Tuesday 31 December 2013

Tuesday 31st December 2013

A quiet end to what has been a fantastic year for birding in the Scarborough area.
A Kingfisher, 2 Marsh Tit and a flock of 60 Siskin were along Scalby Beck and 130 Linnet were along Field Lane nearby.
Happy New Year to all readers.

Monday 30 December 2013

Monday 30th December 2013

A slow day, the Great Northern Diver was still present in the Harbour, 2 Red-throated Diver, 16 Common Scoter and a Guillemot were in South Bay and 5 Gadwall were at Burton Riggs.

Sunday 29 December 2013

Sunday 29th December 2013

The Firecrest was still at Seamer Mere along with 2 Treecreeper and a Goldcrest, the Great Northern Diver was still in the Harbour and 61 Turnstone were also there.
Out in South Bay were 3 Red-throated Diver, 5 Great Crested Grebe and 15 Common Scoter, off Holbeck were 80 Oystercatcher, 10 Redshank and 5 Mediterranean Gulls, a Little Egret and 20 Fieldfare were at Star Carr, 6 Gadwall and a Barn Owl were at Seamer Tip, 2 Redhshank were at Seamer sewage works, and 61 Skylark, 1 Reed Bunting and 3 Lapland Bunting were at Long Nab.
On the move past Long Nab (south unless stated) 21 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar + 10 north, 2 Gannet north, 3 Cormorant + 1 north, 1 Wigeon north, 6 Common Scoter, 1 Curlew north, 54 Black-headed Gull, 81 Common Gull, 528 Herring Gull, 204 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 3 Auk sp north, and 1 Snow Bunting.

Saturday 28 December 2013

Saturday 28th December 2013

The Firecrest at the Mere was seen again today, it was again about 100 yards west of the Cafe. In the Harbour the Great Northern Diver was still present while in South Bay there were 2 Red-throated Diver, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Canada Goose, 11 Common Scoter and 3 Guillemot, 16 Wigeon flew south. In North Bay there was a Red-throated Diver and a Great Crested Grebe, 16 Red-throated Diver a Canada Goose, 8 Guillemot, a Razorbill and 2 Meadow Pipit were at Cloughton Wyke, 54 Teal, 18 Wigeon, 14 Curlew and a Bar-tailed Godwit were on Johnson's Marsh and 5 Buzzard and 2 Green Sandpiper were on Thornton Carr.

Firecrest at the Mere - John Harwood
 

Friday 27th December 2013

At Wykeham South Lake there were 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost, also there were 2 Goldeneye, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and 72 Great Black-backed Gull.
Elsewhere the Great Northern Diver was still in the Harbour and a Great Crested Grebe was in South Bay, another Great Northern Diver flew south at Cloughton Wyke, 59 Teal and 22 Wigeon were on Johnson's Marsh and 5 Gadwall, 37 Tufted Duck and a Kingfisher were at Seamer Mere.

Friday 27 December 2013

Thursday 26th December 2013

Another Firecrest was discovered today, it was feeding in the Cemetery along Manor Road in the Gully by the metal bridge.
Past Long Nab (south unless stated) were 9 Red-throated Diver + 13 north, 7 Fulmar north, 1 Gannet + 2 north, 22 Cormorant + 2 north, 7 Pink-footed Geese, 15 Common Scoter, 9 Black-headed Gull + 1 north, 4 Common Gull, 521 Herring Gull, 51 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Kittiwake north and 12 Auk sp north. Also in the Long Nab area were 47 Skylark, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Reed Bunting and 1 Lapland Bunting.
Elsewhere the Great Northern Diver was still present in the Harbour though did wander out off Marine Drive to escape the Raft Race! Between the Harbour and Scalby Mills were 3 Red-throated Diver, 6 Shag and 11 Guillemot, 4 Goosander and 112 Lapwing were at Harwood Dale Lake and 2 Mediterranean Gulls were in South Bay.

Thursday 26 December 2013

Wednesday 25th December 2013

Highlights on Christmas Day were 9 Waxwing at Hutton Buscel Carr which flew off towards Ings Bridge, also at Hutton Buscel Carr there was a Brambling and a Lesser Redpoll and the Great Northern Diver was still in the Harbour.
Elsewhere a Goldeneye was on Wykeham South Lake, a Red-throated Diver and 81 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills, 2 Green Sandpiper and 6 Bullfinch were on Thornton Carr, a female Blackcap was along Stepney Drive, 25+ Brambling were by the Railway north of Ravenscar and 40 Greenfinch were roosting by Seamer Railway Station

Tuesday 24 December 2013

Tuesday 24th December 2013

A fairly productive Christmas eve. The Great Northern Diver was still in the Harbour, as was an Eider, 41 Purple Sandpiper and a Guillemot, out in South Bay there was a Black-throated Diver, 11 Common Scoter and a Guillemot and at Scalby Mills there was an adult Little Gull.
Elsewhere 2 Little Egret and 11 Whooper Swan were at Folkton Carr, 8 Cormorant, 18 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 5 Goldeneye and 36 Coot were on Wykeham South Lake, 25 Curlew were on Johnson's Marsh, a Barn Owl was at Seamer Tip, 43 Skylark, 1 Yellowhammer and 2 Reed Bunting were at Long Nab and 2 Goldcrest were at Burton Riggs.
Past Long Nab (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 9 north, 10 Fulmar + 10 north, 5 Gannet north, 2 Cormorant + 2 north, 1 Eider, 1 Common Scoter, 11 Black-headed Gull + 3 north, 14 Common Gull, 409 Herring Gull, 119 Great Black-backed Gull, 29 Kittiwake north and 2 Auk sp + 72 north.

Monday 23 December 2013

Monday 23rd December 2013


The Yellow-legged Gull was still present on Wykeham South Lake along with 18 Tufted Duck, 24 Coot and 145 Lapwing, the Great Northern Diver was still present in the Harbour, 5 Mediterranean Gulls were at Holbeck, a Great Crested Grebe was in South Bay and 11 Whooper Swas flew south past Marine Drive.

Sunday 22 December 2013

Sunday 22nd December 2013

A Firecrest at the Mere on the Railway side was the highlight of the day and is the first December record in Scarborough. Elsewhere 12 Goosander and 116 Lapwing were on Harwood Dale Lake, 2 Red-throated Diver and 3 Guillemot were at Scalby Mills, 18 Wigeon, 61 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh, 5 Common Buzzard were seen over Everly Hotel and a Dipper was at Wrench Green.

Saturday 21 December 2013

Saturday 21st December 2013

The adult Yellow-legged Gull was again in the roost at Wykeham South Lake, also there were 3 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, 30 Linnet and a Brambling. The Great Northern Diver was still in the Harbour, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Crested Grebe and 14 Common Scoter were in South Bay, 5 Red-throated Diver, 14 Linnet and 20 Yellowhammer were at Cloughton Wyke, 68 Teal, 17 Wigeon and 9 Curlew were on Johnson's Marsh, 2 Peregrine were seen over Ruston Carr and 30 Brambling were at Cockmoor Hall.
On the move (north unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver, 11 Fulmar + 2 south, 5 Gannet, 12 Herring Gull south, 4 Great Black-backed Gull south, 11 Kittiwake and 16 Guillemot.

A popular bird, Great Northern Diver in the Harbour - Chris Bell
 

Friday 20 December 2013

Friday 20th December 2013

At Wykeham South Lake the adult Yellow-legged Gull and the adult Iceland Gull were both seen again, also there were 4 Goldeneye, 200+ Lapwing, 750 Common Gull, 1000 Herring Gull and 65 Great Black-backed Gull, 5 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 1 Mandarin and 3 Goosander were on the Mere, 6 Mediterranean Gull were at Holbeck, a female Eider was at Scalby Mills, 2 Red-throated Diver and 15 Common Scoter were in South Bay and 32 Pink-footed Geese flew south at Ravenscar.

Thursday 19 December 2013

Thursday 19th December 2013

The Great Northern Diver continued its stay in the Harbour, also there were 36 Purple Sandpiper and 59 Turnstone. Another 5 Purple Sandpiper and a Red-throated Diver were in North Bay, 3 Whooper Swans were on Burton Riggs before leaving to the west, 60 Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, 360 Herring Gull, 150 Great Black-backed Gull were at Scalby Mills, 2 Red-throated Diver, a Great Crested Grebe, 9 Teal and 6 Common Scoter were in South Bay and 20 Waxwing were seen near Pickering.

