Thursday 31 October 2013

Thursday 31st October 2013

Migrants seen between Long Nab and South Cliff were 60 Skylark, 70 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 82 Fieldfare, 7 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest, 20 Starling, 8 Goldfinch, 150 Linnet, 1 Twite (Long Nab), 2 Lapland Bunting (Long Nab), 6 Reed Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer and 10 Snow Bunting (Long Nab).
On the move today (south unless stated) were 16 Red-throated Diver + 3 north, 3 Shag, 4 Cormorant + 4 north, 25 Gannet + 26 north, 1 Mallard, 6 Teal, 14 Common Scoter + 41 north, 1 Eider north, 2 Goldeneye + 2 north, 1 Lapwing, 1 Grey Plover north, 68 Black-headed Gull + 5 north, 117 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 48 Great Black-backed Gull, 158 Herring Gull, 2 Auk sp north, 57 Skylark, 56 Meadow Pipit, 13 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Tree Sparrow, 7 Chaffinch and 2 Snow Bunting.
Elsewhere a Little Egret, a Short-eared Owl and 30 Lesser Redpoll were at Seamer Tip, 52 Golden Plover were at Herdborough Farm, a Goosander was at Burton Riggs, 86 Wigeon, 5 Pochard and 1 Goldeneye were at Wykham South Lake, 6 Whooper Swan, 1 Shoveler, 104 Golden Plover and 10 Snipe were at Potter Brompton Carr and the Great Crested Grebe and 5 Mediterranean Gulls were in South Bay.

Wednesday 30th October 2013

Hen Harriers are unfortunately hard to come by in Scarborough these days so two records today is pretty good by recent standards, the first was a ringtail that flew south past Long Nab at 09.40hrs and the second was of a Male heading northeast over Hilla Green at 15.30hrs.
Also on the move south were 7 Cormorant, 22 Black-headed Gull, 14 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 1 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 6 Linnet, 4 Redpoll sp, 1 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Reed Bunting.
Grounded migrants seen between Cloughton and Cornelian Bay were 1 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 111 Fiedfare, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Valley Road), 3 Goldcrest, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting, 3 Lapland Bunting (1 Long Nab, 2 Cromer Point), 3 Yellowhammer and 3 Snow Bunting (in off at Long Nab).
Elsewhere 40+ Crossbill were seen in Wykeham Forest, on Flotmanby Carr there was 1 Little Egret, 1 Whooper Swan and 18 Wigeon and a Great Crested Grebe was in South Bay.

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Tuesday 29th October 2013

A slightly better day with the first push of southbound Gulls. On the move (south unless stated) 9 Red-throated Diver 1 north, 116 Gannet + 12 north, 9 Cormorant + 2 north, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Greylag Goose north, 2 Eider, 3 Common Scoter north, 1 Merlin in off and south, 1 Golden Plover in off and west, Lapwing 1 in of and west, 5 Redshank north, 473 Black-headed Gull, 64 Common Gull, 323 Herring Gull, 51 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 5 Auk sp, 20 Wood Pigeon, 4 Meadow Pipit, 17 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Starling, 3 Goldfinch, 25 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting.
Migrants in the Long Nab area included 62 Skylark, 4 Rock Pipit, 1 Blackcap, 6 Goldcrest, 20 Linnet, 1 Lapland Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting and 5 Snow Bunting in off.
On Potter Brompton Carr there were 3 Whooper Swan and 11 Snipe and on Ruston Carr there were 94 Golden Plover and 300+ Lapwing.

Monday 28th October 2013

A very quiet day, on the move (south unless stated) were 8 Red-throated Diver 1 north, 50 Gannet + 16 north, 3 Cormorant, 3 Mute Swan, 3 Wigeon, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Redshank north, 1 Great Skua, 46 Black-headed Gull + 2 north, 34 Common Gull + 18 north, 1 Auk sp, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Swallow, 2 Siskin and 6 Redpoll sp.
The Gull roost at Wykeham South Lake contained 98 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1150 Common Gull, 900 Black-headed Gull and 280 Herring Gull, 3 Egyptian Geese were also present.

