Sunday 31 August 2014

Saturday 30th August 2014

Migration watches; 06.20 - 12.00hrs and 17.55 - 18.25hrs.
It was the first good day for vis-migging at Long Nab with a good Swallow total.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Fulmar north, 4 Cormorant, 2 Teal north, 2 Common Scoter north, 2 Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, 7 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin north, 55 Black-headed Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern, 21 Swift, 7 Sand Martin, 1195 Swallow, 733 House Martin, 54 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Flava, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Alba, 34 Tree Sparrow, 1 Greenfinch, 11 Goldfinch and 121 Linnet.
Migrants seen between Ravenscar and South Cliff were 37 Meaow Pipit, 4 Wheatear (Long Nab), 2 Stonechat (South Cliff), 2 Whinchat (South Cliff), 6 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, the GREENISH WARBLER on Castle Hill, 3 Goldcrest and 1 Spotted Flycatcher (Long Nab).
Elsewhere 9 Teal and the Green Sandpiper were on Jonhnsn's Marsh, a Greenshank and 36 Sandwich Tern were at Scalby Mills and 16 Grey Partridge and 6 Snipe were at Seamer Tip.


Wheatear, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Saturday 30 August 2014

Friday 29th August 2014

Migration watches; 06.45 - 09.35hrs and 19.00 - 19.45hrs.
Today's highlight, and the 220th species to be recorded so far this year was an ORTOLAN BUNTING which came in from the north, dropped into Hundale briefly, and then carried on south. This is only the 3rd record in the Scarborough area, the last being in 1977!
Elsewhere the GREENISH WARBLER remained on Castle Hill, and migrants in the Long Nab area included 1 Pied Flycatcher
On the move (south unless stated) were 18 Cormorant, 9 Teal + 21 north, 1 Kestrel, 17 Oystercatcher, 420 Black-headed Gull north, 8 Common Gull north, 3 Sandwich Tern + 10 north, 1 Common Tern north, 1 Arctic Tern, 4 Auk sp, 3 Swift, 45 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 7 Meadow Pipit, 5 Flava, 3 Goldfinch and 19 Linnet.
At Wykeham South Lake there were 4 Egyptian Geese and 17 Teal and a 3rd year Yellow-legged Gull was in fields just north of there.

Friday 29 August 2014

Thursday 28th August 2014

Migration watches; 07.10 - 12.10hrs and 18.20 - 20.15hrs.
A GREENISH WARBLER on the North Side of Castle Hill was the highlight of the very thin scattering of grounded migrants along the coast and was one of two additions to the year list.
Between Long Nab and Castle Hill were 1 Wheatear, 8 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 26 Whitethroat, 12 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Pied Flycatcher at Long Nab (first of the year).
It was a very quiet day over the sea, on the move (south unless stated) were 3 Manx Shearwater, 806 Gannet, 5 Teal, 36 Common Scoter north, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 30 Oystercatcher, 5 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 3 Whimbrel + 1 north, 1 Arctic Skua, 34 Black-headed Gull, 4 Common Gull, 8 Kittiwake, 3 Sandwich Tern + 2 north, 2 Common Tern + 2 north, 4 Arctic Tern, 5 Swift, 218 Swallow, 31 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Flava, 2 Alba and 2 Chaffinch.
On Johnson's Marsh there was a Snipe and a Green Sandpiper, 8 Teal were on Scalby Lodge Pond and the Willow Tit was still in the Long Nab area.

