Monday 25th October

A Little Grebe was on the sea off Marine Drive this morning, and a pair of Whooper Swans were on the sea in Cayton Bay before moving off to Gristhorpe Bay. Another 13 Whoopers were in Jackson's Bay in the afternoon before moving to North Bay. 3 Jays flew over Heron Lane from the coast, and more Pink-footed Geese were on the move: 76 south over Hutton Buscel and 50 west from Jackson's Bay. A single Pink-footed Goose was at Harwood Dale Lake together with a Little Grebe, a Gadwall and 5 Teal. At South Cliff this morning 474 Siskins flew south while 337 Starlings, small numbers of Redwing and Blackbirds, a Ring Ouzel, a Jack Snipe, 7 Snipe and 13 Lapwing arrived in off the sea. 4 Ringed Plover, a Grey Plover and a Sanderling were in Jackson's Bay while a Stonechat was in brambles above the bay and 4 Snow Buntings were flying around Scalby Ness. At Seamer Road Mere there were 7 Little Grebes, 2 Wigeon, 2 Teal and 25 Tufted Duck. 2 Lapland Buntings and 3 Twite were feeding in the fields at Long Nab, where a Great Northern Diver, a Mediterranean Gull, a Brambling and 604 Siskins flew south. Flying in off the sea at Long Nab were a Jack Snipe, 433 Starlings, 49 Redwings and 29 Blackbirds, while 2 Fieldfare were seen on Rocks Lane. 9 Crossbills and 3 Stonechats were spotted in Langdale Forest.

Sunday 24th October

Pink-footed Geese continue to fly over: 45-50 south towards East Ayton, 40 north-west over the Grand Hotel, 34 south-east over Taylor Way, and 40 east over Star Carr. A Red-necked Grebe and a Great Crested Grebe flew north past Long Nab, a breeding plumage Great Northern Diver and a Barnacle Goose flew south, and a Jack Snipe was flushed from the stubble field. A single Whooper Swan was seen flying south-west from Cloughton Wyke, and a Snow Bunting was again on the cliffs above Scalby Mills. 1000-1500 Black-headed Gulls were feeding in a recently harvested potato field by Metes Lane, Seamer, where a Jack Snipe flew out of the laneside verge. At South Cliff 133 Siskins and a Swallow flew south, and a Snow Bunting flew in off the sea and continued north. In Cornelian Bay a Great Northern Diver did a U-turn to fly back north and a Short-eared Owl flew in off the sea. 12 Fieldfares flew from trees by New Dike, Seamer Tip.

Saturday 23rd October

Lots of Pink-footed Geese on the move again: 400+ west over Cayton/Cayton Bay, 970 north and 178 south at Long Nab, about 100 west over Forge Valley, and 139 south-east over Thornton Dale. A Dipper was seen at the bridge by the Youth Hostel and a Sparrowhawk at Scalby Mills. A Little Auk was on the sea off Marine Drive and 2 Red-throated Divers were again in the harbour. 20+ Redwings flew north-west over East Ayton and a Cormorant north. At Cayton Bay/Lebberston Cliffs a Long-tailed Duck flew south, a Little Egret flew north, 7 Red-throated Divers were on the sea, and a Lapland Bunting was with a Skylark flock in the sheep field. 13 Whooper Swans flew south over Long Nab and Cornelian Bay. A Red Kite flew north over Burniston, and a juvenile Marsh Harrier flew south-west over Jugger Howe Moor, where 4 Snow Buntings were seen feeding. At Long Nab 2 Lapland Buntings were in the stubble field, a Red-breasted Merganser and a Pomarine Skua flew past north, and a Jay, 28 Rock Pipits, 1453 Siskins and 32 Reed Buntings flew south. At Wykeham Lakes there were 16 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Goldeneye, 42 Mallards, 24 Wigeon, 16 Tufted Duck, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 19 Cormorants, 36 Teal and 15 Gadwall, while about 60 Jackdaws flew west. 2 young Goshawks were seen from Long Causeway at Wykeham Lakes, and there was a possible sighting of a Snow Bunting on the cliffs near Scalby Mills.