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Tuesday 17th - Wednesday 18th December 2013

On the 17th the only reports were of the Great Northern Diver and 59 Turnstone in the Harbour and 4 Great Crested Grebe in South Bay.
The 18th was a little more active with a adult Yellow-legged Gull at Wykeham South Lake along with 1500+ Herring Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 150+ Great Black-backed Gull, the 18 Waxwing along Red Scar Lane and 3 Pink-footed Geese were at Potter Brompton Carr before leaving east.

Monday 16 December 2013

Monday 16th December 2013

An adult Iceland Gull was the Highlight at Wykeham South Lake, also there were 1000+ Black-headed Gull, 850+ Common Gull, 800+ Herring Gull and 150+ Great Black-backed Gull. The Great Northern Diver was in the Harbour, 18 Waxwing were in Newby and a Chiffchaff at Burton Riggs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 5 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar + 1 north, 1 Cormorant, 1 Curlew north, 2 Common Gull, 96 Herring Gull, 33 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Kittiwake and 1 Guillemot north.

Sunday 15 December 2013

Saturday 14th - Sunday 15th December 2013

A quiet day on 14th saw only one report, that being two Bean Geese seen briefly in flight at Burton Riggs.
The 15th was at least a little more lively. An adult Iceland Gull south at Long Nab was the highlight of a watch there, also on the move (south unless stated) were 10 Red-throated Diver + 9 north, 20 Fulmar + 2 north, 4 Gannet north, 3 Cormorant + 1 north, 2 Shelduck north, 1 Common Scoter + 24 north, 9 Black-headed Gull, 7 Common Gull, 803 Hering Gull, 89 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Kittiwake and 5 Auk sp + 1 north.
Also at Long Nab were 2 Lapland Bunting.
Elsewhere the Great Northern Diver was in the Harbour, 5 Gadwall, 64 Tufted Duck and a Kingfisher were at the Mere, a Shelduck, 44 Teal and 25 Wigeon were at Johnson's Marsh, 75 Mallard, 9 Pochard, 4 Goldeneye, 18 Coot, 400 Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover and 9 Linnet were at Wykeham South Lake, 13 Goosander were on Harwood Dale Lake and an Eider was at Scalby Mills.
A strange record involved a Turnstone feeding in the porch way in Tesco car park on the other side of town from the Harbour!

Saturday 14 December 2013

Friday 13th December 2013

The 1st year Great Northern Diver continued its stay in the Harbour, also there were 65 Turnstone and 33+ Purple Sandpiper and at Wykeham South Lake there was a Goldeneye, 474 Lapwing, 900 Common Gull, 1450 Herring Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Friday 13 December 2013

Thursday 12th December 2013

An adult White-fronted Goose was present at Burton Riggs briefly during the morning. Almost as brief was a Great Grey Shrike half a mile north of Spikers Hill on the uncut part of the hedge there, it was found at 10am but wasn't seen again after 11am.
The Great Northern Diver was still present by the Harbour, 153 Pink-footed Geese were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) and left to the east and 191 flew west over Sherburn. The Gull roost at Wykeham South Lake held 600+ Black-headed Gull, 1400+ Common Gull, 1100+ Herring Gull and 250+ Great Black-backed Gull.

Please note, the open morning scheduled to take place at Potter Brompton Carr on Saturday 14th December has been cancelled.

Management work taking place on the farm necessitated the lowering of water levels in late November. This work has taken longer than expected and although sluices were raised earlier this week, the generally dry conditions of recent days has meant that the fields have not yet flooded again.

I had a walk around this afternoon and although I was pleased to encounter a flock of Pink-footed Geese, these soon departed leaving the area fairly devoid of birds. Therefore the event has been cancelled.

Another open morning is planned for mid February and details will be announced in due course.

Thursday 12 December 2013

Wedneday 11th December 2013

Two Great Northern Diver were in the Harbour today, the 1st year plus a near perfect breeding plumaged adult! Unfortunately after leaving the Harbour it soon became beached and after a few near misses from passing Dogs it was boxed up and taken into care.
Another Great Northern Diver was seen in North Bay where there was also a Great Crested Grebe, 3 Shag and a drake Eider, 68 Pink-footed Geese flew south, the Blackcap was still in Crossgates, 12+ Waxwing and 8 Bullfimch were in Harwood Dale and 11 Goosander were on Harwood Dale Lake.


Great Northern Diver in the Harbour - Dave Mansell


Soon after beached in South Bay - Dave Mansell

Tuesday 10 December 2013

Tuesday 10th December 2013

Waxwings continued to arrive with 8 new birds at Curlew Rise in Crossgates and 20 were again were reported from Harwood Dale. Elsewhere the Great Northern Diver was still in the Harbour, 5 Great Crested Grebe and 8 Common Scoter were in South Bay, 3 Little Grebe, 7 Mandarin and 17 Teal were on Hackness Lake, the White-fronted Goose, 26 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard and 2 Goldeneye were on Wykeham South Lake, 130 Wigeon were on Flotmanby Carr, 11 Goosander were on Harwood Dale Lake, a Little Egret, a Water Rail, a Barn Owl and a Lesser Redpoll were by Flixton Bridge, 5 Mediterranean Gull were at Holbeck, 150 Fieldfare, 9 Lesser Redpoll, 15 Reed Bunting and 57 Yellowhammer were at Ganton, 32 Brambling were at Cockmoor Hall and a Snow Bunting was at Stoupe Brow.

Great Northern Diver, Scarborough - Dave Mansell

Monday 9 December 2013

Monday 9th December 2013

The Great Northern Diver remained on show in the Harbour where there were 45 Purple Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail. In South Bay there was a Red-throated Diver, a Great Crested Grebe, 5 Cormorant and 3 Shag. On Wykeham South Lake were 5 Whooper Swan, 231 Greylag Geese, 16 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldeneye and 48 Greenfinch, 60+ Chaffinch and 8 Brambling.

Sunday 8 December 2013

2013 Records

2013 has been a record breaking year in Scarborough in many ways, 236 species have been recorded up to now and many species have been recorded in above average numbers, for example it was an excellent autumn for passage wader species such as Knot, Sanderling and Black-tailed Godwit, the previous day record of Great Skuas was almost double this year and who can forget the Yellow-browed Warbler influx?
Because the year has been so good we have decided to once again produce a report, although we plan for it to be a PDF published via the website.
Lots of work has already gone into the report as the year has progressed to ensure its accuracy however I'm sure many people out there will have visited the Scarborough area during the year and may well have a few records that could be contributing to the knowledge of birds and their conservation in the Scarborough area, so if possible can anyone who may have the odd record please email them to scarboroughbirdrecords@gmail.com as quickly as possible, regardless of how unimportant they may seem.
And if anyone would like to contribute pictures for possible inclusion in the report you can just send them through to the same address, just include the date and place any pictures were taken and send. Please could you send through the originals, no cropped or photo shopped pictures, Thankyou.

Sunday 8th December 2013

Past Long Nab (north unless stated) were 6 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver + 1 south, 1 Fulmar + 1 south, 1 Gannet, 5 Cormorant + 6 south, 5 Teal, 1 Long-tailed Duck south, 3 Common Scoter, 4 Goosander south, 25 Black-headed Gull south, 22 Common Gull south, 39 Herring Gull + 661 south, 18 Great Black-backed Gull + 69 south, 7 Guillemot, 10 Auk sp + 2 south.
Present at Long Nab were 19 Pink-footed Geese, 15 Skylark, 90 Tree Sparrow, 2 Reed Bunting and 6+ Lapland Bunting.
Elsewhere Great Northern Divers were seen in the Harbour and in Cornelian Bay, a Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 51 Common Scoter and a Velvet Scoter were in Cayton Bay, 20 Common Scoter were in South Bay, 2 Little Egret and 23 Curlew were on Folkton Carr, 3 Little Egret were on Flixton Carr, 51 Teal and 19 Wigeon were on Johnson's Marsh and 18 Waxwing were at Willymath Close Industrial Estate in Burniston.

Saturday 7 December 2013

Saturday 7th December 2013

The White-fronted Goose remained on Wykeham South Lake, also of note there were Shoveler, 13 Tufted Duck, 10 Pochard, 2 Goldeneye and a Long-tailed Duck. Elsewhere 11 Goosander were on Harwood Dale Lake, a male Blackcap was in Crossgates, a Waxwing was reported from Burniston, 23 Cormorant flew south at sea, 2 Mandarin were on Hackness Lake and a Barn Owl was by Folkton treatment works.