Monday 28 October 2013

Sunday 27th October 2013

On the move today (south unless stated) were 1 Black-throated Diver north, 18 Gannet + 28 north, 2 Cormorant, 1 Shelduck north, 2 Eider, 1 Dunlin north, 1 Pomarine Skua north, 35 Black-headed Gull, 22 Common Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 8 Auk sp north, 30 Wood Pigeon, 9 Skylark, 23 Meadow Pipit, 16 Rock Pipit, 3 Blackbird, 2 Tree Sparrow, 6 Chaffinch, 8 Goldfinch, 84 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp, 1 Snow Bunting.
Elsewhere a Whooper Swan, 8 Pink-footed Geese, 400 Teal, 55 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler and 3 Snipe were on Potter Brompton, 48 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills, 7 Grey Heron, 18 Teal and 3 Redshank were on Johnson's Marsh, 3 Goosander and 48 Lapwing were at Harwood Dale Lake and 4 Goshawk and 6 Crossbill were at Highwood Brow Viewpoint.
Lapland Buntings were seen at Long Nab (2) and at Cromer Point where there were 350 Linnet and a Chiffchaff was along South Cliff.

Whooper Swan, Potter Brompton Carr - Chris Bradshaw
 

Sunday 27 October 2013

Saturday 26th October 2013

Migrants in the Long Nab area included 75 Skylark, 80 Meadow Pipit, 8 Rock Pipit, 6 Robin, 3 Blackbird, 1 Firecrest, 35 Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting and 1 Lapland Bunting.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver, 36 Gannet + 32 north, 1 Cormorant, 12 Pink-footed Geese north, 1 Snipe, 12 Black-headed Gull + 1 north, 11 Common Gull + 3 north, 58 Herring Gull, 8 Great Black-backed Gull, 16 Stock Dove, 13 Wood Pigeon, 31 Skylark, 54 Meadow Pipit, 15 Rock Pipit, 2 alba, 17 Starling, 47 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 94 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 101 Linnet, 17 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Yellowhammer and 7 Reed Bunting.

Saturday 26 October 2013

Friday 25th October 2013

A slow day despite the promising conditions.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver north, 51 Gannet + 72 north, 1 Whooper Swan north, 9 Wigeon, 3 Eider north, 12 Common Scoter + 17 north, 2 Velvet Scoter + 3 north, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Pomarine Skua north, 2 Great Skua north, 16 Black-headed Gull +7 north, 12 Common Gull + 6 north, 1 Kittiwake + 1 north, 5 Guillemot, 22 Auk sp + 6 north, 5 Skylark, 1 House Martin, 9 Tree Sparrow, 5 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 4 Linnet, 5 Redpoll sp, and 3 Reed Bunting.
Migrants seen between Ravenscar and Castle Hill were 89 Skylark, 35 Meadow Pipit, 11 Robin, 18 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush, 19 Blackbird, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 11 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Long Nab), 42 Starling, 28 Chaffinch, 95 Linnet, 2 Yellowhammer, 5 Reed Bunting and 3 Lapland Bunting (Long Nab).
An adult Little Gull was in Fields near Scalby Lodge Pond.

Thursday 24 October 2013

Thursday 24th October 2013

The Siberian Stonechat had departed overnight, not too surprising given the clear conditions.
Other migrants seen between Stoupe Brow and South Cliff were 1 Jack Snipe (Stoupe Brow), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12 Skylark, 23 Meadow Pipit, 3 Grey Wagtail, 19 Blackbird, 4 Song Thrush, 7 Redwing, 3 Blackcap, 5 Goldcrest, 12 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Mealy Redpoll (Long Nab) and 3 Reed Bunting.
On the move south were 100 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Greylag Goose, 4 Common Scoter, 1 Red Kite, 9 Skylark, 1 House Martin, 31 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 4 Tree Sparrow, 11 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 2 Greenfinch, 11 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin and 13 Lesser Redpoll.
On Potter Brompton Carr there was a Whooper Swan, 180 Teal, 53 Wigeon and 13 Snipe.

