Friday 31 December 2021

Friday 31st December

39 Pink-footed Geese and 200+ Lapwing were on Cayton Carr this morning and a Barn Owl was at the allotments. The Cattle Egret was again in the field south of Seamer Tip pool, as was an adult Mediterranean Gull. 7 drake Pochards and a Willow Tit were at Burton Riggs, where 20 Siskins flew north. A Red Kite was seen over Thornton Dale. A Little Gull was spotted in North Bay, while at the harbour there were 29 Purple Sandpipers, the Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Divers, a Guillemot and 41 Turnstones. 2 more Red-throated Divers were off Marine Drive, while 4 Red-throated Divers and 2 Guillemots were in South Bay. 45 Pink-footed Geese flew south past Long Nab; 91 Teal and 12 Herons were at Johnson's Marsh; and 5 Grey Partridge were at Scalby Lodge. Wishing you all a happy 2022.

Thursday 30 December 2021

Thursday 30th December

24 Crossbills and 4 Marsh Tits were spotted in the Haygate area of Dalby Forest, while 2 Dippers and a Kingfisher were in Thornton Dale. 13 Fieldfare and a Goshawk were seen from Far Lane, Hutton Buscel, while on Cayton Carr there were 5 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Dunlin, a Peregrine and 250 Lapwings. A Woodcock was flushed from the cliff top bushes at Long Nab, 24 Curlew were in the fields behind the observatory, 2 Pink-footed Geese flew west, and a flock of 60 Lapwings flew south-west. 24 Fieldfare and a Mistle Thrush were at Newlands Lane, Cloughton, and 13 Mandarin were at Hackness. The Great Northern Diver was again in the harbour where 21 Purple Sandpipers were roosting. 4 Red-throated Divers were again in the area, while 2 Razorbills were in North Bay.

Wednesday 29th December

2 Little Egrets and 5 Dippers were on the beck in Thornton Dale early this morning. A drake Eider was on the sea just off Marine Drive at the Gambol Stones; while a Great Northern Diver, a Guillemot and 3 Red-throated Divers were in the harbour again; and another Guillemot and 3 Red-throated Divers were out in the bay. 94 Wigeon and a Kingfisher were seen at Scalby Mills, and 7 Shags and 5 Dunlin flew south past Long Nab. 19 Carrion Crows were in the field below Seamer Tip pool, while around Seamer Mead there were 25 Chaffinches, 3 Little Egrets and 60 Fieldfares. 62 Mallard, 2 Teal and 8 Mute Swans were at Seamer small pool. 200+ Starlings were seen from the Brompton-Sherburn Road, and about 60 Pink-footed Geese were briefly present in the field south of Wykeham South Lake before flying off south. 200 Fieldfares and about 500 Common Gulls were seen from Ruston Carr Bridge, from where a Great White Egret and a Whooper Swan could be seen on the carrs to the south-east. 400 Starlings were in fields behind the car park at The Hole of Horcum.

Tuesday 28 December 2021

Tuesday 28th December

5 Red-throated Divers were just outside the harbour this morning while the Great Northern Diver was in the harbour. 10 Cormorants were in South Bay with 4 Guillemots and a further 5 Red-throated Divers; 37 Turnstones and 29 Purple Sandpipers were on the outer harbour wall and pier. 36 Curlew and a Redshank were by the Scalby Lodge Pond hide, while in the Cromer Point/sewage works area there were 3 Stonechats, a Woodcock, a Snipe and 10 Teal. A Dipper remains in Peasholm Glen while 4 more were seen at Thornton Dale. 20 Moorhens were at the pond near Seamer Tip bridge; 30 Siskins flew over the 3 Seamer Tip ponds; and 2 Wigeon plus a Little Grebe were at Burton Riggs. 4 Bramblings, 3 Marsh Tits and about 100 Linnets were seen at Haygate, Dalby.