Friday 6 December 2013

Friday 6th December 2013

The tidal surge yesterday evening and this morning caused lots of damage along the South and North Bay sea fronts and even breached the seawall at Scalby Mills!
Unfortunately the weather didn't spark off much in the way of movement and made checking the Bays almost impossible, on the move (north unless stated) were 7 Red-throated Diver + 3 south, 1 Fulmar, 6 Gannet + 6 south, 4 Cormorant + 6 north, 1 Shag, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Velvet Scoter, 3 Common Scoter south, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Eider south, 1 Snipe in off, 84 Auk sp + 5 south.
Present in the Long Nab area were 1 Pink-footed Goose, 41 Skylark, 3 Reed Bunting and 3 Lapland Bunting. In South Bay there was a Red-throated Diver and 42 Common Scoter, a Grey Wagtail was in the Harbour, 12 Pink-footed Geese flew over West Ayton, the 14 Waxwing were still in Harwood Dale and 10 Goosander were on Harwood Dale Lake.

Thursday 5 December 2013

Thursday 5th December 2013

The first White-fronted Goose of the year was found on Wykeham South Lake during the evening, also there were 24 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 1 Goldeneye, 500 Common Gull, 285 Herring Gull and 140 Great Black-backed Gull. In the Harbour were 73 Turnstone and 35+ Purple Sandpiper while out in South Bay were 2 Great Crested Grebe, the Great Northern Diver and 35 Common Scoter, the Gull roost there attracted 80 Black-headed Gull, 7 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Common Gull, 300 Herring Gull, 100 Great Black-backed Gull and a Gannet!

Mediterranean Gull, South Bay - Michael McNaghten
 

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Wednesday 4th December 2013

Up to 5 Mediterranean Gulls were at Holbeck, 1 Red-throated Diver, 5 Shag, 33 Common Scoter and the Great Northern Diver were in South Bay and 58 Wigeon, a Goldeneye and 16 Fieldfare were at Wykeham South Lake.

Tuesday 3 December 2013

Tuesday 3rd December 2013

A quiet day with few reports. Only 14 Waxwing were in Harwood Dale, down by one from yesterday, 2 Little Egret were on Seamer Mead, the Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, a Great Crested Grebe, 5 Common Scoter and an Eider were in South Bay, 10 Goosander were on Harwood Dale Lake, a Goldeneye, 280 Black-eaded Gull, 870 Common Gull, 340 Herring Gull and 60 Great Black-backed Gull were in Wykeham South Lake and a Green Sandpiper was at Seamer Tip.

Monday 2 December 2013

Monday 2nd December 2013

Up to 15 Waxwing were still present in Harwood Dale showing well by the Church, 40 Skylark, 8 Lapland Buntings and 2 Yellowhammer were at Long Nab, the Great Northern Diver was still by the Harbour mouth and 37 Wigeon, 5 Pochard, a Goldeneye, 374 Lapwing and 40+ Fieldfare were at Wykeham South Lake.
Passage at Long Nab included (south unless stated) were 4 Red-throated Diver + 20 north, 3 Gannet + 18 north, 2 Cormorant, 1 Shag, 4 Pochard west, 4 Eider, 3 Common Scoter + 25 north, 2 Black-headed Gull + 4 north, 15 Common Gull, 126 Herring Gull, 46 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Meadow Pipit and 1 Linnet.

Sunday 1 December 2013

Open morning at Potter Brompton Carr on 14th December 2013

As previously announced an open morning for Scarborough Birders to visit the wetland scheme at Potter Brompton Carr has been scheduled to take place in December. 
 
I can now confirm that it will take place on Saturday 14th December 2013. The start time will be 0930hrs. The meeting point will be at the Cut bridge which is a few hundred metres north of the Ganton Railway Crossing.

Due to recent management work taking place on the farm, water levels have been dropped recently and the number of ducks and waders present has reduced significantly. However water levels should be back up again by the end of this week and hopefully birds will quickly return in time for this event.

In the event of there being very cold weather conditions around 14th December the event may have to be cancelled as birds quickly vacate the farm when the floods freeze over.  However I will work on the basis that the event will be able run as planned. 
 
If you wish to attend, I would appreciate it if you can advise me in advance on chrisgbradshaw@hotmail.com. This will also enable me to contact all those planning to attend should the event have to be cancelled.

Sunday 1st December 2013

The Great Northern Diver was still seen again by the Harbour mouth in South Bay, a Great Crested Grebe, 2 Eider and a Goldeneye were in Cornelian Bay, 35 Common Scoter were in Cayton Bay, a Goldeneye was on Wykeham South Lake, 70 Turnstone and a Kittiwake were in the Harbour, 8 Goosander, 43 Lapwing and a Kingfisher were at Harwood Dale Lake and 80 Skylark, 5 Lapland Bunting and 3 Reed Bunting were at Long Nab.
Passage was slow, on the move (south unless stated) were 6 Red-throated Diver + 6 north, 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Gannet + 1 north, 27 Cormorant + 2 north, 1 Shag, 3 Eider north, 1 Common Scoter, 2 Velvet Scoter north, 1 Black-headed Gull + 5 north, 6 Common Gull + 4 north, 298 Herring Gull north, 71 Great Black-backed Gull north, 1 Auk sp north and 1 Snow Bunting north.

Saturday 30 November 2013

Saturday 30th November 2013


A steady day, although slightly disappointing over the sea there were at least a few bits of interest, moving (north unless stated) were 11 Red-throated Diver + 8 south, 7 Cormorant south, 7 Gannet + 17 south, 3 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Manx Shearwater, 23 Teal south, 5 Common Scoter + 28 south, 1 Velvet Scoter south and 48 Auk sp + 22 south.
Present in the Long Nab area were single Red-throated Diver, 1 Eider, at least 2 Lapland Bunting and 1 Snow Bunting.
Seen Elsewhere were 20 Waxwing in Harwood Dale, 5 Goosander on Harwood Dale Lake, 13 Whooper Swan near Flotmanby Carr, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Eider and a Common Scoter in South Bay, 25 Teal and 17 Wigeon on Johnson's Marsh, an Eider, 13 Purple Sandpiper, a Grey Wagtail and 3 Goldcrest in Cornelian Bay, 3 Shag, 41 Purple Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail in the Harbour, 30 Common Scoter and 2 Velvet Scoter in Cayton Bay, a Shoveler and a Mandarin at the Mere, 9 Curlew on Scalby Lodge Pond, a Grey Wagtail in Woodlands Ravine and a Chiffchaff at Scalby Mills.

Waxwing, Harwood Dale - Ian Glaves

Great Northern Diver, by the Harbour mouth, South Bay - Michael McNaghten

 

Friday 29 November 2013

Friday 29th November 2013

Offshore passage was a little better today, on the move (north unless stated) were 4 Red-throated Diver + 2 south, 11 Fulmar + 4 south, 2 Gannet + 72 south, 1 Cormorant south, 11 Common Scoter + 1 south, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Black-headed Gull south, 62 Herring Gull south, 3 Guillemot + 1 south, 4 Razorbill and 24 Auk sp + 51 south.
At Wykeham South Lake there were 108 Fieldfare, 160 Greenfinch, 80 Linnet, 26 Goldfinch and 8 Reed Bunting.

Thursday 28 November 2013

Thursday 28th November 2013

The stubble field at Long Nab still continues to pull in birds, today there were 46 Skylark, 8 Reed Bunting and a fantastic 15 Lapland Bunting. Also in the Long Nab area were 1 Blackcap and 3 Goldcrest.
Passage was minimal, on the move (north unless stated) were 8 Red-throated Diver, 1 Cormorant south, 1 Common Scoter, 4 Kittiwake and 1 Guillemot.
Also seen were 30 Teal and 17 Wigeon on Johnson's Marsh, 93 Wigeon and 1 Eider at Scalby Mills and 32 Purple Sandpiper in the Harbour.

Wednesday 27 November 2013

Wednesday 27th November 2013

A female Marsh Harrier was seen near Staxton, 21 Wigeon, 18 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, a Goldeneye, 650+ Lapwing, 784 Common Gull and 88 Herring Gull wereon Wykeham South Lake, in the Harbour there were 33 Purple Sandpiper, another Purple Sandpiper was in North Bay as was a Red-throated Diver and the Water Rail and a Kingfisher were in Northstead Manor Gardens.
A Gull seen in fading light at Scalby Mills was thought to be a Glaucous X Herring Gull hybrid.

