Monday 1st December

 A male Goosander at Peasholm Park. Great Northern Diver off the harbour and Red-throated Diver in South Bay.

Goosander Peasholm Park - Jan and Gary Powell.

Sunday 30th November 2025

 The female type Black Redstart was again in St. Mary's Churchyard and a Kingfisher was at the Open Air Theatre. Single 1st winter Caspian Gulls were at Potter Brompton Carr and around West Pier at the harbour. A Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver, a Great Black backed Gull, two Turnstone, one Purple Sandpiper and a Guillemot were in the harbour.  Two Common Buzzards over Oliver's Mount. One Willow Tit, four Marsh Tit, four Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Jay and three Bullfinch were in an otherwise quiet Wykeham Forest. Eight Rock Pipits at Jackson's Bay.

Goldcrest in Raincliffe Woods by Michael Jackson.

Saturday 29th November 2025

 A day of appalling weather conditions. Two Great Northern Divers were at the harbour entrance and a Red-legged Partridge was encountered in a Newby garden. There was no sign of either Black Redstart at St. Mary's Churchyard.

Female Kingfisher at Sea Cut by Martin Moseley.

Friday 28th November 2025

 The Eastern Black Redstart was again present at the lower cemetery at St. Mary's Church along with a grey type Black Redstart. A Blackcap was at Heron Lane, Crossgates, a Little Grebe was at Throxenby Mere and a drake Goosander was at Seamer Road Mere. A Red-throated Diver was in the harbour mouth. Three Goshawk, three Common Buzzard and seven Mistle Thrushes from Hilla Green bridge and 18 Wigeon and eight Gadwall were at Wykeham East Lake.  Five Whooper Swans (2 adults, 3 immatures), Red Kite, 548 Common Gull, 70 Lapwing, two Shoveler, two Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and two Little Egret at Potter Brompton Carr from Haybridge.

Eastern Black Redstart at St. Mary's Churchyard by Alfie Race.

Thursday 27th November 2025

 A first winter male Eastern Black Redstart was discovered this morning in St. Mary's Churchyard, Scarborough, frequenting the lower cemetery, and was possibly the same bird seen briefly on 22nd November on the fence line at Castle Hill Cliffs. 9 Wigeon were on Cloughton pond with feral geese and good numbers of winter thrushes nearby, along with two Common Buzzard. 

Eastern Black Redstart at St. Mary's Churchyard by Martin Moseley.

Eastern Black Redstart at St. Mary's Churchyard by Andy Hood.

Wednesday 26th November 2025

 A Slavonian Grebe was in South Bay this morning off The Grand Hotel, slowly drifting out to sea and Great Northern Diver and Red-throated Diver again in the harbour. A single Turnstone on East Pier. A juvenile Peregrine was off the Castle headland and a Little Owl in a Cloughton garden. The Green-winged Teal was still at Potter Brompton Carr along with two Great White Egret, three Little Egret, 100+ Lapwing, two Jay and a large mixed finch flock. A Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and four Siskin were at Burton Riggs. Three Goosander (2m, 1f) at Seamer Road Mere along with four Little Grebe and a Kingfisher.

Juvenile Peregrine off Castle headland by Phil Bennet.

Tuesday 25th November 2025

 Two Waxwings were again in Newby Farm Road this morning and a Sooty Shearwater flew north past Long Nab, A Little Grebe and female Tufted Duck were at Throxenby Mere. The adult Whooper Swan was again at Wykeham East Lake along with 14 Wigeon, 19 Teal, 6 Gadwall, 51 Mallard and eight Tufted Duck. Approximately 100 Lapwing were over fields to the east.

Partially leucistic Jackdaw in a Stepney garden by Terry Hobson.

Monday 24th November

 Two Waxwings again at Newby Farm Road early afternoon. Two Great Northern Divers (adult and juvenile) in the East Pier and harbour area and a Red-throated Diver in South Bay. A ringtail Hen Harrier west at Ruston Carr bridge and three male Blackcaps at heron Lane, Crossgates.  Three male and a redhead Goosander at Seamer Road Mere plus two drake Goldeneye. 82 Gadwall, 68 Teal, 22 Wigeon, two Goldeneye, 74 mallard, seven Tufted Duck and an adult Whooper Swan at Wykeham East Lake.

Waxwings at Newby by Martin Moseley.

