Sunday 31 January 2021

Sunday 31st January

70 Pink-footed Geese heading west, and 2 Little Egrets, were seen just south of Gristhorpe village this morning. In Dalby, at Haygate and on the forest edge, there were about 50 Brambling, about 70 Skylark, 100+ Fieldfare, 9 Lesser Redpoll, about 100 Yellowhammer and a yaffling Green Woodpecker. A Kingfisher was seen at the Open Air Theatre, an adult Mediterranean Gull and a Coot were on Peasholm Park Lake, and a Nuthatch was in the glen. A Barn Owl was spotted at the motorcycle track near Seamer Tip, while a Siskin was with a small flock of Goldfinches behind the Boyes warehouse in Eastfield. A Great White Egret flew south-west from Wykeham South Lake in the early afternoon and in the late afternoon a male Hen Harrier was again seen along Causeway Road south-west of the lake. 5 Little Grebes, 3 Goldeneye and 2 drake Goosanders were at Seamer Road Mere. Three Lapland Buntings at Long Nab, 18 Siskin flew south. A Snow Bunting flew south over Wykeham Lakes, also a Green Woodpecker in Causeway Plantation and a mixed finch flock NW of the lakes held 20+ Brambling.

Saturday 30 January 2021

Saturday 30th January

3 Barnacle Geese, 76 Canada Geese, 90+ Greylag Geese, 10 Gadwall and a Wigeon were at Seamer Tip pool this morning, and a Jack Snipe was on the flat ground near there in the early afternoon. 8 Ringed Plover and 25+ Oystercatchers were at Scalby Mills and a Great Northern Diver was in the harbour. 107 Pied Wagtails, 97 Black-headed Gulls, 10 Lapwing and 65 Woodpigeons were in a field opposite The Barn near Burniston, while a Bullfinch was in the hedge. 3 Buzzards were seen over Seamer Road, a Grey Wagtail was in Woodlands Ravine, and 45 Purple Sandpipers were roosting at the harbour this evening. A male Hen Harrier was seen south of Wykeham Lakes in the Ings Bridge area, and at Starr Carr there were 1100 Starlings, 320 Fieldfare, 120 Redwings, 60 Lapwings, 760 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Stonechats, a Snipe and a Grey Wagtail.

Friday 29 January 2021

Friday 29th January

162 Pink-footed Geese flew west over Thornton Dale this morning, and another 100 were seen heading west over Seamer Tip pool. Also at Seamer Tip pool this morning were 2 Bitterns, a White-fronted Goose and a Water Rail, while a Barn Owl was seen there in the afternoon. 9 adult Whooper Swans were at Willerby Carr, 3 Barnacle Geese and a Great Crested Grebe were at Burton Riggs, and 40 Siskins were in alders at Hopper Hill Road on the Eastfield industrial estate. A Dipper was in the Glen and a Coot was on Peasholm Lake. At Wilton Heights this afternoon there were about 20 Brambling with 200+ Chaffinch, 100 Linnets and 30 Yellowhammers. 2 Willow Tits and 2 Marsh Tits were seen/heard at Sand Dale. 34 Purple Sandpipers and 43 Turnstones were present at the harbour and a Razorbill was in the harbour mouth. 7 adult Mediterranean Gulls were roosting at the north end of South Bay with about 60 Black-headed Gulls. A great Northern Diver and 3 Shelduck flew north at Long Nab. Five Lapland untings in the stubble field there.

Thursday 28 January 2021

Thursday 28th January

Another quiet day. 2 Little Egrets at Thornton Carrs and a Great White Egret near Seamer water treatment works. One Lapland Bunting in the stubble at Long Nab.

Wednesday 27 January 2021

Wednesday 27th January

At Low Marishes today there were 280 Greylags, 420 Pink-footed Geese, 1200 Starlings, a Little Egret and a Sparrowhawk. At Long Nab 115 Pink-footed Geese and 9 Shelduck flew north, one Lapland Bunting in the stubble field.

