Sunday 28 December 2014

Saturday 27th December 2014


A Great Northern Diver off Marine Drive, 8 Gadwall and 7 Goosander at the Mere and an Eider at Scalby Mills were the only reports.

Friday 26th December 2014


Migration watch; 08.40 - 11.00hrs.
Past Long Nab (north unless stated) were 15 Red-throated Diver + 1 south, 2 Fulmar, 4 Gannet, 1 Cormorant + 2 south, 8 Shelduck, 1 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 10 Common Scoter, 7 Black-headed Gull south, 4 Common Gull + 23 south, 163 Herring Gull south, 36 Great Black-backed Gull south and 2 Alba south.
Elsewhere at Lapland Bunting was at Long Nab, a Scaup, a Goldeneye, 30 Pochard and 2 Egyptian Geese were on Wykeham South Lake and a Scaup, 6 Snipe and 11 Fieldfare were at Potter Brompton Carr (no general access).

Thursday 25th December 2014


Migration watch; 09.40 - 10.40hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 1 Great Northern Diver north, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Fulmar + 27 north, 4 Gannet + 5 north, 1 Common Scoter, 2 Great Skua, 1 Black-headed Gull north, 4 Common Gull north, 7 Auk sp + 9 north and 1 Asio sp.

Tuesday 23rd - Wednesday 24th December 2014


Migration watch; 08.50 - 09.30hrs.
On 23rd past Long Nab (north unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver, 32 Fulmar, 1 Cormorant, 1 Shag and 8 Black-headed Gull south.
Elsewhere a Mediterranean Gull, 135 Black-headed Gull, 520 Common Gull, 45 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Egyptian Geese and 34 Pochard were on Wykeham South Lake, a Red-throated Diver, an Eider and a Razorbill were at Scalby Mills, 13 Whooper Swan were at Folkton Sewage Works and 11 Goosander, 7 Goldeneye, 7 Gadwall were at the Mere.
On 24th 3 Little Egret on Folkton Carr were the only report.

Sunday 21st - Monday 22nd December 2014


On 21st 2 Richard's Pipit were still at Hayburn Wyke, 12 Tundra Bean Geese, a Whooper Swan, 4 Golden Plover, 205 Lapwing were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), a Goldeneye was at the Mere and a Chiffchaff was in Hutton Buscel.
On 22nd 5 Whooper Swan were in Cayton Bay.

Saturday 20th December 2014


Migration watch; 08.30 - 09.30hrs and 14.20 - 15.20hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver + 2 north, 2 Great Northern Diver, 146 Fulmar + 515 north, 26 Gannet + 2 north, 2 Cormorant, 1 Eider, 1 Pomarine Skua, 2 Great Skua, 3 Common Gull, 30 Great Black-backed Gull, 7 Kittiwake north and 183 Auk sp north.
Elsewhere 2 Richard's Pipit were at Hayburn Wyke, 118 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills and 15 Whooper Swan were at Folkton Sewage Works.

Tuesday 16th - Friday 19th December 2014


A very quiet few days.
On 16th the Great Northern Diver, a Red-throated Diver, a Guillemot a Razorbill and 22 Purple Sandpiper were in the Harbour.
On 17th the Great Northern Diver remained in the Harbour.
On 19th the only report was of 65 Turnstone in the Harbour.

Monday 15th December 2014


Migration watch; 08.20 - 10.20hrs.
On the move at Long Nab (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver + 3 north, 5 Fulmar + 4 north, 2 Gannet north, 1 Cormorant + 1 north, 15 Golden Plover, 11 Black-headed Gull, 171 Herring Gull, 19 Great Black-backed Gull and 2 Auk sp north.
Elsewhere a Tundra Bean Goose was with Greylag and Canada Geese at Seamer Tip, a Great Crested Grebe, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Eider, 2 Goosander were in South Bay, at Long Nab there were 160 Tree Sparrow, 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Snow Bunting and 48 Yellowhammer, a Wigeon, 77 Lapwing and 6 Snipe were on Potter Brompton Carr, 300 Lapwing on Cayton Carr, 5 Great Crested Grebe and a Goldeneye were on Wykeham South Lake and 6 Grey Heron, 23 Teal and 22 Curlew were on Johnson's Marsh.

Sunday 14th December 2014


Migration watch; 08.40 - 11.00hrs.
On the move at Long Nab (north unless stated) were 4 Red-throated Diver + 4 south, 8 Fulmar + 2 south, 2 Gannet + 2 south, 1 Cormorant, 1 Shag, 4 Wigeon south, 22 Black-headed Gull south, 15 Common Gull south, 13 Herring Gull + 299 south and 5 Great Black-backed Gull + 2 south.
Elsewhere the Great Northern Diver was in the Harbour, a Lapland Bunting was at Long Nab, 3 Little Egret were at Folkton Carr and 3 Goosander and 220 Lapwng were at Hawood Dale Lake.

Friday 12th - Saturday 13th December 2014

The 12th was a rather quiet day. Reports on 14th were 1 Richard's Pipit at Hayburn Wyke, 4 Whooper Swan at Ruston Carr, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 32 Pochard, 30 Black-headed Gull, 870 Common Gull, 320 Herring Gull and 40 Great Black-backed Gull were at Wykeham South Lake, 5 Red-throated Diver, 7 Purple Sandpiper, 4 Razorbill, 3 Grey Plover and 2 Grey Wagtail were in Cornelian Bay and a Great Northern Diver was in the Harbour.

Interestingly a Dolphin sp was seen off Marine Drive.

Monday 8th - Thursday 11th December 2014

On 8th a Richard's Pipit was still at Hayburn Wyke, a Water Rail and a Kingfisher were in the Open Air Theartre, 183 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills and 90 Oystercatcher, 7 Ringed Plover, 54 Redshank, 39 Turnstone and a Purple Sandpiper were in Jackson's Bay.
A Blackcap in Crossgates and 2 Grey Plover were in Corbelian Bay on 10th.
On the 11th 7 Gadwall were on the Mere, a Kingfisher was at Scalby Mills and 2 Grey Plover were in Cornelian Bay while at Wykeham South Lake there were 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 2 Egyptian Geese, 471 Greylag Geese, 68 Canada Geese, 41 Mallard, 9 Wigeon, 17 Tufted Duck, 13 Pochard, 3 Goldeneye, 27 Coot and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Monday 8 December 2014

Sunday 7th December 2014


Migration watch; 09.30 - 10.30hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar + 2 north, 17 Gannet, 1 Pomarine Skua, 2 Black-headed Gull and 7 Common Gull.
Elsewhere the Richard's Pipit was still near Hayburn Wyke, 2 Eider, 1 Common Scoter and 2 Grey Plover were in Cornelian Bay and 2 Water Rail and a Kingfisher were at the Mere.

Saturday 6th December 2014


Migration watch; 07.40 - 10.10hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver, 15 Fulmar north, 2 Cormorant, 2 Black-headed Gull, 30 Herring Gull, 13 Great Black-backed Gull + 6 north, 1 Kittiwake north, 8 Auk sp north, 37 Common Gull + 46 in from east and north and 1 Fieldfare.
The Richard's Pipit was still near Hayburn Wyke, 3 Little Egret were at Flotmanby Carr, 11 Goosander were at the Mere, 9 Wigeon were on Johnson's Marsh, 1 Goldeneye and 1 Eider were in Cornelian Bay, 7 Razorbill were in North Bay, 2 Snow Bunting were at Long Nab, 2 Stonechat were on Jugger Howe Moor, a Little Auk was off Marine Drive and a Great Grey Shrike was present again at Stony Knoll, Langdale Forest.

Friday 5th December 2014


A quiet day with a Little Auk, a Red-throated Diver and 4 Razorbill in North Bay, 44 Teal and 12 Wigeon on Johnson's Marsh, 3 Egyptian Geese, 45 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 1 Dunlin and 120 Common Gull were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) and 8 Brambling were at Haygate, Dalby Forest.

Thursday 4th December 2014

There was no sign of the Eastern Black Redstart in Scalby today, but with a drop in temperatures and clear skies over night it was on the cards.
Reported from elsewhere were 70 Brambling at Adderstone Field, Dalby Forest, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Gadwall, 22 Teal, 12 Wigeon, 8 Pochard and a Goldeneye were on Wykeham South Lake.

Wednesday 3rd December 2014


The male EASTERN BLACK REDSTART was still present in Scalby and was still showing well.
The Richard's Pipit was still at Hayburn Wyke, 7 Gadwall, 36 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 4 Goldeneye, 8 Goosander, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Chiffchaff were at the Mere, a Kingfisher was at Scalby Mills and 30 + Purple Sandpiper and 47 Turnstone were in the Harbour.

Tuesday 2nd December 2014


The male EASTERN BLACK REDSTART was still present and showing well at times on Norwich Close, Scalby throughout the day and attracted a steady stream of people.
The only other reports were of the Richard's Pipit still up at the Hayburn Wyke and a Little Auk in South Bay.

Monday 1st December 2014


Migration watch; 08.00 - 10.15hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 6 Red-throated Diver + 6 north, 3 Fulmar + 6 north, 1 Gannet, 120 Pink-footed Geese, 9 Goosander, 1 Dunlin, 2 Black-headed Gull north, 19 Common Gull + 8 north, 5 Great Black-backed Gull + 7 north, 5 Auk sp and 1 Redwing north.
Present at Long Nab were 14 Meadow Pipit, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Lapland Bunting.

The biggest news of the day (and possibly the year??) came from Scalby, the 'Common Redstart' present today for it's third day was re identified as a male EASTERN BLACK REDSTART!!!

It showed well at times, when not on its circuit of the private gardens and was present up till dusk.

Sunday 30th November 2014

Migration watch; 07.45 - 11.45hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 4 Red-throated Diver + 12 north, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Fulmar + 13 north, 52 Gannet + 9 north, 4 Cormorant + 2 north, 3 Shag + 1 north, 100 Pink-footed Geese, 11 Greylag Geese north, 1 Mallard north, 1 Wigeon + 3 north, 4 Shoveler north, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander, 2 Eider, 7 Common Scoter north, 1 Lapwing north, 3 Dunlin north, 1 Pomarine Skua, 6 Black-headed Gull + 5 north, 35 Common Gull 16 north, 140 Herring Gull, 25 Great Black-backed Gull + 32 north, 1 Kittiwake north, 8 Auk sp + 7 north, 1 Fieldfare in and west, 2 Carrion crow north and 3 Starling north.
In the long Nab area were 2 Woodcock, 40 Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipit, 12 Rock Pipit, 3 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Lapland Bunting and 2 Corn Bunting, the Red-breasted Merganser was at the Mere and the Redstart was still in Scalby.