Sunday 23rd November

 Two Waxwing were briefly in a garden in Newby before flying towards the Cinder Track and two Waxwing, possibly the same birds, were alongside the A171 near to the hospital. A Snow Bunting was at Cromer Point and a Great Northern Diver was accompanied by a Red-throated Diver in the harbour, and a male Blackcap was in a Stepney garden and a pair of Shoveler was at Seamer Tip Pool. 10 Shoveler, 140 Wigeon and 100 Teal were on flood water at Cayton Carr. A drake Pochard and two Wigeon were at Burton Riggs.

Waxwing at Newby by Steven Hey.

Saturday 22nd November 2025

 Cloughton Gardens - 6 Long Tailed Tits, 4 Coal Tits, numerous Blue and Great Tits

Cromer Point to Jacksons Bay - 3 Snow Buntings (ebird report)

Scalby Lodge Pond - 2 Whooper Swans, 2 Common Snipe (ebird report)

Scalby Mills - 1 Blackcap (ebird report)

Marine Drive - 50 Pink Footed Geese

Castle Hill - Probable Male Eastern Black Redstart

Harbour - 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red Throated Diver, 1 Common Scoter, 3 Cormorants, 2 Redshanks

Stepney Gardens - 1 Goldcrest

Cayton Carrs - 75 Pink Footed Geese

Potter Brompton Carrs - No sign Green Winged Teal, 5 Whooper Swans, 2 Great White Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Red Kite, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff (ebird report)

Wykeham, East of Hudgin Lane - 3 Great White Egrets

Common Scoter, Harbour, Chris Bell

Friday 21st November 2025

Harbour - 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red Throated Diver, 3 Redshank

South Bay - 1 Red Throated Diver

Marine Drive - 1 Little Auk

North Bay -  2 Gannets, 5 Shags

Hospital / Friends Meeting House - 2 Waxwing (per Filey Birders Message)

Heron Lane Crossgates - 1 Waxwing, 15 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Chiffchaff

Burton Riggs - 1 Little Egret, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest

Wykeham Lakes - 4 Whooper Swan (3 Adults / 1 Immature) 30 Teal, 27 Wigeon, 11 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Common Snipe

Low Marishes - 150 plus Fieldfare, 22 Golden Plover, 3 Cormorants

Scalby Mills, 10 Oystercatchers, 11 Ringed Plovers, 3 Curlew, 2 Turnstone, 2 Redshank

Little Auk, Marine Drive, Mark Hepples

Thursday 20th November 2025

Limited News - The area had dreadful weather and travel issues with Snow and Ice

Crab Lane, Crossgates -  12 Wawings, 1 Jack Snipe and Great Spotted Woodpecker

Raven Close, Crossgates - 1 Waxwing

Trinity Road - 2 Bullfinch (possible Northern)

North Bay - 6 Canada Geese on the Sea

Peasholm Glen - Dipper

Dipper, Peasholm Glen, Christopher Bell

Wednesday 19th November 2025

 South Cliff - 1 Glaucous Gull flew South (ebird report)

Burton Riggs - 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Redshank, 5 Redwing, 30 Goldfinch

Marine Drive - 3 Eider Duck flew North, 3 Drake Goosander flew South

Castle Headland - 1 Yellow Browed Warbler (bird-guides report)

Pied Wagtail, Cayton Paul Tozer

Tuesday 18th November 2025

Castle Headland - 1Yellow-Browed Warbler (Bird-guide Report)

Harbour - 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-Throated Diver, 1 First Winter Caspian Gull

Scalby Mills -  2 Bark Bellied Brent Geese

Throxenby Garden - 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker

Wrench Green - Great White Egret

Holbeck - Siberian Chiffchaff (calling in Ravine) (Bird-guide Report)

Burton Riggs - 2 Firecrest, 1 Redshank, 1 Little Grebe

Seamer Tip Pools - 4 Shoveler Duck, 2 Wigeon

Seamer Road Mere - 2 Goosander (Facebook)

Goosander, Seamer Road Mere, Paul Stephenson

Monday 17th November 2025

Long Nab - 7 Dark-bellied Brent Geese 

Burniston Garden - 3 Blackcaps

Throxenby Mere - 2 Goosander, Cormorant, Greylag Geese

Seamer Road Mere - 2 Drake Goosander

Harbour - 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red Throated Diver, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 