Greenish Warbler, Castle Hill - Chris Bradshaw

Greenish Warbler, Castle Hill - John Harwood
 

Thursday 28 August 2014

Wednesday 27th August 2014

Migration watch; 06.00 - 12.00hrs.
Migrants seen between Long Nab and Peasholme Park included 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 4 Goldcrest and 1 Reed Bunting.
On the move (north unless stated) were 9 Fulmar, 1 Manx Shearwater, 3 Cormorant + 21 south, 121 Teal, 5 Wigeon, 56 Common Scoter, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Ringed Plover + 2 in, 11 Oystercatcher south, 5 Golden Plover south, 2 Knot south, 1 Whimbrel south, 5 Curlew south, 2 Turnstone south, 1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua at 08.32hrs, 1 Arctic Skua + 2 south, 2 Great Skua, 2 Black-headed Gull, 806 Kittiwake, 1 Common Gull south, 8 Sandwich Tern, 103 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 7 Auk sp, 3 Meadow Pipit south, 2 Grey Wagtail south, 2 Flava south, 22 Swallow south, 4 House Martin south, 5 Goldfinch south and 9 Tree Sparrow south.
The only other report was from the Mere where there were 2 Common Sandpiper and a Kingfisher.

Lesser Whitethroat, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw


Spotted Flycatcher, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw
 

Wednesday 27 August 2014

Tuesday 26th August 2014

Migration watches; 06.30 - 11.30hrs, 11.45 - 13.00hrs and 13.50 - 20.20hrs.
Scarborough's 6th SPOTTED CRAKE (the last being in April 1987!) was a truly amazing find in a Garden on the Dean, Peasholme Park at 20.20hrs, it was being stalked by a Cat but fortunately escaped, though it didn't appear to have flown far so will be looked for in the morning.
Elsewhere a 1st year CASPIAN GULL, the third of the year, was found in fields just to the South of Crook Ness in with a flock of 300+ Herring Gull that also had with them, 27 Great Black-backed Gull and 2 Lesser Black backed Gull.
It was rather disappointing on the migrant front given the weather, between Long Nab and Scalby Nab were 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Whinchat, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap and 1 Willow Warbler.
Things were rather interesting over the sea, on the move (north unless stated) were 51 Fulmar + 24 south, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 8 Manx Shearwater + 3 south, 5 Cormorant + 5 south, 7 Wigeon, 17 Teal + 5 south, 11 Eider, 93 Common Scoter, 91 Oystercatcher south, 1 Golden Plover south, 1 Dunlin south, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit south, 4 Whimbrel south, 4 Curlew + 2 south, 3 Greenshank south, 14 Arctic Skua + 3 south, 4 Long-tailed Skua (which included 3 juveniles at 07.39, 08.00 and 17.17 and an adult at 11.20hrs), 1 Great Skua, 2 Skua sp, 2 Little Gull, 9 Black-headed Gull + 7 south, 2 Common Gull + 3 south, 1 Yellow-legged Gull + 1 south, 4447 Kittiwake + 44 south, 181 Sandwich Tern + 9 south, 79 Common Tern, 8 Arctic Tern + 1 south and 36 Auk sp.

A cropped record shot of the Long Nab Caspian Gull - Michael McNaghten

Six of the nine Bar-tailed Godwit heading south past Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

Tuesday 26 August 2014

Monday 25th August 2014

Migration watches; 06.00 - 14.30hrs and 15.55 - 20.05hrs.
Another good day over the sea with the first Long-tailed Skua of the year the highlight.
On the move (north unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver + 1 south, 374 Fulmar + 24 south, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 72 Manx Shearwater + 6 south, 6 Cormorant + 7 south, 1 Shag, 19 Common Scoter, 1 Sparrowhawk south, 4 Oystercatcher south, 3 Dunlin + 1 south, 11 Whimbrel, 4 Curlew north, 3 Arctic Skua + 2 south, 1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua at 19.12hrs, 4 Great Skua, 2 Little Gull south, 107 Black-headed Gull + 149 south, 11 Common Gull + 5 south, 33 Great Black-backed Gull + 20 south, 1534 Kittiwake + 217 south, 82 Sandwich Tern + 6 south, 570 Common Tern + 9 south, 15 Arctic Tern, 2 Little Tern, 19 Auk sp + 1 south, 1 Sand Martin south, 109 Swallow south, 7 House Martin south, 1 Meadow Pipit south, 2 Rock Pipit south, 3 Flava south and 1 Chaffinch south.
In the Long Nab area there were 3 Whitethroat, 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, the Willow Tit still, 130 House Sparrow, 100 Tree Sparrow and 200 Linnet.
The Green Sandpiper was still on Johnson's Marsh, 3 Teal, 26 Tufted Duck, 2 Ringed Plover, a Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper were on Wykeham South Lake and a Tree Pipit flew east over West Ayton.