Monday 27th December

2 Red-throated Divers, one Great Northern Diver and a Guillemot were in the harbour, plus 5 more Red-throated Divers in South Bay and a Common Scoter in North Bay, while 3 Shelduck flew south past Marine Drive. A Red-throated Diver was also at Wykeham South Lake together with 2 Pochard, 12 Goldeneye, 8 Gadwall, a Grey Wagtail and 6 Egyptian Geese (4 juvenile). A Goldcrest was in a garden on Heron Lane, while a Chiffchaff, 2 Little Egrets, 7 Grey Partridge and a Kingfisher were at Seamer sewage works. Passing Long Nab southwards were 18 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, a Teal, a Tufted Duck, 9 Eider, a Knot, a Dunlin and 8 Redwing (plus 7 heading west). 2 Great White Egrets were seen on Francis's Ings plus another at Potter Brompton Carr along with an adult Whooper Swan paired with a Mute Swan. 2 Water Rails were seen along the river bank near Potter Brompton Carr, and 2 Dunlin were at Johnson's Marsh.

Sunday 26th December

A Jack Snipe was in the stubble field at Long Nab, and a Dunlin was at Jackson's Bay. The Great Northern Diver remained in the harbour at the start of the raft race.

Sunday 26 December 2021

Christmas Day

A drake Shoveler was at Scalby Mills this morning and the Great Northern Diver remained at the harbour. At Seamer Road Mere there were 43 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 12 Little Grebes, 2 Gadwall, 3 Water Rails and a Kingfisher. The Cattle Egret remains in the field south of Seamer Tip pool, a Woodcock was flushed from scrub at Burton Riggs, and 150+ Fieldfare and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were at Carr Farm, Wykeham. A Chiffchaff was spotted in Woodlands Ravine, while in the Haygate area of Dalby Forest there were 15 Lesser Redpoll, 8 Crossbills, about 50 Fieldfare and about 59 Redwing. Merry Chrstmas!

Friday 24th December

One Red-throated Diver was in the harbour this morning and 4 more were in South Bay. A Common Scoter was also in South Bay while a Great Northern Diver and a Guillemot were also in the harbour, plus a Razorbill in the afternoon. 2 Water Rails were calling at Seamer Tip pools and another at Burton Riggs.

Thursday 23 December 2021

Thursday 23rd December

A Goosander was seen at Throxenby Mere this morning, while a Great Northen Diver and 2 Red-throated Divers were in the harbour. Later in the morning 9 Red-throated Divers were just outside the harbour mouth. A male Brambling, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Reed Bunting were at the Long Causeway Road feeding station. 7 Buzzards, 1000 plus Golden Plover and 700+ Lapwings were seen from North Moor Road. A Kingfisher was at the Open Air Theatre. At Ellerburn there was a Kingfisher, a Little Egret and 4 Marsh Tits, while at Wilton Heights there were about 10 Bramblings with large numbers of Yellowhammers and Chaffinches.

Wednesday 22nd December

A male Blackcap was on feeders in a Northstead garden this morning, and the Cattle Egret was still in the field south of Seamer Tip pool. At Wykeham South Lake there were 17 Goldeneye, 64 Wigeon (which flew off east), 2 Pochard, 21 Gadwall, 62 Tufted Duck, 82 Coot, a female Shoveler, 5 calling Water Rails, 102 Lapwing, a Stonechat and 2 Kestrels, while 215 Pink-footed Geese flew north in 2 flocks. 7 Red-throated Divers and a Shag were seen in South Bay while the Great Northern Diver was still in the harbour.

Tuesday 21st December

3 Whooper Swans flew west over Great Moor Road this morning, and a Sparrowhawk was seen feeding under Spa Bridge. The Cattle Egret was again near Seamer Tip pool, while at Wykeham South Lake there were 31 Wigeon, 13 Goldeneye, 2 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, and a Common Sandpiper on the island. 13 Long-tailed Tits, 19 Fieldfare, 10 Chaffinch, a Bullfinch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen from Great Moor Road, and a Nuthatch was in Hutton Buscel churchyard. A Great Northern Diver and 2 Red-throated Divers were in the Harbour, and a Little Egret was on the river in Brompton. 7 Ringed Plover and a Canada Goose were at Scalby Mills, while at Wykeham East Lake there were 120 Lapwing, a Pochard, 11 Goldeneye, 12 Teal, 18 Cormorants, 2 Marsh Tits, 4 Siskins, a Jay and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. 17 Fieldfares flew north-west over Crossgates.

Monday 20 December 2021

Sunday 19th Decmeber

A Great Northern Diver was in the inner harbour this morning, and 2 Red-throated Divers were at the harbour mouth. 250+ Pink-footed Geese flew north over East Ayton, and 24 Fulmar were seen back on the Marine Drive cliffs. 9 Goldeneye, a Kingfisher, 4 Gadwall and a Pochard were on Wykeham South Lake, while a flock of 17 Greenfinch was near the pines and a female Stonechat was in the south-east corner at the Water Park. At Scalby Mills there were 315 Wigeon, a Goosander, a pair of Mallard and 5 Purple Sandpipers, while at Jackson's Bay there were 39 Redshank and 81 Oystercatchers, and a Water Rail was calling at the Open Air Theatre.

Saturday 18th December

A kingfisher was seen on the River Hertford by the footbridge below Staxton, and a Great Northern Diver was in the outer harbour. 3 Mediterranean Gulls (an adult plus first and second calendar year birds) were roosting with about 75 Black-headed Gulls in North bay, where there were also 2 Purple Sandpipers. 17 Red-throated Divers and 2 Guillemots were in South Bay, and 23 Purple Sandpipers were on East Pier. The Cattle Egret was again near Seamer Tip pool.

Friday 17 December 2021

Friday 17th December

A total of 9 Red-throated Divers were on the sea off Long Nab this morning, and a Sparrowhawk flew along the cliff. A large flock of about 300 Lapwings were seen flying around Wykeham East Lake, with about 600 also in the fields seen from Garth End Road. Other birds seen around the lakes later in the afternoon include 4 Marsh Tits, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 12 Siskin, and flying over about 200 Golden Plover and about 400 Lapwing. 22 Fieldfare were seen in the paddocks at the bottom of Long Causeway Road, while also along the road were a Willow Tit, 3 Marsh Tits, 9 Siskin, 30+ Linnets and 40 Chaffinch. The Cattle Egret remains in the middle ditch at Seamer Tip pool. A mixed flock of about 100 Fieldfare and 50 Redwing were seen at Gristhorpe Carrs.

Thursday 16th December

3 Little Egrets, 2 Dippers and a Kingfisher were seen in Thornton Dale this morning. The Cattle Egret was again in the field south of Seamer Tip pool, where 12 Siskins were seen. A Water Rail was at New Dike, Seamer Tip, and 2 Stonechats and a Willow Tit were on the eastern side of the tip. 2 Jays and a Kingfisher were again spotted at the Open Air Theatre, and the Canada Goose was again in North Bay. 2 female and 4 male Goosanders were at Harwood Dale Lake, and a juvenile Great Northern Diver was in South Bay/outside the harbour mouth.

Thursday 16 December 2021

Wednesday 15th December

2 Little Egrets and 2 Dippers were on the beck in Thornton Dale this morning, and the Little Grebe is still surviving on the Valley Road duck pond. At Wykeham Lakes: 15 Gadwall, a Goosander, 2 Pochard, a Jay and a Kingfisher were at South Lake, while 42 Coot, 7 Tufted Duck and a Great Crested Grebe were at East Lake. 40+ Yellowhammers, 18 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 12+ Greenfinch and 2 Buzzards were seen at Coverdale Moor. A Shelduck and a Peregrine were seen on Cayton Carr, and a single Canada Goose was on the sea in North Bay. In and around the harbour were 18 Purple Sandpiper, 24 Turnstone, 2 Shag, a Cormorant, a Red-throated Diver (3 more of which flew past southwards), and 2 Guillemots. A Kingfisher was again at the Open Air Theatre, while 200+ Starlings were seen in fields near the River Hertford by the A64.

Tuesday 14th December

A Short-eared Owl was at GCHQ. The Cattle Egret was once again in the field south of Seamer Tip pool, where there were 7 Gadwall and a Shoveler, and a Goosander was seen flying over towards Burton Riggs. Present at Wykeham South Lake were: 17 Gadwall, a Pochard, 4 Teal, 9 Goldeneye, 82 Coot, 26 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes, 11 Great Crested Grebes, 50+ Goldfinch, 15 Siskin and a Sparrowhawk. A Peregrine flew east over Crossgates and an adult Mediterranean Gull flew over Cayton Low Road, Eastfield. 8 Grey Partridges were spotted in the field by the A170, opposite Irton Moor Lane. 2 Kingfishers were at the Open Air Theatre, while 12 Herons and 40+ Teal were at Scalby Lodge pond.

Monday 13 December 2021

Monday 13th December

A juvenile Great Northern Diver was feeding with Red-throated Divers below the observatory at Long Nab this morning. The Cattle Egret was again in the field south of Seamer Tip pool both morning and afternoon, while Little Egrets were seen at Brompton Butts and Thornton Carrs, and a Great White Egret was at Wykeham South Lake. A Water Rail, a Common Gull, 39 Tufted Duck, 4 Goldeneye, 68 Mallard, 80 Coot, 145 Moorhens and 6 Little Grebes were at Seamer Road Mere. A Kingfisher and a Jay were seen, and a Water Rail heard, at the Open Air Theatre.

Sunday 12 December 2021

Sunday 12th December

The Cattle Egret was seen again this morning in the field south of Seamer Tip pool. A Shoveler was on the pool and a Jay was also present. A Water Rail was at New Dike, a Little Egret and 4 Snipe were at Seamer Mead, a Short-eared Owl and 3 Curlew were at Flixton Carr, and 6 Little Grebes were nearby on the Hertford. A Goosander, a Great Northern Diver, 26 Red-throated Divers and a Snow Bunting flew north past Long Nab. A Goldeneye flew south, as did 85+ Red-throated Divers (plus 28 more were offshore). A Curlew flew south past Marine Drive, 7 Red-throated Divers were in South Bay, and 303 Wigeon and 3 Teal were at Scalby Mills. 8+ Redpoll were seen in Wykeham Forest.

Saturday 11 December 2021

Saturday 11th December

14 Lapwings were seen from the road to Low Darrell Farm this morning, while a mixed flock of 90+ finches and a charm of 50 Goldfinches were seen on the track from Wykeham South Lake to Ings Farm. 42 Fieldfare were near Ings Bridge and 2 more on Long Causeway, while 40 Goldfinch were at Sandybed Lane (Charm Park). A drake Red-brested Merganser flew south past Marine Drive, a Jack Snipe was flushed from the stubble at Long Nab, and a second winter Mediterranean Gull flew past north. 25 Fieldfare and about 60 Starlings were seen in the field south-west of Smugglers' Cottage, Ravenscar, and a Buzzard was also in the area. 11 Long-tailed Tits and a Jay were seen in Harwood Dale Forest. 30 Golden Plover flew west over Flixton this afternoon. A Great Northern Diver, 15 Red-throated Divers and a Great Crested Grebe were present off Marine Drive/harbour, while 2 Common Scoters and an Eider flew north. A Chiffchaff (possibly tristis) flew in off the sea at the harbour.

Friday 10 December 2021

Friday 10th December

2 male Goosanders were at the water ski pond, Seamer Road Mere this morning, and a female Blackcap was in a garden in Heron Lane. At Wykeham South Lake there were 7 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 28 Tufted Duck, 28 Mallard, 3 Crossbills and 13 Goldeneye. The Little Grebe was still at Valley Road pond, looking unwell. A Goshawk and 34 Crossbills were seen in Langdale Forest. A Dipper, 6 Marsh Tits, 4 Willow Tits, 2 Bramblings, 8 Little Grebes, a Grey Wagtail, 16 Siskins and 2 Crossbills were seen at Ellerburn and Sand Dale. 4 Crossbills were seen in Cloughton Woods, a Dark-bellied Brent Goose flew north past Long Nab, and a Dipper was again in Peasholm Glen. 2 Fieldfare flew in off the sea at the harbour and 2 Whooper Swans flew south.