Castle Headland - 1 Pallas's Warbler  and Yellow-browed Warbler

Burton Riggs - 1 Yellow Browed Warbler

Broxa, Barnes Cliff - 2 Goshawks

Wykeham Raptor View Point - 3 Goshawk, 3 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel

Potter Brompton Carr  - 2 Whooper Swans, Green Winged Teal, 480 Teal, 1 Spotted Redshank, Great White Egret, 4 Marsh Harriers., 2 Ravens (first for site), Cetti's Warbler

Sherburn Ings - 880 Lapwing 

Brent Geese, Long Nab, Stephen Hey

Sunday 16th November 2025

 North Bay - 1 Little Auk

Harbour - 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-Throated Diver, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 First Winter Caspian Gull, 8 Eider Gulls flew North

Marine Drive - 3 Little Auk (bird-guides report), 3 Great Northern Divers, 1 Sandwich Tern (both e-bird report) flew North, 2 Red-Throated Divers Present

Castle Headland - 1 Pallas's Warbler, 2 Black Redstarts (bird-guides report)

Scalby Mills - 12 Common Ringed Plover

Long Nab, 2 Snow Bunting, 45 Dark Bellied Brent Geese (11 in fields before being flushed) 3 Little Gulls, 2 Great Northern Divers, 10 Rock Pipits

Long Lane Crossgates -  1 Waxwing

East Ayton - 1 Red Kite and 1 Common Buzzard

Wykeham Lakes - 1 Whooper Swan, 9 Goldeneye (8 of Sports Lake 1 on East Lake) 30 Teal, 32 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, 11 Tufted Duck, 2 Coots 4 Great Crested Grebe

Burniston and Falsgrave Gardens - 1 Blackcap in each

Peasholm Glen - Goldcrest

Great Northern and Red Throated Diver - Harbour - Mark Hepples

Saturday 15th November 2025

 Open Air Theatre - 1 Cettis Warbler

Castle Headland - 1 Pallas's Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Woodcock , 1 Firecrest

Harbour - 1 Red-Throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 25 Dark Bellied Brent Geese flew South

Marine Drive - 1 Slavonian Grebe

South Bay - 12 Mediterranean Gulls at roost

Seamer Road Mere - 1 Female Goosander, 1 Kingfisher

Burniston Garden - 19 Blackbirds

Long Nab - 2 Little Auks, 102 Dark Bellied Brent Geese, 16 Goldeneye, 13 Little Gulls, 1 Artic Skua, 2 Great Northern Divers - see Trektellen for more details

Red Throated Diver - Scarborough Harbour - Phil Bennett

Friday 14th November

 At Castle Hill there was a Pallas's Warbler, Firecrest, and the Yellow-browed Warbler was still present. All birds were on the sheltered south side, also 2 Chiffchaffs there. A Red-necked Grebe was in Cornelian Bay. The Great Northern Diver was in the harbour, and 2 Red-throated Divers in the harbour mouth. Highlights from the morning seawatch at Long Nab included a Long-tailed Duck, 3 Pochard, 8 Goldeneye, 3 Goosanders, 3 Fulmars, 2 Great Northern Divers, 108 Kittiwakes. 

Pallas's Warbler Castle Hill - Steve Hey

Thursday 13th November

 The Great Northern Diver was still in South Bay/harbour, plus 8 Mediterranean Gulls below Holbeck car park. Seven Purple Sandpipers in Cornelian Bay. Eight Little Egrets by Folkton bridge. Three Shovelers at Seamer tip pool. At Seamer Road Mere: 4 Gadwall, Goosander, Goldeneye, 65 Tufted Ducks, 128 Coot, 98 Moorhens, Kingfisher. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still on the north side of Castle Hill. 

Great Northern Diver South Bay - Phil Bennett

Wednesday 12th November

 A male Northern Bullfinch at The Holmes, Castle Hill. The Cetti's Warbler was still present on the north side, plus a Chiffchaff, and a roosting Barn Owl on the south side. A Great Northern Diver and 2 Red-throated Divers around the harbour, a Purple Sandpiper near the Skate Park. A Little Egret near Ayton Castle. A Chiffchaff at Burton Riggs. Four Red-throated Divers off Marine Drive. At Wykeham Lakes: 9 Teal, 15 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, 2 Goldeneye, 20+ Redpoll. 10+ Brambling at Cockmoor car park. 

Red-throated Diver harbour - Terry Hobson

Tuesday 11th November

 A Cetti's Warbler (first site record) and a Yellow-browed Warbler on the north side of Castle Hill. Seven Little Egrets at Folkton Water Treatment. A Brambling in a Crossgates garden, plus one over Peasholm at dawn. The first-winter Caspian Gull still at the harbour. Highlights past Long Nab: 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 54 Pink-footed Geese, 31 Whooper Swans, 7 Little Gulls. A male Blackcap at Hovingham Drive. Single Chiffchaffs at Castle Hill, Long Nab, and Stepney.  A juvenile Peregrine hunting around Castle Cliffs.  An unconfirmed report of a White-tailed Eagle near Irton. 

Coal Tit Dalby Forest - David Hutchinson

Monday 10th November

 Nine Whooper Swans, 333 Siskins, 3 Crossbills flew south at Long Nab, 13 Little Gulls flew north. 223 Pink-footed Geese south over Allerston. A Little Egret at Brompton Ponds. A Great Northern Diver still in South Bay, Red-throated Diver in the harbour. At Wykeham Lakes: 5 Whooper Swans, 3 Pintail, 5 Goldeneye, 9 Little Grebes, Crossbill, and a Cetti's Warbler in the NW reed bed at the Water Sports Lake. Fourteen Whooper Swans south over North Bay. 

One of the harbour House Sparrows - Mark Hepples

Sunday 9th November

 The South Bay Greenfinch roost continues to increase; 573 were counted leaving early morning. Also 7 Whooper Swans,  2 House Martins, and 997 Siskins flew south at South Cliff. Sixteen Mediterranean Gulls were in South Bay. Highlights past Long Nab included 5 Whooper Swans 1,120 Siskins, and a Swallow flew south. At Potter Brompton carr: 4 Marsh Harriers, 2 Peregrines, 76 Pink-footed Geese over SE, 110 Golden Plover over E, 88 Wigeon, 87 Teal, 62 common Gulls, Stonechat, 70 Starling, 11 Fieldfares, 5 Redwing, 32 Siskins. Two Kingfishers at Ellerburn Trout Farm, plus one at the Open Air Theatre. At Wykeham Lakes; 30 Pink-footed Geese, 6 Reed Buntings, 15 Fieldfare. Woodcock in off the sea at cayton Bay plus 70 Pink-footed Geese over. Two blackcaps in Burniston. The first-winter Caspian Gull still at the harbour, Great Northern Diver and Eider in South Bay. 

Caspian Gull at the harbour - Dave Mansell

Saturday 8th November

 Two Whooper Swans flew south off the harbour. Single Red-throated Divers off Marine Drive and North Bay, also a Stonechat at Marine Drive still. A Dipper in Peasholm Glen. A Chiffchaff at Northstile, Wrench Green. At Scalby Mills: 14 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, Kingfisher at Scalby Mills. A Kingfisher at Throxenby Mere. A Lapland Bunting flew north at Long Nab, plus Eider and 5 Little Gulls. At Gristhorpe Bay/Yons Nab area: Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Woodcock and Brambling. A Hawfinch flew north over South cliff early morning.

Reed Bunting at Long Nab - Chris Bell

Friday 7th November

 Highlights past South Cliff were a Tundra Bean Goose (in off sea and SW), Great White Egret, 2 Short-eared Owls (in off sea and south), 284 Greenfinches leaving the South Cliff roost, Snow Bunting. Present was a female Northern Bullfinch. Highlights past Long Nab included 4 Whooper swans, 2 Barnacle Geese, 125 Lapwing, 46 Golden Plovers, Jack Snipe (in off sea and SW), 129 Little Gulls, 523 Starlings, 230 Blackbirds, 2 Brambling, Ring Ouzel (Cliff Top House then left SW). First-winter Caspian Gull in the harbour still. At Scalby Mills: Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, first-winter Caspian Gull, Kingfisher. Blackcap in Burniston. Castle Hill: 150 Redwing/Fieldfares, 35 Blackbirds, 2 Goldcrests. At Gristhorpe Bay/Yons Nab area: 258 Blackbirds, 44 Redwing, 15 Fieldfares, 2 Song & 1 Mistle Thrush. A Snow Bunting at Scalby Ness.