Tuesday 26 January 2021

Tuesday 26th January

A flock of 70+ Fieldfare and 20+ Redwings were in a field on the south-east edge of Wykeham Forest this morning. A Jack Snipe was flushed from a ditch near Pete's Pond (just east of Seamer Tip pool) and a Barn Owl was hunting nearby. 4 Barnacle Geese were with a goose flock near Seamer Tip bridge and 7 Pink-footed Geese could be seen distantly in the field below the tip pool.

Monday 25 January 2021

Monday 25th January

A Green Sandpiper was spotted at Seamer Tip pool this morning. At Peasholm Park there were a Coot, 56 Tufted Duck, 68 Herring Gulls and 105 Black-headed Gulls. 15 Golden Plover were in the stubble field at Long Nab before leaving to the north. 29 Fieldfare, a Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a flock of Siskins were at Long Causeway; 27 Fieldfare and a Lapwing were in the field opposite the entrance to Hanson's quarry; and 2 Buzzards were over Farside drifting towards Charm Park. 24 Purple Sandpipers and a Razorbill were at the harbour late this afternoon. 2 Little Egrets were seen at Broadmires Drain near Thornton Dale, and a Great Grey Shrike was spotted in Sneaton Woods.

Sunday 24 January 2021

Sunday 24th January

A Great Crested Grebe, a Little Grebe, 16 Tufted Duck, about 60 Mallards and 6 Cormorants were at Burton Riggs this morning; a Barn Owl was at Seamer Tip pool; and a female Blackcap was in the park in front of Heron Lane. 98 Common Gulls, 61 Lapwings, 9 Fieldfare, 8 Greylags and 2 Bullfinches were seen from Garth End Road, and about 200 Golden Plover were seen in fields at the western end of Row Brow. A Little Egret was at Thornton Carrs, and at Low Marishes there were 420 Pink-footed Geese, 300+ Wigeon, 200+ Teal, 300+ Golden Plover and 600+ Lapwing. 5 Little Grebes, a pair of Teal, 10 Goldeneye, and 3 Water Rails were seen at Seamer Road Mere, and a Green Sandpiper was on the River Hertford near Starr Carr.

Saturday 23 January 2021

Saturday 23rd January

14 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Nuthatch and 4 Goldfinch were seen at Dean Road cemetery this morning, plus a Peregrine flying over. 53 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Kingfishers and a Little Egret were at Thornton Carrs, while 200 Pink-footed Geese were spotted heading north-west over Gristhorpe, Cayton Bay and Scarborough, where 303 in 2 skeins were seen flying north over Newlands and later over Long Nab. Another 300 Pink-footed Geese were at Low Marishes, along with a Great Egret, 120 Golden Plover and a Peregrine, plus 2 Otters which were seen in a dyke. In fields southeast of Ruston Carr Bridge there were 15 Whooper Swans, 120 Pink-footed Geese, 20 Golden Plover, and a Great White Egret was seen heading north towards the lakes then west back past the bridge again at dusk. 2 Barn Owls were hunting around the Cromer Point pond area from mid-afternoon, while also seen in the area were 2 pairs of Stonechats, 31 Curlew, 2 Snipe, 3 Reed Buntings and 17 Skylarks. A Great Northern Diver was once more at the harbour and a Coot was on Peasholm Lake again, while at Scalby Mills there were 260 Wigeon, 2 Mallard and 11 Cormorants.

Friday 22 January 2021

Friday 22nd January

22 Gadwall and a Wigeon were at Seamer Tip pool this morning. A Goshawk, a Woodcock and 9 Buzzards were spotted in the Dalby/Haygate area, and about 200 Golden Plover were in the field below Irton Boatyard. 120+ Redwing, a Fieldfare and 7 Mandarins were at Harwood Dale Lake, and a Great White Egret was seen heading west over West Ayton. 2 Great Northern Divers were in the harbour/South Bay again, and this evening a small skein of Pink-footed Geese was heard heading south over Aldi. One Lapland Bunting at Long Nab.

