Tuesday 30 June 2015

Monday 29th June 2015

Migration watch; 19.30 - 20.00hrs.
Another Mediterranean Gull for June was found, this time a 2nd year on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) where there was also a Little Egret and a Curlew.
Two Redshank were back at Scalby Mills and a short evening watch at Long Nab produced 2 Shelduck, an Arctic Skua and 6 Puffin south plus a single Puffin north.

Sunday 28 June 2015

Sunday 28th June 2015

Migration watch; 06.45 - 12.20hrs.
Another good day at Long Nab the the following passing (south unless stated) there: 1 Black-throated Diver north at 07.25hrs, 1 Cormorant north, 1 Shag north, 2 Shelduck, 21 Common Scoter + 57 north, 3 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 7 Curlew + 9 north, 2 Redshank, 3 Mediterranean Gull north (1 adult + 2 2nd years), 2 Black-headed Gull + 9 north, 2 Common Gull + 4 north, 2 Great Black-backed Gull + 3 north, 22 Sandwich Tern + 38 north, 8 Puffin + 22 north, 2189 Swift, 6 Swallow, 12 House Martin, 9 Starling north, 3 Goldfinch and 23 Linnet.
Up to 7 Turtle Dove were seen in the Netherby Dale/Malton Cote area with at least three hear purring. At Long Nab Oystercatchers had increased with 26 now in the high tide roost.

Saturday 27th June 2015

Migration watch; 06.25 - 08.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Cormorant + 11 north, 3 Eider north, 15 Common Scoter north, 11 Lapwing north, 1 Curlew north, 5 Black-headed Gull north, 371 Swift, 1 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 17 Starling north, 5 Goldfinch and 9 Linnet.
Raptors seen at the Wykeham Raptor viewpoint during the day included 2 Honey Buzzard, a Red Kite and a Hobby.

Friday 26 June 2015

Thursday 25th - Friday 26th June 2015

The 25th was rather quiet, a Little Egret and a Curlew were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) and 4 Egyptian Geese and the first Common Sandpiper of the autumn were at Wykeham South Lake.


The 26th was a much better day with some good passage at Long Nab which include the previous Swift record being broken!
Migration watch; 06.50 - 12.45hrs and 13.40 - 17.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Manx Shearwater north, 1 Shag, 1 Cormorant north, 1 Mallard, 41 Common Scoter + 389 north, 1 Eider north, 1 Hobby at 13.48hrs, 2 Ringed Plover, 6 Curlew + 14 north, 1 Black-headed Gull + 27 north (including the first juvenile seen this year), 1 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10 Sandwich Tern + 16 north, 1 Arctic Tern, 3 Puffin + 9 north, 2625 Swift, 12 Swallow, 7 House Martin, 1 Sand Martin, 46 Linnet, 15 Goldfinch and 1 Siskin.
Elsewhere a Hobby was seen flying west along Scalby Beck during the evening and was possibly the same seen earlier at Long Nab and on Seamer Mead there were 69 Lapwing and 22 Curlew.

Wednesday 24 June 2015

Wednesday 24th June 2015

Migration watch; 07.20 - 12.0hrs and 13.45 - 14.30hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 14 Fulmar north, 6 Manx Shearwater north, 1 Cormorant north, 4 Shelduck, 13 Common Scoter + 2 north, 2 Curlew + 19 north, 1 Mediterranean Gull north, 11 Black-headed Gull north, 1 Common Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull north, 34 Sandwich Tern + 14 north, 2 Puffin + 61 north, 527 Swift, 3 Swallow and 4 House Martin.
Raptors seen from the Wykeham Raptor viewpoint included a Honey Buzzard, an Osprey west at 10.25hrs and a Hobby.

Tuesday 23 June 2015

Tuesday 23rd June 2015

Migration watch; 06.10 - 11.25hrs and 14.55 - 17.55hrs.
It was a good day at Long Nab, with the clear highlight being a drake SURF SCOTER heading north at 07.48hrs, the 4th Scarborough record and 2nd this year following the bird in the South Bay area for a week at the end of February.
Also past Long Nab (north unless stated) were 51 Fulmar, 99 Manx Shearwater, 1 Cormorant + 1 south, 6 Teal, 848 Common Scoter + 22 south, 1 Hobby south at 17.48hrs, 31 Curlew, 1 Arctic Skua south, 2 Common Gull south, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 23 Sandwich Tern + 22 south, 209 Puffin + 6 south and 1 Swift.