Saturday 29th November 2014


A Redstart was reported in Scalby, the 2 Richard's Pipit were near the Hayburn Wyke, 25 Curlew were on Johnson's Marsh and a Little Auk was on the sea of Cromer Point. A Lapwing flew south over town.

Thursday 27th - Friday 28th November 2014


The only reports on 27th was of 2 Eider north off Marine Drive and a male Hen Harrier on Fylingdales Moor.

A Little Auk was off Marine Drive and 7 Fulmar were back on the Cliffs there, 4 Goosander and a Red-breasted Merganser were on the Mere. Over town between 00.40 and 01.25hrs were 1 Dunlin, 40 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush and 10 Blackbird.

Wednesday 26th November 2014


Migration watch; 08.00 - 10.10hrs
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver north, 5 Fulmar, 1 Cormorant, 1 Teal, 3 Goldeneye, 15 Black-headed Gull, 11 Common Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Razorbill and 7 Guillemot north.
At Long Nab there were 2 Tundra Bean Geese, 25 Teal, 4 Wigeon and 21 Curlew were on Johnson's Marsh, a Little Auk was taken by a Peregrine off Marine Drive, and another was seen in South Bay. On the Mere there were 2 Gadwall, 6 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander and 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Egyptian Geese, 700 Common Gull, 850 Herring Gull and 140 Great Black-backed Gull were on Wykeham South Lake.

Tuesday 25th November 2014


Migration watch; 09.00 - 09.30hrs.
The 2 Richard's Pipit and 2 Willow Tit were still at Hayburn Wyke, 60 Wigeon, 90 Teal and 16 Snipe were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) and 12 Snow Bunting were at Long Nab.
On the move (south unless stated) were 4 Red-throated Diver, 8 Fulmar north, 7 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 38 Herring Gull and 2 Great Black-backed Gull.

Monday 24th November 2014


Now two Richard's Pipits were together in the fields south of the Hayburn Wyke, a Kingfisher was at Scalby Mills and 23 Ringed Plover were in Jackson's Bay, a Waxwing was in Eastfield and 80 Pink-footed Geese flew south.

Sunday 23rd November 2014


Migration watch; 07.45 - 15.15hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) 120 Red-throated Diver + 3 north, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-necked Grebe north, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Fulmar, 143 Gannet + 1 north, 20 Cormorant, 1 Shag, 175 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Teal, 65 Common Scoter + 6 north, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser north, 1 Goosander, 7 Eider + 3 north, 1 Pomarine Skua, 58 Common Gull + 1 north, 53 Black-backed Gull + 6 north, 160 Herring Gull, 110 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Kittiwake, 10 Auk sp + 1 north, 1 Alba and Snow Bunting 2 in off and west.
Present at Long Nab were 3 Tundra Bean Geese, 1 Jack Snipe, 25 Skylark, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Lapland Bunting and 5 Snow Bunting.
Seven Snow Bunting were at Cromer Point, 2 Goldeneye were in North Bay and 88 Oystercatcher, 23 Ringed Plover, 68 Redshank, 44 Turnstone, 1 Purple Sandpiper and 950 Black-headed Gull.

Saturday 22nd November 2014

Migration watch; 07.30 - 12.15hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 4 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Cormorant + 2 north, 3 Shag, 1 Fulmar + 1 north, 69 Gannet + 2 north, 11 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 5 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 10 Wigeon, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Eider north, 2 Common Scoter, 19 Teal, 10 Lapwing, 9 Golden Plover, 3 Black-headed Gull, 72 Common Gull + 1 north, 173 Herring Gull, 75 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Guillemot, 3 Meadow Pipit, 54 Blackbird in and west, 1 Fieldfare in and west,
Three Tundra Bean Geese, 1 Lapland Bunting and 4 Snow Bunting were at Long Nab, the Richard's Pipit was still at Hayburn Wyke, a Great Northern Diver was in South Bay and 54 Purple Sandpiper were in the Harbour.

Sunday 7 December 2014

Thursday 20th - Friday 21st November 2014

On 20th a Little Auk and a Puffin were in South Bay, a displaying pair of Egyptian Geese were at Wykeham South Lake, a Goldeneye was in North Bay, Kingfishers were seen at Scalby Mills and it the Harbour, 26 Purple Sandpiper were in the Harbour, a Mediterranean Gull flew north off Marine Drive and a Long-eared Owl was seen on Castle Hill.

The only report on 21st was of 6 Blackbird in off and west over town.

Tuesday 18th - Wednesday 19th November 2014

On the 18th the only report was of a male Hen Harrier on Stony Marl Moor and a Kingfisher in the Harbour.

(19th) Migration watch: 09.15 - 11.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Great Northern Diver, 7 Red-throated Diver + 2 north, 44 Gannet + 1 north, 1 Fulmar, 3 Goldeneye, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Eider, 2 Pomarine Skua, 4 Black-headed Gull, 9 Common Gull, 10 Kittiwake, 7 Little Gull and 8 Auk sp + 3 north.
Elsewhere a Great Northern Diver and a Little Auk were in South Bay, 32 Skylark, 9 Reed Bunting, 3 Snow Bunting and 4 Yellowhammer were at Long Nab, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 23 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard and 2 Goldeneye were on Wykeham South Lake and 4 Cormorant, 1 Gadwall, 30 Tufted Duck, 7 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Goldcrest were at the Mere.

Monday 17th November 2014


Migration watch 7.15 - 16.10hrs.
A decent day over the sea produced the following (north unless stated) 11 Red-throated Diver + 8 south, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar + 4 south, 25 Gannet + 246 south, 1 Shag, 2 Cormorant, 1 Mallard south, 3 Wigeon + 2 south, 1 Pintail south, 2 Goldeneye south, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 9 Common Scoter south, 2 Eider south, 1 Velvet Scoter, 1 Red-breasted Merganser south, 1 Grey Plover south, 11 Pomarine Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 4 Great Skua south, 42 Black-headed Gull south, 99 Common Gull + 201 south, 75 Great Black-backed Gull south, 4 Little Gull + 13 south, 45 Kittiwake + 19 south, 12 Auk sp + 272 south, 3 Puffin south, 6 Little Auk + 2 south and 1 Blackbird in off (but eaten by a Great Black-backed before making landfall).

Elsewhere the Richard's Pipit was still at Hayburn Wyke, Little Auks were seen in South Bay, North Bay and Jackson's Bay, 160 Wigeon and 47 Redshank were at Scalby Mills, 51 Purple Sandpiper were in the Harbour, a Goldeneye was in South Bay, a Scaup and a Goosander were on the Mere and 2 Snow Bunting were on RAF Fylingdales.

Sunday 16th November 2014


Migration watch. 08.10 - 12.50hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 13 Red-throated Diver + 6 north, 3 Fulmar north, 8 Gannet + 4 north,1 Shag, 8 Cormorant + 1 north, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Eider north, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Lapwing, 2 Pomarine Skua, 14 Common Gull, 1 Little Gull + 3 north, 1 Kittiwake north, 1 Puffin north, 11 Auk sp + 7 north, 3 Little Auk + 3 north, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 27 Linnet and 4 Twite.
Elsewhere the Richard's Pipit was at Hayburn Wyke, Little Auks were seen in South Bay and Cornelian Bay, 3 Cormorant, 24 Mute Swan, 1 Gadwall, 1 Scaup and 6 Goldeneye were at the Mere and 4 Snow Bunting were at Long Nab.

Saturday 15th November 2014


The Richard's Pipit at Hayburn Wyke was the highlight of a quiet day. Elsewhere a Little Auk was in south Bay, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Pochard and a Goldeneye were on Wykeham South Lake, 4 Red-throated Diver, 8 Purple Sandpiper and 1 Grey Wagtail were in Cornelian Bay while 9 Red-throated Diver, 2 Shag 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 12 Teal flew south, a Little Auk was in South Bay, a Black Redstart was on King Street and 41 Snow Bunting were at Long Nab.

Thursday 13th - Friday 14th November 2014


Migration watch; 08.25 - 09.25hrs.
The 13th produce the following; (south unless stated) 7 Red-throated Diver + 3 north, 2 Cormorant, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Mute Swan, 6 Teal, 11 Lapwing, 3 Little Gull, 1 Auk sp + 7 north and 2 Little Auk north.
On Castle Hill were 12 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff.
Elsewhere a Little Grebe, a Gadwall, a Scaup and 7 Goldeneye were on the Mere and a Little Auk was on the sea off Marine Drive.

On 14th the only reports were of a Little Auk south past Cornelian Bay and a Grey Wagtail in the bay there.

Wednesday 12th November 2014


Migration watch; 08.20 - 13.45hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 6 Red-throated Diver north, 24 Gannet + 12 north, 3 Cormorant, 13 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Mallard, 11 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 8 Eider north, 3 Common Scoter + 17 north, 1 Woodcock in from the east, 5 Kittiwake + 1 north, 13 Black-headed Gull, 75 Common Gull + 8 north, 65 Herring Gull, 8 Great Black-backed Gull + 3 north, 49 Little Gull + 5 north, 55 Auk sp + 13 north, 1 Little Auk and 5 Blackbird in and west.
Present in the Long Nab area were 46 Skylark, 7 Rock Pipit, 18 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Goldcrest, 39 Snow Bunting and 24 Yellowhammer.
Elsewhere 4 Great Crested Grebe, 249 Greylag Geese, 3 Gadwall, 13 Teal, 43 Wigeon, 19 Tufted Duck, 20 Pochard, 3 Goldeneye, 35 Coot and a Lesser Black-backed Gull were on Wykeham South Lake, a Kingfisher and 90 Jackdaw were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) and a Blackcap was in Hutton Buscel.