Nelson's Gull?? Scalby Mills - Steve Wignill
 

Tuesday 26 November 2013

Tuesday 26th November 2013

A slow day with very few reports. A Great Crested Grebe, 3 Shag and an Eider were in South Bay, a Goldeneye was at Burton Riggs, 100 Golden Plover were on Star Carr, the Goldeneye, 10+ Snipe, 5 Brambling, 45 Yellowhammer, 20 Reed Bunting were on Potter Brompton Carr and 20 Wigeon, 20 Tufted Duck and a Pochard were on Wykeham South Lake.

Monday 25 November 2013

Monday 25th November 2013

A busy day was headlined by the years first Little Auk flying north past Scalby Mills and an adult Iceland Gull also flying north there.
Also on the move (north unless stated) were 13 Red-throated Diver, 8 Gannet + 2 south, 3 Cormorant south, 5 Wigeon, 4 Common Scoter, 1 Eider, 18 Black-headed Gull south, 48 Herring Gull south, 37 Kittiwake and 19 Auk sp.
A Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Common Scoter were in South Bay, 3 Eider and 30+ Purple Sandpiper were in the Harbour, 124 Wigeon, 1 Eider, 230 Black-heade3d Gull, 45 Common Gull, 360 Herring Gull and 40 Great Black-backed Gull were at Scalby Mills, a Little Grebe, 19 Teal, 11 Wigeon and a Redshank were on Johnson's Marsh, 13 Mandarin were at Hackness, the Water Rail and 5 Redshank were in Northstead Manor Gardens, a Pochard, a Goldeneye, 800 Lapwing and 7 Snipe were on Potter Brompton Carr, the Stonechat was still along Marine Drive, A Green Woodpecker and 12 Crossbill were in Langdale Forest, 400 Fieldfare, 50 Chaffinch and 50 Goldfinch were at Leigh Rigg and the mixed flock of Chaffinch and Brambling at Cockmoor Hall had grown to 300.


Brambling, Cockmoor Hall - Dave Mansell

Sunday 24 November 2013

Sunday 24th November 2013

Passing during the day (north unless stated) were 14 Red-throated Diver + 1 south, 1 Great Northern Diver + 2 south, 1 Black-throated Diver, 3 Fulmar, 64 Gannet + 8 south, 4 Cormorant south, 2 Wigeon, 4 Eider + 8 south, 12 Common Scoter + 5 south, 3 Goosander, 3 Common Gull + 2 south, 60 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Kittiwake and 168 Auk sp + 3 south.
Elsewhere 13 Whooper Swans were just north of Flotmanby Carr, the Water Rail was still in Northstead Manor Gardens along with 3 Redshank and 4 Crossbills and a Green Woodpecker were seen in Harwood Dale Forest.


Water Rail, Northstead Manor Gardens - Steve Wignill

Saturday 23 November 2013

Saturday 23rd November 2013

A slower day for passage saw (north unless stated) 7 Red-throated Diver + 21 south, 1 Great Northern Diver south, 1 Fulmar, 56 Gannet + 26 south, 13 Cormorant south, 1 Wigeon + 2 south, 51 Teal, 5 Mallard, 13 Common Scoter + 20 south, 7 Long-tailed Duck, 51 Eider + 7 south, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 7 Common Gull + 6 south, 1 Kittiwake, 89 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern, 243 Auk sp + 8 south and 1 Snow Bunting south.
Three Lapland Bunting were at Long Nab, 164 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler and 318 Lapwing were at Wykeham South Lake, 2 Red-throated Diver were at Scalby Mills, a Black-throated Diver, a Great Crested Grebe, 25 Common Scoter, 2 Velvet Scoter and a drake Eider were in Cornelian Bay and on Flixton Carr there was a Barn Owl, a Kingfisher and 44 Fieldfare.

Friday 22 November 2013

Friday 22nd November 2013

It was another good day for Eider with 248 heading north and 10 south, also on the move (north unless stated) were 28 Red-throated Diver + 19 south, 1 Great Northern Diver south, 96 Gannet + 55 south, 6 Cormorant + 8 south, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Wigeon, 2 Mallard south, 28 Common Scoter + 3 south, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 3 Goldeneye + 3 south, 2 Goosander, 1 Curlew, 1 Arctic Skua + 1 south, 1 Mediterranean Gull south, 34 Kittiwake and 476 Auk sp + 14 south.
In the Long Nab area were 48 Skylark, 2 Goldcrest, 8 Reed Bunting, 2 Lapland Bunting and 9 Yellowhammer, another Goldcrest was along Valley Road and a Stonechat was along Marine Drive.
A Red-necked Grebe was in North Bay as were 3 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver, in South Bay were Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Shag and 2 Eider, an Oystercatcher, a Dunlin and 31 Purple Sandpiper were in the Harbour and a Kingfisher was at Scalby Mills.

Thursday 21 November 2013

Thursday 21st November 2013

A fantastic November seawatch produced no fewer than 12 Duck species and saw the Eider record smashed!
On the move (north unless stated) were 22 Red-throated Diver + 14 south, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver + 2 south, 7 Fulmar, 1 Leach's Petrel, 1 Manx Shearwater, 177 Gannet + 36 south, 4 Cormorant south, 3 Shelduck, 9 Mallard + 11 south, 13 Teal + 2 south, 24 Wigeon + 2 south, 1 Scaup, 1 Tufted Duck, 307 Eider, 403 Common Scoter + 78 south, 1 Long-tailed Duck south, 7 Goldeneye + 5 south, 3 Goosander south, 3 Red-breasted Merganser + 2 south, 2 Dunlin, 1 Snipe south, 3 Great Skua + 1 south, 449 Kittiwake, 1 2nd winter Glaucous Gull, 199 Auk sp + 17 south and 1 Starling in off and west.
Also in the Long Nab area were 1 Skylark, 1 Blackcap and 18 Starling.
Seen elsewhere were 114 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler, 1 Eider, 1 Merlin and 29 Redshank at Scalby Mills, a Bar-tailed Godwit in Jackson's Bay, 31 Purple Sandpiper in the Harbour, 200 Lapwing at Wykeham South Lake and 85+ Brambling at Cockmoor Hall.

Eider on the move - Michael McNaghten



 
 

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Wednesday 20th November 2013

The only reports were of an Eider, 59 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin and 46 Purple Sandpiper in the Harbour, the Scaup and Goldeneye still present at Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) and 22 Whooper Swans, 260 Black-headed Gull, 640+ Common Gull and 94 Great Black-backed Gull at Wykeham South Lake.

Dunlin and Purple Sandpiper in the Harbour - Michael McNaghten
 

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Tuesday 19th November 2013

Passage was disappointingly slow, on the move (south unless stated) were 7 Red-throated Diver + 3 north, 1 Fulmar north, 151 Gannet + 7 north, 1 Cormorant, 15 Common Scoter + 4 north, 1 Great Skua, 1 Kittiwake north and 13 Auk sp + 72 north.
Elsewhere 2 Whooper Swan were in fields west of Star Carr, 2 Shoveler and a Gadwall were on the Mere, 4 Egyptian Geese, 5 Pochard, 32 Tufted Duck and a Goosander were on Wykeham South Lake, 2 Goosander were at Burton Riggs, 200 Golden Plover were near Stainton, 2 Lapland Bunting were at Long Nab and a Willow Tit was at Seamer Tip.

Monday 18 November 2013

Monday 18th November 2013

Migrants in the Long Nab area included 2 Woodcock (1 Crook Ness, 1 in off), 55 Skylark, 17 Meadow Pipit, 6 Rock Pipit, 1 Blackcap (in off), 2 Reed Bunting and 5 Lapland Bunting.
On the move (south unless stated) were 12 Red-throated Diver + 14 north, 15 Gannet + 32 north, 1 Cormorant, 1 Shag north, 1 Shelduck + 4 north, 48 Wigeon + 15 north, 72 Teal + 8 north, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 55 Common Scoter + 119 north, 1 Velvet Scoter + 2 north, 4 Goldeneye, 1 Kestrel, 207 Lapwing in off and west, 1 Turnstone, 42 Black-headed Gull + 16 north, 13 Common Gull + 2 north, 258 Herring Gull, 53 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Razorbill, 14 Wood Pigeon, 3 alba, 105 Blackbird in off and west, 2 Fieldfare in off and west, 9 Redwing in off and west, Mistle Thrush 1 in off and west, 152 Starling in of and west and 2 Goldfinch.
Elsewhere a Pink-footed Goose, 16 Teal and 4 Wigeon were on Johnson's Marsh, 240 Lapwing, 900 Black-headed Gull, 1200 Common Gull, 400 Herring Gull, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 80 Great Black-backed Gull were at Wykeham South Lake and a Long-tailed Duck was again in Burniston Bay.