Thursday 21st January

5 Tundra Bean Geese flew south at Long Nab.4 Redwings were seen at Irton Moor this morning and 12+ Goldfinches were on the lane from there down to East Ayton. 7 Little Egrets were near Folkton water treatment works. At Johnson's Marsh there were 40 Teal and 10 Herons, and at Seamer Road Mere there were 6 Goldeneye, 5 Little Grebes and 3 Goosanders. At Charity Farm, Thornton Carrs this afternoon 4 Green Sandpipers and 2 Peregrines were seen.

Monday 18 January 2021

Monday 18th January

3 Barnacle Geese were seen at Burton Riggs this morning, and a Red Kite was over Yedingham. A flock of 50 Yellowhammers were at Hutton Buscel, and flocks totalling several hundred Siskins were between Wrench Green and Northstile. Wader totals from Jackson's Bay to Long Nab were; 49 Curlew, 46 Oystercatchers, Purple Sandpiper (Cromer Point), 9 Redshank, 7 Turnstone. The WeBS count at Wykeham South Lake gave totals of; 55 Coot, 98 Mallard, 8 Gadwall, 190 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 17 Tufted Ducks, 7 Goldeneye, 15 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Little Grebes plus a Great White Egret. Two Lapland Buntings at Long Nab.

Sunday 17 January 2021

Sunday 17th January

A group of 5 Buzzards were seen at Hackness today, and another 3 at Suffield, where there were 60 Fieldfare. 2 Buzzards were also at Low Yedmandale, 2 Jays and a Nuthatch were at Kimlin Slack, 7 Fieldfare at Kimlin Hill, 23 Fieldfare at Spiker's Hill, and 4 Yellowhammers at Cockrah Road. 3 Bullfinches were seen at Plaxton Court, plus a Sparrowhawk being mobbed by 2 Rooks, while a Chiffchaff was spotted in gardens at The Dene, Peasholm. 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls were at Holbeck car park, a Great Northern Diver was again in the harbour, a Red-throated Diver was in South Bay, 2 Razorbills were close in off Marine Drive, and a Coot was on Peasholm Park Lake. At Scalby Mills tere were 8 Ringed Plover, while at Long Nab there were 2 Redshank, 4 Oystercatchers and a Snow Bunting and a Lapland Bunting. Also 44 Pink-footed Geese flew north there.

Saturday 16 January 2021

Saturday 16th January

A number of Pink-footed Geese were seen today: 150 south over Gristhorpe this morning, 25 south-west off North Bay, about 90 west over Hutton Buscel in the afternoon, and 500 heading south over Seamer/Starr Carrs. Just one Great Northern Diver was in the harbour today, and a Kingfisher and a Water Rail were at the Open Air Theatre. A Barn Owl was seen at the entrance to Wykeham South Lake and another was hunting over hedges above Cayton Bay, where a Common Scoter and a Peregrine were spotted at the south end of the bay. 100 Fieldfare, a mixed finch flock of about 100, 28 Common Gulls and a Buzzard were in the Sandybed/Amshaws area. 643 Wigeon, 14 Ringed Plover and a second calendar year Mediterranean Gull were at Scalby Mills, while 36 Redshank, 18 Curlew and 72 Oystercatchers were in Jackson's Bay. At Seamer/Starr Carrs there were 70 Pink-footed Geese, a Tundra Bean Goose, 2 Woodcock, 395 Fieldfare, 240 Lapwing and 78 Linnets. A female Shoveler was at Seamer Tip pool.

Friday 15 January 2021

Friday 15th January

45 Teal were at Johnson's Marsh yesterday. Today 4 Bean Geese and 4 Barnacle Geese were with other goose flocks below Seamer Tip pool, where a Wigeon and 8 Gadwall were on the pond. 2 Great Northern Divers were again in the harbour, about 200 Starlings were at Scarborough cricket ground, and 4 Ringed Plover were at Scalby Mills. On flood plains south of Wilton there were 460 geese, a mixture of Greylags and Pink-footed Geese, together with 125 Teal, 230 Golden Plover and a Little Egret. At Wilton Heights/ Nabgate there was a Green Woodpecker, a Crossbill and a Grey Wagtail, while at Sand Dale there were 4 Willow Tits, 3 Marsh Tits and a Woodcock, plus 2 Marsh Tits at Howl Dale. 4 Little Grebe, 6 Goldeneye, 3 Goosanders, a Water Rail and 14 Siskins were seen at Seamer Road Mere, while large numbers of Pink-footed Geese were noted going over Gristhorpe. 4 Lapland Buntings at Long Nab.