Tuesday 11th November 2014


Migration watch; 08.15 - 14.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 6 north, 1 Red-necked Grebe (first of the year), 7 Gannet + 6 north, 1 Pomarine Skua, 20 Little Gull, 7 Black-headed Gull, 48 Common Gull + 8 north, 81 Herring Gull, 21 Great Black-backed Gull, 7 Kittiwake + 4 north, 17 Auk sp + 17 north, 6 Little Auk and 1 Fieldfare in and west.
In the Long Nab area were 1 Little Auk on the sea, 2 Snipe, 2 Woodcock, 22 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Robin, 3 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 7 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 41 Snow Bunting and 18 Yellowhammer.
Elsewhere 8 Red-throated Diver and a Razorbill were in South Bay, 6 Whooper Swan, 6 Pink-footed Geese, 18 Pochard, 2 Goldeneye and 17 Coot were on Wykeham South Lake, 5 Mediterranean Gull were at Holbeck, 43 Teal, 15 Wigeon and 15 Moorhen were on Johnson's Marsh and 7 Snipe were on RAF Fylingdales.

Monday 10th November 2014


The only reports throughout the day were of 26 Mute Swan, 1 Gadwall, 36 Tufted Duck, 1 Scaup and 7 Goldeneye at the Mere, the Goldeneye in the Northtead Manor Gardens, 181 Great Black-backed Gull at Scalby Mills and 39 Teal, 14 Oystercatcher, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail and 11 Rock Pipit in Jackson's Bay.

Sunday 9th November 2014


The Richard's Pipit still near the Hayburn Wyke was the days highlight. Elsewhere 1 Gadwall, 6 Goldeneye and a Jay were at the Mere, 137 Wigeon, 1 Kingfisher were at Scalby Mills, 52 Teal, 23 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 39 Redshank were in Jackson's Bay, 6 Red-throated Diver, 2 Velvet Scoter and 8 Razorbill were in Cornelian Bay, a Woodcock and 3 Siskin were at Ravenscar and 14 Snow Bunting were at Long Nab.
Also noted were 313 Pink-footed Geese heading south.

Friday 7th - Saturday 8th November 2014


Two fairly quiet days. On 7th were 3 Red-throated Diver, 7 Mallard, 7 Wigeon, 2 Purple Sandpiper and a Sandwich Tern in Cornelian Bay, 5 Snipe and a Dunlin were on Rudda Road Flash, a Goldeneye was in Northstead Manor Gardens, 2 Wigeon, 7 Goosander and 22 Lapwing were on Harwood Dale Lake and 12 flew south off shore.

On the 8th the Goldeneye was still in the Northstead Manor Gardens with another seen at Seamer Tip while at Long Nab there were 60 Skylark, 90 Tree Sparrow, 35 Yellowhammer, 8 Reed Bunting, 13 Snow Bunting, 1 Lapland Bunting and a Short-eared Owl.

Thursday 6th November 2014

Migration watches; 07.05 - 07.25hrs and 11.55 - 12.55hrs.
The highlight was a Grey Phalarope that flew north past Marine Drive at 12.36hrs, also on the move (south unless stated) were 4 Red-throated Diver + 4 north, 1 Cormorant, 2 Mallard, 5 Teal + 1 north, 3 Wigeon, 32 Common Scoter + 1 north, 1 Eider, 11 Purple Sandpiper, 9 Common Gull, 8 Guillemot + 3 north, 1 Razorbill, 25 Auk sp, 16 Little Auk north, 1 Blackbird in off and 5 Starling in off.
Elsewhere a Gadwall, 19 Wigeon, 8 Pochard, 6 Goldeneye and a Peregrine were at Wykeham South Lake.

Wednesday 5th November 2014


Migration watches; 07.55 - 11.05hrs and 13.30 - 14.25hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 46 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 3 Great Northern Diver + 1 north, 2 Fulmar north, 338 Gannet south + 24 north, 1 Shag north, 8 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Teal north, 2 Mallard, 21 Eider, 29 Common Scoter + 32 north, 11 Goldeneye north, 1 Pomarine Skua south, 3 Little Gull south, 23 Black-headed Gull south, 104 Common Gull + 11 north, 158 Kittiwake + 14 north, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Little Auk + 38 north.
The only other report was of 74 Turnstone in the Harbour.

Monday 3rd - Tuesday 4th November 2014


Highlights on the 3rd were the Richard's Pipit and a Short-eared Owl at Hayburn Wyke, 131 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler and a 1st winter Little Gull at Scalby Mills, a Little Auk was taken by a Peregrine off Marine Drive where there was a Stonechat and a Great Crested Grebe and a Goldeneye was in North Bay.
On 4th 20 Purple Sandpiper and 51 Turnstone were in the Harbour.

Saturday 1st - Sunday 2nd November 2014


On 1st 75 Pink-footed Geese south and 2 Jack Snipe in fields at Long Nab were the only reports.

The 2nd was a little better, the Richard's Pipit was still near Hayburn Wyke, a Wheatear was at Ravenscar, 4 Twite were at Long Nab, 12 Tufted Duck and 2 Scaup were on The Mere, a Tufted Duck and a Goldeneye were on the Mere, 15 Whooper Swan were on Wykeham South Lake, a Black-throated Diver was in Cornelian Bay, 116 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills and a Little Gull flew south offshore.

Friday 31st October 2014

Migration watch; 10.00 - 12.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 15 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Lapwing, 16 Golden Plover, 50 Skylark, 19 Meadow Pipit, 60 Starling and 31 Siskin.
Seen between Ravenscar and Long Nab were 11 Greylag Geese, 1 Snipe 21 Robin, 1 Stonechat, 53 Blackbird, 11 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 18 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, 1 Brambling, 100 Siskin (Ravenscar), 1 Lapland Bunting (Long Nab), 15 Yellowhammer and 5 Reed Bunting.
Two Goldeneye were in Cornelain Bay.

Tuesday 18 November 2014

Thursday 30th October 2014

A great day with a fantastic arrival of Thrushes along with small numbers of other odds and ends.
Between Ravenscar and South Cliff migrant totals were 3 Woodcock, 24 Skylark, 3 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 31 Robin, 1 Stonechat, 1 Black Redstart (Bent Rigg Lane), 1566 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4153 Redwing, 115 Song Thrush, 577 Blackbird, 3 Ring Ouzel (1 Castle Hill, 2 Long Nab), 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler (Castle Hill), 7 Goldcrest, 383 Starling, 4 Brambling and 1 Siskin.

Although visibility was poor for much of the day there was a trickle of southerly passage; 17 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Shelduck (north), 5 Mallard, 3 Wigeon, 2 Goosander, 2 Golden Plover, 42 Lapwing, 4 Dunlin and 1 Greenshank.
As well as the arrival the first Raven of the year was seen over Scar Wood near Harwood Dale and was later seen over Stoupe Brow. Elsewhere 11 Whooper Swan were near Folkton sewage works and a cream crown Marsh Harrier flew north over Eastfield.

Wednesday 29th October 2014

Migration watch; 10.50 - 11.45hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 5 Red-throated Diver, 411 Pink-footed Geese, 31 Black-headed Gull, 6 Common Gull, 9 Kittiwake, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Little Gull, 12 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit, 2 Starling in off and west, 4 Carrion Crow, 6 Twite and 1 Yellowhammer.
The blythi Lesser Whitethroat was in Crook Ness, at Scalby Mills there were 200 Wigeon, 3 Lapwing and 180 Great Black-backed Gull, at the Mere there were 35+ Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 16 Tufted Duck, 2 Scaup, 2 Coot and 39 Moorhen and 7 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 1 Shoveler and 22 Moorhen were in Johnson's Marsh.

Wednesday 5 November 2014

Tuesday 28th October 2014

Migration watch; 06.40 - 10.00hrs.
(south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver north, 7 Gannet + 88 north, 2 Cormorant north, 5 Common Scoter, 2 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 1 Curlew, 45 Little Gull north, 237 Black-headed Gull + 2 north, 65 Common Gull, 41 Great Black-backed Gull, 27 Kittiwake, 7 Auk sp + 231 north, 1 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit + 1 north, 2 Goldfinch, 7 Linnet and 1 Twite.
Migrants coming in off at Long Nab included 17 Blackbird, 7 Song Thrush, 2 Redwing and 94 Starling.
Roosting in the Harbour were 13 Purple Sandpiper, a Red-throated Diver and 2 Guillemot were in North Bay, 6 Whooper Swan, 8 Egyptian Geese, 38 Teal, 19 Wigeon and 20 Lapwing were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) and 19 Teal and 7 Wigeon were on Johnson's Marsh.

Monday 27th October 2014

A quiet day, the 2 Scaup remained at the Mere where there were also 2 Little Grebe, 26 Mute Swan and 32 Tufted Duck, at Wykeham South Lake were 40 Black-headed Gull, 340 Common Gull, 700 Herring Gull, 35 Great Black-backed Gull, 22 Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Pink-footed Goose, at Long Nab there was a single Snipe, 20 Skylark, a Song Thrush, 35 Tree Sparrow, 6 Reed Bunting and a Yellowhammer and 2 Chiffchaff were in Newlands Dale.

Sunday 26th October 2014

Migration watch; 06.50 - 09.50hrs.
(south unless stated) were 5 Red-throated Diver, 1 Manx Shearwater, 123 Gannet + 24 north, 4 Cormorant + 4 north, 1 Greylag Goose, 3 Teal, 4 Common Scoter north, 1 Goosander, 12 Little Gull + 7 north, 451 Black-headed Gull + 2 north, 157 Common Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 24 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Kittiwake, 1 Auk sp + 371 north, 5 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit and 3 Tree Sparrow.
A single Knot was in Cornelian Bay and up to 3 Mediterranean Gull were at Holbeck.

Saturday 25th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.40 - 10.20hrs.
Another good day with another welcome addition to the year list, a Richard's Pipit in fields on Roger Trod, between Sycaram Wood and Hayburn Wyke. After showing occasionally over a 2 hour period it eventually flew off west, over Newlands Dale, and appeared to drop down in private fields.
Up in Langdale Forest 4 Great Grey Shrike were present, yesterday's bird was seen at Lun Rigg with others found at Low Woof How, May Moss and at Stony Knoll.
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver north, 31 Whooper Swan (25 later found on Harwood Dale Lake), 2 Mallard north, 2 Snipe, 6 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 6 Wood Pigeon, 104 Skylark, 24 Meadow Pipit, 8 Rock Pipit, 2 Alba, 10 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 60 Jackdaw, 17 Tree Sparrow, 10 Chaffinch + 4 north, 3 Greenfinch, 13 Goldfinch, 63 Linnet, 6 Twite, 4 Yellowhammer and 7 Reed Bunting.
A Great Crested Grebe and 4 Red-throated Diver were in Cornelian Bay while in the Long Nab area were single Stonechat, 6 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Blackcap.