The first of three Mealy Redpoll trapped ringed at Long Nab - Michael McNaghten


The second Mealy Redpoll trapped at Long Nab - Michael McNaghten
 

Wednesday 23rd October 2013

The Siberian Stonechat was still preforming well at Scalby Nab throughout the day.
On the move (south unless stated) were 200 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Kittiwake north, 9 Auk sp + 24 north, 28 Wood Pigeon, 3 Skylark, 4 House Martin, 11 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Fieldfare in and south, 3 Starling in and west, 8 Chaffinch, 18 Goldfinch, 32 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp, 1 Reed Bunting.
A Spotted Redshank flew east over Taylor Way and brings the yearlist to 230!
Elsewhere 2 Barnacle and 3 Pink-footed Geese were on Burton Riggs, 16 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh, 114 Wigeon were on Scalby Mills and 30 were on Flotmanby and on Wykeham South Lake were 4 Egyptian Geese, 36 Wigeon, 4 Pochard and a Little Stint.


Another cracking shot of the Siberian Stonechat - Dave Mansell

Tuesday 22nd October 2013

A quiet day with little coverage on the coast.
The Siberian Stonechat was showing extremely well today on Scalby Nab and a Yellow-browed Warbler found with a Tit flock at the Mere is the 41st in Scarborough this year!
At Potter Brompton Carr there were 60 Mallard, 180 Teal, 13 Wigeon, 56 Lapwing and a Snipe, 300 Lapwing were on Ruston Carr and on Wykeham South Lake there were 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Egyptian Geese, 24 Wigeon and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Monday 21st October 2013

Migrants seen between Roger Trod and South Cliff were 48 Skylark, 80 Meadow Pipit, 1 Siberian Stonechat (still Scalby Nab), 12 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 12 Redwing, 1 Whinchat (Long Nab), 1 Ring Ouzel Roger Trod, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Northstead Manor Gardens), 1 Goldcrest, 11 Starling, 3 Chaffinch and 7 Reed Bunting.
It was a fairly interesting day for passage,on the move (south unless stated) were 4 Red-throated Diver + 4 north, 28 Gannet + 67 north, 40 Cormorant, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Mallard, 5 Common Scoter + 15 north, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 191 Black-headed Gull, 30 Common Gull, 26 Wood Pigeon, 39 Skylark, 8 House Martin, 1 Swallow, 32 Rock Pipit, 228 Meadow Pipit, 2 alba, 3 Fieldfare in and south, 6 Redwing in and south, 14 Starling, 10 Tree Sparrow, 54 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling in and south, 9 Greenfinch, 212 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 71 Linnet, 9 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting and 1 Snow Bunting.
On Wykeham South Lake there was a Little Stint along with a 6 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Egyptian Geese, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Wigeon, 4 Pochard, 29 Coot and 2 Greenshank and the 2 Red-breasted Merganser were still on the Mere as were 73 Tufted Duck and a Kingfisher.

Sunday 20th October 2013

The Siberian Stonechat was again present at Scalby Nab and showing well.
Other migrants seen between Ravenscar and Cornelian Bay were 3 Woodcock, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 38 Skylark, 29 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 47 Robin, 1 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, 1 Whinchat (Long Nab, latest Scarborough record), 23 Redwing, 81 Blackbird, 10 Song Thrush, 3 Fieldfare, 1 Ring Ouzel (Scalby Beck), 1 Whitethroat (Castle Hill, latest Scarborough record), 2 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Northstead Manor Gardens), 6 Goldcrest, 2 Starling, 12 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 9 Reed Bunting and 1 Lapland Bunting (Long Nab).
On the move (south unless stated) 4 Red-throated Diver + 5 north, 1 Cormorant + 2 north, 55 Gannet + 89 north, 1Grey Heron in and south, 27 Teal + 26 north, 50 Common Scoter + 35 north, 7 Eider, 1 Red-breasted Merganser north, 45 Knot, 1 Great Skua north, 183 Black-headed Gull + 47 north, 13 Common Gull + 27 north, 1 Kittiwake north, 1 Sandwich Tern north, 1 Auk sp + 2 north, 6 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 37 Meadow Pipit, 21 Rock Pipit, Blackbird 1 in and south, 1 Chaffinch, 15 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 5 Greenfinch, 13 Linnet, 1 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Reed Bunting.
Thirteen Crossbills were seen at Highwood Brow Viewpoint.