Green Sandpiper on Johnson's Marsh - Chris Bradshaw

Monday 25 August 2014

Sunday 24th August 2014

Migration watches; 06.15 - 11.05hrs, 13.15 - 14.20hrs and 18.40 - 20.00hrs.
A busy day over the sea produced the following; (north unless stated) 1 Red-throated Diver south, 220 Fulmar + 6 south, 33 Manx Shearwater, 281 Gannet + 276 south, 2 Cormorant + 3 south, 3 Shag, 1 Shelduck, 1 Wigeon, 39 Teal, 37 Common Scoter, 1 Common Buzzard, 15 Oystercatcher + 12 south, 1 Ringed Plover in, 1 Golden Plover south, 1 Sanderling south, 3 Dunlin in, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit south, 20 Whimbrel south, 3 Curlew, 2 Arctic Skua + 3 south,75 Black-headed Gull + 2 south, 4 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 30 Great Black-backed Gull + 11 south, 624 Kittiwake + 62 south, 10 Sandwich Tern + 2 south, 53 Common Tern + 3 south, 8 Arctic Tern, 19 Auk sp, 3 Sand Martin, 11 Swallow south, 13 House Martin + 43 south and 2 Meadow Pipit south.
Migrants between Long Nab and South Cliff were 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Whinchat (1 Long Nab, 1 Scalby Lodge), 1 Stonechat (Scalby Lodge), 1 LesserWhitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler and a Goldcrest.
Elsewhere 3 Ruff and a Greenshank were on Scalby Lodge Pond before flying south, 19Redshank and 5 Turnstone were in Jackson's Bay, a Green Sandpiper was on Johnson's Marsh, a Little Egret was on Flotmanby Carr, 6 Grey Heron, 22 Oystercatcher, 6 Curlew, 16 Sandwich Tern and 7 Common Tern were at Scalby Mills and a juvenile Cuckoo was seen flying over Mowthorpe Bridge,

Sunday 24 August 2014

Saturday 23rd August 2014

Migration watches; 06.10 - 14.15hrs and 17.35 - 20.00hrs.
Another interesting day with another welcome addition to the year list.
On the move (north unless stated) were 418 Fulmar + 49 south, 55 Manx Shearwater + 1 south, 1 Balearic Shearwater at 18.18hrs (first of the year), 554 Gannet + 379 south, 1 Shag, 51 Teal, 71 Common Scoter + 1 south, 1 Sparrowhawk south, 1 juvenile Hobby south at 14.15hrs, 6 Oystercatcher + 9 south, 2 Sanderling, 1 Ruff south, 5 Curlew, 1 Pomarine Skua at 09.44hrs, 2 Arctic Skua south, 5 Great Skua + 1 south, 6 Black-headed Gull + 52 south, 2 Common Gull, 1 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull at 17.53hrs, 27 Great Black-backed Gull, 380 Kittiwake + 95 south, 46 Sandwich Tern, 29 Common Tern, 5 Arctic Tern south, 49 Auk sp, 44 Swallow, 10 House Martin and 1 Rock Pipit south.

Saturday 23 August 2014

Friday 22nd August 2014

Migration watch 06.05 - 11.30hrs.
Another steady day with the first Osprey of the autumn and a few more grounded migrants.
On the move (north unless stated) were 59 Fulmar, 15 Manx Shearwater, 13 Cormorant + 2 south, 2 Gadwall + 2 south, 49 Teal, 16 Common Scoter, 1 Osprey south at 07.38hrs, 1 juvenile Hobby at 06.45hrs, 12 Oystercatcher south, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, 2 Redshank, 1 Arctic Skua south, 6 Black-headed Gull + 3 south, 1 Common Gull south, 144 Kittiwake, 4 Sandwich Tern, 3 Common Tern + 1 south, 2 Arctic Tern, 72 Auk sp and 4 Swallow south.
Migrants in the Long Nab area included 29 Pied Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and 3 Willow Warbler.
Elsewhere 2 Green Sandpiper were on Thornton Carr where there was also a juvenile Barn Owl, another Green Sandpiper was on Johnson's Marsh, the 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was feeding in fields at Long Nab again and a Kingfisher flew over Friarage School.