Stonechat Long Nab - Chris Bell

Thursday 6th November

 Single Yellow-browed Warblers at the Open Air Theatre and Cornelian Ravine. A Great Northern Diver in South Bay, where a Twite and 9 Crossbills flew south. Moving past Long Nab were a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 170 Pink-footed Geese, Grey Plover, 315 Chaffinches, 330 Siskins, 3 Brambling and a Snow Bunting. A Great Northern Diver off Hundale Point. A Water Rail at Seamer Road Mere. Two Little Grebes off Marine Drive. A first-winter Caspian Gull at Scalby Mills plus 2 Mediterranean Gulls. A Grey Wagtail in a garden off Cross Lane. A Blackcap in a Burniston garden. Two Kingfishers Throxenby Mere plus one at Scalby Mills. 

Caspian Gull Scalby Mills (another different individual) - Dave Mansell

Wednesday 5th November

 A Barnacle Goose and 23 Pink-footed Geese flew north at Long Nab, small numbers of thrushes were arriving from the east. Thirteen Fieldfare were in trees at Westway Church, Eastfield early morning. The Red-throated Diver was still at the harbour. The Brambling flock at Adderstones field, Dalby Forest had increased to c100 plus 150 Siskin flew over. Five Stock Doves and a Chiffchaff in a Burniston garden. Seven Little Grebes, 4 Marsh Tits and 2 Jays at Stain Dale Lake, Dalby Forest. At Wykeham Lakes: 6 Goldeneye, 2 Gadwall, Water Rail, Chiffchaff, Golden Plover south, and c250 Starlings over south. 

Tufted Duck Seamer Road Mere - Phil Bennett

2024 Scarborough Bird Report

 2024 Bird Report now added to the blog (see above).

Red-breasted Flycatcher 2024.

Tuesday 4th November

 12 Whooper Swans, 35 Golden Plover flew south past Long Nab, a Great Northern Diver, 2 Arctic Terns, and 5 Little Gulls flew north. Two Hawfinches at Low Staindale Cottage, Dalby Forest early morning. c10 Red-throated Divers, 11 Mediterranean Gulls in South Bay. An impressive post roost (?) flight of 184 Greenfinches over South Cliff. A Red Kite at Rillington. 70 Brambling at Dalby Forest under beech trees at Adderstones field. At Wykeham East Lake: 7 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 3 Teal, Goldeneye, 15 Tufted Ducks. A Purple Sandpiper in Jackson's Bay. Little Egret and Dipper at Scalby Mills.

Redshank Scalby Mills - Nick Addey

Monday 3rd November

 A single Whooper Swan flew south along the coast. A Chiffchaff at Long Nab where small numbers of thrushes were arriving off the sea. A large count of 87 Greenfinches moving south at South Cliff, perhaps from a nearby roost at the Italian Gardens? A Goosander at Seamer Road Mere. Two Brent Geese at Scalby Mills. A Great White Egret at Ruston Carr bridge.  Highlights at Potter Brompton Carr included 5 Whooper Swans, 380 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Pintail, 2 Great White Egrets, 5 Marsh Harriers, 3 Cetti's Warblers.

Goosander Seamer Road Mere - Phil Bennett

Sunday 2nd November

 A Shore Lark flew south over Long Nab Bird Observatory, also past was a Great Northern Diver, Little Egret, and 5 Knot. A Little Gull was feeding offshore, and the high tide roost check produced an Arctic Tern, Knot, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 10 Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank, and 26 Curlews in nearby fields.  A Cetti's Warbler at Wykeham Lakes, in the south-east corner of the Water Sports Lake. A Great Spotted Woodpecker at Cromer Point Water Treatment plant. 94 Wigeon at Scalby Mills. Single Kingfishers at Seamer Road Mere and the Open Air Theatre, 3 Goosanders at the former site. The Jackson's Bay high tide roost held 9 Turnstone, 51 Redshank, Ringed Plover, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 25 Oystercatchers. At Gristhorpe Bay: 10 Ringed Plover, 2 Turnstone, 17 Redshank, 82 Curlews, 49 Oystercatchers, 3 Stonechats. 48 Wigeon, Whooper Swan at Flower of May pond.

Oystercatcher Marine Drive - Chris Bell