Sunday 17 November 2013

Sunday 17th November 2013

A Little Grebe in the Harbour was rather unexpected, also there were 53 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 54 Purple Sandpiper and 4 Redshank. In the Long Nab area were 7 Red-throated Diver, 51 Skylark, 3 Reed Bunting and 2 Lapland Bunting, a Long-tailed Duck flew south there, settled in Burniston Bay for a while and then flew back north. Little Egrets were seen at Seamer Tip and at Flotmanby Carr where there were 110+ Wigeon and 6 Mallard, 4 Egyptian Geese, a Goldeneye and a Goosander were on Wykeham South Lakes, a male Hen Harrier was seen on Brow Moor, a Chiffchaff was in Newlands Dale a Goldcrest was along Valley Road, 4 Crossbill and 15 Siskin were in Harwood Dale Forest and 30 Brambling were near Cockmoor Hall.
On the move (south unless stated) were 4 Red-throated Diver + 17 north, 2 Cormorant, 7 Gannet + 2 north, 50 Pink-footed Geese, 6 Common Scoter + 2 north, 1 Eider, 1 Goosander, 77 Black-headed Gull, 13 Common Gull, 135 Herring Gull, 22 Great Black-backed Gull and 1 Razorbill.


Little Grebe in the Harbour - George Day

Saturday 16 November 2013

Saturday 16th November 2013

A much slower day with a Swallow west over Peasholme the highlight. A Lapland Bunting was reported from Long Nab, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit and 12 Ringed Plover were in Jackson's Bay, a Great Crested Grebe was in South Bay and 3 Pink-footed Geese were at Seamer Tip.

Friday 15 November 2013

Friday 15th November 2013

A juvenile Iceland Gull was found in the Harbour during the afternoon, but was only present for a short time.
Another slow day for passage produced (south unless stated) 7 Red-throated Diver + 12 north, 1 Diver sp north, 2 Manx Shearwater north, 28 Gannet + 4 north, 1 Cormorant, 1 Shag north, 85 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Eider north, 19 Common Scoter + 5 north, 8 Black-headed Gull, 9 Herring Gull, 5 Kittiwake north, 3 Auk sp + 4 north, 2 Starling in off and west.
Also seen in the Long Nab area were 4 Red-throated Diver, 4 Teal, 1 Merlin, 2 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot, 12 Snow Bunting, 4 Reed Bunting and 4 Lapland Bunting (2 of which came in off).
Elsewhere the Great Northern Diver was still in South Bay and 3 Egyptian Geese and a Goldeneye were on Wykeham South Lake.
A Long-tailed Duck was reported from Long Nab via Birdguides.


A record shot of the Iceland Gull in the Harbour - Steve Race

Thursday 14 November 2013

Thursday 14th November 2013

A Grey Phalarope that flew north past Long Nab at 09.30hrs was the highlight of a very quiet seawatch. Also on the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 62 Gannet + 16 north, 1 Cormorant, 4 Shelduck north, 6 Teal, 23 Dunlin north, 2 Kittiwake north, 48 Guillemot + 29 north, 2 Razorbill north, 14 Auk sp + 8 north, 45 Starling in off and west, 1 Snow Bunting in off and west.
In the Long Nab area there were 38 Snow Bunting and 2 Lapland Bunting.
Elsewhere 2 Shoveler, a Gadwall and 2 Mditerranean Gulls were on the Mere, 1 Little Grebe, 11 Wigeon, 15 Teal and 2 Redshank were on Johnson's Marsh, 121 Wigeon and a Shoveler were at Scalby Mills, 30 Tufted Duck were on Burton Riggs and 2 Green Sandpipers were at Seamer Tip.

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Potter Brompton Carr - Open mornings

As many people will be aware, in recent weeks the farmland at Potter Brompton Carr has been attracting significant numbers of wildfowl and waders (principally Lapwing, Golden Plover and Snipe) and a variety of other species of interest. The farm has entered into a Higher Level Stewardship scheme and is part of the Cayton and Flixton Carrs Wetland Project. Unfortunately the site is private and it is currently not possible to allow general access to the site. There are plans for an open day to take place in February and details will be posted on the Potter Brompton Farms website once arrangements have been confirmed (www.pbfarms.co.uk).

However, I plan to offer members of Scarborough Birders the opportunity to visit the site on a weekend in December. Arrangements are at an early stage, but I need to have some idea of the number of people who might be interested. So, if you would like to receive details of the event please drop me a line to express your interest and I will send you details as soon as they are available.  Contact me at chrisgbradshaw@hotmail.com.

Chris Bradshaw

Wednesday 13th November 2013

Twenty five Whooper Swans (21 down, 4 west) were the highlight at Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) during the day, also there were 5 Pink-footed Geese, 100+ Wigeon, 50+ Teal and the Scaup and Goldeneye still present.
At Ganton there was a good feeding flock comprising at least 35 Yellowhammer, 40 Reed Bunting and 60 Tree Sparrow, also there were single Barn Owl and female Merlin.
The Water Rail was still showing in Northstead Manor Gardens, also there 2 Redshank and a Grey Wagtail, a Kingfisher was in Peasholme Park, a Goldeneye was in Jackson's Bay and 127 Wigeon the Eider and 2 Purple Sandpiper were at Scalby Mills, 57 Wigeon and 5 Teal were on Flotmanby Carr and 2 Whooper Swan were still on Harwood Dale Lake.
The only new in migrants noted were 6 Blackbird and 11 Fieldfare at Stoup Brow.


Whooper Swans, Potter Brompton Carr - Michael McNaghten

Male Sparrowhawk, Ganton - Chris Bradshaw

Male Sparrowhawk, Ganton - Michael McNaghten


Reed Bunting, Ganton - Chris Bradshaw

Yellowhammer, Ganton - Michael McNaghten

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Tuesday 12th November 2013

A slower day with the Highlight being a Jack Snipe along Taylor Way where there were also 8 Snipe.
After yesterday's huge Blackbird arrival only 3 were noted flying west early morning!
Elsewhere a Great Crested Grebe, a Goldeneye and Goosander were on Burton Riggs where 3 Goldeneye flew north, another Goldeneye was on Seamer Tip.
On Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) there were 120 Wigeon, the Scaup and Goldeneye remained, 480 Lapwing and 150 Golden Plover, 7 Whooper Swan and 18 Skylark flew west.
Two Stonechat were on Stony Marl Moor, 116 Wigeon and a female Eider was at Scalby Mills and a Water Rail was showing well in Northstead Manor Gardens.

Monday 11 November 2013

Monday 11th November 2013

The true highlight of the day were 4 Bewick's Swans that came in off the sea at Long Nab, the year's first record but the arrival of Thrushes, mainly Blackbird was equally if not more noteworthy.
Between Long Nab and South Cliff a minimum of 6546 Blackbird (including over 3600 through Castle Hill in just over 2 hours!) came in off the sea, mostly between 10am and 1pm, many continued west throughout the day leaving only a few along the coast by the evening. Also arriving in from the east during the busy Thrush period were 1 Snipe, 4 Skylark, 1048 Redwing, 31 Song Thrush, 202 Fieldfare and 68 Starling.
Also on the move were 7 Mallard south, 7 Wigeon south and 2 Goosander north.
Elsewhere along the coast were 8 Goldcrest and 1 Lesser Redpoll, the Great Northern Diver was still showing by the Harbour Mouth, 50 Purple Sandpiper were in the roost there and at Potter Brompton Carr there were 17 Whooper Swans (no general access).