Friday 22 August 2014

Thursday 21st August 2014

Migration watches; 07.05 - 10.35hrs and 18.25 - 20.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 8 Fulmar + 44 north, 1 Manx Shearwater + 5 north, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron north, 107 Common Scoter north, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Oystercatcher north, 1 Knot, 2 Whimbrel + 3 north, 3 Redshank, 1 Arctic Skua north, 1 Black-headed Gull + 2 north,3 Common Gull, 2 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull at 08.32hrs and 19.17hrs + 1 juvenile north at 18.30hrs, 5 Kittiwake + 26 north, 7 Sandwich Tern + 13 north, 1 Common Tern + 132 north, 3 Arctic Tern north, 5 Auk sp north and 6 Swallow.
Four Teal and a Green Sandpiper were on Johnson's Marsh and a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull and 4 Yellow Wagtail were in the field behind the Hut at Long Nab.

Thursday 21 August 2014

Wednesday 20th August 2014

Migration watches; 07.30 - 11.45hrs and 18.00 - 20.30hrs.
It was the first day with a noticable increase in passerine migrants, between Long Nab and South Cliff were 2 Wheatear (Castle), 1 White Wagtail (Long Nab), 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Redstart (1 in town, 1 Spa Gardens), 5 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff and 1 Goldcrest.
A Ruff was in the field behind the Hut at Long Nab and a Green Sandpiper was on Johnson's Marsh.
On the move (north unless stated) were 162 Fulmar + 8 south, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 111 Manx Shearwater + 2 south, 3 Cormorant south, 3 Common Scoter south, 4 Oystercatcher south, 1 Whimbrel south, 1 Arctic Skua + 1 south, 5 Great Skua, 1 Little Gull south, 2 Black-headed Gull south, 11 Sandwich Tern, 3 Roseate Tern, 145 Common Tern + 1 south, 1 Arctic Tern, 2 Auks sp and 13 Swallow.

Wednesday 20 August 2014

Tuesday 19th August 2014

Migration watches; 06.40 - 12.00hrs, 14.30 - 15.00hrs and 17.20 - 20.30hrs.
Another fantastic day over the sea with the first Great Shearwater since September 2007 and the second time both large Shearwaters have been recorded on the same day in Scarborough!
On the move (north unless stated) were 546 Fulmar + 19 south, 1 CORY'S SHEARWATER at 09.36hrs, 1 GREAT SHEARWATER which slowly made its way north between 09.50 and 10.10hrs, 1 Large Shearwater sp, probably a Cory's, at 06.41 (unfortunately the bird had been passing by whilst setting up so by the time it was seen it was heading away and was at some distance), 3 Sooty Shearwater, 228 Manx Shearwater, 1 Cormorant + 8 south, 30 Teal + 1 south, 25 Common Scoter, 3 Oystercatcher + 10 north, 1 Redshank in, 1 Knot in, 4 Curlew north, 1 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua + 13 south, 11 Common Gull + 2 south, 15 Black-headed Gull + 1 south, 378 Kittiwake + 22 south, 75 Sandwich Tern + 10 south, 15 Common Tern, 17 Arctic Tern, 91 Auk sp + 2 south, 3 Puffin and 1 Sand Martin south.
A Grey Wagtail was along the Cliffs north on the Hut and a Sedge Warbler was in the ditch by Crook Ness car park.