Friday 24th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.30 - 13.40hrs.
A good day with the 232nd addition to the year list.
All the action took place in Langdale Forest, firstly a Great Grey Shrike was found at Lun Rigg only moments before a juvenile ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD drifted over, the first in Scarborough since 2011.
Later it was seen again over the Moors viewed from Stony Rigg giving hope that this bird will find the Forests to its liking and become the first realistically twitchable bird since 2003!
Also up in the Forest a cream crown Marsh Harrier was seen hunting Stony Rigg and at least 100+ Crossbill were seen throughout.
Elsewhere at least 2 Scaup were still present on the Mere, the probable blythi Lesser Whitethroat was still in Crook Ness, 2 Stonechat, 5 Goldcrest and 9 Reed Bunting were at Long Nab and a Jack Snipe was in Cornelian Ravine.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 12 Gannet + 7 north, 6 Cormorant + 1 north, 11 Whooper Swan, 133 Pink-footed Goose, 8 Goose sp north, 6 Little Gull + 2 north, 52 Black-headed Gull + 6 north, 49 Common Gull, 3 Herring Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 36 Auk sp north, 34 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 12 Meadow Pipit, 13 Rock Pipit, 2 Alba, 1 Blackbird north, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Goldcrest in off and west, 3 Blue Tit in off and west, 2 Jay, 35 Jackdaw, 1 Rook, 4 Starling, 19 Tree Sparrow + 11 north, 8 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 20 Linnet, 2 Twite and 2 Reed Bunting.

Sunday 26 October 2014

Thursday 23rd October 2014

Migration watch; 07.25 - 12.45hrs.

The highlight of the day relates to some very late news from the 17th October when a RADDE'S WARBLER was photographed on Castle Hill, only Scarborough's second record, no doubt it would have proved popular if it's identity had been recognised sooner.

On the move (south unless stated) were 14 Red-throated Diver north, 6 Gannet + 95 north, 3 Cormorant + 3 north, 1 Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose + 20 north, 2 Common Buzzard north, 1 Merlin north, 1 Snipe, 6 Curlew north, 138 Little Gull north, 20 Black-headed Gull + 11 north, 19 Common Gull, 54 Kittiwake north, 7 Arctic Tern north, 2 Auk sp + 826 north, 43 Skylark, 7 Meadow Pipit, 23 Rock Pipit, 3 Alba, 1 Blackbird, 3 Starling, 4 Tree Sparrow, 1 Chaffinch and 14 Linnet.
Elsewhere 6 Whooper Swan were still near the Flask Inn, the 3 Scaup were still present on the Mere, a record 74 Mandarin (50+) drakes were on Hackness Lake along with 6 Teal and 3 Tufted Duck.
At Wykeham South Lake there were 47 Pink-footed Geese, an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Scalby Mills and the probabl blythi Lesser Whitethroat was in Crook Ness.

Radde's Warbler, Castle Hill, 17th October - Dave Mansell
 

Wednesday 22nd October 2014

Migration watch; 07.25 - 11.20hrs.
A good day at Long Nab, past there (south unless stated) were 1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Manx Shearwater north, 68 Gannet + 11 north, 4 Cormorant, 4 Common Scoter, 1 Pomarine Skua, 6 Arctic Skua, 1 Long-tailed Skua, 9 Great Skua, 4 Little Gull north, 24 Common Gull, 35 Herring Gull, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 29 Kittiwake + 8 north, 19 Auk sp + 6 north, 1 Asio sp in off (probably a Long-eared), 3 Skylark and 6 Rock Pipit.
Elsewhere 6 Whooper Swan, a Shoveler and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull were on Wykeham South Lake, a Little Egret, 65 Wigeon, 2 Snipe and 160 Starling were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), 18 Teal and a Shoveler were on Johnson's Marsh, a Little Grebe, 1 Gadwall, 34 Tufted Duck, 3 Scaup, 36 Moorhen, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Siskin were at the Mere, 20 Purple Sandpiper were roosting in the Harbour, the Stonechat was still present along Marine Drive, the probable blythi Lesser Whitethroat, and a Blackcap were in Crook Ness and a Snow Bunting was at Ravenscar.

Tuesday 21st October 2014

Migration watch; 08.20 - 11.10hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar, 98 Gannet + 5 north, 3 Little Gull + 16 north, 28 Black-headed Gull, 34 Common Gull, 41 Herring Gull, 6 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Kittiwake, 1 Arctic Tern, 12 Auk sp + 4 north, 1 Skylark and 2 Rock Pipit.
Elsewhere at Wykeham South Lake there were 4 Whooper Swan, 5 Egyptian Geese and 2 Pochard, 7 Purple Sandpiper and 5 Redshank were roosting in the Harbour, an Arctic Tern and 3 Grey Wagtail were in Cornelian Bay and 3 Twite were at Long Nab.

Monday 20th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.20 - 12.05hrs.
An interesting day at Long Nab produced the following; (south unless stated) 12 Red-throated Diver + 9 north, 43 Gannet + 1 north, 3 Cormorant + 1 north, 3 Teal, 1 Eider north, 4 Common Scoter + 4 north, 265 Little Gull + 18 north, 284 Black-headed Gull + 3 north, 126 Common Gull, 322 Herring Gull, 55 Great Black-backed Gull, 13 Kittiwake, 8 Auk sp + 17 north, 8 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit, 36 Rock Pipit, 3 Alba, 5 Starling, 10 Tree Sparrow, 6 Goldfinch, 47 Linnet and 21 Twite.
Elsewhere a Great Grey Shrike was by the Roadside near Spikers Farm before flying west towards at Yedmandale Farm at 08.30hrs.
Four Whooper Swan, 244 Greylag Geese and a Pink-footed Goose were at Wykeham South Lake, 7 Whooper wan were near the Flash Inn and 2 were at Harwood Dale Lake, 40 Lapwing and a Fieldfare were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) and a Chiffchaff was in north Bay.

Sunday 19th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.20 - 10.50hrs.
Another interesting day for passage produced the following; (south unless stated) 2 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 1 Diver sp, 7 Gannet + 6 north, 8 Whooper Swan, 14 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Greylag Geese north, 5 Mallard, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Lapwing, 6 Snipe, 1 Curlew, 13 Little Gull, 171 Black-headed Gull, 145 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 422 Herring Gull, 117 Great Black-backed Gull, 12 Auk sp + 11 north, 13 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 12 Meadow Pipit, 10 Rock Pipit, 2 Alba Wagtail, 1 Blackbird, 10 Starling in off and west, 36 Tree Sparrow, 7 Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinch, 30 Linnet and 1 Twite.
The only other reports were of a Shoveler on Johnson's Marsh and a Yellow-browed Warbler with a Tit flock just to the north of the Hayburn Wyke Pub.

Sunday 19 October 2014

Saturday 18th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.50 - 10.45hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Diver sp, 304 Gannet + 46 north, 1 Cormorant north, 1 Teal, 3 Common Scoter + 7 north, 1 Goldeneye, 40 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 1 Arctic Skua, 47 Little Gull, 40 Black-headed Gull, 18 Common Gull, 22 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Arctic Tern, 4 Song Thrush in off, 6 Redwing in off, 9 Starling in off and west and 3 Twite.
Elsewhere a Whopper Swan, 2 Egyptian Geese, 160 Teal, 38 Wigeon, 140 Lapwing and 110 Starling were in Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) and a Jack Snipe and 19 Snipe were along Taylor Way.

Friday 17th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.09 - 09.35hrs and 17.00 - 17.45hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver, 4 Cormorant north, 12 Wigeon, 2 Eider, 4 Common Scoter north, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 18 Black-headed Gull, 9 Common Gull, 4 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipit, 6 Rock Pipit, 7 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 22 Rook, 29 Starling, 1 Tree Sparrow, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 3 Siskin, 19 Linnet and 1 Reed Bunting.
Migrants seen between Ravenscar and South Cliff were 1 Grey Wagtail, 11 Song Thrush, 309 Redwing, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (1 Ravenscar, 1 Long Nab), 48 Goldcrest and 1 Brambling.
Elsewhere a Little Grebe, 6 Teal were on Scalby Lodge Pond, 122 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills, 42 Oystercatcher and 12 Redshank were in Jackson's Bay and 2 Tawny Owl were on Castle Hill.

Thursday 16th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.30 - 11.45hrs and 16.55 - 17.40hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar south, 147 Gannet + 58 south, 6 Wigeon + 9 south, 1 Teal + 2 south, 77 Common Scoter, 2 Curlew, 5 Little Gull south, 2 Common Gull south and 4 Kittiwake.
Grounded migrants seen between Hood Lane and South Cliff were 2 Woodcock (1 Long Nab, 1 Castle Hill), 1 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 6 Grey Wagtail, 1 Dunnock, 39 Robin, 1 Stonechat, 452 Redwing, 59 Song Thrush, 11 Fieldfare, 68 Blackbird, 7 Ring Ouzel (1 Hood Lane, 1 Long Nab, 5 Castle Hill), 11 Blackcap, 1 possible blythi Lesser Whitethroat (Long Nab), 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (king street), 106 Goldcrest, 12 Long-tailed Tit (Castle), 40 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 3 Siskin and 1 Twite (Castle).
A good flock of 80 Goldfinch were in Rowan Close.

Wednesday 15th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.45 - 12.20hrs.
Another good day with plenty of new arrivals to search through although passage was a little quiet.
On the move (south unless stated) were 5 Cormorant north, 80 Pink-footed Geese + 3 north, 32 Kittiwake north, 8 Skylark, 4 Rock Pipit, 1 Siskin and 2 Reed Bunting.
Migrants seen between Long Nab and South Cliff were 2 Snipe, 1 Short-eared Owl (Castle Hill), 18 Skylark, 57 Robin, 8 Meadow Pipit, 11 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Stonechat, 1 Whinchat (Long Nab), 48 Blackbird, 9 Song Thrush, 39 Redwing, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (Long Nab), 11 Blackcap, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (Long Nab), 5 Chiffchaff, 135 Goldcrest, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Great Grey Shrike (Long Nab), 1 Jay, 16 Chaffinch, 5 Brambling, 1 Lapland Bunting (Long Nab) and 14 Reed Bunting.
A female Hen Harrier was seen at Flixton Carr.

Great Grey Shrike, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw
 

Tuesday 14th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.15 - 18.00hrs.
Finally a few migrants arrived and the sea was a little busier.
Migrants between Long Nab and Castle Hill were 1 Kestrel, 4 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe (Long Nab), 1 Long-eared Owl (Crook Ness), 8 Rock Pipit, 46 Robin, 1 Wheatear (Long Nab), 1 Stonechat, 60 Blackbird, 38 Song Thrush, 109 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare (Castle), 1 Ring Ouzel (Castle Hill), 11 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 145 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Crook Ness), 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher (Long Nab), 30 Starling, 15 Chaffinch, 12 Brambling, 1 Redpoll sp, Lapland Bunting (Long Nab) and 4 Reed Bunting.
On the move (north unless stated) were 8 Red-throated Diver + 15 south, 7 Fulmar, 15 Sooty Shearwater, 69 Manx Shearwater, 503 Gannet + 129 south, 2 Cormorant south, 1 Shag south, 90 Pink-footed Geese3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese south, 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese + 3 south, 2 Shelduck, 165 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall, 47 Teal + 5 south, 1 Pintail, 1 Tufted Duck, 30 Eider + 5 south, 91 Common Scoter, 4 Velvet Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Golden Plover south, 2 Curlew + 14 south, 3 Pomarine Skua + 3 south, 1 Arctic Skua south, 8 Great Skua + 10 south, 103 Little Gull + 1 south, 3 Black-headed Gull + 2 south, 105 Kittiwake, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 276 Auk sp + 3 south and 1 Puffin.
In the Harbour there were 7 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover and 1 Guillemot.

Long-eared Owl, Crook Ness - Chris Bradshaw
 

Wednesday 15 October 2014

Monday 13th October 2014

Migration watch; 08.00 - 15.30hrs and 17.00 - 18.00hrs.
A disappointing day over the land given the conditions but the sea did produce some interest including an addition to the year list.
On the move (north unless stated) were 8 Red-throated Diver + 16 south, 1 Great Northern Diver south, 1 Fulmar, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 7 Manx Shearwater + 6 south, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 144 Gannet + 488 south, 1 Cormorant + 7 south, 1 Shag south, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 20 Wigeon, 1 Teal + 2 south, 1 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 98 Common Scoter + 4 south, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Pomarine Skua south, 2 Arctic Skua + 2 south, 30 Great Skua + 5 south, 24 Little Gull, 22 Black-headed Gull south, 16 Common Gull south, 150 Kittiwake + 2 south, 2 Auk sp and 1 Puffin.
Migrants seen between Long Nab and Castle Hill were 2 Skylark, 9 Rock Pipit, 1 Stonechat, 1 Dunnock, 17 Robin, 9 Song Thrush, 6 Redwing, 18 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 11 Goldcrest, 4 Starling and 3 Brambling.
On the sea off Long Nab were 2 Little Auk which became the 230th species for the year.

Monday 13 October 2014

Sunday 12th October 2014

Migration watch; 08.45 - 13.00hrs and 15.30 - 17.00hrs.
A quiet day for passage but migrants began to arrive during the afternoon.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Cormorant north, 504 Pink-footed Geese, 43 Greylag Geese, 7 Teal, 2 Common Buzzard, 1 Curlew and 8 Meadow Pipit.
Migrants in the Long Nab area were 2 Jack Snipe, 1 Snipe, 1 Long-eared Owl (remarkably the first of the year as no breeding birds were located, taking the year list to 229), 32 Skylark, 40 Meadow Pipit, 25 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat and 12 Reed Bunting.
Elsewhere 4 Puffin, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Song Thrush, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and 4 Goldcrest were in the Cornelian Bay area and at Ravenscar were single Snipe, Stonechat and Wheatear, 10 Song Thrush, 3 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Brambling, 5 Siskin and a Willow Tit.

Sunday 12 October 2014

Saturday 11th October 2014


Migration watch; 07.25 - 09.50hrs and 10.45 - 12.30hrs.
Another fantastic day for passage with the following; (south unless stated) 4 Red-throated Diver, 5 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Whooper Swan, 990 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Teal north, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Golden Plover north, 1 Lapwing in off and west, 1 Jack Snipe in off and south, 7 Snipe in off and south, 1 Curlew north, 69 Wood Pigeon, 212 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 33 Meadow Pipit + 2 north, 4 Rock Pipit + 1 north, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Alba, 4 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Magpie, 10 Rook, 19 Starling, 60 Tree Sparrow, 58 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch + 2 north, 35 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 211 Linnet + 7 north, 1 Lapland Bunting, 6 Yellowhammer and 3 Reed Bunting.
Migrants seen between Ravenscar and Castle Hill were 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 35 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Jay, 6 Reed Bunting.

Friday 10th October 2014


Another quieter day, on Castle Hill were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff and 10 Goldcrest were at Ravenscar and 12 Grey Heron, 4 Wigeon and 2 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh. Moving south over Town were 5 Meadow Pipit, 2 Alba and 1 Linnet.

Thursday 9th October 2014


Migration watch; 11.00 - 12.10hrs.
A quieter day, on the move (south unless stated) were 7 Red-throated Diver, 17 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Tern north and 6 Swallow.
Elsewhere 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest were on Castle Hill, a Brent Goose and 137 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills, a Grey Plover and a Greenshank were in Jackson's Bay, a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was off Long Nab and 300 Linnet were at Cromer Point with 35 at Scalby Lodge.

Wednesday 8th October 2014


Migration Watch; 07.30 - 11.20hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Cormorant, 2 Wigeon, 1 Sparrowhawk north, 2 Golden Plover north, 29 Skylark, 1 House Martin, 18 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 3 Grey Wagtail, 3 Alba, 6 Starling, 8 Tree Sparrow, 9 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 7 Goldfinch, 6 Siskin, 17 Linnet and 4 Reed Bunting.
Migrants continued to arrive with the following recorded between Long Nab and Cornelian Bay were 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (South Cliff), 1 Whinchat (Long Nab), 8 Blackbird, 28 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, 1 Ring Ouzel (Holbeck), 1 Garden Warbler (Castle Hill), 2 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 7 Yellow-browed Warbler (1 Long Nab, 1 Scalby Beck, 4 Castle Hill, 1 Cornelian Ravine), 25 Goldcrest and 1 Twite (first of the year).
Elsewhere 13 Grey Heron were on Johnson's Marsh, a Goldeneye and 3 Ringed Plover were at Wykeham South Lake and a Greenshank was in Jackson's Bay.

Tuesday 7th October 2014

Migration watches; 07.15 - 12.35hrs and 17.05 - 18.3hrs.
Another good day for passage produced (south unless stated) 11 Red-throated Diver + 4 north, 1 Manx Shearwater, 3 Cormorant north, 11 Grey Heron, 67 Dark-bellied Brent Goose + 22 north, 678 Wigeon + 68 north, 314 Teal + 23 north, 6 Mallard + 8 north, 4 Pintail, 31 Common Scoter + 5 north, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Golden Plover + 2 north, 2 Grey Plover, 4 Lapwing, 3 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Curlew, 2 Greenshank, 2 Great Skua, 35 Little Gull, 7193 Black-headed Gull, 82 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull north, 3 Sandwich Tern, 4 Common Tern, 2 Skylark + 3 in, 3 Swallow, 31 Meadow Pipit, 5 Rock Pipit, 3 Alba, 22 Carrion Crow, 5 Starling, 3 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 21 Linnet and 5 Reed Bunting.

Migrants in the Long Nab area were 2 Woodcock, 15 Skylark, 13 Robin, 9 Blackbird, 96 Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest and 1 Brambling.
Elsewhere 62 Wigeon, 82 Teal, 2 Pintail, 3 Pochard, 2 Ringed Plover and 5 Dunlin were at Wykeham South Lake, 7 Wigeon, 8 Teal and a Kingfisher were at Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) and at Scalby Mills there were 132 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 600+ Black-headed Gull and 50 Common Gull.

Thursday 9 October 2014

Monday 6th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.55 - 12.15hrs and 15.55 - 18.00hrs.
A good day for passage over the sea produced the following; (north unless stated) 6 Red-throated Diver south, 3 Manx Shearwater + 1 south, 389 Gannet + 169 south, 2 Cormorant + 5 south, 52 Dark-bellied Bent Geese + 68 south, 118 Wigeon + 358 south, 3 Teal + 103 south, 2 Mallard south, 10 Pintail + 9 south, 1 Tufted Duck south, 46 Common Scoter + 14 south, 1 Oystercatcher south, 9 Knot south, 20 Dunlin south, 1 Pomarine Skua, 11 Arctic Skua, 4 Great Skua + 1 south, 87 Little Gull + 107 south, 4 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 12 Kittiwake, 3 Common Tern, 122 Auk sp + 25 south and 28 Linnet south.
Elsewhere the first Snow Bunting of the year came in off the sea at Marine Drive.

Tuesday 7 October 2014

Thursday 25th September - Sunday 5th October 2014

On the 25th passage at Long Nab included 4 Teal north, 1 Arctic Skua south, 32 Little Gull south + 3 north, 1 Kittiwake south + 14 north and 2 auk sp north.
On the 27th 4 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling and 1 Ringed Plover were in North Bay, a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper were at Scalby Mills, a Marsh Harrier flew east over Cayton with another seen at Wykeham South Lake where there were also 2 Great Crested Grebe, 200 Greylag Geese, 25 Coot, 15+ Common Buzzard, 2 Redshank and 3 Turnstone.
In Jackson's Bay on 28th were 5 Ringed Plover, 14 Dunlin and 2 Sanderling and 7 Ringed Plover, 16 Redshank and a Greenshank were at Scalby Mills.
A Sedge Warbler at Scalby Lodge Pond was the highlight of the 29th, also 2 Manx Shearwater flew south and 40 Common Scoter flew north off Long Nab.
Wheatears were seen at Scalby Mills on 30th September and in the Harbour on the 2nd October.
On the 3rd 30 Skylark, 10 Tree Sparrow and a Reed Bunting were at Scalby Lodge, 14 Moorhen and 6 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh and 104 Wigeon and 12 Teal were at Scalby Mills.
Highlights south past Long Nab on 4th included 1 Manx Shearwater, 1004 Gannet, 27 Common Scoter, 1 Arctic Skua, 46 Little Gull, 30 Black-headed Gull, 20 Kittiwake and 150 Auk sp.
Passage on the 5th (south unless stated) included 8 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 9 Manx Shearwater + 1 north, 2 Whooper Swan, 7 Teal north, 5 Common Scoter + 45 north and 1 Great Skua. Up to 400 Little Gull were feeding off Long Nab.