A few more of the Siberian Stonechat at Scalby Nab - Dave Mansell
 
 

Monday 21 October 2013

Saturday 19th October 2013

The highlights of the day were the continued presence of the Siberain Stonechat at Scalby Nab where there was also a report of a Pallas's Warbler and a Bittern flushed from Brambles along South Cliff which flew north and appeared to go down north of Holbeck.
Other migrants seen between Ravenscar and South Cliff were 19 Skylark, 20 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 25 Robin, 1 Wheatear, 69 Blackbird, 14 Song Thrush, 31 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 15 Brambling, 6 Siskin, 7 Crossbill (5 Long Nab, 2 Valley Road) and 5 Reed Bunting.
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Great Northern Diver, 50 Pink-footed Geese east, 38 Wigeon north, 50 Teal north, 46 Common Scoter north, 12 Lapwing in and west, 2 Skylark in and west, 8 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 23 Blackbird in, 64 Starling in and 1 Reed Bunting in.
Elsewhere 2 Red-breasted Merganser were on the Mere, a Great Crested Grebe was in the Harbour and 52 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills.


Crossbill, Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

Friday 18 October 2013

Friday 18th October 2013

The Siberian Stonechat was again preforming well all day in the Scalby Nab area.
A trickle of birds were arriving in off throughout the day, migrant totals between Jugger Howe and South Cliff were 1 Merlin, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 27 Robin, 519 Fieldfare, 62 Blackbird, 43 Redwing, 22 Song Thrush, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Scalby Beck), 12 Goldcrest, 13 Brambling, 1 Crossbill, 5 Reed Bunting and 2 Yellowhammer.
On the move south were 13 Wigeon, 1 Mallard, 7 Meadow Pipit, 5 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 9 Chaffinch, 5 Greenfinch and 1 Crossbill.
Elsewhere a Long-tailed Duck was on the sea off Crook Ness, the Little Gull was still present at Scalby Mills and a Barnacle Goose and 6 Pink-footed Geese were at Burton Riggs.

Thursday 17 October 2013

Thursday 17th October 2013

The SIBERIAN STONECHAT was still preforming well at times on Scalby Nab throughout the day.
Also seen between Long Nab and Holbeck were 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Robin, 12 Redwing, 13 Blackbird, 3 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Castle Hill), 12 Goldcrest and 1 Siskin.
On the move were 220 Pink-footed Geese south and 40 Common Scoter north.
A 1st winter Little Gull was showing well at Scalby Mills.

Siberian Stonechat, Scalby Nab - Martin Garner

Siberian Stonechat, Scalby Nab - Dave Mansell

Siberian Stonechat, Scalby Nab - Dave Mansell
 

Wednesday 16th October 2013

A fine SIBERIAN STONECHAT discovered by Scalby Beck late morning was the clear highlight of the day, it frequented the area of long grass at the top of Scalby Nab but was fairly mobile and often elusive in the strong wind.
Other migrants seen between Stoupe Brow and Castle Hill were 1 Merlin, 2 Woodcock, 43 Skylark, 14 Meadow Pipit, 49 Robin, 52 Blackbird, 74 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush, 20 Fieldfare, 2 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 27 Goldcrest, 11 Brambling, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Siskin, 1 Snow Bunting (Long Nab), 3 Reed Bunting and 3 Yellowhammer.
On the move south were 12 Skylark, 19 Meadow Pipit, 2 alba and 3 Goldfinch.

Lesser Redpoll, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Siberian Stonechat, Scalby Nab - Michael McNaghten

Siberian Stonechat, Scalby Nab - Michael McNaghten
 

Tuesday 15th October 2013

A new Red-breasted Flycatcher was found along King's Street during the afternoon and showed well throughout the day.
Other migrants seen between Long Nab and Cornelian Bay were 1 Woodcock, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 46 Skylark, 36 Meadow Pipit, 2 Redstart (King's Street), 32 Robin, 56 Blackbird, 1 Ring Ouzel (Castle Hill), 82 Redwing, 18 Song Thrush, 2 Fieldfare, 16 Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler (Long Nab), 14 Chiffchaff, 1 'Siberian' Chiffchaff (King's Street), 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Long Nab), 91 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Castle Hill), 1 Pied Flycatcher (Castle Hill), 1 'Northern' Treecreeper (Holbeck), 3 Brambling, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Reed Bunting and 1 Yellowhammer.
On the move (south unless stated) were 90 Pink-footed Geese, 40 Wigeon north, 3 Swallow and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Elsewhere 23 Wigeon and a Common Scoter were on Wykeham South Lake and 7 Wigeon, 48 Lapwing and 5 Snipe were on Potter Brompton Carr.

Reed Warbler, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw
 

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Monday 14th October 2013

Another fantastic day in Scarborough with a PALLAS'S WARBLER at Long Nab and the reappearance of the Red-breasted Flycatcher on Castle Hill being the highlights.
Other migrants seen between Ravenscar and South Cliff were 1 Water Rail (Cromer Point), 2 Woodcock, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 42 Skylark, 31 Meadow Pipit, 6 Grey Wagtail, 107 Robin, 1 Whinchat (Long Nab), 1 Stonechat, 2 Redstart (King's Street), 1 Ring Ouzel (Long Nab), 169 Blackbird, 98 Song Thrush, 155 Redwing, 13 Fieldfare, 3 Mistle Thrush, 16 Blackcap, 19 Chiffchaff including a presumed 'Siberian' at Long Nab, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Castle Hill), 117 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, (new, Castle Hill), 2 'Northern' Treecreeper (Long Nab, Castle Hill), 27 Brambling, 32 Chaffinch, 2 Siskin, 1 Hawfinch (Ravenscar), 4 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Mealy Redpoll (Castle Hill, 2 Long Nab), 5 Reed Bunting and 1 Lapland Bunting (Long Nab).
Ten Purple Sandpiper were roosting in the Harbour and a Grey Plover flew south.

Pallas's Warbler, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

'Northern' Treecreeper, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

 
Mealy Redpoll, Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

Brambling, Long Nab - Michael McNaghten
 

Monday 14 October 2013

Sunday 13th October 2013

Between Ravenscar and Castle Hill were 2 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Snipe, 3 Woodcock, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 14 Skylark, 20 Meadow Pipit, 94 Robin, 1 Redstart (Ravenscar), 114 Redwing, 35 Song Thrush, 7 Fieldfare, 113 Blackbird, 1 Ring Ouzel (Crook Ness), 11 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler (Crook Ness), 23 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Ravenscar), 91 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Castle Hill), 24 Brambling, 36 Chaffinch, 12 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Mealy Redpoll (2 Long Nab, 2 Scalby Beck, 1 Castle Hill) and 6 Siskin, 5 Reed Bunting and 1 Yellowhammer.
On the move (north unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver + 1 south, 14 Gannet, 1 Cormorant, 3 Wigeon, 130 Pink-footed Geese south, 60 Common Scoter and 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Black-headed Gull south, 5 Common Gull south and 5 Auk sp.
Elsewhere 29 Turnstone were in the Harbour, a Red-breasted Merganser was in North Bay, 4 Goldeneye were at Burton Riggs, 3 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Barnacle Goose and 2 Wigeon were at Seamer Tip and 2 Pink-footed Geese and 4 Wigeon were on Harwood Dale Lake.


Mealy Redpoll, Long Nab - Nick Addey

Saturday 12 October 2013

Saturday 12th October 2013

Another superb day with that true autumn excitement feel!
A RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER on Castle Hill was the highlight of the passerines found during the day, the first in Scarborough for a few years!!
Other migrants between Ravenscar and Cornlian Bay were 1 Merlin (Long Nab), 1 Woodcock (Cromer Point), 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker (3 Long Nab, 1 Castle Hill), 43 Skylark, 81 Meadow Pipit, 91 Robin, 1 Redstart (Long Nab), 1 Stonechat, 199 Redwing, 45 Song Thrush, 90 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 3 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 129 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper (Long Nab), 30 Starling, 8 Brambling, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Siskin, 1 Crossbill (Long Nab), 21 Reed Bunting, 2 Lapland Bunting (Long Nab, Cromer Point) and 1 Snow Bunting (in off at Long Nab).
The sea didn't disapoint either, on the move (north unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 5 south, 1 Red-necked Grebe, 39 Fulmar including 1 'Blue Fulmar', 1 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Manx Shearwater, 1 Leach's Petrel, 953 Gannet + 59 south, 59 Cormorant south, 1 Grey Heron south, 55 Wigeon + 5 south, 1 Mallard south, 3 Eider + 3 south, 3 Pintail, 278 Common Scoter + 1 south, 1 Velvet Scoter + 2 south, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Goosander, 1 Dunlin, 15 Great Skua, 3 Arctic Skua, 2 Little Gull, 18 Black-headed Gull + 15 south, Common Gull 6 north + 17 south, 131 Kittiwake + 1 south, 1 Arctic Tern, 187 Auk sp, 1 Black Guillemot and 1 Swallow south.

Goldcrest, Crook Ness - Michael McNaghten

Goldcrest, Castle Hill - Michael McNaghten

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Castle Hill - Michael McNaghten
 

Friday 11 October 2013

Friday 11th October 2013

An absolutely amazing day over the waves with hints of passerines arriving all day with small numbers found in the few sheltered areas around!
On the move today (north unless stated) were 24 Red-throated Diver + 1 south, 1 Black-throated Diver, 865 Fulmar including 9 'Blue Fulmar', 216 Sooty Shearwater, 83 Manx Shearwater, 2 Balearic Shearwater, 2 Storm Petrel, 1 Leach's Petrel, 1 Storm Petrel sp, 1298 Gannet + 5 south, 3 Cormorant + 52 south, 1 Shag south, 5 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 21 Wigeon, 11 Teal + 4 south, 4 Mallard south, 1 Tufted Duck, 435 Common Scoter + 29 south, 9 Velvet Scoter, 1 Goldeneye, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Arctic Skua, 1 Long-tailed Skua, 228 Great Skua, 1 Little Gull, 8 Black-headed Gull south, 3 Common Gull south, 1594 Kittiwake, 8 Guillemot, 6 Razorbill, 28 Auk sp, 1 Skylark in off and south, Redwing 3 in off and south, Starling 8 south.
Migrants seen between Long Nab and Valley Road were 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 9 Skylark, 13 Meadow Pipit, 5 Robin, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Long Nab), 3 Brambling and 1 Reed Bunting.
Elsewhere a Turtle Dove was at Harwood Dale Lake, a Jack Snipe, 1 Barnacle Goose and 5 Wigeon were at Seamer Tip.

Great Skua passage - Michael McNaghten



Great Spotted Woodpecker, feeding in a ditch at Long Nab - Michael McNaghten
 

Thursday 10 October 2013

Thursday 10th October 2013

A very wild day produced some interest over the sea but limited birding elsewhere.
On the move (north unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver + 2 south, 59 Gannet + 23 south, 73 Sooty Shearwater, 9 Manx Shearwater, 1 Cormorant + 2 south, 1 Barnacle Goose south, 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Pintail, 7 Teal, 7 Wigeon, 1 Aythya sp south, 45 Common Scoter + 22 south, 2 Velvet Scoter, 1 Goldeneye south, 4 Oystercatcher south, 1 Dunlin, 8 Great Skua + 4 south, 3 Arctic Skua south, 91 Black-headed Gull south, 23 Common Gull south and 11 Kittiwake + 1 south.
Also seen were the autumns first 4 Whooper Swans at Wykeham South Lake along with 4 Egyptian Geese and 52 Lapwing and 150 Pink-footed Geese were by the Quarry entrance.

A record of the Pale-bellied Brents passing north - Michael McNaghten
An atmospheric shot of the second Velvet Scoter passing by with Common Scoters - Michael McNaghten


To give an idea on the conditions here are a few pictures of the DFDS Seaways Ferry! - Michael McNaghten



 

Wednesday 9th October 2013

A fairly quiet day, 2 Redwing and 2 Blackbird flew south early morning while on Potter Brompton Carr there were 8 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 1 Jack Snipe, 7 Snipe and 18 Reed Bunting, a Barnacle Goose and 5 Pintail were on Wykeham South Lake and 50 Pink-footed Geese were by the Quarry entrance, 40+ Mistle Thrush were on Jugger Howe Moor and a Swallow was feeding over Falsegrave Park.

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Tuesday 8th October 2013

Southerly passage today was slow but on the move were 194 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Common Scoter, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker in off, 4 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 63 Meadow Pipit, 7 Grey Wagtail, 6 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, 29 Linnet, and 8 Lapland Bunting.
Migrants between Long Nab and Castle Hill were 35 Skylark, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Garden Warbler (Trough Gulley), 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (still Castle Hill), 3 Goldcrest, 1 Reed Bunting and 1 Lapland Bunting (Cromer Point).
In Jackson's Bay there were 74 Oystercatcher, 28 Redshank, 17 Turnstone, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Curlew, 104 Wigeon and 2 Shoveler were at Scalby Mills and 7 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 19 Tufted Duck and 2 Kingfisher were on the Mere.

Goldcrest, Long Nab - Michael McNaghten
 

October meeting

The next meeting is by Ian Glaves and Pete Lindley on Birding Texel, it will be held in the Duchess PH on Thursday 17th October at 8.00pm, all members and non members welcome.

Monday 7th October 2013

A lively day along the coast with an increase of Pipits, Finches and Buntings.
Grounded in the Long Nab area were 2 Golden Plover, 12 Skylark, 320 Meadow Pipit, 6 Rock Pipit, 1 Water Pipit, 5 Robin, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 100 Goldfinch, 70 Linnet, 4 Lapland Bunting, 13 Reed Bunting and 1 Yellowhammer.
On the move (south unless stated) were 4 Red-throated Diver + 9 north, 1 Shag, 2 Cormorant, 1 Common Scoter north, 2 Black-headed Gull + 156 north, 5 Common Gull + 54 north, 5 Wood Pigeon, 2 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 71 Meadow Pipit, 4 alba, 1 Grey Wagtail, alba, 9 Carrion Crow, 3 Starling, 8 Chaffinch, 97 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 90 Linnet, 11 Reed Bunting, 3 Lapland Bunting.
A Wheater was seen on Jugger Howe Moor and 6 Crossbill were seen in Langdale Forest.

Reed Bunting, Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

Below is the information for one of the Norwegian Great Black-backed Gulls seen on the Pelagic.

JE643 - ringed at Lindesnes, Norway on 9th July 2010.
This bird was also seen at Island Barn Reservoir, West Molsey, UK on 8th February 2011 and in Hirtshals Harbour, Denmark on 15th August 2012.

Great Black-backed Gull - Michael McNaghten
 

Sunday 6 October 2013

Sunday 6th October 2013

The Highlights from this mornings Pelagic were few and far between and for some it could have been the fry up breakfast afterwards!
It was however nice to see Pink-footed Geese passage from a different perspective and two Darvic ringed Great Black-backed Gulls gave the photographers a challenge, keeping an eye on where they were and getting a shot with all the digits visible, but both were photographed and are both from the same Norwegian ringing project, details to follow soon.
There was a trickle of passage through the day, most of which was seen from on board, on the move (south unless stated) were 7 Red-throated Diver + 3 north, 89 Gannet, 530 Pink-footed Geese, 9 Common Scoter, 1 Red-breasted Merganser north, 6 Common Buzzard, 1 Great Skua, 1 Little Gull, 37 Black-headed Gull + 83 north, 4 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull north, 1 Kittiwake, 4 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern, 7 Guillemot, 9 Razorbill, 4 Auk sp, 10 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 37 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 7 Goldfinch and 9 Linnet.
Migrants seen throughout the day were 12 Skylark, 90 Meadow Pipit, 1 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff and 1 Reed Bunting
On the Mere were 1 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 22 Teal, 1 Mediterranean Gull and a Kingfisher, 8 Grey Heron, 2 Shoveler, 9 Teal and 9 Wigeon were on Johnson's Marsh and 9 Mediterranean Gull were at Holbeck.