Blackbirds at Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Sunday 10 November 2013

Sunday 10th November 2013

Another decent day. A Great Grey Shrike at Maw Rigg could have been the same bird seen at Derwent Head Rigg on the 1st.
Up to 30 Snow Bunting were still at Long Nab, a Shoveler, 4 Teal, 5 Wigeon, a Redshank and 12 Curlew were on Johnson's Marsh, 116 Wigeon, 16 Turnstone, 6 Purple Sandpiper and 6 Redshank were at Scalby Mills, a Velvet Scoter was in North Bay, a Great Northern Diver and an Eider were in South Bay, the Sandwich Tern was still in Cornelian Bay a Chiffchaff was in the Ravine there and the drake Mandarin was still on the Mere along with a Gadwall and a Shoveler.
On the move (south unless stated) 2 Red-throated Diver + 7 north, 14 Gannet + 16 north, 1 Cormorant + 2 north, 1 Shag, 2 Eider north, 8 Common Scoter + 14 north, 5 Goldeneye + 1 north, 2 Black-headed Gull + 4 north, 10 Common Gull + 22 north, 70 Herring Gull, 33 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Kittiwake + 1 north, 6 Auk sp + 74 north and 1 Puffin.


Male Wigeon, Scalby Mills - Michael McNaghten

Female Wigeon, Scalby Mills - Michael McNaghten
 

Saturday 9 November 2013

Saturday 9th November 2013

Not a bad November's day birding with the years first Scaup, a juvenile, on Potter Brompton Carr, also there were 150+ Teal, 130+ Wigeon and a Goldeneye, 280+ Golden Plover and 2 Snipe were on Ruston Carr and 35 Wigeon were on Flotmanby Carr.
A minimum of 68 Snow Buntings were seen, 36 in the Stubble at Long Nab plus 2 in off the sea there and an unprecidented 30+ by the entrance to Wykeham South Lakes!
Also seen at Wykeham South Lakes were 3 Egyptian Geese, 5 Pochard and a Merlin.
Other migrants seen along the coast included 57 Skylark, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 27 Meadow Pipit, 2 Goldcrest and 3 Reed Bunting.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver, 6 Gannet + 1 north, 1 Cormorant + 1 north, 1 Shag north, 1 Tufted Duck north, 5 Common Scoter north, 1 Goldeneye north, 1 Snipe, 40 Black-headed Gull + 2 north, 16 Common Gull, 235 Herring Gull, 23 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 1st winter Sandwich Tern (later seen in Cornelian Bay), 3 Auk sp north, 12 Stock Dove, 17 Wood Pigeon, 2 Skylark, 2 alba, 5 Blackbird in off and west, 1 Fieldfare in off and west, 1 Mistle Thrush in off and west, 13 Starling in off and west, 3 Chaffinch, 15 Goldfinch, 19 Linnet and 1 Redpoll sp.

Scaup, Potter Brompton Carr - Chris Bradshaw
 

Friday 8th November 2013

At least 25 Snow Buntings were at Long Nab during the day and a Great Northern Diver was in Cornelian Bay in the afternoon along with a Red-throated Diver and a female Eider, 3 Egyptian Geese, 4 Pochard, 33 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye and a Goosander were seen at Wykeham South Lake and 2 Whooper Swan and 4 Goosander were on Harwood Dale Lake.

Thursday 7 November 2013

Thursday 7th November 2013

Three Snipe, a Barn Owl and 330 Fieldfare were seen at Ryemouth Low Marshes, another 2 Snipe were on Cayton Carr and 200 Fieldfare were near Wykeham South Lake.
The only movement recorded was 1 Meadow Pipit, a Chaffinch and 5 Goldfinch south.
There was also a report of a Nordic Jackdaw at Leigh Rigg.

Wednesday 6 November 2013

Wednesday 6th November 2013

Another slow day, the only reports were of a Jack Snipe at Stoupe Brow, 2 Whooper Swan, 8 Goosander and 42 Lapwing on Harwood Dale Lake, 3 Gadwall on the Mere and 10 Whooper Swan, 3 Egyptian Geese, 2 Goldeneye and 19 Lesser Black-backed Gull at Wykeham South Lake.

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Tuesday 5th November 2013

A small arrival of Blackbird during the afternoon saw 109 between Castle Hill and South Cliff, also along that stretch of coast were 9 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Lesser Redpoll.
On Potter Brompton Carr today were 4 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 140+ Teal, 3 Goldeneye flew west and 25+ Snipe, 44 Purple Sandpiper were roosting in the Harbour and 150 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Stoupe Brow.


Purple Sandpipers in the Harbour - Michael McNaghten

Monday 4 November 2013

Monday 4th November 2013

The change in winds finally produced a better day out at sea, on the move (south unless stated were) 21 Red-throated Diver + 2 north, 1 Black-throated Diver + 1 north, 1 Great Northern Diver north, 2 Sooty Shearwater north, 385 Gannet + 42 north, 12 Cormorant + 5 north, 69 Pink-footed Goose, 7 Teal north, 1 Mallard, 5 Eider north, 30 Common Scoter + 23 north, 1 Goldeneye north, 1 Red-breatsed Meganser north, 3 Goosander, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Pomarine Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 14 Great Skua + 1 north, 386 Black-headed Gull, 93 Common Gull, 542 Herring Gull, 156 Great Black-backed Gull, 18 Kittiwake, 32 Auk sp + 29 north, 4 Skylark north out at sea, 3 Rock Pipit, 8 Fieldfare in off and west, 1 Starling in off and west, 1 Goldfinch and 2 Redpoll sp.
Also in the Long Nab area were 3 Red-throated Diver, 1 Razorbill, 52 Skylark, 8 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Lapland Bunting, 23 Snow Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer and 5 Reed Bunting and on Wykeham South Lake there were 6 Whooper Swan, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Egyptian Geese, 1 Gadwall and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Sunday 3rd November 2013

A few odds and ends coming in off the sea during the day was the only really interest, Fieldfares (183) were the most numerous but also seen coming in were 1 Woodcock, 1 Blackbird, 3 Redwing and 14 Starling.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Gannet, 2 Common Scoter, 6 Rock Pipit and 2 Redpoll sp.
Also seen were 4 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Gadwall and a Crossbill in Cornelian Bay, a Shoveler and a Gadwall were on the Mere a Goldeneye was on the sea at Cloughton Wyke, a Little Egret and a Snipe were on Flixton Carr and 37 Skylark, 14 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 14 Snow Bunting and 7 Reed Bunting were at Long Nab.

Sunday 3 November 2013

Saturday 2nd November 2013

Another slow day for movement though 3 Pomarine Skuas north were notable. Also on the move (south unless stated) were 6 Red-throated Diver + 2 north, 46 Gannet + 59 north, 3 Cormorant + 2 north, 1 Wigeon, 1 Teal north, 1 Mallard, 8 Common Scoter + 21 north, 1 Goldeneye + 3 north, 445 Black-headed Gull, 140 Common Gull, 3 Kittiwake + 4 north, 4 Auk sp + 2 north and 1 Goldfinch.
Ten Snow Bunting were still in the Long Nab area and a Great Northern Diver was on the sea there while on Wykeham South Lake there were 3 Egyptian Geese, 109 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler, 8 Pochard and 1 Goldeneye. Six Snipe were at Seamer Tip and a Goldeneye, 9 Mistle Thrush, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Yellowhammer and 2 Reed Bunting were seen at Cloughton.

Some of the Snow Buntings at Long Nab - Michael McNaghten
 

Saturday 2 November 2013

Friday 1st November 2013

The month began well with the years first Great Grey Shrike found at Derwent Head Rigg (approximate grid reference SE 891 960) where there were also 5 Crossbill.
Migrants seen in the Long Nab area included 4 Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 2 Lapland Bunting and 8 Snow Bunting.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver, 43 Black-headed Gull, 15 Common Gull, 2 Wood Pigeon, 5 Skylark, 1 House Martin, 12 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 alba, 3 Fieldfare, 2 Starling, 6 Chaffinch, 2 Siskin, 4 Goldfinch, 13 Linnet, 5 Redpoll sp and 2 Reed Bunting.
Elsewhere a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was at Cromer Point, 6 Goosander and 7 Pink-footed Geese were on Harwood Dale Lake, 9 Mediterranean Gulls were at Holbeck and 34 Purple Sandpiper were roosting in the Harbour.