Wednesday 24th September 2014

Migration watch; 14.35 - 16. 45 and 18.00 - 19.00hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver south, 1 Fulmar, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Manx Shearwater, 143 Pink-footed Geese south, 20 Barnacle Geese, 3 Teal + 2 south, 4 Common Scoter, 1 Common Buzzard south, 1 Kestrel south, 2 Oystercatcher south, 6 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Skua, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 38 Little Gull, 3 Common Gull, 149 Kittiwake + 3 south, 2 Common Tern, 13 Auk sp and 1 Swallow south.
On Castle Hill there were 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Jay and 2 Whinchat, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and a Marsh Tit were between Holbeck and South Cliff.

Thursday 25 September 2014

Tuesday 23rd September 2014

Migration watch; 07.10 - 10.30hrs and 17.05 - 18.05hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 5 Red-throated Diver + 9 south, 13 Fulmar + 5 south, 26 Sooty Shearwater + 5 south, 12 Manx Shearwater + 1 south, 47 Teal, 51 Common Scoter, 1 Redshank, 11 Arctic Skua, 1 Skua sp, 2 Great Skua, 83 Little Gull + 4 south, 4 Common Gull, 5 Black-headed Gull, 554 Kittiwake + 3 south, 5 Sandwich Tern south, 57 Common Tern + 10 south, 18 Arctic Tern + 2 south, 2 Puffin, 1402 Auk sp, 2 Skylark, 44 Meadow Pipit, 4 Grey Wagtail, 1 Alba, 48 Swallow, 2 Magpie and 6 Tree Sparrow
The only migrants reported were 6 Kestrel, 2 Chiffchaff and 4 Goldcrest on Castle Hill and a Wheatear at Long Nab.

Monday 22 September 2014

Monday 22nd September 2014

Migration watch; 07.45 - 18.25hrs
Another good day at Long Nab produced the following; (north unless stated) 9 Red-throated Diver + 30 south, 71 Fulmar + 9 south, 16 Sooty Shearwater + 3 south, 75 Manx Shearwater + 2 south, 3 Cormorant south, 1 Shag + 3 south, 2 Little Egret, 25 Pink-footed Geese south, 8 Barnacle Geese + 84 south, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose south, 31 Wigeon + 8 south, 56 Teal + 15 south, 6 Tufted Duck, 3 Scaup south (year tick), 35 Common Scoter + 4 south, 2 Ringed Plover south, 14 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin south,1 Curlew south, 4 Pomarine Skua + 5 south, 30 Arctic Skua + 15 south, 1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 2 Great Skua + 7 south, 1003 Little Gull (record count!), 151 Black-headed Gull + 9 south, 126 Common Gull + 1 south, 1011 Kittiwake, 72 Common Tern, 7 Arctic Tern, 45 Auk sp, 29 Swallow south, 4 House Martin south, 6 Meadow Pipit, 2 Goldfinch south and 8 Linnet + 30 south.
On the migrant front a Barred Warbler at Holbeck was the pick of a small bunch, between Cloughton and South Cliff were 7 Kestrel, 1 Tree Pipit, 45 Meadow Pipit, 16 Robin, 2 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 19 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (1 Long Nab, 1 Castle) and 15 Goldcrest.
Elsewhere a Red Kite was seen over Seamer Tip at 13.20hrs.

Of interest a Minki Whale was seen of Long Nab.

A record shot of some of the Barnacle Geese heading south - Adrian Ewart
 

Sunday 21st September 2014

Migration watches; 06.30 - 13.30hrs and 15.15 - 18.00hrs.
With an improvement in visibility and a change in the winds attention was turned to the sea in the hope of a good seawatch, and what a good seawatch it was with two additions to the year list. The clear highlight was a FEA'S (type) PETREL which flew north past Long Nab only about 5-600 meters offshore from 09.43 - 09.47hrs, after being seen at Flamborough and Filey. This is the first record of Fea's Petrel for Scarborough, the 4th first this year, and took the year list on to a respectable 225.
Also past Long Nab during the day (north unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver + 31 south, 57 Fulmar + 1 south, 143 Sooty Shearwater, 77 Manx Shearwater, 760 Gannet, 1 Cormorant + 3 south, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Wigeon, 1 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 17 Eider south, 14 Common Scoter, 1 Velvet Scoter, 2 Oystercatcher south, 1 Curlew south, 3 juvenile Long-tailed Skua at 10.30, 13.21 and 16.43hrs, 11 Arctic Skua + 5 south, 3 Great Skua + 5 south, 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 adult Sabine's Gull seen feeding with Kittiwakes at 15.55hrs before heading north (the 226th species for the year!!), 7 Black-headed Gull + 1 south, 5 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 92 Kittiwake + 5 south, 1 Sandwich Tern, 4 Common Tern, 5 Arctic Tern, 1648 Auk sp, 9 Puffin, 1 Rock Pipit south and 1 Grey Wagtail south.
Migrant numbers had again decreased but were also much harder to detect in the strong winds, between Long nab and South Cliff were 6 Kestrel, 7 Wheatear, 5 Whinchat (South Cliff), 1 Redstart, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap and 3 Chiffchaff.
Elsewhere an Osprey was seen at Ellerburn Trout Farm, 8 Egyptian Geese, 8 Wigeon, a Shoveler, a Pintail and 2 Mediterranean Gull (1 adult + 1 1st winter) were on Wykeham South Lake where 4 Ringed Plover flew west, 12 Grey Heron, 22 Wigeon, 5 Teal and a Shoveler were on Johnson's Marsh, 59 Oystercatcher, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 5 Redshank were in Jackson's Bay, 2 Dunlin and 5 Sanderling were in North Bay, in the Harbour there were 31 Turnstone, a Ringed Plover and the first two returning Purple Sandpiper of the autumn and 2 Little Gull were seen in Cayton Bay.


Fea's Petrel, Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

Fea's Petrel, Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

Sunday 21 September 2014

Saturday 20th September 2014

Migration watch; 16.10 - 18.20hrs.
A much quieter day with many migrants having cleared out over night. Seen between Cloughton and Cornelian Bay were 7 Ringed Plover, 6 Kestrel (2 Long Nab, 4 Castle), 9 Skylark, 25 Meadow Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail (Castle), 18 Robin, 4 Wheatear, 6 Whinchat (2 Long Nab, 4 South Cliff), 3 Redstart (Long Nab, Castle, Cornelian Bay), 8 Song Thrush, 3 Blackbird, 5 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (Castle), 10 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Castle), 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher (Castle) and 16 Chaffinch.
On the move (south unless stated) were 5 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar north, 5 Wigeon, 7 Common Scoter, 5 Black-headed Gull north, 1 Common Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 10 Alba, 1 Grey Wagtail and 4 Swallow.
The only other report was of 31 Wigeon and 12 Grey Heron on Johnson's Marsh.

Saturday 20 September 2014

Friday 19th September 2014

Migration watch; 16.20 - 18.40hrs.
The best day of the week for grounded migrants with an obvious arrival of migrants taking place during the morning, seen between Roger Trod and Cayton Bay were 20 Kestrel (3 Long Nab, 2 Jackson's Bay, 12 Castle, 2 South Cliff, 1 Cornelian), 27 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover (Cloughton), 19 Skylark, 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit (South Cliff), 1 White Wagtail, 5 Grey Wagtail, 41 Robin, 6 Redstart (1 Long Nab, 2 Castle, 1 South Cliff, 2 Cayton), 20 Wheatear, 7 Whinchat (3 Long Nab, 4 South Cliff), 2 Stonechat, 10 Song Thrush, 24 Blackbird, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 7 Yellow-browed Warbler (2 Long Nab (1 new), 4 Castle, 2 Cayton), 54 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, 8 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Castle), 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Red-breasted Flycatcher (3 Long Nab (1 new at Hundale Point), 3 new on Castle), 37 Chaffinch, 24 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin and 2 Reed Bunting.
Passage was a little more evident that it has been over the last week, heading south (unless stated) were Common Buzzard 6 in and west, 1 Common Tern north, 7 Skylark, 32 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 24 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail and 6 Linnet.
Elsewhere an Osprey was seen at Wykeham South Lake, 28 Wigeon and 6 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh, 13 Ringed Plover, 38 Dunlin, 9 Sanderling, 1 Greenshank and 1 Common Sandpiper were in Jackson's Bay, 9 Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin and 4 Sanderling were in North Bay and a Ruff was in fields at Lebberston.

A fresh in Yellow-browed Warbler behind the Marine Drive Wall, Castle Hill - Michael McNaghten

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Castle Hill - Michael McNaghten

Kestrel, Jackson's Bay - Michael McNaghten
 

Thursday 18th September 2014

Migration watch; 09.10 - 13.00hrs.
New migrants continued to turn up along the coast although it remained hard work in the fog.
Between Long Nab and Cornelian Bay were 10 Kestrel (Castle), 13 Golden Plover, 2 Snipe, 31 Robin, 1 Redstart (Castle), 4 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 14 Song Thrush, 17 Blackbird, 1 siberian type Lesser Whitethroat (Holbeck), 4 Whitethroat, 3 Garden Warbler (Scalby Beck), 8 Blackcap, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Long Nab), 4 Willow Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Red-breasted Flycatcher (2 Long Nab plus a new bird at Holbeck), 1 Greenfinch and 6 Siskin.
Elsewhere 16 Wigeon were on Johnson's Marsh a Greenshank was at Scalby Mills and 20 Dunlin, 7 Sanderling, 6 Ringed Plover were in North Bay.
Heading south (unless stated) were 1 Pink-footed Goose, 20 Teal north, 9 Wigeon north, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Snipe and 11 Meadow Pipit.

Thursday 18 September 2014

Wednesday 17th September 2014

Migration watches; 10.30 - 14.15hrs, 15.30 - 16.45hrs and 17.45 - 18.55hrs.
Another good day with another welcome addition to the year list, which now stands at 224.
That addition came in the form of a fine juvenile Dotterel in the field to the north of Crook Ness which remained in the area until dark.
Other grounded migrants between Long Nab and the Spa Gardens were 2 Kestrel, 8 Golden Plover, 30 Meadow Pipit, 4 Redstart, 10 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat (Castle), 24 Robin, 13 Song Thrush, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 6 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Castle), 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Red-breasted Flycatcher (both still in the Long Nab area including the very showy Crook Ness bird) and 19 Chaffinch.
Today was probably the worst day for visibility (at least at times) since the murk hit the coast three days ago so passage was once again almost none excistent.
The following was noted; (south unless stated) 1 Fulmar north, 1 Cormorant, 1 Snipe, 2 Little Gull north, 10 Black-headed Gull north, 2 Common Gull north, 2 Kittiwake north, 5 Sandwich Tern north, 19 Common Tern north, 1 Swallow and 7 Meadow Pipit.