Wednesday 13 January 2021

Wednesday 13th January

At Thornton Carrs this morning there were 260 Greylags, 130 Pink-footed Geese, 80 Skylarks, 25 Meadow Pipits, 24 Reed Buntings, 2 Snipe, a Peregrine, a Sparrowhawk and a Little Egret. A small flock of Redwings were seen on Weaponess Drive. At Scalby Mills there were 239 Wigeon, and in Jackson's Bay there were 6 Ringed Plover. 4 Little Grebes, 5 Goldeneye and a female Goosander were at Seamer Road Mere, while 2 Great Northern Divers were in South Bay. Two Lapland Buntings and 2 Twite at Long Nab. Thursday 14th January A Velvet Scoter flew south at Long Nab.

Tuesday 12 January 2021

Tuesday 12th January

3 Woodcock, a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk were seen this morning at Harland Wood. About 224 Greylags were in the field above Darrell's Low Farm. At Wykeham South Lake there were 310 Wigeon, 3 Goldeneye, 17 Coot, 6 Great Crested Grebes, a Red-necked Grebe, 2 Pochard and 2 Tufted Duck, while in the flooded fields below there were 35 Fieldfare and 2 Reed Buntings. A male Hen Harrier was spotted heading east at Charm Park. At Sandybed/Amshaws below Hutton Buscel there were 70 Linnets, 15 Goldfinch, 35 Fieldfare, 7 Blackbirds and a Buzzard. A Peregrine was on the Grand Hotel and a pair of Kestrels were hunting near the Marine Drive toilets.

Monday 11 January 2021

Monday 11th January

4 Tundra Bean Geese still near Seamer tip pools. About 232 Greylags were in the field above Darrell's Low Farm this morning, and at Pigg's Farm there was a large mixed finch flock including 50 Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Bullfinch. A melanistic Great Tit was seen among a mixed tit flock in Peasholm Glen and an argentatus type Herring Gull was on Peasholm Lake. A Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Nuthatch, a Marsh Tit, 6 Bullfinches and 4 Song Thrushes were with a mixed tit flock (which had an abundance of Greats over Blues) at Harland Wood.

Sunday 10 January 2021

Sunday 10th January

4 Tundra Bean Geese at Seamer tip pools.40 Pink-footed Geese flew north over St Mary's Church early this morning. A Woodcock flew over Burton Riggs towards Seamer Tip, while 20 Redwings were at Sweetbecks Planataion by Burton Riggs. 17 Common Gulls, 7 Fieldfare, a Buzzard and a Bullfinch were seen at Hutton Buscel. In the fields just north of Thornton Dale there were groups of Chaffinches and Tree Sparrows, totaling over 100, with small numbers of Bramblings, Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers mixed in. A Green Woodpecker was at Wilton Heights, and in Lower Sand Dale there were 5 Willow Tits and 6 Marsh Tits. Two Lapland Buntings and a Twite at Long Nab.

Saturday 9 January 2021

Saturday 9th January

A ringtailed Hen Harrier was hunting over the fields at Long Nab this morning, and in the fields just south of Seamer Tip pools there were 4 Tundra Bean Geese, a White-fronted Goose and a Barnacle Goose. 2 Purple Sandpipers were on the rock armopur in North Bay opposite Chain Hill. A Tawny Owl was at East Ayton; 7 Fieldfare were at Skell Dykes, Irton Moor; a Buzzard and 14 Greylags were seen heading south over Forge Valley; and a Goshawk was at Spiker's Hill. Near Cromer Point Pond a Chiffchaff was spotted on the muck heap. Sadly a Great Northern Diver was seen looking very unwell in the harbour (possibly due to chemical deposits in the harbour, having been feeding there for some time). A Guillemot was also in the harbour, 2 Red-throated Divers were in South Bay, and a Peregrine and 3 Fulmars were on the Castle Headland. 4 Little Grebes, 4 Goldeneye and a drake Goosander were at Seamer Road Mere. At Seamer Carr there were 247 Fieldfare, 77 Teal, 11 Mistle Thrush, a Kingfisher, 2 Little Egrets, a couple of 'argentatus' Herring Gulls and a Stonechat.

Friday 8 January 2021

Friday 8th January

Not much bird news in on this wet, sludgy day. Just 6 Long-tailed Tits and a female Great Spotted Woodpecker on feeders in Ravenscar.

Thursday 7 January 2021

Thursday 7th January

4 Siskins were feeding in Alders by the angling lake at Burton Riggs this morning. 2 Great Northern Divers were again in the harbour area, together with 57 Turnstones, a Shag off lighthouse pier, and 12 Purple Sandpipers on East Pier. At Thornton Carrs, just south of Charity Farm, there were 2 Peregrines, 90 Skylarks, 21 Pied Wagtails, 9 Reed Buntings, 45 Meadow Pipits, 3 Corn Buntings, 6 Buzzards, a Snipe and a Little Egret. 53 Oystercatchers were feeding in the field next to Cayton Bay surf shop, a Peregrine and a Porpoise were seen from Castle headland, and 3 Goosanders were at Seamer Road Mere. Two Lapland Buntings and a colour ringed Scandinavian Rock Pipit at Long Nab.

Wednesday 6 January 2021

Wednesday 6th January

100+ Fieldfare were seen in Suffield this morning, and 103 were in the Spiker's Hill/Kimlin Slack area, together with 30+ Yellowhammer. A Buzzard was seen over Sheepwalk Plantation and another over Hutton Fields, together with a Skylark. A Willow Tit was in a mixed flock in Harland Wood, and 7 Yellowhammers were at Limestone Road. A Great Northern Diver was in South Bay this evening, and 2 Eiders flew north. A Hawfinch was in Troutsdale along with 15 Mandarins. 3 Velvet Scoters flew north at Long Nab, 2 Lapland Buntings in the stubble and 4 Twite with 80 Linnets along Rocks Lane.

Tuesday 5 January 2021

Tuesday 5th January

Three Lapland Buntings were in the stubble field at Long Nab. A Great Crested Grebe and 2 Great Northern Divers were in the harbour today, and a Kingfisher was spotted at the Open Air Theatre.

Monday 4th January

25 Tufted Duck were at Burton Riggs, a Barnacle Goose was at Seamer Tip Pool, and a Great Northern Diver was again in the harbour today. 9 Greylags were in the field before Darrel Low Farm, 4 Goldfinch were at Garth End Road, and at Wykeham South Lake there were 2 Egyptian Geese, 9 Goldeneye, 9 Great Crested Grebes, 60+ Wigeon, 100+ Mallard, 2 Stonechat, 31 Teal, 60 Coot, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel and a Buzzard. A Little Egret and a Kingfisher were on the beck behind Thornton Dale sewage works, and a Kestrel was seen at Scalby cricket pitch. 21 Eiders, 8 Common Scoter and 58 Kittiwakes flew past Long Nab in the morning, where there were 22 Curlew. About 250 Siskins were in a flcok at Troutsdale Bridge, and at Harwood Dale Lake 50+ Redwing were with a Chaffinch flock. On floods at Low Marishes there were a Great Egret, a Little Egret, a Peregrine, 2 Whooper Swans, 780 Wigeon, 260 Teal, 34 Gadwall, 25 Tufted Duck, a Goldeneye, 340 Fieldfare, 810 Lapwing and 200 Golden Plover. A male Hen Harrier was again seen south-west of Wykeham Lakes.