A record of the days Great Grey Shrike - Chris Bradshaw

Thursday 31 October 2013

Thursday 31st October 2013

Migrants seen between Long Nab and South Cliff were 60 Skylark, 70 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 82 Fieldfare, 7 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest, 20 Starling, 8 Goldfinch, 150 Linnet, 1 Twite (Long Nab), 2 Lapland Bunting (Long Nab), 6 Reed Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer and 10 Snow Bunting (Long Nab).
On the move today (south unless stated) were 16 Red-throated Diver + 3 north, 3 Shag, 4 Cormorant + 4 north, 25 Gannet + 26 north, 1 Mallard, 6 Teal, 14 Common Scoter + 41 north, 1 Eider north, 2 Goldeneye + 2 north, 1 Lapwing, 1 Grey Plover north, 68 Black-headed Gull + 5 north, 117 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 48 Great Black-backed Gull, 158 Herring Gull, 2 Auk sp north, 57 Skylark, 56 Meadow Pipit, 13 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Tree Sparrow, 7 Chaffinch and 2 Snow Bunting.
Elsewhere a Little Egret, a Short-eared Owl and 30 Lesser Redpoll were at Seamer Tip, 52 Golden Plover were at Herdborough Farm, a Goosander was at Burton Riggs, 86 Wigeon, 5 Pochard and 1 Goldeneye were at Wykham South Lake, 6 Whooper Swan, 1 Shoveler, 104 Golden Plover and 10 Snipe were at Potter Brompton Carr and the Great Crested Grebe and 5 Mediterranean Gulls were in South Bay.

Wednesday 30th October 2013

Hen Harriers are unfortunately hard to come by in Scarborough these days so two records today is pretty good by recent standards, the first was a ringtail that flew south past Long Nab at 09.40hrs and the second was of a Male heading northeast over Hilla Green at 15.30hrs.
Also on the move south were 7 Cormorant, 22 Black-headed Gull, 14 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 1 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 6 Linnet, 4 Redpoll sp, 1 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Reed Bunting.
Grounded migrants seen between Cloughton and Cornelian Bay were 1 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 111 Fiedfare, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Valley Road), 3 Goldcrest, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting, 3 Lapland Bunting (1 Long Nab, 2 Cromer Point), 3 Yellowhammer and 3 Snow Bunting (in off at Long Nab).
Elsewhere 40+ Crossbill were seen in Wykeham Forest, on Flotmanby Carr there was 1 Little Egret, 1 Whooper Swan and 18 Wigeon and a Great Crested Grebe was in South Bay.

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Tuesday 29th October 2013

A slightly better day with the first push of southbound Gulls. On the move (south unless stated) 9 Red-throated Diver 1 north, 116 Gannet + 12 north, 9 Cormorant + 2 north, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Greylag Goose north, 2 Eider, 3 Common Scoter north, 1 Merlin in off and south, 1 Golden Plover in off and west, Lapwing 1 in of and west, 5 Redshank north, 473 Black-headed Gull, 64 Common Gull, 323 Herring Gull, 51 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 5 Auk sp, 20 Wood Pigeon, 4 Meadow Pipit, 17 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Starling, 3 Goldfinch, 25 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting.
Migrants in the Long Nab area included 62 Skylark, 4 Rock Pipit, 1 Blackcap, 6 Goldcrest, 20 Linnet, 1 Lapland Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting and 5 Snow Bunting in off.
On Potter Brompton Carr there were 3 Whooper Swan and 11 Snipe and on Ruston Carr there were 94 Golden Plover and 300+ Lapwing.

Monday 28th October 2013

A very quiet day, on the move (south unless stated) were 8 Red-throated Diver 1 north, 50 Gannet + 16 north, 3 Cormorant, 3 Mute Swan, 3 Wigeon, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Redshank north, 1 Great Skua, 46 Black-headed Gull + 2 north, 34 Common Gull + 18 north, 1 Auk sp, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Swallow, 2 Siskin and 6 Redpoll sp.
The Gull roost at Wykeham South Lake contained 98 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1150 Common Gull, 900 Black-headed Gull and 280 Herring Gull, 3 Egyptian Geese were also present.

Monday 28 October 2013

Sunday 27th October 2013

On the move today (south unless stated) were 1 Black-throated Diver north, 18 Gannet + 28 north, 2 Cormorant, 1 Shelduck north, 2 Eider, 1 Dunlin north, 1 Pomarine Skua north, 35 Black-headed Gull, 22 Common Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 8 Auk sp north, 30 Wood Pigeon, 9 Skylark, 23 Meadow Pipit, 16 Rock Pipit, 3 Blackbird, 2 Tree Sparrow, 6 Chaffinch, 8 Goldfinch, 84 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp, 1 Snow Bunting.
Elsewhere a Whooper Swan, 8 Pink-footed Geese, 400 Teal, 55 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler and 3 Snipe were on Potter Brompton, 48 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills, 7 Grey Heron, 18 Teal and 3 Redshank were on Johnson's Marsh, 3 Goosander and 48 Lapwing were at Harwood Dale Lake and 4 Goshawk and 6 Crossbill were at Highwood Brow Viewpoint.
Lapland Buntings were seen at Long Nab (2) and at Cromer Point where there were 350 Linnet and a Chiffchaff was along South Cliff.

Whooper Swan, Potter Brompton Carr - Chris Bradshaw
 

Sunday 27 October 2013

Saturday 26th October 2013

Migrants in the Long Nab area included 75 Skylark, 80 Meadow Pipit, 8 Rock Pipit, 6 Robin, 3 Blackbird, 1 Firecrest, 35 Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting and 1 Lapland Bunting.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver, 36 Gannet + 32 north, 1 Cormorant, 12 Pink-footed Geese north, 1 Snipe, 12 Black-headed Gull + 1 north, 11 Common Gull + 3 north, 58 Herring Gull, 8 Great Black-backed Gull, 16 Stock Dove, 13 Wood Pigeon, 31 Skylark, 54 Meadow Pipit, 15 Rock Pipit, 2 alba, 17 Starling, 47 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 94 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 101 Linnet, 17 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Yellowhammer and 7 Reed Bunting.

Saturday 26 October 2013

Friday 25th October 2013

A slow day despite the promising conditions.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver north, 51 Gannet + 72 north, 1 Whooper Swan north, 9 Wigeon, 3 Eider north, 12 Common Scoter + 17 north, 2 Velvet Scoter + 3 north, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Pomarine Skua north, 2 Great Skua north, 16 Black-headed Gull +7 north, 12 Common Gull + 6 north, 1 Kittiwake + 1 north, 5 Guillemot, 22 Auk sp + 6 north, 5 Skylark, 1 House Martin, 9 Tree Sparrow, 5 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 4 Linnet, 5 Redpoll sp, and 3 Reed Bunting.
Migrants seen between Ravenscar and Castle Hill were 89 Skylark, 35 Meadow Pipit, 11 Robin, 18 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush, 19 Blackbird, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 11 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Long Nab), 42 Starling, 28 Chaffinch, 95 Linnet, 2 Yellowhammer, 5 Reed Bunting and 3 Lapland Bunting (Long Nab).
An adult Little Gull was in Fields near Scalby Lodge Pond.

Thursday 24 October 2013

Thursday 24th October 2013

The Siberian Stonechat had departed overnight, not too surprising given the clear conditions.
Other migrants seen between Stoupe Brow and South Cliff were 1 Jack Snipe (Stoupe Brow), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12 Skylark, 23 Meadow Pipit, 3 Grey Wagtail, 19 Blackbird, 4 Song Thrush, 7 Redwing, 3 Blackcap, 5 Goldcrest, 12 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Mealy Redpoll (Long Nab) and 3 Reed Bunting.
On the move south were 100 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Greylag Goose, 4 Common Scoter, 1 Red Kite, 9 Skylark, 1 House Martin, 31 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 4 Tree Sparrow, 11 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 2 Greenfinch, 11 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin and 13 Lesser Redpoll.
On Potter Brompton Carr there was a Whooper Swan, 180 Teal, 53 Wigeon and 13 Snipe.

The first of three Mealy Redpoll trapped ringed at Long Nab - Michael McNaghten


The second Mealy Redpoll trapped at Long Nab - Michael McNaghten
 

Wednesday 23rd October 2013

The Siberian Stonechat was still preforming well at Scalby Nab throughout the day.
On the move (south unless stated) were 200 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Kittiwake north, 9 Auk sp + 24 north, 28 Wood Pigeon, 3 Skylark, 4 House Martin, 11 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Fieldfare in and south, 3 Starling in and west, 8 Chaffinch, 18 Goldfinch, 32 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp, 1 Reed Bunting.
A Spotted Redshank flew east over Taylor Way and brings the yearlist to 230!
Elsewhere 2 Barnacle and 3 Pink-footed Geese were on Burton Riggs, 16 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh, 114 Wigeon were on Scalby Mills and 30 were on Flotmanby and on Wykeham South Lake were 4 Egyptian Geese, 36 Wigeon, 4 Pochard and a Little Stint.