Friday 22nd October

2 Red-throated Divers and an Eider have again been in the harbour today. At Wykeham Lakes 4 Whooper Swans and 6 Egyptian Geese with 4 young were at South Lake (plus a Snipe and a flock of about 50 Siskins), while 19 Whooper Swans flew on to East Lake where there were also 38 Wigeon, a Goldeneye and a Shelduck. Another Whooper Swan and a Pink-footed Goose were at Harwood Dale Lake, and a Goldeneye, a Wigeon and 6 Siskins were seen at Burton Riggs. A Woodcock flew in off the sea at Marine Drive, where 105 Pink-footed Geese flew south and a Shoveler, 5 Wigeon and 3 Teal flew north. 7 Red-throated Divers and a Common Scoter were in Cornelian Bay and a large diver flew south. A male Hen Harrier flew south-west over Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint, from where 6 Buzzards, 3 Siskins and a Jay were also seen. The Whooper Swans had left Wykeham South Lake by late afternoon, but a Shelduck and 3 Snipe were present.

Thursday 21st October

An adult Iceland Gull flew south past Marine Drive early this morning, and a Great Northern Diver and 7 Sanderlings flew north. At Wykeham Lakes there were 17 Little Grebes, 9 Whooper Swans, 48+ Gadwall, 74 Wigeon, 2 Pochard, 280+ Teal, 4 Goldeneye, a Kingfisher and 2 Chiffchaffs. 4 Golden Plover and 2 Ravens flew north over Crossgates, and a Jay flew north-east. In the field adjacent to the A64 Seamer bypass roundabout there were an estimated 200 Lapwings. 2 Pomarine Skuas, an Arctic Skua, 2 Great Skuas, 5 Little Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull flew south past Long Nab, while 4 Pintail and a Knot flew north. In the late afternoon a Sooty Shearwater and 15 Little Gulls flew past north, while 10 Little Gulls and 3 Mediterranean Gulls flew south. A Brambling was in a Ravenscar garden, and a female Eider was in the harbour.

Wednesday 20th October

6 Whooper Swans flew south over South Cliff golf course this morning, and a Bittern flew south-east over Seamer railway station. A Red-throated Diver and 3 Guillemots were in the harbour in the morning and another Red-throated Diver and a Shag were in South Bay, while in the afternoon there were a total of 5 Red-throated Divers (one still largely in breeding plumage) and several Guillemots in and around the harbour, plus a Rock Pipit and 6 Purple Sandpipers on the rock armour. Skeins of 170 and 54 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Long Nab and Scalby, and a Kingfisher was spotted at the Open Air Theatre. A Marsh Harrier flew in off the sea at Holbeck and flew on south-west towards Oliver's Mount. At Seamer Road Mere there were 7 Little Grebes, 21 Tufted Duck and a Goldeneye, while at Wykeham East Lake there were 133 Lapwings, 3 Goldeneye, 28 Wigeon, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Teal and an Egyptian Goose. A Lapland Bunting was in the stubble field at Long Nab and a Twite was near the observatory. 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew north past Long Nab; 273 Pink-footed Geese flew south and 90 north; a Merlin, 368 Siskins and a Brambling flew south; 16 Jays flew south and another was at the ringing plantation; 44 Rock Pipits flew south and one flew north; and a Kingfisher was in Burniston Bay. A Jay flew south-west over Crossgates and a Shoveler flew over south-east before circling towards Burton Riggs.

Tuesday 19th October

A Short-eared Owl flew south past Long Nab this morning, as did 11 Whooper Swans. Sadly a Ring Ouzel was found dead behind the Long Nab observation hut, underneath power cables; a Chiffchaff was at the ringing plantation.

Monday 18th October

16 Whooper Swans flew south at Long Nab this morning (spotted later passing Hunmanby Gap), and were followed later in the morning by another 11 (seen again passing Marine Drive). 19 Moorhens were at the small pond near Seamer Tip bridge, while 9 Redwings and 2 Song Thrushes were in the hedge south of Seamer Tip pool. 120+ Siskins were seen near Wrench Green. 9 Redwings flew west over Burniston and 7 south-west over East Ayton. At Wykeham Lakes there was a Whooper Swan, 192 Teal, 46 Wigeon, 82 Mallard, a Pochard, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Water Rails, 139 Coot, 2 Jack Snipe, a House Martin and 39 Siskins. A Dark-bellied Brent Goose flew north past Long Nab, a Jay flew south, and 21 Redwings flew south/south-west. An Eider was again at Scalby Mills.

Sunday 17th October

A Little Egret flew south over Seamer Tip this morning, and a Jay was seen between Hutton Buscel and the A171. A Jack Snipe and 2 Snipe were flushed from the field at the top of Cornelian Ravine, while 2 Stonechats were in the ravine. 59 Teal were at Johnson's Marsh. 10 Whooper Swans at Wykeham Lakes (9 left south). Drake Mandarin Thornton le Dale. 40 Pink-footed Geese west over Pickering mid-morning, and 20 Fieldfares flew west over Hutton Buscel in the afternoon.