Tuesday 19 August 2014

Monday 18th August 2014

Migration watches; 06.40 - 13.10hrs and 17.20 - 20.30hrs.
At last some reward for the hours spent looking out to sea, with the first Cory's in Scarborough since September 2009 as well as the first Sooties of 2014 taking the year list to 214!
On the move (north unless stated) were 1017 Fulmar + 42 south including 2 Blue Fulmar north, 1 CORY'S SHEARWATER south at 10.40hrs with what was possibly the same individual heading back north at 19.55hrs, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 259 Manx Shearwater + 47 south, 354 Gannet + 57 south, 1 Cormorant + 1 south, 30 Teal, 2 Mallard, 4 Common Scoter, 33 Oystercatcher south, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank south, 1 Common Sandpiper south, 2 Arctic Skua + 9 south, 4 Great Skua + 1 south, 1 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull + 9 south, 658 Kittiwake + 12 south, 8 Sandwich Tern + 4 south, 215 Common Tern + 6 south, 8 Arctic Tern, 33 Auk sp + 2 south and 1 Puffin.
In the Long Nab area there were 20 Pied, 7 Yellow and 1 White Wagtail, on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) there were 2 Snipe, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Wheatear, a Little Egret, 3 Teal, 22 Tufted Duck, 4 Oystercatcher and a Whimbrel were at Wykeham South Lake, 6 Tufted Duck and 2 Grey Wagtail were at the Mere, 6 Mediterranean Gull were at Holbeck and a Nightjar was caught and ringed on Mayville Avenue near Peasholme Park!

One of the 6 Mediterranean Gulls at Holbeck - Michael McNaghten
 

Monday 18 August 2014

Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th August 2014

Migration watch; (17th) 06.25 - 12.15hrs.
A juvenile Hobby seen near Scalby and a male Stonechat on Scalby Nab were the only reports on 16th.
The 17th was at least a little more lively, 2 Sandwich Tern, an adult and a juvenile, on Wykeham South Lake was good record, both birds left to the east at 16.20hrs also there was a Common Sandpiper, on Flotmanby Carr there was a Green Sandpiper and a Ruff and in Jackson's Bay there were 3 Knot, a Bar-tailed Godwit and 4 Whimbrel.
Also on the 17th, past Long Nab (south unless stated) were 31 Fulmar + 101 north, 45 Gannet + 188 north, 2 Cormorant + 2 north, 4 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron north, 1 Tufted Duck north, 30 Common Scoter north, 18 Oystercatcher + 4 north, 5 Ringed Plover + 5 in, 4 Knot, 1 Snipe in, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit in, 1 Whimbrel + 1 in, 1 Curlew, 2 Redshank in, 2 Arctic Skua, 8 Black-headed Gull + 3 north, 5 Common Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 51 Great Black-backed Gull + 6 north, 53 Kittiwake + 61 north, 21 Sandwich Tern + 66 north, 1 Common Tern north, 2 Arctic Tern, 1 Commic Tern, 1 Auk sp + 6 north, 5 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow and 11 Linnet.
In the Long Nab area there were 6 Yellow Wagtail, 11 Pied Wagtail, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler and 2 Goldcrest.

Sunday 17 August 2014

Friday 15th August 2014

Migration watch; 06.40 - 12.20hrs.
A fairly interesting day over the sea produced the following; (north unless stated) 47 Manx Shearwater, 621 Fulmar including 1 Blue Fulmar, 449 Gannet + 46 south, 4 Cormorant + 10 south, 3 Shoveler, 21 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 26 Common Scoter + 1 south, 27 Oystercatcher south, 3 Great Skua, 7 Common Gull south, 1 Black-headed Gull + 2 south, 1 Little Gull, 993 Kittiwake, 33 Sandwich Tern + 18 south, 22 Common Tern and 2 Puffin.
The only other report was of 2 Green Sandpiper and 2 Kingfisher on Thornton Carr.

Friday 15 August 2014

Thursday 14th August 2014

Migration watches; 07.40 - 09.00hrs and 11.00 - 12.00hrs.
Finally a hit that the changing conditions are improving things at sea, a short watch produced the following; (north unless stated) 94 Fulmar + 5 south, 12 Manx Shearwater, 4 Common Scoter, 1 Arctic Skua, 4 Puffin, 7 Sandwich Tern + 7 south, 13 Common Tern + 8 south and 2 Flava south.
Elsewhere a Firecrest was trapped at Blanket Head Moor during the morning, a Shoveler was at Seamer Tip and in the Long Nab area there was a Greenshank and a Yellow Wagtail.