Monday 22nd June 2015

Migration watch; 17.10 - 18.10hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 29 Fulmar, 3 Manx Shearwater + 2 south, 3 Curlew, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 16 Sandwich Tern + 7 south and 16 Puffin.
Elsewhere an adult Yellow-legged Gull (only the second this year) was at Wykeham South Lake where there were 2 Egyptian Geese and a Teal and 11 Curlew were in fields at Sawdon.

Monday 22 June 2015

Sunday 21st June 2015

Migration watch; 06.40 - 11.55hrs and 12.45 - 14.00hrs.
A good day at Long Nab with plenty of signs autumn migration is underway.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar + 13 north, 2 Manx Shearwater north, 1 Cormorant + 4 north, 2 Grey Heron in from the northeast and south, 1 Greylag Goose, 11 Bar-headed Geese north at 11.50hrs, 7 Canada Geese north, 1 Barnacle Goose, 161 Common Scoter north, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew + 9 north, 1 Mediterranean Gull north, 8 Black-headed Gull + 9 north, 1 Common Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull + 1 north, 6 Great Black-backed Gull + 3 north, 58 Sandwich Tern + 30 north, 1 Puffin + 2 north, 1233 Swift, 1 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 1 Flava, 9 Starling north, 3 Goldfinch, 17 linnet and 1 Lesser Redpoll.
A Redstart was present on the cliffs by the Long Nab hut.
Elsewhere 2 Honey Buzzard and a Hobby were seen from the Wykeham Raptor viewpoint, 9 Grey Heron and a Teal were on Johnson's Marsh, the Scaup remained on Peasholm Park and up to 31 Sandwich Tern were in North Bay.

Saturday 20th June 2015

Migration watch; 06.40 - 12.00hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver, 21 Fulmar + 3 south, 42 Manx Shearwater, 1 Cormorant + 4 south, 1 Shag, 1 Mallard, 20 Common Scoter, 32 Curlew in off and north, 1 Black-headed Gull + 3 south, 3 Common Gull south, 1 Great Black-backed Gull + 2 south, 20 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern, 28 Puffin + 3 south, 14 Swift south, 8 Starling south, 3 Greenfinch south and 1 Corn Bunting.
Elsewhere single Teal were noted on Johnson's Marsh and Scalby Lodge Pond.

Sunday 21 June 2015

Friday 19th June 2015

Migration watch; 08.00 - 11.15hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 16 Fulmar + 2 south, 15 Manx Shearwater, 8 Common Scoter south, 1 Curlew, 1 Black-headed Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern + 5 south, 12 Puffin + 4 south.
Elsewhere a Little Egret was on Johnson's Marsh, 7 Crossbill flew north over West Ayton, a Green Woodpecker was at Highwood Brow, Wykeham Forest and what was probably a juvenile Black Redstart was seen along Dean Road, have Black Redstart bred undetected in Scarborough this year??


Also of interest the annual Kittiwake count took place, apparent occupied nests are counted and numbers are up on last year, in fact the combined total from Castle Cliffs and Town are the highest since at least 2005! Good news.

Friday 19 June 2015

Wednesday 17th - Thursday 18th June 2015

Yet another couple of slow days.
Migration watch; 07.35 - 10.00hrs.
Past Long Nab on the 17th (south unless stated) were 14 Common Scoter, 1 Puffin + 1 north, 121 Swift and 2 House Martin.
Elsewhere 7 Grey Heron, a Little Egret and a Teal were on Johnson's Marsh, a Red Kite was seen in Pickering and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull were at Scalby Mills.


The only report on the 18th was of a Cuckoo on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) where a Redpoll and 6 Crossbill flew north.

Wednesday 17 June 2015

Monday 15th - Tuesday 16th June 2015

The only noteworthy report on the 15th was of a WHITE STORK south over Jugger Howe Moor at 15.30hrs.

Migration watch; 08.40 - 11.00hrs.
On the move south were 1 Mallard, 1 Curlew, 215 Swift and 2 Swallow.
A Great Crested Grebe was on the sea off Cromer Point.

A report of a possible singing male Iberian Chiffchaff on the Olympian Trading Estate in Eastfield never amounted to anything despite lengthy searches by most locals, details were very vague and no hard evidence has yet emerged!
During the searches there 2 Peregrine were seen in the area and a Hobby drifted over south-east during the evening.