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Crook Ness - Dave Mansell

Dotterel, Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

Dotterel, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw
 

Wednesday 17 September 2014

Tuesday 16th September 2014

Migration watch; 06.20 - 11.20hrs and 17.10 - 19.00hrs.
Another good day with a trickle of migrants arriving all day. Highlights were the first Yellow-browed Warbler of the year on Castle Hill during the afternoon and a new day record of 3 Red-breasted Flycatcher, with new birds in Crook Ness and behind the Marine Drive wall as well as the other bird at Long Nab for its 3rd day.
Other migrants seen between Long Nab and the Spa Gardens were 5 Kestrel (Castle), 14 Wheatear, 31 Meadow Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Whinchat (Castle), 45 Robin, 7 Redstart (Long Nab, 5 Castle, Spa Gardens), 9 Song Thrush, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 5 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 11 Goldcrest, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 95 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling and 9 Siskin.
Again the visibility was poor restricting any serious watches. On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar + 8 north, 8 Grey Heron, 1 Teal north, 6 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe, 1 Arctic Skua, 2 Common Gull north, 67 Meadow Pipit, 4 Alba, 2 Chaffinch, 9 Linnet and 8 Siskin.
Elsewhere 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and a Sanderling were in North Bay and 10 Dunlin were in Jackson's Bay.


Siskin, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw




Monday 15 September 2014

Monday 15th September 2014

Migration watch; 08.10 - 14.10hrs, 15.45 - 17.00hrs and 117.05 - 19.00hrs.
A good day with migrants arriving from late morning onwards, particularly during the last two hours of light.
Grounded between Long Nab and Spa Gardens were 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit (Long Nab), 17 Wheatear (2 Long Nab, 2 North Bay, 12 Castle, 1 Spa Garden), 34 Robin, 4 Redstart, 11 Song Thrush, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 8 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 13 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 19 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Long Nab), 2 Red-breasted Flycatcher (Long Nab, Castle Hill), 2 Pied Flycatcher (Long Nab) and 4 Spotted Flycatcher.
Visibility was poor for much of the day but clearer spells did allow for some casual watches. On the move (south unless stated) were 48 Fulmar north, 5 Cormorant north, 2 Pintail north, 12 Wigeon north, 32 Teal north, 54 Oystercatcher, 1 Ringed Plover, 5 Golden Plover + 1 north, 1 Grey Plover, 2Great Skua north, 2 Arctic Skua, 1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua north at 18.48hrs, 2 Common Gull north and 1 Kittiwake north.

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Redstart, fresh in along the Marine Drive, Castle Hill - Michael McNaghten
 

Sunday 14th September 2014

Migration watch; 06.45 - 11.05hrs and 14.40 - 18.35hrs.
An interesting day with a few good birds and definite signs of things to come over the coming few days!
There was a scattering of migrants seen along the coast, between Ravenscar and South Cliff were 5 Rock Pipit, 50 Meadow Pipit, 20 Pied Wagtail, 9 Wheatear (6 Long Nab, 2 Castle, 1 Holbeck), 31 Robin, 4 Whinchat (Long Nab), 4 Song Thrush, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 12 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher (Long Nab), 2 Pied Flycatcher (Long Nab and Castle), 1 Willow Tit (Ravenscar) and 1 Marsh Tit (South Cliff).
It wasn't a bad day for passage either, moving south (unless stated) were 8 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 7 Fulmar + 143 north, 1 Sooty Shearwater north, 4 Manx Shearwater north, 3 Grey Heron, 24 Wigeon + 50 north, 11 Teal + 36 north, 4 Pintail, 27 Common Scoter + 231 north, 64 Oystercatcher, 3 Golden Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew north, 1 Greenshank north, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Arctic Skua + 6 north, 1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua at 08.56hrs, 11 Black-headed Gull + 68 north, 3 Common Gull north, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull + 1 north, 3 Kittiwake + 41 north, 240 Razorbill north, 5 Auk sp north, 7 Swallow, 30 Meadow Pipit, 1 Flava north, 2 Alba north and 9 Jackdaw north.
Elsewhere 7 Wigeon and 7 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh and 4 Mediterranean Gull were at Holbeck.

Sunday 14 September 2014

Saturday 13th September 2014

Migration watch; 06.20 - 12.25hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 6 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 81 Fulmar north, 2 Cormorant + 5 north, 1 Grey Heron, 22 Wigeon north, 69 Teal north, 1 Mallard north, 99 Common Scoter north, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Greenshank, 1 Curlew, 8 Redshank, 1 Arctic Skua north, 14 Black-headed Gull + 124 north, 1 Common Gull + 3 north, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull north, 2 Kittiwake + 39 north, 4 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern north, 19 Auk sp north, 87 Swallow, 8 House Martin, 148 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Flava, 1 Grey Wagtail + 1 north, 2 Alba, 1 Fieldfare in and west, 5 Chaffinch and 6 Linnet.
Grounded between Newlands Dale and Scalby Beck were 400 Meadow Pipit, 2 Wheatear, 21 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest and 9 Reed Bunting.
At Scalby Mills there were 6 Wigeon, 17 Teal and a Greenshank and 4 Pochard and a Yellow Wagtail were at Wykeham South Lake.

Meadow Pipit, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw
 

Friday 12th September 2014

Migration watch; 10.10 - 12.55hrs.
Two eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard at Wykeham South Lake were the highlight of the day, also seen there were 8 Egyptian Geese, a Teal, 5 Pochard, a cream crown Marsh Harrier, 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Snipe.
Migrants seen between Ravenscar and South Cliff included 1 Redstart (Ravenscar), 3 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 7 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 11 Chiffchaff and 1 Pied Flycatcher (Holbeck).
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Fulmar north, 1 Cormorant, 11 Black-headed Gull, 11 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 31 Meadow Pipit, 8 Goldfinch and 11 Linnet.

 
Red-crested Pochard, Wykeham South Lake - Chris Bradshaw

Friday 12 September 2014

Thursday 11th September 2014

Migration watch; 07.30 - 11.00hrs and 18.00 - 19.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 5 Fulmar + 44 north, 1 Cormorant north, 7 Pale-bellied Brent Geese north, 4 Teal north, 4 Common Scoter + 42 north, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 2nd year Mediterranean Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull north, 6 Common Tern north, 6 Auk sp north, 7 Swallow, 8 Meadow Pipit and 1 Grey Wagtail.
In the Long Nab are there were 2 Wheatear, 7 Whitethroat, 9 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 2 Jay and 360 Linnet an Arctic Skua was blogging offshore and 40 Teal were in South Bay.

Wednesday 10th September 2014

Migration watches; 07.30 - 11.10hrs and 18.00 - 19.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 9 Fulmar + 25 north, 2 Manx Shearwater north, 2 Grey Heron north, 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Golden Plover north, 2 Dunlin, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Common Tern north, 1 Commic Tern, 14 Auk sp north, 16 Swallow, 3 House Martin and 24 Meadow Pipit.
In the Long Nab area were 1 Merlin, 4 Wheatear, 6 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler and 9 Goldcrest.
The juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was again present at Wykeham South Lake along with 5 Pochard and a Wigeon and a Bar-tailed Godwit were at Scalby Mills.

Wednesday 10 September 2014

Tuesday 9th September 2014

Migration watches; 07.45 - 09.40hrs, 10.00 - 12.05hrs and 18.30 - 20.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 19 Fulmar north, 2 Manx Shearwater north, 1 Cormorant, 2 Teal north, 2 Common Scoter north, 1 Common Buzzard north, 2 Arctic Skua north, 8 Black-headed Gull north, 1 Common Gull north, 246 Kittiwake north, 4 Sandwich Tern, 4 Common Tern north, 1 Arctic Tern north, 10 Swallow, 12 House Martin and 294 Meadow Pipit.
The juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was again on Wykeham South Lake along with 8 Egyptian Geese, 7 Teal, 800 Herring Gull and 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, in the Jackson's Bay area there were 4 Wigeon, 1 female Merlin, 53 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 1 Knot, 29 Redshank, 1 Greenshank and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Teal and 2 Snipe were on Scalby Lodge Pond.

Monday 8th September 2014

Migration watch; 06.45 - 14.30hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 4 Red-throated Diver + 3 north, 1 Great Northern Diver, 15 Fulmar + 346 north, 1 Sooty Shearwater north, 4 Manx Shearwater + 8 north, 9 Cormorant + 6 north, 1 Shag north, 1 Shelduck north, 9 Teal, 6 Common Scoter north, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 3 Golden Plover, 7 Arctic Skua, 3 Great Skua, 7 Black-headed Gull + 56 north, 8 Common Gull + 12 north, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull north, 6 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern + 17 north, 1 Arctic Tern + 3 north, 8 Auk sp + 21 north, 22 Swallow + 65 north, 8 House Martin north, 165 Meadow Pipit + 35 north, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Grey Wagtail, 5 Alba, 17 Tree Sparrow, 9 Chaffinch and 1 Goldfinch.
A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was on Wykeham South Lake along with 9 Teal, 2 Pochard, a Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper and a Yellow Wagtail, 39 Oystercatcher, 8 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 7 Turnstone, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 4 Curlew were in Jackson's Bay, 8 Curlew were on Scalby Lodge Pond, 6 Teal on Flotmaby Carr and a Willow Tit at Potter Brompton Carr.

Sunday 7th September 2014

Migration watch; 06.40 - 13.05hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 11 Fulmar + 274 north, 4 Cormorant + 1 north, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Curlew + 2 north, 43 Black-headed Gull north, 1 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern north, 2 Arctic Tern north, 2 Sand Martin, 79 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 114 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Flava, 1 Grey Wagtail + 2 north, 2 Alba, 5 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 12 Goldfinch and 22 Linnet.
Grounded migrants seen between Ravenscar and South Cliff included 60 Meadow Pipit, 9 Skylark, 1 Kingfisher (Jackson's Bay), 3 Stonechat (Rudda Road, 2 South Cliff) 6 Whinchat (Scalby Lodge), 4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 7 Whitethroat, 9 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and 14 Goldcrest.
Elsewhere 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 62 Coot and a Common Sandpiper were at Wykeham South Lake, 6 Shelduck and 4 Common Tern were at Scalby Mills, 23 Mute Swan and a Kingfisher were at the Mere, 8 Teal along South Cliff, 11 Teal, 1 Gadwall and 1 Wigeon on Johnson's Marsh, a Ringed Plover on Scalby Lodge Pond, 4 Ringed Plover, 8 Oystercatcher, 2 Sanderling, 13 Redshank, 1 Greenshank and 26 Turnstone in Jackson's Bay and a Hobby over Troutsdale.