Saturday 16th October

A Goshawk flew south-west over Crossgates this morning, and 4 Sparrowhawks were interacting with each other over Burton Riggs. 350+ Pink-footed Geese flew west over Cayton Bay, and 25 flew south over Gristhorpe, where a single Crossbill was seen flying north. A Barn Owl was at the top of Hilda Wood in Hackness, 15 Goldfinches were seen on a wire in Lancaster Street, and an adult and a juvenile Whooper Swan were at Wykeham South Lake. A Sooty Shearwater, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 7 Pink-footed Geese, a Velvet Scoter and 2 Great Skuas flew past Long Nab this morning, while 4 Purple Sandpipers and 32 Turnstones were at the harbour this afternoon.

Friday 15th October

Wykeham Lakes hosted a Whooper Swan, 5 Mute Swans, 93 Coot, 15 Tufted Duck and 4 Little Grebes at South Lake, plus 16 Cormorants, 23 Coot and a Little Grebe at East Lake. Highlights passing Long Nab this morning included 9 Barnacle Geese, 4 Velvet Scoter,a Black-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, a Sooty Shearwater, a Manx Shearwater, a Mediterranean Gull and a Puffin; and this afternoon 3 Barnacle Geese, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 21 Little Gulls and a Pomarine Skua. 2 Twite were in the field at the back of the Long Nab observation hut, and 21 Curlew were in Scalby Lodge field. Seen passing Marine Drive this morning were the 4 Velvet Scoter and the Great Northern Diver that passed Long Nab, plus a sub-adult Long-tailed Skua heading north.

Thursday 14th October

A Purple Sandpiper was seen below Chain Hill at North Bay today, and 25 Teal and 12 Herons were at Johnson's Marsh. More Pink-footed Geese were seen heading south: 140 from Burniston cliff top, 40 over Stepney and 120 from Marine Drive.

Wednesday 13th October

Large nubers of Redwing were around the edge of Wykeham Forest this morning, 14 more flew over the council yard on Dean Road, and at Coverdale Moor there were at least 35 Greenfinch. 5 Teal, a Red-throated Diver, 8 Guillemots and a Purple Sandpiper were in South Bay and a female Eider was again in North Bay, close in opposite the Chalet Cafe. A Brambling was at Crook Ness, and a Rock Pipit was seen briefly at Seamer Road Mere before leaving southwards. Wykeham East Lake hosted 22 Teal, 56 Wigeon, 5 Snipe, 65 Lapwing, 28 Coot, a Goldeneye, 3 Great Crested Grebes and 16 Cormorants. A Redshank, a Heron and 13 Turnstones were seen at the harbour this evening.

Tuesday 12th October

40+ Redwing flew south-west over Wrench Green this morning and about 150 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Crossgates this afternoon. At Wykeham East Lake this morning there were 2 Ringed Plover, 26 Wigeon and a Little Grebe. A Jack Snipe was seen by the motorcycle track near Seamer Tip; a Kingfisher and 2 Willow Tits were at New Dike; and on Star Carr there were 11 Lapwings, a Grey Wagtail and a party of 20 Skylarks. Plenty of waders were at Scalby Mills including Redshank, Turnstone, Oystercatcher and at least 6 Ringed Plover. 2 female Wheatear were on the outer pier, 2 Purple Sandpipers were on East Pier, and also at the harbour in the early evening were 12 Turnstone and 2 Rock Pipits. 3 Brambling and a Chiffchaff were on Castle Hill.

Monday 11th October

2 Dippers were at Scalby Mills and an Eider was in North Bay this morning, while at Scalby Lodge pond there were 20 Curlew and a Black-tailed Godwit. 147 Pink-footed Geese were seen moving south over Scalby Lodge pond, and about 75 over Scalby Mills. A Barnacle Goose was at the north end of Cayton Bay and another was at Scalby Mills in the afternoon. At least 4 Bottle Nosed Dolphins passed Long Nab northwards. At Wykeham East Lake there were 72 Canada Geese, a Barnacle Goose, 233 Greylags, 3 Lapwings, 5 Cormorants, 22 Coot, 26 Tufted Duck, a Great Crested Grebe, a Little Grebe, 61 Wigeon, 8 Teal, a Pochard, a Heron and 2 Snipe.