Sunday 3 January 2021

Sunday 3rd January

2 Peregrines were seen hunting over the foreshore this morning. In the afternoon 2 Grey Partridges were on the track from Oliver's Mount to Eastfield, and in Thornton Dale a Goosander was spotted flying over while a Dipper and a Little Egret were near the car park. 3 Great Northern Divers were again in the harbour/South Bay, and a Woodcock was at Seamer Road Mere. 17 Grey Partridges were at Long Nab, a Stonechat and a Snipe were at Cromer Point Pond, and a Purple Sandpiper and 4 Ringed Plover were at Scalby Mills.

Saturday 2 January 2021

Saturday 2nd January

2 Little Egrets and 50+ Fieldfare were seen at Folkton near the water treatment works this morning, and 17 Pink-footed Geese and a Barnacle Goose were with Greylags/Canada Geese in the field south-west of Seamer Tip Pool. 370+ Pink-footed Geese flew south past Long Nab and 28 flew over Seamer Tip pool, as did 30 Teal. A Goosander flew north past Long Nab where 1 or more Lapland Buntings were again present. 6 Mediterranean Gulls were at Holbeck, including the Polish-ringed bird PNN5. In the Johnson's Marsh area there were 19 Curlew, 9 Redshank, 3 Song Thrush, 6 Reed Buntings and 6 Herons. 2 Great Northern and 3 Red-throated Divers were just outside the harbour, and 7 Goldeneye and 2 drake Goosanders were still at Seamer Road Mere. In the afternoon 2 Lesser Redpoll, a Kingfisher, 6 Marsh Tits, 30 Fieldfare and 14 Redwings were seen from Wykeham Causeway Plantation Road, while 6 Little Egrets and 13 Long-tailed Tits were at the water works on Carr Lane. At Wykeham South Lake There were: a pair of Pintail, 50+ Canada Geese, 30+ Greylags, 2 Barnacle Geese, 16+ Great Crested Grebes, 8+ Goldeneye, 125+ Mallard, 8 Gadwall, 20+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Coot, 65+ Wigeon, 35+ Teal, 4 Great Black-backed Gulls, 15 Common Gulls, 8 Cormorants, 3 Mute Swans and a Heron. Low Marishes hosted a Great Egret, 2 Whooper and 7 Mute Swans, 34 Pintail, 920 Lapwings, 115 Golden Plover, 740 Wigeon, 323 Teal, 2 Shoveler and 36 Mallard. Towards dusk 3 Great Northen Divers were at the harbour and 32 Purple Sandpipers were roosting on East Pier.

Friday 1 January 2021

Friday 1st January

Happy New Year everyone. The year begins with 24 Pink-footed Geese seen feeding in the grass field north of Folkton Bridge before flying off east towards Filey. 3 Great Northern Divers and 2 Red-throated Divers were again in/around the harbour, and 3 Lapland Buntings were again at Long Nab. 4 Little Grebes, 7 Goldeneye, 2 drake Goosanders, 2 Water Rails, 3 Mediterranean Gulls (2 first-winter and an adult) and a Chiffchaff were at Seamer Road Mere. A Green Woodpecker was in Dalby Forest on the Haygate circuit, and 11+ Bramblings were seen among a flock of about 200 Chaffinch in the Wilton Heights/Nabgate area. 300+ Wigeon, 50+ Teal, 20 Gadwall and a Cormorant were at Low Marishes. Peasholm Park hosted an adult Mediterranean Gull and 45 Tufted Duck in the afternoon, while in the morning a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen flying from there to the Open Air Theatre.

Thursday 31st December

2 Redwing and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen at Ayton Castle this morning, and 3 Great Northern Divers were again in the harbour while 2 Red-throated Divers were in South Bay, increasing to 10 by the afternoon. 4 Goldeneye, a male Goosander, a first-winter Mediterranean Gull, a Chiffchaff and 2 Water Rails were at Seamer Road Mere. At Long Nab 3 Lapland Buntings were again in the stubble field together with the colour-ringed Scandanavian Rock Pipit; 7 Golden Plover were in the fields while 3 more and a Little Egret flew south. A Barn Owl was at Limestone Road, 13 Whooper Swans were at Wykeham Lakes, and a male Hen Harrier was seen just south of the lakes.