Tuesday 16 June 2015

Saturday 13th - Sunday 14th June 2015

Migration watch; 17.05 - 20.05hrs.
On the move on the 13th (north unless stated) were 2 Fulmar, 2 Common Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull + 1 south, 1 Puffin south and 3 Greenfinch south.
Elsewhere 4 Dunlin were on Scalby Lodge Pond.


Migration watch; 05.35 - 13.20hrs.
The 14th was a little more lively at Long Nab, on the move there (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 4 Fulmar + 52 north, 2931 Gannet + 719 north, 3 Cormorant, 1 Shag north, 3 Eider, 55 Common Scoter + 26 north, 2 Curlew, 1 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull north, 6 Great Black-backed Gull north, 6 Sandwich Tern north, 110 Puffin + 76 north, 14 Swift north and 3 Swallow.
A Cuckoo at Long Nab was a good site record.
A flock of 100+ Siskin and 25+ Crossbill were in Wykeham Forest and 6 Mandarin chicks were on Harwood Dale Lake.

Saturday 13 June 2015

Thursday 11th - Friday 12th June 2015

Another quiet few days...
Migration watch; 18.00 - 20.45hrs.
On the move past Long Nab on the 11th (north unless stated) were 4 Black-headed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull + 1 south and 3 Carrion Crow.
Elsewhere 2 Honey Buzzard and 14 Crossbill were seen in Wykeham Forest and a Little Ringed Plover was on Scalby Lodge Pond.

On the 12th 2 Lapwing, 3 Dunlin and a Black-headed Gull were on Scalby Lodge Pond, the Garden Warbler was still in Crook Ness and 2 Puffin were seen off Long Nab.
The Honey Buzzards continued to show well in Wykeham Forest.

Honey Buzzard - Wykeham Forest - Dave Mansell

Thursday 11 June 2015

Tuesday 9th - Wednesday 10th June 2015

A Red Kite over Rillington was the only report received on 9th.

The 10th was a little more interesting.
Migration watch; 04.55 - 11.15hrs and 18.30 - 20.50hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 adult summer Great Northern Diver at 06.47hrs, 37 Fulmar north, 2 Manx Shearwater + 14 north, 1392 Gannet + 439 north, 2 Cormorant, 3 Shag north, 1 Grey Heron north, 2 Mallard, 184 Common Scoter north, 5 Red-breasted Merganser north, 1 Dunlin, 1 Arctic Skua north, 4 Black-headed Gull + 1 north, 1 Common Gull + 4 north, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 153 Kittiwake north, 6 Sandwich Tern north, 1 Arctic Tern north, 7471 Auk sp + 2657 north, 52 Puffin + 61 north, 6 Swallow + 4 north, 2 Siskin and 3 Linnet.
Elsewhere a European White-fronted Goose of unknown origin was found at the Mere, the Sedge Warbler was still by Scalby Lodge and at least two Honey Buzzard were seen in Wykeham Forest.

Recently fledged Linnet - Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

European White-fronted Goose - Seamer Mere - Michael McNaghten

Tuesday 9 June 2015

Sunday 7th - Monday 8th June 2015

A very quiet couple of days with the only reports coming from the 8th.
Migration watch; 19.10 - 20 45hrs.
Moving were 1 Lapwing south + 2 north and 4 Swift north.

Sunday 7 June 2015

Saturday 6th June 2015

Migration watch; 09.45 - 11.45hrs.
There was no sign today of the Black Kite in the Wykeham Forest area today despite extensive searching.
Highlights seen in the area were 2 Hobby, 1 Red Kite, 1 Honey Buzzard and a Cuckoo, a further 2 Red Kite were seen over Silpho.
On the move south were 1 female Marsh Harrier, 119 Swift, 43 Swallow and 27 House Martin.
Elsewhere 9 Grey Heron were on Johnson's Marsh, 37 Canada Geese were on the small Scalby Lodge Pond.

Friday 5 June 2015

Friday 5th June 2015

Migration watch; 06.45 - 12.35hrs.
The highlight of the day was the discovery of Scarborough's third BLACK KITE, it was seen from the Wykeham Raptor viewpoint during the afternoon where it eventually drifted off south. The last record was almost 20 years ago to the day and from the same location!
On the coast things were once again disappointing despite promising conditions however the first decent Swift passage was noted.
On the move at Long Nab (south unless stated) were 4 Manx Shearwater, 3 Cormorant, 99 Common Scoter + 8 north, 2 Dunlin, 2 Curlew, 2 Black-headed Gull + 1 north, 1 Common Gull + 2 north, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 24 Sandwich Tern + 23 north, 3 Arctic Tern, 5 Puffin + 26 north, 175 Swift, 5 Sand Martin, 36 Swallow and 39 House Martin.
Elsewhere 4 Little Egret, 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler and 3 Yellow Wagtail were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), the Little Egret was seen again on Johnson's Mash and 3 Honey Buzzard were on view at the Wykeham Raptor viewpoint.


