one Whooper Swan, 66 Teal, 26 Lapwing, 2 Green Sandpipers, 6 Snipe. The Peasholm Glen Tawny Owls were very active in the evening. A Barnacle Goose and 9 Pink-footed Geese in fields at Cromer Point. Ten Ringed Plovers, Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Chiffchaffs, Blackcap in the Jackson's Bay/Scalby Lodge area.

Tufted Duck Peasholm Park - Martin Moseley