Thursday 9th December

229 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills this morning, while at Wykeham South Lake there were 5 Gadwall, 3 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 9 Goldeneye, 5 Little Grebes, 12 Great Crested Grebes, a Kingfisher, a Brambling, the Egyptian Goose family and a Water Rail. A Shoveler was on Seamer Tip pool, a Water Rail was in New Dike, and a Peregrine was sitting in an ex-potato filed to the south of the tip while 12 Fieldfares were in nearby trees waiting for it to leave. A Little Egret was at Brompton Butts and 385 Pink-footed Geese were on Potter Brompton Carr. Passing Long Nab were a Barnacle Goose and 2 Black-throated Divers heading north, plus a Great Northern Diver, a Little Egret, a Mediterranean Gull and a Snow Bunting heading south. About 600 Golden Plover, 500 Pink-footed Geese, 300 Greylag Geese, 6 Wigeon, 22 Teal, 120 Lapwings and about 100 Fieldfare were at Low Marishes. A Little Grebe was on the duck pond on Valley Road. In the Haygate area of Dalby Forest there were a Jay, 2 Marsh Tits, 6 Goldcrests, a Nuthatch, 100 Chaffinch, a Brambling, 6 Bullfinch, a Greenfinch, 150 Linnets and 34 Crossbills. At Seamer Road Mere there were 2 Goosander, 46 Mute Swans, 56 Mallard, 50 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 9 Little Grebes, 7 sinensis Cormorants, 118 Moorhens, 61 Coot and a second winter Mediterranean Gull.

Wednesday 8 December 2021

Wednesday 8th December

A Long-tailed Duck flew south by Long Nab this morning, as did a Goosander, while an adult Little Gull flew north. At Seamer Road Mere there were 2 Goosanders and a Goldeneye, while at Throxenby Mere there were 4 Cormorants, 2 Little Grebes and a Great Black-backed Gull. A rather sickly looking Great Northern Diver was on the shingle at Scalby Mills (later taken to the Whitby animal rescue centre). The gull roost at Wykeham East Lake contained 850 Common Gulls, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 41 Herring Gulls, 18 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. 50 Lapwing and 8 Teal were also present.

Tuesday 7 December 2021

Tuesday 7th December

8 Fieldfare flew over Ancat Farm this morning, and 40 flew over Dean Road. At Wykeham Lakes there were 14 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Goldeneye, 2 Gadwall, 34 Mallard, 25 Tufted Duck, 62 Coot, 2 Little Grebes and 6 Moorhens on South Lake, plus a Redshank, 64 Common Gulls, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Goldeneye at East Lake. 2 male Goosanders were at Seamer Road Mere. Passing Long Nab northwards were 16 Pink-footed Geese, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Velvet Scoter and 33 Red-throated Divers, while a Great Northern Diver passed by southwards. A Bullfinch, 3 Yellowhammers and 50 Lapwing were seen from Great Moor Road, and a total of 107 Skylarks flew over. Dalby Forest was eerily quiet: at Housedale/Newclose Rigg 12 Crossbills, 4 Bullfinch and 2 Redwing; at Staindale Lake 3 Marsh Tits, a Grey Wagtail and a Little Grebe.

Monday 6 December 2021

Monday 6th December

A Dipper and a Little Egret were seen on the beck at Ellerburn, where 35 Lapwings were in a field. 2 Kingfishers were at the Open Air Theatre, while a Goldeneye flew south past Long Nab. 12 Little Grebes, a Teal, a Goosander, 3 Goldeneye, 37 Tufted Duck, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and a Kingfisher were at Seamer Road Mere.

Sunday 5 December 2021

Sunday 5th December

250 Lapwings and 80 Starlings were seen between Far and Middle Lanes, Huton Buscel this morning. The Cattle Egret was spotted by the side of New Dike, Seamer Tip before flying south. 400 Lapwings flew south over Seamer Mead, as did 18 Teal, while 28 Skylarks, a few Fieldfares and 4 Mistle Thrushes were in the ex-potato field to the south of the tip. A Dipper, a Kingfisher, a Great Northern Diver and a Grey Wagtail were at Scalby Mills, while an Eider and a Puffin flew north past Long Nab. In the Haygate area of Dalby Forest there were 22 Crossbills, 3 Bramblings, 2 Marsh Tits and 2 Nuthatches. At high tide this afternoon 58 Purple Sandpipers, 48 Turnstones (5 of them returning colour-ringed birds), a Razorbill and 2 Guillemots were at the harbour, while an adult Mediterranean Gull was in South Bay.

Saturday 4 December 2021

Saturday 4th December

4 male and a female Bullfinch were seen this morning at the hospital/Woodlands Drive. 2 Snow Buntings flew in off the sea at Long Nab before flying north, and 17 Ringed Plover were at Scalby Mills. 300+ Pink-footed Geese were around fields south of the Seamer Tip pool area. A female Blackcap was in a garden on Heron Lane, Crossgates.

Friday 3 December 2021

Friday 3rd December

A Kingfisher was at the Open Air Theatre this morning. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Burton Riggs; 16 Moorhens and 8 Wigeon were at the small pond near Seamer Tip bridge; and a Cattle Egret was roosting in hawthorn at the eastern side of Seamer Mead before flying off towards Cayton Carr Farm. A Merlin was spotted on wires between Knapton and Yedingham, and a Water Rail was in the north-west corner of Wykeham South Lake. At Wilton Heights there was a mixed flock of finches containing at least 12 Brambling, 150 Chaffinch and 69 Yellowhammers, plus Linnets and Tree Sparrows. At Sand Dale and Ellerburn there were 3 Marsh Tits, 2 Treecreepers and a Grey Wagtail. 3 Little Egrets were by Folkton Bridge, while 250+ Pink-footed Geese flew west over Staxton. 70+ Teal, 38 Wigeon and 7 Herons were at Johnson's Marsh. At Wykeham Lakes: 3 Water Rails, 6 Common Snipe, 4 Jack Snipe, a Chiffchaff and 26 Siskins were at the Water Park, while the gull roost on East Lake contained 350 Black-headed Gulls, 1800 Common Gulls, 11 Great Black-backed Gulls and 30+ Herring Gulls, and 2 male Tawny Owls were heard calling at dusk. A Red Grouse was at Low Moor.

Thursday 2 December 2021

Thursday 2nd December

A Barn Owl was seen at Scampston this morning, and at Coverdale Moor there were at least 35 Yellowhammers with good numbers of Chaffinch and Greenfinch. 2 Yellowhammers were also seen at Scalby Lodge, while 2 Bullfincvh, a Jay and a Grey Wagtail were at the Open Air Theatre, and a female Eider was at Scalby Mills. 2 Little Auks, 2 Puffins, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose and 2 Goldeneye flew north past Long Nab. while a Great Skua flew south. A Dipper was showing well at Peasholm Glen, and on Cayton Carrs there were 160 Golden Plover. This afternoon 54 Redwing, 60 Starling, 2 Yellowhammer, 17 Blackbirds, a Buzzard and a Bullfinch were seen from Middle Lane, Hutton Buscel.

Wednesday 1 December 2021

Wednesday 1st December

A Great White Egret and 5 Goldeneye were at Wykeham South Lake this morning, while at Seamer Road Mere there were 3 Water Rails, a Blackcap, a Goosander, 3 Goldeneye and 35 Tufted Duck. 48 Goldfinches were seen in Falsgrave Park, and 19 Curlew were feeding in the stubble above Cayton Bay. Passing Long Nab north by midday were 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese (which had flown south earlier), a Velvet Scoter, 3 Eider (plus 2 south), and 2 Great Northern Divers. A Peregrine was seen chasing an incoming Woodcock (without success) over Burton Riggs, and a Dipper was in Peasholm Glen under Manor Road Bridge.