Adult Great Black-backed Gull, Scarborough Pelagic - Michael McNaghten

Juvenile Great Black-backed Gull, Scarborough Pelagic - Michael McNaghten
 

Saturday 5th October 2013

An interesting day with a scattering of new migrants, the best being 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, one at Ravenscar and one on Castle Hill, the 35th and 36th in Scarborough this autumn!
Other migrants between Ravenscar and Cornelian Bay were 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Holbeck), 15 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 49 Robin, 1 Stonechat, 1 Redstart (Ravenscar), 2 Wheatear, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler (Ravenscar, Holbeck), 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler (Ravenscar), 4 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (Ravenscar), 1 Marsh Tit and 1 Lapland Bunting (Cromer Point).
On the move (south unless stated) were 445 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Skylark, 2 House Martin, 14 Meadow Pipit, 1 alba and 7 Chaffinch.
Two Purple Sandpiper were roosting in the Harbour, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit and 16 Redshank were in Jackson's Bay, 47 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills, a House Martin was in North Bay and a Great Crested Grebe was in South Bay.


Lapland Bunting, Cromer Point - Steve Hay

Saturday 5 October 2013

Friday 4th October 2013

Finally some rain and with it a small arrival, notably Blackcap.
Between Crook Ness and Cornelian Bay were 34 Meadow Pipit, 33 Robin, 1 Whinchat (South Cliff), 1 Redstart (Castle Hill), 34 Blackbird, 23 Song Thrush, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 32 Blackcap (including 12 on Castle Hill), 11 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest (both Long Nab area), 12 Chaffinch and 1 Reed Bunting.
Despite the grim conditions there was a trickle of passage early morning, on the move (south unless stated) were 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Great Skua, 6 Common Gull, 3 Black-headed Gull, 4 Sandwich Tern, 22 House Martin, 36 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 alba and 4 Tree Sparrow.

Thursday 3 October 2013

Thursday 3rd October 2013

A disappointing day, migrants seen between Long Nab and South Cliff were 20 Meadow Pipit, 5 Robin, 30 Song Thrush, 5 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Crook Ness) and 6 Chaffinch.
Moving south during the morning were 2 Sandwich Tern, 3 House Martin, 12 Meadow Pipit, 3 Linnet and 9 Siskin.

Wednesday 2nd October 2013

Another day of strong winds and hard going birding, migrants seen between Long Nab and Castle Hill were 3 House Martin, 9 Robin, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Redwing, 12 Blackbird, 2 Blackcap, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Castle Hill), 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Crook Ness), 1 Brambling 2 Chaffinch and 1 Reed Bunting.
There were still 5 Purple Sandpiper in the Harbour roost.

Tuesday 1 October 2013

Tuesday 1st October 2013

The winds were again strong and migrants were hard to find, although there was clearly an increase in Song Thrush and Brambling.
Between Stoupe Brow and South Cliff were 5 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 27 Robin, 2 Redwing, 141 Song Thrush, 14 Blackbird, 5 Blackcap, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Castle Hill), 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 52 Brambling, 11 Chaffinch and 4 Reed Bunting.
On the move south were 3 Red-throated Diver, 1300+ Gannet, 4 Meadow Pipit and 7 Swallow.
There were 5 Purple Sandpiper roosting in the Harbour.

Monday 30th September 2013

The strong winds made birding the bushes difficult but still small numbers of migrants were arriving throughout the day.
Totals between Ravenscar and Cornelian were 5 Skylark, 12 Meadow Pipit, 2 House Martin, 36 Robin, 1 Redstart (Cornelian Bay), 1 Whinchat (Castle Hill), 1 Wheatear (Castle Hill), 18 Song Thrush, 3 Fieldfare (Stoupe Brow), 4 Blackcap, 5 Yellow-browed Warbler all of which were new (1 Stoupe Brow, 2 Ravenscar, 2 Castle Hill), 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Pied Flycatcher (Castle Hill), 7 Chaffinch and 5 Reed Bunting.
Passage was very slow but on the move throughout the day (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 1 Fulmar, 1 Great Skua north, 2 Kittiwake north, 3 Swallow, 1 Brambling and 1 Siskin.
At Scalby Mills there were 61 Wigeon.

Yellow-browed Warbler trapped at Stoupe Brow - Chris Hansell