Another cracking shot of the Siberian Stonechat - Dave Mansell

Tuesday 22nd October 2013

A quiet day with little coverage on the coast.
The Siberian Stonechat was showing extremely well today on Scalby Nab and a Yellow-browed Warbler found with a Tit flock at the Mere is the 41st in Scarborough this year!
At Potter Brompton Carr there were 60 Mallard, 180 Teal, 13 Wigeon, 56 Lapwing and a Snipe, 300 Lapwing were on Ruston Carr and on Wykeham South Lake there were 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Egyptian Geese, 24 Wigeon and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Monday 21st October 2013

Migrants seen between Roger Trod and South Cliff were 48 Skylark, 80 Meadow Pipit, 1 Siberian Stonechat (still Scalby Nab), 12 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 12 Redwing, 1 Whinchat (Long Nab), 1 Ring Ouzel Roger Trod, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Northstead Manor Gardens), 1 Goldcrest, 11 Starling, 3 Chaffinch and 7 Reed Bunting.
It was a fairly interesting day for passage,on the move (south unless stated) were 4 Red-throated Diver + 4 north, 28 Gannet + 67 north, 40 Cormorant, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Mallard, 5 Common Scoter + 15 north, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 191 Black-headed Gull, 30 Common Gull, 26 Wood Pigeon, 39 Skylark, 8 House Martin, 1 Swallow, 32 Rock Pipit, 228 Meadow Pipit, 2 alba, 3 Fieldfare in and south, 6 Redwing in and south, 14 Starling, 10 Tree Sparrow, 54 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling in and south, 9 Greenfinch, 212 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 71 Linnet, 9 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting and 1 Snow Bunting.
On Wykeham South Lake there was a Little Stint along with a 6 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Egyptian Geese, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Wigeon, 4 Pochard, 29 Coot and 2 Greenshank and the 2 Red-breasted Merganser were still on the Mere as were 73 Tufted Duck and a Kingfisher.

Sunday 20th October 2013

The Siberian Stonechat was again present at Scalby Nab and showing well.
Other migrants seen between Ravenscar and Cornelian Bay were 3 Woodcock, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 38 Skylark, 29 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 47 Robin, 1 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, 1 Whinchat (Long Nab, latest Scarborough record), 23 Redwing, 81 Blackbird, 10 Song Thrush, 3 Fieldfare, 1 Ring Ouzel (Scalby Beck), 1 Whitethroat (Castle Hill, latest Scarborough record), 2 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Northstead Manor Gardens), 6 Goldcrest, 2 Starling, 12 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 9 Reed Bunting and 1 Lapland Bunting (Long Nab).
On the move (south unless stated) 4 Red-throated Diver + 5 north, 1 Cormorant + 2 north, 55 Gannet + 89 north, 1Grey Heron in and south, 27 Teal + 26 north, 50 Common Scoter + 35 north, 7 Eider, 1 Red-breasted Merganser north, 45 Knot, 1 Great Skua north, 183 Black-headed Gull + 47 north, 13 Common Gull + 27 north, 1 Kittiwake north, 1 Sandwich Tern north, 1 Auk sp + 2 north, 6 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 37 Meadow Pipit, 21 Rock Pipit, Blackbird 1 in and south, 1 Chaffinch, 15 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 5 Greenfinch, 13 Linnet, 1 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Reed Bunting.
Thirteen Crossbills were seen at Highwood Brow Viewpoint.

A few more of the Siberian Stonechat at Scalby Nab - Dave Mansell
 
 

Monday 21 October 2013

Saturday 19th October 2013

The highlights of the day were the continued presence of the Siberain Stonechat at Scalby Nab where there was also a report of a Pallas's Warbler and a Bittern flushed from Brambles along South Cliff which flew north and appeared to go down north of Holbeck.
Other migrants seen between Ravenscar and South Cliff were 19 Skylark, 20 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 25 Robin, 1 Wheatear, 69 Blackbird, 14 Song Thrush, 31 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 15 Brambling, 6 Siskin, 7 Crossbill (5 Long Nab, 2 Valley Road) and 5 Reed Bunting.
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Great Northern Diver, 50 Pink-footed Geese east, 38 Wigeon north, 50 Teal north, 46 Common Scoter north, 12 Lapwing in and west, 2 Skylark in and west, 8 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 23 Blackbird in, 64 Starling in and 1 Reed Bunting in.
Elsewhere 2 Red-breasted Merganser were on the Mere, a Great Crested Grebe was in the Harbour and 52 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills.


Crossbill, Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

Friday 18 October 2013

Friday 18th October 2013

The Siberian Stonechat was again preforming well all day in the Scalby Nab area.
A trickle of birds were arriving in off throughout the day, migrant totals between Jugger Howe and South Cliff were 1 Merlin, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 27 Robin, 519 Fieldfare, 62 Blackbird, 43 Redwing, 22 Song Thrush, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Scalby Beck), 12 Goldcrest, 13 Brambling, 1 Crossbill, 5 Reed Bunting and 2 Yellowhammer.
On the move south were 13 Wigeon, 1 Mallard, 7 Meadow Pipit, 5 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 9 Chaffinch, 5 Greenfinch and 1 Crossbill.
Elsewhere a Long-tailed Duck was on the sea off Crook Ness, the Little Gull was still present at Scalby Mills and a Barnacle Goose and 6 Pink-footed Geese were at Burton Riggs.

Thursday 17 October 2013

Thursday 17th October 2013

The SIBERIAN STONECHAT was still preforming well at times on Scalby Nab throughout the day.
Also seen between Long Nab and Holbeck were 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Robin, 12 Redwing, 13 Blackbird, 3 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Castle Hill), 12 Goldcrest and 1 Siskin.
On the move were 220 Pink-footed Geese south and 40 Common Scoter north.
A 1st winter Little Gull was showing well at Scalby Mills.

Siberian Stonechat, Scalby Nab - Martin Garner

Siberian Stonechat, Scalby Nab - Dave Mansell

Siberian Stonechat, Scalby Nab - Dave Mansell
 

Wednesday 16th October 2013

A fine SIBERIAN STONECHAT discovered by Scalby Beck late morning was the clear highlight of the day, it frequented the area of long grass at the top of Scalby Nab but was fairly mobile and often elusive in the strong wind.
Other migrants seen between Stoupe Brow and Castle Hill were 1 Merlin, 2 Woodcock, 43 Skylark, 14 Meadow Pipit, 49 Robin, 52 Blackbird, 74 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush, 20 Fieldfare, 2 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 27 Goldcrest, 11 Brambling, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Siskin, 1 Snow Bunting (Long Nab), 3 Reed Bunting and 3 Yellowhammer.
On the move south were 12 Skylark, 19 Meadow Pipit, 2 alba and 3 Goldfinch.

Lesser Redpoll, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Siberian Stonechat, Scalby Nab - Michael McNaghten

Siberian Stonechat, Scalby Nab - Michael McNaghten
 

Tuesday 15th October 2013

A new Red-breasted Flycatcher was found along King's Street during the afternoon and showed well throughout the day.
Other migrants seen between Long Nab and Cornelian Bay were 1 Woodcock, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 46 Skylark, 36 Meadow Pipit, 2 Redstart (King's Street), 32 Robin, 56 Blackbird, 1 Ring Ouzel (Castle Hill), 82 Redwing, 18 Song Thrush, 2 Fieldfare, 16 Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler (Long Nab), 14 Chiffchaff, 1 'Siberian' Chiffchaff (King's Street), 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Long Nab), 91 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Castle Hill), 1 Pied Flycatcher (Castle Hill), 1 'Northern' Treecreeper (Holbeck), 3 Brambling, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Reed Bunting and 1 Yellowhammer.
On the move (south unless stated) were 90 Pink-footed Geese, 40 Wigeon north, 3 Swallow and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Elsewhere 23 Wigeon and a Common Scoter were on Wykeham South Lake and 7 Wigeon, 48 Lapwing and 5 Snipe were on Potter Brompton Carr.

Reed Warbler, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw