Highlights past Long Nab included 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Long-tailed Duck, 340 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 13 Red-breasted Mergansers, 4 Arctic & 2 Sandwich Terns, a Pomarine Skua and 2 Arctic Skuas, 24 Little Gulls, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, Great Northern Diver. Present were 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, Woodcock, 6 Brambling, Ring Ouzel. 40 Fieldfare flew west near The Flask PH. A Great White Egret at Johnson's Marsh (prev seen flying south at Long Nab). The Snow Bunting still on the East Pier, a Red-throated Diver in the harbour. A Yellow-browed Warbler with a tit flock in Woodlands Ravine. Two Brambling at Cloughton Wyke. Four Little Egrets at Ebberston.
Scarborough Birders
Sunday, 19 October 2025
Saturday, 18 October 2025
Friday 17th October
The Snow Bunting was still at East Pier. At Harwood Dale Lake: 11 Teal, 15 Wigeon, 29 Lapwing. Three Fieldfare at Burniston. A Yellow-browed Warbler by the old railway station at Ravenscar, also two still at Long Nab. Past Long Nab were 4 adult Pomarine Skuas, 4 Arctic Skuas, 2 Barnacle Geese, 4 Arctic Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns, 19 Little Gulls, Mediterranean Gull, Four Little Egrets, 34 Lapwing, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, 7 Fieldfare at Folkton Carr. 2,400 Pink-footed Geese roosted at Potter Brompton Carr, also a Twite present in the Linnet flock.
Friday, 17 October 2025
Thursday 16th October
Three Pintail, 2 Great White Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Cetti's Warbler, Crossbill(flew north) at Potter Brompton Carr. Two adult Pomarine Skuas flew north, 23 Whooper Swans flew south off South Bay. 125 Mallard in Peasholm Park was a recent increase. The first-winter Caspian Gull remains around the harbour, also the Snow Bunting at the southern end of East Pier. 63 Teal, Goldeneye, 2 Snipe Wykeham East Lake. A Yellow-browed Warbler at Ravenscar at the cliff top 400m south of the tea rooms, also one still at Long Nab. A Velvet Scoter flew north at Long Nab. 150 Pink-footed Geese north over town.
Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Wednesday 15th October
A GLOSSY IBIS flew south over the town at 17.15 hrs. Four Yellow-browed Warblers were at Long Nab, where the seawatch highlights included Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Pomarine Skuas, and a Purple Sandpiper. At Selley Bridge Lake: 2 Little Grebes, 2 Coot, 8 Moorhens, Tawny Owl and 120 Pink-footed Geese flew south. The Little Egret still at Brompton ponds. The Snow Bunting again showed well on East Pier. At Wykeham Lakes: 4 Barnacle Geese, 6 Pink-footed Geese, 131 Teal, 6 Gadwall, 9 Wigeon, 4 Goldeneye, 7 Coot, Dunlin, and 40+ Redpolls. A Dark-bellied Brent Goose at Scalby Mills, also a first-winter Caspian Gull there. Several Red-throated Divers along the coast.
Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Tuesday 14th October
A new species for the district today and only the second record for Yorkshire! A drake BLACK SCOTER flew north past Long Nab @ 09.14, it was seen at several locations to the north (photo below from Hartlepool @ 10.34). Another busy day of wildfowl movement: 177 Barnacle Geese, 2 Velvet Scoters, 674 Common Scoters, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, Pomarine Skua, 2 Arctic Skuas, Red-necked Grebe, Sooty Shearwater, and a Caspian Gull offshore. Other Caspian Gulls were at Scalby Mills (Polish ringed bird) and the harbour (unringed). A Raven over Newlands Dale Pond plus a Blackcap there. The two Yellow-browed Warblers were still at Cliff Top House, Long Nab plus one on the south side of Castle Hill (top path). A Little Egret at Brompton Ponds. Three Redwing flew west at Falsgrave Park. The Snow Bunting still on East Pier. 110 Teal, 15 Lapwing Wykeham East Lake.
Monday 13th October
Highlights today included the Snow Bunting and Caspian Gull still at the harbour, 557 Barnacle Geese past Long Nab. Also past Long Nab were a good selection of wildfowl, 17 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, a Black-throated Diver north, Great Crested Grebe, 93 Little Gulls, and good numbers of Redwing arriving with some Fieldfare, Blackbirds and a Ring Ouzel. Late afternoon saw the arrival of three Yellow-browed Warblers (2 Long Nab, one at Cornelian Ravine). A Barnacle Goose was with Canadas at Johnson's Marsh. Five Whooper Swans and 52 Barnacle Geese flew NE over Wykeham Lakes, also 96 Teal, 4 Snipe, Pink-footed Goose, Goldeneye, and Brambling south over. A juvenile Brent Goose at Scalby Mills plus 80 Wigeon there. A Brambling at Scalby Mills Road and Goosander at Scalby Beck.
Monday, 13 October 2025
Sunday 12th October
The Snow Bunting and first-winter Caspian Gull both showed well at the harbour, also an adult Mediterranean Gull near the harbour mouth. The monthly BTO WeBS count at Seamer Road Mere: 74 Mallard, 36 Tufted Ducks, 47 Gadwall, 8 Little Grebes, 137 Coot, 92 Moorhens, Kingfisher and 2 Marsh Tits. 30 Pink-footed Geese south over Johnson's Marsh. An adult Sandwich Tern in South Bay. In Wykeham Forest: 4 Crossbills, 19 Redpoll, 8 Siskin, Green Woodpecker, Willow Tit, 3 Marsh Tits, 75 Linnets. A Whooper Swan and 18 Pink-footed Geese at harwood Dale Lake. A Nuthatch at Long Nab (5th site record), Grey Plover, 9 Golden Plover, Great Spotted Woodpecker flew south. Five Willow Tits, 3 Marsh Tits, 3 Jays, 8 Buzzards Dalby Nabgate/Sand Dale area.
Saturday, 11 October 2025
Saturday 11th October
No sign of the needletail but a sighting by a non birder at Ravenscar of a swift like bird flying north at Ravenscar at 1pm!
Two Wheatears at Long Nab plus one at the harbour. A Snow Bunting showed well on East Pier (harbour) all day. Moving past Long Nab today were 35 Whooper Swans, 645 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 5 Golden Plover and 128 Skylarks. A Yellow-browed Warbler and a Brambling were at Oliver's Mount. A Great White Egret at Ruston Carr bridge, 170 Pink-footed Geese flew west there. At Wykeham East Lake: Green Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, and 132 Lapwing. A first-winter Caspian Gull seen off the harbour. At Potter Brompton Carr: 615 Pink-footed Geese, Whooper Swan, 3 Pintail, Jack Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Great White Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Red Kites, 2 Willow Tits, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Stonechats, Crossbill. A Raven over Harwood Dale Forest.
Friday, 10 October 2025
Friday 10th October
An exciting day! Around 10.15am Jim Middleton found a WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL feeding on the south side of Castle Hill. It remained to feed around Castle Hill for about 2 hours and was twitched by many visiting birders. It was seen to leave northwards along the cliffs. At 3.18pm John Hewitt and Hazel Wiseman observed the swift arriving at Long Nab from the south, it then turned round and left back south. There were no further confirmed sightings. The previous two days this individual had been seen at Bempton RSPB reserve and Filey Brigg. This is only the 11th British record!
A total of 1600 Pink-footed Geese and 3 Whooper Swans flew south along the coast. 250 flew north over Stepney. A Marsh Harrier also flew south over Castle Hill. A first-winter Caspian Gull was seen flying north at Scalby Mills, and a Snow Bunting was at the harbour.
Thursday 9th October
A Lapland Bunting in stubble just south of Cromer Point Water Treatment in the afternoon. A juvenile Whooper Swan at Scalby Mills. 160 Pink-footed Geese south over Stepney. At Wykeham East Lake: 3 Pintail, 15 Pink-footed Geese, 26 Lapwing and Kingfisher.
Wednesday, 8 October 2025
Wednesday 8th October
78 Pink-footed Geese flew west over Wykeham Lakes. 22 Whooper Swans NW over Cloughton, and 16 Pink-footed Geese flew south. A single Whooper Swan on the sea off East Pier. Two Jays at Scalby Nabs. At Sycarham Wood, Cloughton: 4 Goldcrests, 4 Chiffchaffs, and 5 Red-throated Divers flew south. The Little Egret at Brompton ponds again. 52 Wigeon at Scalby Mills. A Red-throated Diver off Marine Drive. 200 Pink-footed Geese flew north over town, and 30 north over Scalby. In the Jackson's Bay / Scalby Lodge area: Bar-tailed Godwit, an adult Little Gull flew north, 2 Sandwich Terns, 3 Blackcaps, Garden Warbler, 3 Chiffchaffs.
Tuesday 7th October
Lots of Pink-footed Goose movement today. 70 flew east over Oliver's Mount, followed by 150 south there. 500 flew north-west over Gristhorpe carrs, and 50 in the same direction over Seamer. 55 went south over Cayton Bay, and 61 north over Newby. 18 Whooper Swans, 3 Pintail, Ruff , 2 Great White Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, Cetti's Warbler and a crossbill (over) at Potter Brompton Carr . Two Wheatears by the southern watchpoint(bench) at Long Nab. At Wykeham East Lake: one Whooper Swan, 66 Teal, 26 Lapwing, 2 Green Sandpipers, 6 Snipe. The Peasholm Glen Tawny Owls were very active in the evening. A Barnacle Goose and 9 Pink-footed Geese in fields at Cromer Point. Ten Ringed Plovers, Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Chiffchaffs, Blackcap in the Jackson's Bay/Scalby Lodge area.
Tuesday, 7 October 2025
Monday 6th October
A few Whooper Swans on the move today; 15 south at Scalby Mills later returned north. Two flew north at Long Nab, 26 at Potter Brompton Carr and 18 over Wykeham Lakes. Five Pink-footed Geese were in stubble at Long Nab, later moving to Cloughton, plus 130 flew south over Burniston. A Sandwich Tern was at Scalby Mills plus a Common Tern past Long Nab. A Marsh Harrier flew west over Wykeham Lakes where there were 12 Siskins and 3 Redpoll. 30 Gadwall, 5 Little Grebes, Goosander, Kingfisher at Seamer Road Mere. Two Kingfishers in Peasholm Glen. A Little Egret at Brompton Ponds plus a Great White Egret in a drainage ditch at Middle Lane, Snainton. At Potter Brompton Carr: 73 Pink-footed Geese (15 down, rest over), 2 Pintail, 215 Teal, Dunlin, 2 Great White Egrets, 4 Marsh Harriers and the lingering Yellow Wagtail again.
Monday, 6 October 2025
Sunday 5th October
Four Whooper Swans were at Scalby Mills, also 2 Mediterranean Gulls. 110 Pink-footed Geese south at Long Nab, 40 south Hood Lane, Cloughton, plus 15 feeding near Johnson's Marsh. Woodcock Station Lane, Cloughton. At Seamer Road Mere: 29 Gadwall, and Goosander. A Wheatear at Long Nab. Crossbills heard, 8 Siskins, and a Marsh Tit in Wykeham Forest. Wykeham Lakes: 60 Teal, 3 Egyptian Geese, Great White Egret, 72 Lapwing. Two Chiffchaffs Hood Lane.
Saturday 4th October
A late Garganey with 268 Teal at Potter Brompton Carr, also 2 Pintail there and 4 Marsh Harriers. A Wheatear on the rock armour at Marine Drive. At Seamer Road Mere: a "redhead" Goosander, Little Egret, 8 Little Grebes, 30 Gadwall. A Redstart in a Burniston garden. At Scalby Mills: 6 Ringed Plovers, 11 Oystercatchers, Curlew, 2 Redshank, 2 Turnstone, and 26 Wigeon. Seven Swallows, 3+ Redpoll at Wrench Green. An Arctic Skua flew south off Jackson's Bay, also 2 Sandwich Terns, Lbb Gull (intermedius/fuscus type), and Bar-tailed Godwit. A Wigeon was an unusual visitor to Peasholm Park.
Saturday, 4 October 2025
Friday 3rd October
The Cetti's Warbler was still in the reed bed at the back of the Open Air Theatre (scarce along the coast). At Potter Brompton Carr: 52 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Pintail, single Little & Great White Egrets, 5 Marsh Harriers, Cetti's Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, 11 Crossbills (flew north). The first Fieldfare of autumn was near Staxton. A Red-throated Diver and Sandwich Tern off Scarborough Spa . Four Red-throated Divers in Cayton Bay plus one off Marine Drive. 27 Oystercatchers, 9 Ringed Plovers, 11 Gbb Gulls at Scalby Mills. A Pintail in Jackson's Bay.
Friday, 3 October 2025
Thursday 2nd October
At Potter Brompton Carr: 28 Pink-footed Geese (flew south), 106 Teal, 8 Marsh Harriers, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Great White Egrets, Peregrine and Willow Tit. In Jackson's Bay: 64 Wigeon, 8 Teal, Grey Plover, 12 Ringed Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit and Dunlin. 46 Wigeon at Scalby Mills. Wykeham Lakes: Wigeon, 150 Canada Geese, 2 Little Grebes, Chiffchaff, Blackcap at the Water Sports Lake plus a Kingfisher at the Trout Lake.
Thursday, 2 October 2025
Wednesday 1st October
A Kingfisher at Peasholm Park. At Potter Brompton Carr: Little Ringed Plover, Great White Egret, 3 Marsh Harriers, Yellow Wagtail, Cetti's Warbler. Jackson's Bay: 14 Ringed Plovers, Bar-tailed Godwit.
Tuesday, 30 September 2025
Tuesday 30th September
A female/immature Scaup off Scalby Ness/Mills this morning was seen leaving north @ 12.30pm. A Long-tailed Duck flew south off Cromer Point early evening. The Bar-tailed Godwit still present in Jackson's Bay. Lesser Whitethroat still at Long Nab (Cliff Top House); a ringtail Hen Harrier flew north over the sea, and 126 Pink-footed Geese moved over (90 north, 36 SW), plus a BASKING SHARK moved south (scarce in the North Sea). Little Egret, Kingfisher, 4 Common Buzzards, 5 Herons, 5 Little Grebes, 50 Siskin at Ellerburn. Three Little Egrets and a Great White Egret at the River Hertford by Folkton Water Treatment plant. A Cetti's Warbler at the Open Air Theatre reed bed. At Wykeham East Lake: 69 Teal, Pintail, 7 Wigeon, 25 Lapwing. A report of an eagle sp sat at the side of the A64 near Potter Brompton at 18.10 hrs. Potter Brompton Carr; 18 Pink-footed Geese (west), Little Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Marsh Harriers, Cetti's Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, 30 Tree Sparrows, 75 Siskins.
Monday 29th September
Single Great White and Little Egrets plus 2 Redshank, 5 Marsh Harriers at Potter Brompton Carr. A Redwing flew SW over Johnson's Marsh plus one in a Burniston garden. 225 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Allerston. 50 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Sandwich Terns south past Long Nab, 13 Rock Pipits (+2 south) north. The Lesser Whitethroat still at Cliff Top House. At Wykeham Lakes: 30 Wigeon, 54 Teal, Water Rail, 5 Common Buzzards, Lbb Gull, 6 Siskin, Redpoll. A Raven over Ravenscar plus 3 in Troutsdale. In Jackson's Bay: 14 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Little Egret, 9 Stonechats.
Monday, 29 September 2025
Sunday 28th September
A Great White Egret flew west at Johnson's Marsh. 250 Pink-footed Geese flew south over the town. Kingfisher in Peasholm Glen. Two little Egrets at Cromer Point. An adult Little Gull in Robin Hoods Bay just south of Stoupe Beck. The Bar-tailed Godwit still in Jackson's Bay and 7 Stonechats nearby. A Raven at Ravenscar. Small numbers of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests at several locations along the coast. A Blackcap at Crook Ness. 25 Wigeon, 9 Ringed Plover, 5 Sandwich Terns at Scalby Mills.
Sunday, 28 September 2025
Saturday 27th September 2025
Long Nab; Snow Bunting near Top Plantation and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers Crook Ness
Scalby Mills; 10 Wigeon
Ravenscar; 3 Great White Egrets (flew south)
Sixsmith Cottage, Lebberston; Female Wheatear
Castle Headland - Northside; 7 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Male Blackcap, 1 Coal Tit
Haygate Dalby; Green Woodpecker, Raven Marsh Tit, 2 Willow Tit, 2 Crossbills
Givendale; 2 Bullfinch, Jay, 2 Marsh Tit, 1 Willow Tit
Jackson's Bay; 11 Ringed Plovers, 1 Artic Skua North
Cayton Bay; Swallow (south)
Friday, 26 September 2025
Friday 26th September 2025
Castle Hill; Female Blackcap
Long Nab / Crook Ness; 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Golden Plover, 7 Barnacle Geese, 1 Blackcap and a Chiffchaff
Seamer Road Mere, Red Headed Goosander, 2 Kingfisher and 6 Little Grebe
Salt Pans Road; 8 Robins; 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Song Thrush
Scalby Mills; 11 Wigeon
South Cliff; Kestrel
Andy Messenger, Goosander, Seamer Road Mere
Thursday, 25 September 2025
Thursday 25th September 2025
Cliff Top House / Kennels; 1 Yellow Browed Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff
Long Nab and Crook Ness; 1 Golden Plover, 15 Stonechats (11 around the Scrape together), 24 Skylark and 5 Swallows
Limestone Road, Burniston; Common Buzzard
Brompton Ponds; 3 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 5 Little Grebe, 2 Gadwall, 1 Kingfisher
Marine Drive; 3 Eider Duck
Lightfoot Lane; 3 Redwing, 1 Yellowhammer
Falsgrave Park; 2 Tree Sparrow
Wednesday, 24 September 2025
Wednesday 24th September 2025
Scalby Mills; 2 Common Ring Plovers, 1 Great Black Backed Gull, 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull and 4 Sandwhich Terns.
Cliff Top House / Kennels; Briefly, 1 Yellow Browed Warbler
Ox Pasture; 40 Pink Footed Geese flying North
Brompton Ponds; 1 Little Egret, 3 Common Snipe, Chiffchaffs, 3 Grey Wagtails, Little Owl calling and a Kingfisher
Saltpans Road, Cloughton; 2 Raven, Chiffchaff, 4 Stonechat, 17 Wigeon flying South and 6 Cormorant flying North
Jacksons Bay; Male Kestrel, 2 Stonechats, 2 Pintail Duck, 1 Bar Tailed Godwit and 2 Dunlin
Little Egret Chris Bell at Brompton Ponds
Tuesday, 23 September 2025
Tuesday 23rd September
Highlights past Long Nab this morning: 16 Pintail, 34 Wigeon, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 6 Arctic & 1 Great Skua, 35 Common Terns. A Raven flew over Harwood Dale Lake. Three Egyptian Geese Wykeham East Lake. Little Egret and Kingfisher Brompton Ponds. At Seamer Road Mere: 4 Teal, 15 Gadwall, 30 Tufted Ducks, 15 Mute Swans, Heron, 5 Cormorants, 3 Little Grebes, 77 Coot, 54 Moorhen, Kingfisher. At Jackson's Bay: Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin and a Knot. A Green Sandpiper at the oxbow lake in Troutsdale.
Monday 22nd September
Highlights past Long Nab included a European Storm-petrel, 5 Sooty and 17 Manx Shearwaters, Little Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Velvet Scoter, 5 Arctic Skuas and 4 Great Skuas. The Snow Bunting was again by the Observatory in the morning, and a Whooper Swan was in the fields by the car park. A Little Egret and Kingfisher at Brompton Ponds. Twelve Pink-footed Geese flew over Thornton Carrs, also a Barn Owl hunting there. At Wrench Green: a male Goshawk, 16 Siskin, Dipper and Grey Wagtail. A Raven heard at Sand Dale, Dalby Forest, and to seen over Low Dalby. An unseen skein of Pink-footed Geese over Peasholm. Five Willow Tits, 3 Marsh Tits, Crossbill at Low Dalby. A Goosander, 17 Gadwall, Little Grebe at Seamer Road Mere. Two Wigeon, 6 Teal at Wykeham East Lake. Six Common/Arctic Terns flew south off the harbour. Two Knot, and a 1cy Caspian Gull in Jackson's Bay.
Monday, 22 September 2025
Sunday 21st September
Highlights past Long Nab included 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Whimbrel, a juvenile Honey Buzzard (south over the sea @ 10.25am), 2 juvenile Long-tailed Skuas, 22 Arctic Skuas, 8 Great Skuas, 3 European Storm-petrels, 4 Sooty Shearwaters, 11 Manx Shearwaters, 53 Red-throated Divers. A Snow Bunting was feeding by the Observatory. 40+ Skylarks at Suffield Ings. Three Willow Tits, 2 Marsh Tits, 2 Nuthatch, Crossbill at Howl Dale. Whinchat and 2 Wheatears at Scalby Lodge. Two Dippers by the pub at Scalby Mills. Two Wheatears at Ravenscar. A Red Kite at Ellerburn. 25 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Allerston.
Sunday, 21 September 2025
Saturday 20th September
A day of very heavy rain. Highlights past Long Nab included 6 Shoveler, 29 Pintail, 114 Teal, 292 Common Scoter, 1cy Caspian Gull, 33 Red-throated Divers, 3 Arctic Skuas. An Egyptian Goose at Wykeham East Lake. Green Sandpiper at Harwood Dale Lake and two in Troutsdale. A Great Skua in South Bay.
Saturday, 20 September 2025
Friday 19th September
Highlights past Long Nab included Osprey, 143 Pink-footed Geese, 34 Red-throated Divers, 1cy Caspian Gull, 15 Swifts, 1554 House Martins, 8 Sand Martins, 765 Meadow Pipits. One Wheatear there. Several other areas saw southbound Pink-footed Geese: Newby (35), Burniston (38), Allerston (74), Ellerburn (270), Thornton le Dale (110), Dalby (240), Fylingdales Moor (150). The juvenile Cuckoo remains in Burniston village. The Little Ringed Plover is still at Wykeham East Lake. A 1cy Caspian Gull at Scalby Mills. Little Egret at Jackson's bay / Scalby Beck. Two Raven, 4 Willow Tits and a Spotted Flycatcher at Ellerburn,
Friday, 19 September 2025
Thursday 18th September
Highlights past Long Nab today included a juvenile Honey Buzzard, 95 Pink-footed Geese, 23 Swifts, 2610 House Martins, 30 Sand Martins, 770 Swallows, 2785 Meadow Pipits, 135 Siskins. Three Green Sandpipers at Harwood Dale Lake. A juvenile Cuckoo in Burniston village. A Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 7 Gadwall and Wheatear at Wykeham East Lake. Other southbound skeins of Pink-footed Geese included 40 over Crossgates, 24 over West Ayton, 17 over Staintondale, 57 over Oliver's Mount, 63 over Ravenscar, 100 over Ox-Pasture, and an unseen skein over the town at night. Two Swifts feeding over Johnson's Marsh. A Goosander off Scalby Mills/Ness, and Whimbrel heard there. Three Litttle Egrets in the Brompton area. A redhead Goosander south past Yons Nab and a drake over Gristhorpe village. Two Wheatears at Scalby Lodge, Knot and Dunlin in Jackson's Bay.