Black Kite- Wykeham Raptor viewpoint - Dave Mansell

Black Kite -Wykeham Raptor viewpoint - Dave Mansell

Thursday 4th June 2015

Migration watch; 07.30 - 12.10hrs and 15.35 - 18.45hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver north, 7 Fulmar north, 2 Cormorant + 1 north, 1 Little Egret, 1 Great Skua north, 4 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull north, 15 Sandwich Tern + 92 north, 1 Little Tern at 09.53hrs, 4 Puffin + 1 north, 54 Swallow, 24 House Martin, 1 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Corn Bunting.
A juvenile Stonechat was at Long Nab, the Little Egret was still at Johnson's Marsh, a Reed Warbler was singing from the rape field at Scalby Lodge Pong, 2 Whimbrel were at Cromer Point, the Scaup was still at Peasholm and the first Honey Buzzard was reported from the Wykeham Raptor viewpoint.

Thursday 4 June 2015

Tuesday 2nd - Wednesday 3rd June 2015

A quiet day on the 2nd produced only a Little Egret and 7 Grey Heron on Johnson's Marsh, 2 Little Egret, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Shelduck, 1 Shoveler and 1 Yellow Wagtail were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) and a Sedge Warbler was at Scalby Lodge Pond.


The 3rd proved to be a much better day.
Migration watch; 13.45 - 14.05hrs and 18.40 - 19.10hrs.
Highlight was a male Honey Buzzard first seen heading north over Eastfield at around 08.56hrs, repeated mobbing from Rooks forced the bird back south. A quick call to another observer further west on Potter Brompton Carr alerted them to its presence and it was soon picked up heading west between there and Wykeham South Lake.
A female Marsh Harrier drifted west over Seamer Tip where at least one juvenile Lapwing was flying. Four Little Egret were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), 2 Sanderling were in Jackson's Bay and a Little Egret and 9 Grey Heron were on Johnson's Marsh.
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Greylag Geese north, 22 Swift + 7 north, 5 House Martin + 5 north, 11 Swallow + 2 north, 1 Carrion Crow north and 5 Linnet north.

Wednesday 3 June 2015

Monday 1st June 2015

Migration watch; 07.45 - 10.00hrs.
It was rather slow at Long Nab, past there (south unless stated) were 1 Fulmar + 2 north, 1 Puffin north and 3 House Martin.
Up to 17 Sandwich Tern were blogging offshore and the Garden Warbler remained in Crook Ness.
Elsewhere a late flock of 75+ Pink-footed Geese flew north over Jugger Howe Moor, a Little Egret was on the rocks off Cromer Point, a Little Ringed Plover was on Scalby Lodge Pond and the Scaup remained on Peasholm Park Lake.

Tuesday 2 June 2015

Sunday 31st May 2015

Migration watch; 06.35 - 12.30hrs.
A rather interesting day to finish off the Month.
Highlights were an Osprey heading north over South Cliff at 18.10, the eighth this year, and 2 Little Tern that passed north off Long Nab at 12.02hrs.
Also on the move (south unless stated) were 23 Fulmar + 8 north, 2 Cormorant + 2 north, 17 Common Scoter, 1 Black-headed Gull north, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 431 Sandwich Tern + 10 north, 4 Common Tern, 1 Swift, 6 Swallow and 2 House Martin.
Elsewhere 9 Little Egret and a Cuckoo were at Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), a Garden Warbler was in Crook Ness, a Little Egret spent the day along the coast between Long Nab and Scalby Lodge Pond where there were 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Turtle Dove were in Staintondale and another 2 were seen in Harwood Dale and the Scaup was still at Peasholm Park.

Monday 1 June 2015

Saturday 30th May 2015


An Osprey that flew south over Stepney Drive at 13.35hrs and a singing Firecrest found on territory at Bridestones were the two highlights of the day.
Now two singing Firecrests have been found in our Forests this spring!
Elsewhere the Whooper Swan was still at Wykeham South Lake, a Ringed Plover was on Scalby Lodge Pond, 6 Grey Heron were on Johnson's Marsh and 3 churring Nightjar were present near the Falcon Inn.