Sunday 7 September 2014

Saturday 6th September 2014

Migration watches; 07.40 - 10.15hrs and 16.25 - 19.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 21 Fulmar north, 6 Manx Shearwater north, 1 Cormorant, 3 Teal, 2 Common Scoter north, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 6 Golden Plover, 7 Whimbrel + 1 north, 1 Turnstone, 1 Arctic Skua + 8 north, 32 Black-headed Gull, 4 Common Gull, 11 Common Tern, 4 Arctic Tern north, 2 Auksp north, 4 Meadow Pipit, 4 Swallow, 2 Alba and 3 Linnet.
Grounded between Cloughton and Cornelian Bay were 1 Golden Plover, 2 Meadow Pipit, 7 Pied Wagtail, 8 Robin, 2 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat (Cloughton), 9 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler (Cornelian Bay), 16 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler and 2 Goldcrest.
In Jackson's Bay there were 1 Sanderling, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 18 Redshank, 27 Turnstone, 13 Dunlin and a Snipe were at Scalby Mills, 18 Teal, a Wigeon, a Gadwall and a Tufted Duck were on Johnson's Marsh, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was at Wykeham South Lake where there was also a Shoveler, a Gadwall, 15 Tufted Duck and 2 Pochard.

Some belated news from Friday 5th, an Osprey was seen at Ellerburn Trout Farm.



Dunlin, Scalby Mills - Michael McNaghten

Saturday 6 September 2014

Friday 5th September 2014

Migration watches; 07.30 - 13.00hrs and 18.15 - 19.35hrs.
A marginally better day with evidence of a slight increase in grounded migrants.
Between Long Nab and South Cliff were 5 Whinchat (3 Long Nab, 2 South Cliff), 2 Stonechat, 3 Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap, 9 Willow Warbler, 19 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (South Cliff) and 2 Pied Flycatcher (Long Nab).
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Great Crested Grebe north, 1 Cormorant, 4 Wigeon, 79 Teal north, 52 Common Scoter north, 1 Golden Plover, 23 Meadow Pipit, 2 Tree Sparrow, 4 Goldfinch and 7 Linnet.
Elsewhere 2 Wigeon and 12 Moorhen were on Johnson's Marsh, 6 Shelduck, 48 Wigeon, 10 Common Scoter, 2 Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpiper were at Scalby Mills, an Arctic Skua showed well over the fields at Long Nab and 3 Sand Martin and 7 Reed Bunting were at Cromer Point.

One of two Pied Flys at Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Arctic Skua, showing well at Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw
 

Friday 5 September 2014

Thursday 4th September 2014

Migration watches; 06.15 - 11.00hrs and 18.15 - 19.35hrs.
There was evidence of migrants arriving all day but only in very small numbers.
Between Ravenscar and Castle Hill were 1 Wheatear, 1 Redstart (Ravenscar), 2 Whinchat (Ravenscar, North Bay), 4 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 12 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Pied Flycatcher.
Passage was also very light, on the move (south unless stated) were 2 Fulmar + 5 north, 1 Cormorant, 8 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Whimbrel, 6 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull north, 3 Common Tern, 54 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sand Martin and 29 Swallow.
Elsewhere, 2 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon and 2 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh, 2 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills and the new Willow Tit at Long Nab was trapped and ringed while the other bird ringed last month was still present.


Willow Warbler, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw


Willow Tit, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Thursday 4 September 2014

Wednesday 3rd September 2014

06.30 - 14.40hrs and 18.00 - 18.50hrs.
A good day for passage produced a great Meadow Pipit count for such an early date and a decent Swallow movement which was abruptly ended just as they were really picking up when a thick sea fret rolled in!
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Fulmar, 2 Shag, 1 Marsh Harrier at 12.30hrs, 5 Oystercatcher, 5 Whimbrel, 3 Sandwich Tern north, 119 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 2 Grey Wagtail, 5 Flava, 1754 Meadow Pipit, 608 Swallow, 171 House Martin, 6 Sand Martin, 2 Carrion Crow, 24 Goldfinch and 3 Linnet.
Migrants seen between Ravenscar and South Cliff were as follows; 5 Grey Wagtail (Long Nab, Cromer Point, 3 Scalby Beck), 1 Redstart (Ravenscar), 4 Whinchat (3 Ravenscar, 1 South Cliff), 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Whitethroat, 10 Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher (Castle Hill) and 3 Goldcrest.
On Scalby Lodge Pond there were 29 Teal, a Ringed Plover, a Redshank and 2 Dunlin, 26 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 57 Lapwing and a Ruff were on Wykeham South Lake, 2 Mute Swan, a Shelduck, 5 Wigeon, the Greenshank and a Kingfisher were at Scalby Mills, the 1st year Caspian Gull from 26th August was again in the same field by Crook Ness along with 2,500+ Herring Gull, and Willow Tits seemed to be on the move with 2 trapped at Stoupe Brow and another, unringed bird, seen in Hundale.

Wednesday 3 September 2014

Tuesday 2nd September 2014

Migration watches; 06.00 - 11.15hrs and 13.30 - 14.10hrs.
A Pomarine Skua north at 13.50hrs was the highlight over the sea, also seen (south unless stated) were 21 Fulmar north, 9 Cormorant, 1 Shag, 56 Teal north, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 3 Sandwich Tern, 5 Swallow and 17 Meadow Pipit.
Migrants seen between Long Nab and Scalby Beck were 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler and 3 Goldcrest.
Elsewhere an adult Yellow-legged Gull was atWykeham South Lake, also there was a male Merlin, 7 Egyptian Geese, 28 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 5 Lapwing, Dunlin, Curlew, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Yellow Wagtail, at Scalby Mills there was a Greenshank, a Knot and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 12 Teal and a Green Sandpiper were on Scalby Lodge Pond and 2 Arctic and 3 Great Skua were seen from the Queensferry early morning.

Tuesday 2 September 2014

Monday 1st September 2014

Migration watches; 07.00 - 09.10hrs and 18.50 - 19.50hrs.The month began with the 4th Caspian Gull of the year, a showy bird on rocks on the north side of Castle Hill near the Skate park. This bird brings the total number of Scarborough to 7, since the first in 2006!
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Fulmar + 33 north, 7 Cormorant, 1 Shag + 3 north, 3 Teal, 2 Common Scoter, 47 Oystercatcher, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin north, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 304 Kittiwake north, 7 Sandwich Tern + 4 north, 77 Common Tern north, 1 Commic Tern north, 3 Swallow, 34 Meadow Pipit, 4 Goldfinch and 3 Linnet.
There was no sign of the Greenish Warbler on Castle Hill despite it being searched for all morning and early afternoon. Elsewhere 17 Teal, 1 Green Sandpiper, 8 Snipe, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Reed Warbler were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), 32 Teal were on Scalby Lodge Pond with another 18 on Johnson's Marsh, 4 Teal, 1 Pochard, 19 Tufted Duck, 21 Lapwing, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew, 1 Ruff and 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull were on Wykeham South Lake and 7 Redshank, a Greenshank, 25 Turnstone, 2 Common Sandpiper and a Lesser Black-backed Gull were at Scalby Mills.
Grounded migrants were almost non existent, a Whinchat on South Cliff was the only report.

Caspian Gull - Michael McNaghten

Showing the underwing and tail pattern - Michael McNaghten

Caspian and Herring Gull - Michael McNaghten
 

Monday 1 September 2014

Sunday 31st August 2014

Migration watches; 07.15 - 11.00hrs and 15.15 - 18.50hrs.
The 2nd Scarborough Pelagic of the year ran this morning, however it was rather predictably quiet at sea, even the usual attending Herring Gulls were nowhere to be seen until close inshore. Highlights on the trip were obviously few, although a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull following the boat off Long Nab and the 2nd Ocean Sunfish of the year were worthy of note.
Another record from out at sea was of a Great Skua seen 10 miles off Long Nab by one of our resident birders returning from a 'quiet' weekend in Amsterdam!
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Diver sp north, 1 Wigeon north, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Golden Plover, 2 Arctic Skua + 1 north, 1 Great Skua north, 5 Sandwich Tern + 1 north, 25 Common Tern north, 2 Arctic Tern north, 1 Auk sp north, 105 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 2 Flava, 3 Alba and 12 Linnet.
Migrants seen throughout included the Greenish Warbler on Castle Hill which was still proving very elusive at times, fortunately though it occasionally gives its self away with a burst of song, a Barred Warbler, the 221st species this year, was found in the hedge by Cliff Top House at Long Nab but soon disappeared and 2 Skylark, 12 Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler and 2 Goldcrest in the Long Nab area.
Also the showy Greenshank was still at Scalby Mills.

Sunday 31 August 2014

Saturday 30th August 2014

Migration watches; 06.20 - 12.00hrs and 17.55 - 18.25hrs.
It was the first good day for vis-migging at Long Nab with a good Swallow total.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Fulmar north, 4 Cormorant, 2 Teal north, 2 Common Scoter north, 2 Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, 7 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin north, 55 Black-headed Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern, 21 Swift, 7 Sand Martin, 1195 Swallow, 733 House Martin, 54 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Flava, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Alba, 34 Tree Sparrow, 1 Greenfinch, 11 Goldfinch and 121 Linnet.
Migrants seen between Ravenscar and South Cliff were 37 Meaow Pipit, 4 Wheatear (Long Nab), 2 Stonechat (South Cliff), 2 Whinchat (South Cliff), 6 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, the GREENISH WARBLER on Castle Hill, 3 Goldcrest and 1 Spotted Flycatcher (Long Nab).
Elsewhere 9 Teal and the Green Sandpiper were on Jonhnsn's Marsh, a Greenshank and 36 Sandwich Tern were at Scalby Mills and 16 Grey Partridge and 6 Snipe were at Seamer Tip.


Wheatear, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw