Tuesday 31 May 2022

Tuesday 31st May

A crean crowned Marsh Harrier flew south over the A1039 between Staxton and Flixton this morning and a Little Owl flew over Main Street, Seamer. A Little Owl was also at Salt Pans Road, Cloughton as well as two Shelduck and a Cuckoo was noted in Harwood Dale Forest. The long staying Pale-bellied Brent Goose and female Eider remained at Scalby Mills. A Wood Warbler was in Langdale Forest near to the entrance to Birch Hall and three Nightjars and three roding Woodcocks were near to Low Dalby Village.
Lesser Redpoll by Phil Harrison.

Monday 30 May 2022

Monday 30th May

The highlight of the day was a EUROPEAN BEE EATER found this morning near the Cinder Track south of Hayburn Wyke allowing a handful of local birders the oportunity to see it, albeit briefly, before it disappeared. A pair of Little Grebes with a juvenile were at Newlands Marsh where a Sparrowhawk flew over. A pair of Shelduck were in a field off Salt Pans Lane, Cloughton and a drake Eider was off Cromer Point.
Tawny Owl by Beverley Senturk.

Sunday 29 May 2022

Sunday 29th May

Two southbound Arctic Skuas passed close at Long Nab before circling over Jackson's Bay and heading west inland. Also north past Long Nab this morning were 76 Manx Shearwaters, 395 Fulmars, seven Sanderling, 42 Puffin and a Tufted Duck. A pair of Shelduck with eight ducklings were below the Observatory. Single Spotted Flycatcher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail were in the Troutsdale bridge area along with a sprinkling of common Warbler species. Ay Wykeham Forest this evening there were four Nightjars, approximately 30 Woodcock passes, Turtle Dove and Tawny Owl. A Nightjar, two roding Woodcocks and young Tawny Owls were recorded at Sand Dale, Dalby. Two pairs of Corn Buntings (two singing) Redcliffe Farm.
Juvenile Long tailed Tits by Lucy Hobkinson.

Saturday 28 May 2022

Saturday 28th May

A pale morph male Honey Buzzard was seen south of Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint this morning and a Raven, Northern Goshawk, Sparrowhawk and eight plus Common Buzzards were seen from the Viewpoint. 36 Manx Shearwaters and a single Great Skua passed north at Long Nab and a Little Egret passed south there.
Mallard Duckling by Martin Moseley.

Friday 27 May 2022

Friday 27th May

Three Honey Buzzards were reported this morning from Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint. The feisty female Eider and Pale-bellied Brent Goose remained at Scalby Mills.
Eider by Jamie Johnson.

Thursday 26th May

A singing Wood Warbler was in Langdale Forest this morning and a Red Kite flew north over Playdale Farm. At Scampston Park, 15 Grey Herons were around the heronry including four fledged juveniles along with seven drake Gadwall, 17 Stock Doves and a pair of Mute Swans with three cygnets. Two Common Terns were at Wykeham Water Park Lake and a Hobby was above Snainton on the road to Cockmoor Hall. A pair of Mute Swans and six cygnets were at Wykeham East Lake.
Curlew by Christopher Swales.

Wednesday 25 May 2022

Wednesday 25th May

A Great Skua passed south close in at Loing Nab this morning and 18 Greylag Geese moved north past there at sea. The Eider remained at Scalby Mills and four or five Sandwich Terns were feeding in South Bay. A Reed Warbler was singing at the Open Air Theatre and a pair of Stonechats was on the cliff top above Jackson's Bay. A cream crowned Marsh Harrier was south of Wykeham East Lake where four Oystercatchers, two Lapwings and three Lesser Black backed Gulls were present. A single Common Tern was at the Water Park Lake.
Peregrine Falcon with chick by Fred Tiles.

Tuesday 24 May 2022

Tuesday 24th May

A Common Redstart and a Tee Pipit were seen from the track from Wrench Green to Northstile this morning and a male Honey Buzzard was again seen from Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint. Two Common Terns, two Common Sandpipiers, two Egyptian Geese and a drake Pochard were at Wykeham Water Park. The Pale-bellied Brent Goose and female Eider were again seen at Scalby Mills this morning. Three Teal graced Johnson's Marsh and four drake Mandarin Ducks were at Harwood Dale Lake. Two churring Nightjars and three roding Woodcocks were at Wykeham Forest late evening.
Yellow Wagtails by Ray Maddison.

Monday 23 May 2022

Monday 23rd May

There was no news either way on the male Red-backed Shrike reported yesterday from the May Beck area. A female Northern Wheatear was on the east pier at the Harbour this morning and a Whooper Swan and one Little Ringed Plover were at Wykeham East Lake and 2 Common Terns were at Wykeham South Lake (Water Park). In the Newclose Rigg area of Dalby Forest, there were 6 Turtle Doves, single Green Woodpecker, Northern Goshawk and Willow Tit, 4 Garden Warblers and 4 Common Crossbills. A Little Owl was at Saltpans Road, Cloughton and a Lesser Whitethroat was singing at Wrench Green by the bridge for it's second day. Dippers were feeding recently fledged young at Troutsdale and Cuckoos were calling at Fylingdales Moor, Crosscliffe in Dalby Forest and Low North Camp which also hosted 3 Spotted Flycatchers and Great Spotted Woodpecker. 3 Mandarin Ducks were at Harwood Dale Lake.
Great Spotted Woodpecker by Terry Crook.

Sunday 22 May 2022

Sunday 22nd May

The bird of the day was undoubtedly a male RED-BACKED SHRIKE, found this afternoon on Fylingdales Moor east of May Beck Plantation. Two Ravens flew over at that location and a Whinchat was at Eller Beck. At Long Nab, four Barnacle Geese flew south and two flew north inland of the Observatory. The Pale-bellied Brent goose remained at Scalby Mills along with an Eider and Mute Swan. The Grasshopper Warbler was still present just south of Crook Ness and a Yellow Wagtail was on wires on the track to Play Dale Farm. Two Cuckoos were in the Castlebeck/Scar Wood area along with a Common Redstart, Green Woodpecker and Grey Wagtail. A Spotted Flycatcher and singing Common Redstart were at Raincliffe Woods this morning and a recently fledged Rock Pipit was on rock armour near to the Harbour.
Red-backed Shrike - Paul Newton

Saturday 21 May 2022

Saturday 21st May

A Hobby spent approximately 30 minutes on Marine Drive much to the consternation of the local Peregrine Falcons. An Osprey flew east over Crossgates at 0840hrs. A pair of Honey Buzzards was again seen at Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint this morning and a male Northern Goshawk, single Raven and Jay, eight Common Crossbills and four Common Buzzards were seen there during the afternoon. Two Ravens and a Northern Wheatear were seen at Sneaton Low Moor. Two Spotted Flycatchers were seen on the Fylingdales side of Ellerbeck this morning. Singing Corn Bunting Redcliffe Farm.
Spotted Flycatcher by Phil Harrison.

Friday 20 May 2022

Friday 20th May

The Pale-bellied Brent Goose remains at Scalby Mills, also a female Eider, 15 Sandwich Terns and a Common Sandpiper at the mouth of the beck there. A party of 18 Long-tailed Tits at Meads Lane, Crossgats. Two Honey Buzzards seen again from the Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint. A drake Mandarin at Harwood Dale Lake. 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers at the nearby Mill Inn.
Pale-bellied Brent at Scalby Mills - Chris Bell

Thursday 19 May 2022

Thursday 19th May

A Wood Warbler was singing im Broxa Forest, a Hobby flew south inland of Long Nab early afternoon and a Hobby flew west over Crossgates later in the afternoon. Two Ravens flew south over Harwood Dale Forest this morning and a Turtle Dove and singing Common Redstart were also present. Two Turtle Doves, 2 Woodcocks, 1 Nightjar and 1 Jay were present in Harwood Dale Forest opposite The Falcon Inn this evening. A pair of Spotted Flycatchers, two pairs of Wheatears, Whinchat, Redstart and Lesser Redpoll at Eller Beck.
Montage of Tree Sparrows by Beverely Senturk.

Wednesday 18 May 2022

Wednesday 18th May

A male Golden Oriole was heard singing and briefly seen in Causeway Plantation at Wykeham Lakes early this morning but not seen subsequently. The Grasshopper Warbler remained just south of Crook Ness and two Honey Buzzards were seen from Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint. A drake Shoveler and two Gadwall were at Wykeham East Lake and 85 Sand Martin nest holes were counted there. Three Grey Herons flew over Crossgates this afternoon and a Skua sp. flew north past Scalby Mills.
Grasshopper Warbler by Christopher Bell.

Tuesday 17 May 2022

Tuesday 17th May

The highlight of the day was the return of a pair of Honey Buzzards which were seen from Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint this morning with the male later performing a classic wing clapping display. A Hobby was also seen from the viewpoint. Clearly a good day for raptor sightings, Long Nab Observatory hosted a four falcon fest with a Hobby north and a Merlin south. With Peregrine Falcon and Kestrel present, both Sparrowhawk and two Common Buzzards were also present. A distant Skua species passed north there at distance early morning. Passing south were 47 Common Swifts, 159 House Martins, 319 Barn Swallows and a White Wagtail. The Grasshopper Warbler was still present just south of Crook Ness. Two Turtle Doves were present at Harwood Dale opposite The Mill Inn and a Brent Goose was at Scalby Mills, presumably the Pale-bellied race present there for a while. A Red Kite over Wykeham Lakes this afternoon continued the raptor theme. A cream crowned Marsh Harrier passing south through South Cliff before 0900hrs completed an eight species raptor day. The first reported Spotted Flycatcher and a Northern Wheatear were in Cornelian Ravine.. A female Northern Wheatear was on rock fall on Marine Drive and a Common Redstart was singing between Wrench Green and Northstile. Eight Common Buzzards were over Crossgates at lunch time. At Broxa Forest, a Raven, Green Woodpecker, Tree Pipit, Garden Warbler, Great spotted Woodpecker, Siskin, Cuckoo and a further two Common Buzzards were noted.
Coot by Amanda Osten Leigh showing the unusual feet.

Monday 16 May 2022

Monday 16th May

A Wood Warbler in Broxa Forest this morning was a great find and a Great Northern Diver was still present in South Bay. Two Green Woodpeckers and a Jay were in Harwood Dale Forest. Two Common Sandpipers, six Great crested Grebes and a daytime hunting Barn Owl were at Wykeham Water Park. Two roosting Purple Sandpipers and a Turnstone were in the Harbour at high tide. Three Manx Shearwaters flew south at Marine Drive and one flew north there. A Northern Wheatear was on the north side of Castle Hill this morning and three Common Whitethroats were singing on the headland. A Tree Pipit, five Sedge Warblers and a second pair of Stonechats feeding young were at Long Nab. 24 Manx Shearwaters, eight Tufted Ducks, two Red-breasted Mergansers, two Grey Plover, two Ringed Plovers, single Dunlin, Turnstone and Whimbrel, two Common Terns and a Little Egret were the passing highlights at Long Nab. A Hobby flew over South Cliff Bowls Club this evening.
Barn Owl by Terry Hobson.

Sunday 15 May 2022

Sunday 15th May

A cream crowned Marsh Harrier flew north at Long Nab early this morning and a Hobby flew south there along the cliffs late afternoon. A Grasshopper Warbler was still in cliff top bracken approximately 50 yyards south of Crook Ness. An Arctic Skua flew south east past Long Nab this morning and also past there were two Gadwall, an Eider, 52 Common Scoter, four Ringed Plover, two Turnstone and a Whimbrel. A drake Red-breasted Merganser flew north east over Crossgates this morning and single Common Redstarts were noted in Wykeham Forest above Mount Misery and approximately 200 metres east of Mowthorpe Bridge. Two Purple Sandpipers roosted at the Harbour at high tide and six Sandwich Terns were feeding in South Bay. Rock Pipit pairs were noted at Long Nab and Marine Drive and at least one fledged Stonechat was at Long Nab. Two Turtle Doves were again reported from Burniston and European Nightjars were again reported from Wykeham Forest. Two young Tawny Owls at Wykeham Lakes between Match and Trout Lakes.
Yellowhammer by Stephen Beaver.

Saturday 14 May 2022

Saturday 14th May

A HOOPOE was a great find today at Newton House Plantation south of May Beck Car Park and the drake Garganey remained at Seamer Tip Pool where four Mute Swan cygnets had recently hatched. Five Corn Buntings were just south of Yedlingham and a Northern Wheatear flew north at Long Nab. A Raven flew over Hutton Buscel and a Fulmar flew inland over Crossgates. A GLOSSY IBIS was on the boggy area of Cayton Carrs allotments this afternoon but was disturbed by allotment holders at 1530hrs and flew off south east. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling in a bracken patch this evening just south of Crook Ness and a Hobby was over Wykeham Lakes. Late news was received concerning European Nightjars having returned to Wykeham Forest.
Hoopoe by Keith Raper.

Friday 13 May 2022

Friday 13th May

A cream crowned Marsh Harrier flew north along the cliffs at Long Nab at 0913hrs and a second cream crowned Marsh Harrier passed through North Cliff at 1025hrs. A Little Egret went south at Long Nab and a Ringed Plover flew north there. An adult male Ruff in full breeding plumage was on the south east corner of the island at Wykeham Water Park (South Lake). Four Egyptian Geese band two Gadwall were also present and two Ringed Plover and two Little Ringed Plover were at East Lake. A Green Woodpecker was near the Raptor Viewpoint at Wykeham. A drake Garganey was found at Seamer Tip Pool at lunchtime and was still present early evening. A Brambling at a feeder at Hutton Buscel.
Bar-tailed Godwit by Phil Harrison.

Thursday 12 May 2022

Thursday 12th May

The Common Swift arrival was further augmented by many reports from across the recording area with counts of 30 plus and 60 through Wykeham Lakes being the highlight. Six Mute Swans, two Dunlins, one Common Sandpiper and four Little Ringed Plovers were also present there. Seven Sandwich Terns were feeding in North Bay this morning A Reed Warbler was singing at Taylor Way Pool and a Peregrine Falcon flew north west over Crossgates this afternoon. A Common Buzzard flying north past Castle headland this morning incurred the wrath of the local Peregrine Falcons. A Raven flew over Sneaton Low Moor ewarly morning. Three Cuckoos, two Jays, Two Common Buzzards, eight Mistle Thrushes and a pair of Stonechats were also in the Sneaton Low Moor/May Beck area. A Cuckoo and three Common Buzzards were at Harwood Dale Moor and a Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Grey Heron were at Scar Wood. A pair of Lapwings with two recently hatched chicks were ushered away from danger on Moor End Road, Harwood Dale to a nearby field.
Dipper by Wendy Goulty.

Wednesday 11 May 2022

Wednesday 11th May

Today's highlight was undoubtedly the SPOONBILL which was seen heading west this morning over Fields Farm near Long Nab. It was later seen at Filey Dams this evening. The Pale-bellied Brent Goose remained at Scalby Mills and four Northern Wheatears were on the see defences at Holbeck. Common Swifts continued to be more evident across the recording area with 14 seen screaming over Pickering Castle. Two Turtle Doves had returned to Burniston and three Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a drake Goosander were at Seamer Tip Pool. Six Sandwich Terns were fishing on Sandeels in North Bay. A pair of Eider were on the sea off Marine Drive as well as a Great Northern Diver. Wykeham Lakes held two Little Ringed Plovers, two Ringed Plovers, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, two Common Sandpipers, one Dunlin, one Shelduck, two Egyptian Geese and a total of 45 Common Swifts. Three Reed Warblers were at the Match Lake. Five Northern Wheatears were on Snainton Lane north of Snainton this afternoon.
Sandwich Tern by Scarborough Porpoise.

Tuesday 10 May 2022

Tuesday 10th May

Windy conditions this morning were ideal for kite flying. And they did! A Red Kite flew north west at Long Nab at 0625hrs and presumably the sale bird was seen south south east over Sneaton Low Moor at 0645hrs. A different Red Kite then flew south at Long Nab at 0805hrs and was seen heading towards South Cliff, where a male Ring Ouzel flew in off the sea and along South Cliff as did a cream crowned Marsh Harrier. A Cuckoo flew north there and three Common Sandpipers were on Black Rocks. A Little Egret flew south at Long Nab and a third calendar year Mediterranean Gull, Cuckoo, Whimbrel and Ringed Plover flew north. A Northern Wheatear was at Seamer Tip Pool and a drake Goosander at Burton Riggs. A Water Rail was at Taylor Way Pool.The Pale-bellied Brent Goose remained at Scalby Mills, along with two Curlew, 19 Oystercatcher, two Turnstone and two Lesser Black backed Gulls. A Turtle Dove was heard singing in Wykeham Forest together with a selection of common warbler species and both Pied and Grey Wagtails. At Wykeham east Lake this evening there were four Little Ringed Plovers, one Common Sandpiper, one late Wigeon, four Great crested Grebes, one Mute Swan and three Sand Martins. A Dipper was oon Thornton Dale stream alongside the main A170 this afternoon. Following a noticeable movement of Common Swifts northwards through Spain and France during the weekend, ones and twos were again reported from locations various across the recording area with up to 15 over Prospect Road, Scarborough this evening.
Common Swift by Mark Hepples.

Monday 9 May 2022

Monday 9th May

The much anticipated arrival of Common Swifts was realised today with birds being reported on a broad front both across the UK and within our recording area. Birds were reported from Gladastone Street and Prospect Road, Scarborough, East Ayton, Thornton Dale, Crossgates, Wykeham Lakes and South Cliff, where 12 passed through. A Red breasted Merganser and Tree Pipit flew north at South Cliff and a Little Egret flew north there. A Grasshopper Warbler showed well intermittently on the "plateau" there. A Hobby flew over Prospect Road and a Bittern flew fairly high north west over Crossgates this afternoon. A Greenshank was at Johnson's Marsh early morning and a Little Egret was there later in the morning. Two Turtle Doves were singing this morning in Broxa Forest along with a Common Redstart, three plus Garden Warblers and two Tree Pipits. Three Reed Warblers, and two Garden Warblers were at Wykeham Lakes Match Lake and two Little Ringed Plovers were on East Lake. A Yellow Wagtail was also at the complex. Three Common Buzzards were along the cliffs at Ravenscar and the Whooper Swan remained at Seamer Road Mere. 14 Shelducks were in Burniston Bay with five leaving north and nine south. A drake Goosander flew east over Seamer Tip Pool. Approximately 20 Common Crossbills, including plenty of juveniles, were noted in Harwood Dale Forest and two Cuckoos were at Helwath Beck area. A Green Woodpecker and two Common Redstarts were at Scar Wood and three Bar-tailed Godwits remained in Jackson's Bay. A further two Turtle Doves, 12 Tree Pipits and three Garden Warblers were around New Close Rigg, Dalby Forest. A pair of Tawny Owls were calling late evening on Stepney Road. Two pairs of LRP and 2 Common Sandpipers at Wykeham Lakes.
Red-legged Partridge by Stephen Beaver.

Sunday 8 May 2022

Sunday 8th May

A relatively quiet day began with a Sedge Warbler seen at Wrench Green and a Common Tern north at Long Nab. Six Sandwich Tern were feeding in North Bay and a male Whinchat was seen at Ellerbeck. Six Purple Sandpipers were roosting at the Harbour at high tide. At Swairdale in Dalby Forest, a two hour period of obserevations produced two Garden Warblers, eight Tree Pipits, Sparrowhawk and good numbers of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Three House Martins were reported in Huttone Buscel. A Cuckoo in fields just south of Wykeham Lakes.
Male Whinchat by Chris Swales.

Saturday 7 May 2022

Saturday 7th May

Uo to five singing Turtle Doves were recently recorded in Broxa Forest by the North Yorkshire Moors Turtle Dove Project. A Cuckoo was at Jugger Howe Moor this morning and two singing Corn Buntings were just south of Yedingham. A Total of four male Common Redstarts were singing in Scar Wood along with a Green Woodpecker and a distant Cuckoo calling. A Little Ringed Plover was at a pond in Metes Lane, Seamer and the Common Crane was again viewable from the A64 lay by by Stockdales.A Common Swift flew north west over Heron Lane, Crossgates and three House Martins were over Burniston. Three Bar-tailed Godwits remained in Jackson's Bay alon with a Dunlin and a Ringed Plover and a Common Whitethroat on the cliff tops.Two Garden Warblers, six House Martin, Dipper and a Grey Wagtail were at Troutsdale bridge and a further Cuckoo was on Stony Marl Moor and three Lapwings on Harwood Dale Road. A Common Swift and a pair of Oystercatchers flew over Eastgate, Pickering with a Whimbrel heading east there.Two Garden Warblers, six Blackcap a Tree Pipit and two Common Crossbills were in the Haygate/Dalby area. At Wykeham Lakes a male Marsh Harrier and Dunlin at the Water Park.
Whooper Swan by Jennie Sefton.

Friday 6 May 2022

Friday 6th May

Single Common Sandpipers were at Seamer Road Mere and Scably Mills where two Dippers were present along with the Pale-bellied Brent Goose. Six Bar-tailed Godwits remained at Jackson's Bay and three singing Sedge Warblers, a Northern Whewatear and a Yellow Wagtail were between Jackson's Bay and Cromer Point. A Grasshopper Warbler was behind the wall at the north eastern corner of Marine Drive. Singles of Sandwich Tern, Red throated Diver and Great Northern Diver were in Cayton Bay this morning and, to continue the recent trend of passage cream crowned Marsh Harriers, one flew south at Long Nab late morning. A Hooded Crow flew north through South Cliff early morning. Four Northern Wheatear arrived there in off the sea and flew north, nine flava (Yellow Wagtails) flew south, a Whimbrel was on the Golf Course and a Sedge Warbler was in Cornelian Ravine. Three Common Sandpipers at Wykeham Lakes.
Dipper by Stuart Baines.

Thursday 5 May 2022

Thursday 5th May

A Short-eared Owl flew high and north past Long Nab early this morning and a cream crowned Marsh Harrier also went north a short time later before turning and leaving high to the south. A late Fieldfare was at Castlebeck Farm near Harwood Dale and a Sedge Warbler was singing at Jackson's Bay where the six Bar-tailed Godwits remained. Two Grey Partridge and a pair of Lapwing were at East Knapton and a Yellow Wagtail was at Long Lane, Crossgates. A Raven flew north at Ravenscar and a Northern Wheatear was near the mast. A drake Velvet Scoter flew north past Hundale Point and a Sedge Warbler was singing at Crook Ness.
Sedge Warbler by Paul Tozer.

Wednesday 4 May 2022

Wednesday 4th May

Following a late evening report yesterday of a Grasshopper Warbler near Alpamare, its presence was indeed confirmed by an enthusiatic Group member in scrub between Alpamare and the NBR railway bridge. A pair of Blackcaps was also present nearby. Highlights from a BBS survey at Flotmanby Carr were a Greenland Northern Wheatear, five Curlew, two pairs of Lapwing and a Kingfisher. A Ring Ouzel flew in off the sea at Long Nab early mroning and flew north west. Three Whimbrel and a Turnstone flew north at that location and a Northern Wheatear was present. The Common Crane returned to fileds north of Staxton off the A64 opposite Star Carr Farm and a Common Sandpiper was at Throxenby Mere. Two Sandwich Terns were feeding in North Bay this afternoon. At Wykeham Water Park Lake (South Lake), there was one Little Ringed Plover, two Oystercatchers, eight singing Sedge Warblers, four Common Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, two Garden Warblers, 15 Barn Swallows, 11 Tufted Duck and two Great crested Grebes. Six Bar-tailed Godwits remained in Jackson's Bay.
Photo by Terry Crook.

Tuesday 3 May 2022

Tuesday 3rd May

The Common Crane remained on the field off the A64 north of Staxton until approximately 1100hrs this morning when it was apparently flushed by the workings of a farm tractor and was later seen flying south east from the direction of Burton Riggs. The Pale-bellied Brent Goose remained at Scalby Mills and the Whooper Swan remained at Seamer Raod Mere. A Barn Owl was at Yedingham early morning and a Green Woodpecker and two drake Mandarin Ducks were at Scampston. Six Bar tailed Godwits were again in Jackson's Bay and a Dipper was at Scalby Beck. A Little Egret was foraging in a roadside ditch between Brompton and Snainton and a Red Kite was over fields near Thornton Dale. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling by the railway line between Seamer Road Mere and Dean's Garden Centre. A Common Swift was over Morrison's at Eastfield this afternoon and another Common Swift, the first spring record for the area, was seen between Long Nab and Cloughton Wyke before heading off north. A Tree Pipit, 47 Barn Swallows and a House Martin flew north there and three Yellow Wagtails, 27 Barn Swallows and a further 193 Barn Swallows flew south there. Four Lesser Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler were also recorded. A Northern Wheatear flew north at Long Nab after briefly landing on the Nab.
Treecreeper by Phil Bennett.

Monday 2 May 2022

Monday 2nd May

A busy day started with a cream crowned Marsh Harrier which flew south early morning at Long Nab and it or another was seen flying north over South Cliff 2 1/2 hours later. The Common Crane remained at Staxton opposite Star Carr Farm all day, viewable from the A64 lay by and a Cuckoo eas nearby br the River Hertford. Two Greenshank flew east over Seamer Tip Pool and another over was calling over Stepney. Three Common Sandpipers were at Seamer Road Mere and the Whooper Swan remained present. A Grasshopper Warbler was singing from brambles on the "Plataeau" between Holbeck Car Park and South Cliff Golf Course. Three Northern Wheatears were near Long Nab Observatory and a late Fieldfare was in a Gristhorpe garden. An Egyptian Goose flew south west over Seamer Tip Pool and a Reed Warbler was at Taylor Way Pond. Another late Fieldfare was briefly on the motor cycle track at Seamer Tip. At Dalby Forest, a Common Redstart, Cuckoo and four Jays were at Bridestones and seven Tree Pipits were at Newclose Rigg. A walk between Old Wives Way at Saltergate to Crosscliff accounted for a Brambling, two Tree Pipits, 2 Cuckoo, four Crossbill, six Curlew, 14 Lapwings, 28 Willow Warblers and a Green Woodpecker. Bewteen A169 Fyligdales and Lilla Cross there was one Cuckoo, three Northern Wheatear, seven Stonechat, nine Common Snipe and four Lapwing. A singing Lesser Whiethroat was on Marine Drive near to Hairy Bob's Skate Park and a pair of Mandarin Ducks was on the beck at Burniston. Six Bar-tailed Godwits were in Jackson's Bay and the Pale-bellied Brent Goose remained at Scalby Mills. Amongst other common bird sightings at Wykeham Water Park lake, a Hooded Crow flew from west to east. A Cuckoo was calling north west of the lay by on Helwarth Raod, Harwood Dale Forest and a Common Redstart was seen near to The Sands, North Bay. A Dipper, three Mandarin Duck, four House Martin and singing Garden Warbler were at Hilla Green and a drake Mandarin, 15 Sand Martin and eight Barn Swallow were at Harwood Dale Lake. Five singing male Yellowhammers were holding territory within BBS Tetrad TA0078 at Willerby was the highlight of a quiet survey this morning and an increase in Barn Swallows was reported from the Cloughton area. Five Common Sandpipers at Wykeham Lakes.
Common Crane by John Harwood.

Sunday 1 May 2022

Sunday 1st May.

A busy day started with a Ring Ouzel along South Cliff Golf Course early this morning with a second individual arriving in off the sea and flying north. Single Goldeneye, Whimbrel and Tree Pipit also flew north there. A Common Crane was discovered in an arable field to the west of the A64 opposite Star Carr lay by and remained for the rest of the day. A singing Wood Warbler was discovered this morning in Holbeck Ravine off Holbeck Road, showing well at times. A Immature Whooper Swan flew east over Seamer Mead and a late Fieldfare was at Star Carr scrape and six Whimbrel and a Curlew flew over. Single Little Egrets were at Seamer Mead and Deepdale Carr.Two singing Garden Warblers were in scrub between Deans Garden Centre and Seamer Road Mere this morning and an Arctic Tern flew north through South Bay. A male Peregrine Falcon flew north over Crossgates. Two Northern Wheatears and a Lesser Whitethroat were at Long Nab and highlights past that location included 14 Bar tailed Godwits, 11 Sanderling, 343 Sandwich Terns, one Arctic Tern, two Eider, a Wigeon and a Whimbrel. A Little Ringed Plover, the frist two Reed Warblers of spring, two Gardens Warblers, approximately 50 Sand Martins and a single Goldeneye were at Wykeham Water Park Lake. As well as a good number of commoner species, at least three singing male Common Redstarts and a drake Mandarin Duck were at Castlebeck/Scar Woods along with two Green Woodpeckers and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. A Tawny Owl and a Sparrowhawk were calling from the Forge Valley birders car park amongst the usual commoner species and a Common Buzzard and Mistle Thrush were reported from Wykeham Forest.
Blut Tit by Andy Forshaw.