Sunday 10th October

A Siberian Chiffchaff was calling on the south side of the castle where there were also 2 more Chiffchaffs. More Pink-footed Geese were moving over: 3 skeins totalling 250+ birds and a small skein of about 30 all seen over Lyell Street, about 90 were seen over Whin Bank, and 80 over Star Carr. A Jay was seen at the motorcycle track, a Stonechat was at Seamer Tip, and a family of Red-legged Partridge were at Star Carr. At Scalby Mills this afternoon there were 12 Ringed Plover, 4 Curlew, 5 Turnstone, 10 Redshank, 98 Wigeon, 6 Herons, 17 Oystercatchers, a Cormorant and 9 Great Black-backed Gulls. Highlights from a generally quiet seawatch at Long Nab include a juvenile Caspian Gull and 121 Wigeon moving north and 8 Red-throated Divers moving south. Highlights of a WeBS count at Seamer Road Mere included 100 Moorhens, 69 Coot including 2 recently-hatched chicks, and 6 Little Grebes.

Saturday 9th October

A Jay, probably a migrant, circled over Crossgates before landing in the park by Heron Lane, while a second was seen flying over in the afternoon, as was a Merlin. At Ravenscar there was a Brambling, and a Yellow-browed Warbler was in sycamores just north of the tea rooms. Another Yellow-browed Warbler was heard calling from near the sewage works at Cayton Bay. Highlights from Long Nab include 17 Common Scoter, 2 Great Skuas and 2 Shelduck heading north; a Great Northern Diver and 2 Red-throated Divers heading south; 52 Starlings in the field behind the hut and 17 Reed Buntings around the wires and hedge line; plus 4 Kestrels. 95 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Hutton Buscel.

Friday 8th October

18 Lapwings, a Little Grebe and 8 Wigeon were at Wykeham East Lake this morning, while 2 Gadwall, and 2 Egyptian Geese were on South Lake. 2 Redwing and 2 Song Thrushes flew south over Crossgates, and in the afternoon 16 Wigeon flew south-west. In the Scalby Lodge pond field there was a Dunlin and a Black-tailed Godwit, while 76 Pink-footed Geese flew over heading south. About 100 Pink-footed Geese flew south over East Ayton, and 4 Buzzards were seen together over Heron Lane, Crossgates.

Thursday 7th October

Pink-footed Geese on the move: 120 west over Long Nab, 56 south over Hutton Buscel, about 250 south over Crossgates, and about 110 west at Cayton Bay. A female Eider was in the harbour this morning and a drake flew south past Marine Drive in the afternoon. 4 Buzzards were seen over Bedale, 14+ Yellowhammers were on Middle Lane, and 26 Greylags flew south over Hutton Buscel.

Wednesday 6th October

A Heron and 35 Goldfinches flew over the council yard early this afternoon. Highlights from Long Nab include: a record count of 975 Wigeon (973 of them heading north), 173 Common Scoter, 4 Shelduck, 74 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 7 Pintail, a Tufted Duck, 2 Mallard, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Knot, 14 Dunlin, 2 Eider, a Great Skua and a Little Gull all flying north, while 19 Eider, 7 Great Skuas and 3 Arctic Skuas flew south. 2 large skeins of Pink-footed Geese, approximately 200 birds, were seen over Stepney.

Tuesday 5th October

At Wrench Green this morning there were 2 Willow Tits present and 40+ House Martins were feeding over the valley. 3 Yellowhammers, 5 Lapwings, 10 Golden Plover and a Buzzard were seen from Great Moor Road, while 2 Buzzards and a Kestrel flew over Bedale and a Grey Wagtail was in a Hutton Buscel garden. A Knot was seen feeding at the northern end of Cayton Bay.

Monday 4th October

35 Wigeon and a Grey Wagtail were at Scalby Ness this morning, a Dipper was on Scalby Beck, and in Jackson's Bay there were 3 Red-throated Divers, an Eider, 2 Curlew,, a Ringed Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Turnstones, and 33 Pink-footed Geese flew in off the sea heading west. A Red Kite flew south-west over Taylor Way, 2 Grey Wagtails were in the filed below Seamer Tip, and a Chiffchaff was at Burton Riggs. Many young Gannets remain off Marine Drive while 13 Red-throated Divers were feeding in Cayton Bay and 7 Sandwich Terns were at the northern end of the bay.

Sunday 3rd October

A Marsh Tit and a Little Egret were at Burton Riggs this morning, and 31 Teal and 14 Herons were at Johnson's Marsh this afternoon. At Wykeham East Lake there were 3 Snipe, 73 Black-headed Gulls, 36 Wigeon, 9 Cormorants, 3 Lapwings, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 300+ Greylags and 22 Coot.

Saturday 2nd October

The only news in today was from Cayton Bay, where 4 Red-throated Divers were present in the morning, and by early afternoon their numbers had risen to 17, in a feeding frenzy along with 35 Gannets (mostly juveniles), and 50+ Razorbills and Guillemots.

Friday 1st October

A flock of 60+ Goldfinches were seen around Melrose Street/the cemetery this morning, while the main highlight from Long Nab was 8 Little Gulls heading north. Single Chiffchaffs were at Taylor Way pond, Seamer Tip pool and Burton Riggs. At Wykeham Lakes there were 2 Egyptian Geese with 4 goslings, a Mute Swan, 28 Wigeon, 38 Mallard, 8 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, a Scaup, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 70 Coot.

Thursday 30th September

This morning at Wykeham East Lake there were 73 Lapwings, a Scaup, a Great Crested Grebe, a Common Sandpiper and a Dunlin.

Wednesday 28th September

At Scalby Mills this morning there were 30+ Wigeon, 2 Eiders, 8 Redshank, 2 Curlew, several Oystercatchers and a Swallow, while a Chiffchaff was calling on the cliffs. A Chiffchaff was also at the Taylor Way pond and 6 Teal were at Seamer Tip Pool. 12 Swallows were at Wykeham South Lake while at East Lake there were 468 Greylags, a Dunlin and a Jack Snipe, plus 100+ Lapwing in the far fields. 4 Swallows were seen from Middle Lane, Hutton Buscel, and a 200+ mixed finch flock were feeding on the seed crop by Great Moor Road. In and around the harbour this evening there were 27 Turnstone (one colour ringed), a Guillemot and 5 Razorbills.

Tuesday 28th September

30 Coot, 2 Mute Swans, a Kingfisher, 5 Herons and a pair of Stonechats were at Wykeham South Lake this morning, while 32 Coot were at the East Lake. 2 Chiffchaffs and a Shoveler were at Burton Riggs and a Cream-crowned Marsh Harrier flew over Crossgates. The highlights from Long Nab were 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 84 Skylarks and 31 Reed Buntings all heading south. At Cornelian Bay this afternoon 4 Red-throated Divers, a female Scaup, a Little Egret, a Whimbrel and a Mute Swan flew north and a Buzzard flew south. 25 Curlew were feeding in a stubble field above Cayton Bay while 3 Red-throated Divers were in the Bay and a Wheatear was on the Cleveland Way near Redcliff.

Monday 27th September

An unconfirmed report of two Hawfinches at Burton Riggs (Birdguides report). A juvenile Caspian Gull was in front of the hide at Wykeham East Lake early evening, also there Scaup, 46 Wigeon, 10 Cormorants and 80 Lapwing in nearby fields. The Egyptian Goose pair on the Water Park still have 5 goslings. Highlights past Long Nab in gale force SSE winds were 333 Teal, 3 Pintail, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, Mediterranean Gull and 8 Purple Sandpipers. PHOTO - Dipper Scalby Beck - Stephen Beaver

Sunday 26th September

A female Scaup was with the Tufted Ducks at Wykeham East Lake this evening. Also there were 12 Wigeon, 27 Teal, a female Pochard and 43+ Lbb Gulls roosting. A Brambling was grounded at Crook Ness early morning. Also from Long Nab a Mandarin flew south plus Bar-tailed Godwit and a Med Gull flew north. The two female Eiders were still in the main harbour plus 18 Turnstones and a Dunlin. PHOTO - Mute Swans at Seamer tip pool - Mark Hepples.

Saturday 25th September

An adult Little Gull was feeding on a ploughed field just north of Long Nab (Hundale) early eve. The first 8 Whooper Swans of autumn flew SW at Long Nab early morning, also 10 Eiders, 3 Red-breasted mergansers and a Hobby south there. 12 Pink-footed Geese were at Johnson's Marsh before leaving north. A Jay flew west there (other sites in England reported Jays moving today). 18 Curlew were in fields at Scalby Lodge and 63 Oystercatchers at Cromer Point. 90 Pink-footed Geese flew south over town early afternoon. PHOTO - Stonechat Scalby Beck - Stephen Beaver.