Sunday 16th November 2025

 North Bay - 1 Little Auk

Harbour - 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-Throated Diver, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 First Winter Caspian Gull, 8 Eider Gulls flew North

Marine Drive - 3 Little Auk (bird-guides report), 3 Great Northern Divers, 1 Sandwich Tern (both e-bird report) flew North, 2 Red-Throated Divers Present

Castle Headland - 1 Pallas's Warbler, 2 Black Redstarts (bird-guides report)

Scalby Mills - 12 Common Ringed Plover

Long Nab, 2 Snow Bunting, 45 Dark Bellied Brent Geese (11 in fields before being flushed) 3 Little Gulls, 2 Great Northern Divers, 10 Rock Pipits

Long Lane Crossgates -  1 Waxwing

East Ayton - 1 Red Kite and 1 Common Buzzard

Wykeham Lakes - 1 Whooper Swan, 9 Goldeneye (8 of Sports Lake 1 on East Lake) 30 Teal, 32 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, 11 Tufted Duck, 2 Coots 4 Great Crested Grebe

Burniston and Falsgrave Gardens - 1 Blackcap in each

Peasholm Glen - Goldcrest

Great Northern and Red Throated Diver - Harbour - Mark Hepples

Saturday 15th November 2025

 Open Air Theatre - 1 Cettis Warbler

Castle Headland - 1 Pallas's Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Woodcock , 1 Firecrest

Harbour - 1 Red-Throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 25 Dark Bellied Brent Geese flew South

Marine Drive - 1 Slavonian Grebe

South Bay - 12 Mediterranean Gulls at roost

Seamer Road Mere - 1 Female Goosander, 1 Kingfisher

Burniston Garden - 19 Blackbirds

Long Nab - 2 Little Auks, 102 Dark Bellied Brent Geese, 16 Goldeneye, 13 Little Gulls, 1 Artic Skua, 2 Great Northern Divers - see Trektellen for more details

Red Throated Diver - Scarborough Harbour - Phil Bennett

Friday 14th November

 At Castle Hill there was a Pallas's Warbler, Firecrest, and the Yellow-browed Warbler was still present. All birds were on the sheltered south side, also 2 Chiffchaffs there. A Red-necked Grebe was in Cornelian Bay. The Great Northern Diver was in the harbour, and 2 Red-throated Divers in the harbour mouth. Highlights from the morning seawatch at Long Nab included a Long-tailed Duck, 3 Pochard, 8 Goldeneye, 3 Goosanders, 3 Fulmars, 2 Great Northern Divers, 108 Kittiwakes. 

Pallas's Warbler Castle Hill - Steve Hey

Thursday 13th November

 The Great Northern Diver was still in South Bay/harbour, plus 8 Mediterranean Gulls below Holbeck car park. Seven Purple Sandpipers in Cornelian Bay. Eight Little Egrets by Folkton bridge. Three Shovelers at Seamer tip pool. At Seamer Road Mere: 4 Gadwall, Goosander, Goldeneye, 65 Tufted Ducks, 128 Coot, 98 Moorhens, Kingfisher. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still on the north side of Castle Hill. 

Great Northern Diver South Bay - Phil Bennett

Wednesday 12th November

 A male Northern Bullfinch at The Holmes, Castle Hill. The Cetti's Warbler was still present on the north side, plus a Chiffchaff, and a roosting Barn Owl on the south side. A Great Northern Diver and 2 Red-throated Divers around the harbour, a Purple Sandpiper near the Skate Park. A Little Egret near Ayton Castle. A Chiffchaff at Burton Riggs. Four Red-throated Divers off Marine Drive. At Wykeham Lakes: 9 Teal, 15 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, 2 Goldeneye, 20+ Redpoll. 10+ Brambling at Cockmoor car park. 

Red-throated Diver harbour - Terry Hobson

Tuesday 11th November

 A Cetti's Warbler (first site record) and a Yellow-browed Warbler on the north side of Castle Hill. Seven Little Egrets at Folkton Water Treatment. A Brambling in a Crossgates garden, plus one over Peasholm at dawn. The first-winter Caspian Gull still at the harbour. Highlights past Long Nab: 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 54 Pink-footed Geese, 31 Whooper Swans, 7 Little Gulls. A male Blackcap at Hovingham Drive. Single Chiffchaffs at Castle Hill, Long Nab, and Stepney.  A juvenile Peregrine hunting around Castle Cliffs.  An unconfirmed report of a White-tailed Eagle near Irton. 

Coal Tit Dalby Forest - David Hutchinson

Monday 10th November

 Nine Whooper Swans, 333 Siskins, 3 Crossbills flew south at Long Nab, 13 Little Gulls flew north. 223 Pink-footed Geese south over Allerston. A Little Egret at Brompton Ponds. A Great Northern Diver still in South Bay, Red-throated Diver in the harbour. At Wykeham Lakes: 5 Whooper Swans, 3 Pintail, 5 Goldeneye, 9 Little Grebes, Crossbill, and a Cetti's Warbler in the NW reed bed at the Water Sports Lake. Fourteen Whooper Swans south over North Bay. 

One of the harbour House Sparrows - Mark Hepples

Sunday 9th November

 The South Bay Greenfinch roost continues to increase; 573 were counted leaving early morning. Also 7 Whooper Swans,  2 House Martins, and 997 Siskins flew south at South Cliff. Sixteen Mediterranean Gulls were in South Bay. Highlights past Long Nab included 5 Whooper Swans 1,120 Siskins, and a Swallow flew south. At Potter Brompton carr: 4 Marsh Harriers, 2 Peregrines, 76 Pink-footed Geese over SE, 110 Golden Plover over E, 88 Wigeon, 87 Teal, 62 common Gulls, Stonechat, 70 Starling, 11 Fieldfares, 5 Redwing, 32 Siskins. Two Kingfishers at Ellerburn Trout Farm, plus one at the Open Air Theatre. At Wykeham Lakes; 30 Pink-footed Geese, 6 Reed Buntings, 15 Fieldfare. Woodcock in off the sea at cayton Bay plus 70 Pink-footed Geese over. Two blackcaps in Burniston. The first-winter Caspian Gull still at the harbour, Great Northern Diver and Eider in South Bay. 

Caspian Gull at the harbour - Dave Mansell

Saturday 8th November

 Two Whooper Swans flew south off the harbour. Single Red-throated Divers off Marine Drive and North Bay, also a Stonechat at Marine Drive still. A Dipper in Peasholm Glen. A Chiffchaff at Northstile, Wrench Green. At Scalby Mills: 14 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, Kingfisher at Scalby Mills. A Kingfisher at Throxenby Mere. A Lapland Bunting flew north at Long Nab, plus Eider and 5 Little Gulls. At Gristhorpe Bay/Yons Nab area: Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Woodcock and Brambling. A Hawfinch flew north over South cliff early morning.

Reed Bunting at Long Nab - Chris Bell

Friday 7th November

 Highlights past South Cliff were a Tundra Bean Goose (in off sea and SW), Great White Egret, 2 Short-eared Owls (in off sea and south), 284 Greenfinches leaving the South Cliff roost, Snow Bunting. Present was a female Northern Bullfinch. Highlights past Long Nab included 4 Whooper swans, 2 Barnacle Geese, 125 Lapwing, 46 Golden Plovers, Jack Snipe (in off sea and SW), 129 Little Gulls, 523 Starlings, 230 Blackbirds, 2 Brambling, Ring Ouzel (Cliff Top House then left SW). First-winter Caspian Gull in the harbour still. At Scalby Mills: Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, first-winter Caspian Gull, Kingfisher. Blackcap in Burniston. Castle Hill: 150 Redwing/Fieldfares, 35 Blackbirds, 2 Goldcrests. At Gristhorpe Bay/Yons Nab area: 258 Blackbirds, 44 Redwing, 15 Fieldfares, 2 Song & 1 Mistle Thrush. A Snow Bunting at Scalby Ness.

Stonechat Long Nab - Chris Bell

Thursday 6th November

 Single Yellow-browed Warblers at the Open Air Theatre and Cornelian Ravine. A Great Northern Diver in South Bay, where a Twite and 9 Crossbills flew south. Moving past Long Nab were a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 170 Pink-footed Geese, Grey Plover, 315 Chaffinches, 330 Siskins, 3 Brambling and a Snow Bunting. A Great Northern Diver off Hundale Point. A Water Rail at Seamer Road Mere. Two Little Grebes off Marine Drive. A first-winter Caspian Gull at Scalby Mills plus 2 Mediterranean Gulls. A Grey Wagtail in a garden off Cross Lane. A Blackcap in a Burniston garden. Two Kingfishers Throxenby Mere plus one at Scalby Mills. 

Caspian Gull Scalby Mills (another different individual) - Dave Mansell

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