Thursday 14 August 2014

Wednesday 13th August 2014

Migration watches; 10.45 - 11.20hrs, 11.40 - 14.15hrs and 20.25 - 20.55hrs.
Yet more of the same! On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Cormorant north, 5 Teal north, 3 Common Scoter north, 7 Oystercatcher, 1 Black-headed Gull + 3 north, 4 Common Gull, 6 Sandwich Tern + 2 north, 39 Swift + 1 north, 1 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow and 2 House Martin.
A Marsh Harrier was seen over Brow Moor, 4 Egyptian Geese, 2 Common Sandpiper and a Ruff were on Wykeham South Lake and in the Long Nab area there were singles of Yellow Wagtail, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Coal Tit and the Willow Tit.

Wednesday 13 August 2014

Tuesday 12th August 2014

Migration watch; 07.50 - 10.20hrs.
Another slow day for passage, on the move (south unless stated) were 4 Fulmar + 9 north, 1 Cormorant, 15 Dunlin, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 8 Kittiwake + 2 north and 4 Sandwich Tern north.
Present at Long Nab were 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit and 170 Linnet.

Tuesday 12 August 2014

Monday 11th August 2014

Migration watch; 07.30 - 09.10hrs.
A much quieter day over the sea, on the move (south unless stated) were 7 Fulmar + 21 north, 1 Manx Shearwater + 1 north, 1 Cormorant north, 1 Common Scoter north, 11 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew north, 1 Common Gull north, 4 Sandwich Tern + 11 north, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Razorbill north and 2 Swift.
On Johnson's Marsh there were 7 Grey Heron, 3 Teal, 1 Shoveler and 2 Green Sandpiper, in Jackson's Bay there were 6 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin and 6 Sanderling.
Attracted to the new floods on Cayton Carr were 3 Redshank and only the second Ruff of the year, at Potter Brompton Carr there were 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 7 Snipe and a Kingfisher and a Green Sandpiper was on Flotmanby Carr.

Monday 11 August 2014

Sunday 10th August 2014

Migration watches; 06.45 - 11.00hrs and 12.10 - 13.20hrs.
A better morning than yesterday produced the following; (south unless stated) 1 Grebe sp north, 14 Fulmar + 78 north, 13 Manx Shearwater north, 1 Cormorant, 2 Teal north, 16 Common Scoter, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Ringed Plover, 5 Knot, 6 Dunlin, 5 Whimbrel, 23 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 2 Turnstone, 4 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 12 Sandwich Tern + 24 north, 5 Common Tern, 3 Swift, 6 Swallow in then north and 6 Linnet.
Elsewhere 2 Teal and 2 Shoveler and 3 Stonechat including 2 juveniles were at Rudda Road Flash, 10 Mandarin and 2 Teal were at Harwood Dale Lake and 4 Yellow Wagtail were at Long Nab.

Saturday 9th August 2014

Migration watch; 06.50 - 11.30hrs.
A much slower day for passage produced the following; (south unless stated) 29 Fulmar + 6 north, 6 Manx Shearwater + 2 north, 302 Gannet + 27 north, 7 Cormorant, 16 Teal north, 2 Eider north, 7 Common Scoter + 95 north, 23 Oystercatcher, 6 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover in, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Turnstone in, 1 Great Skua north, 21 Black-headed Gull, 25 Common Gull, 46 Kittiwake, 23 Sandwich Tern and 7 Swift.
Present in the Long Nab area were single Teal and Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Wheatear, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldecrest and 1 Willow Tit.


Willow Tit at Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

Saturday 9 August 2014

Friday 8th August 2014

Migration watch; 08.45 - 15.50hrs.
The highlight of the day was the second (and Scarborough's fifth) CASPIAN GULL of the year, this time an Adult that was present on Wykeham South Lake for around 20 minutes during the evening before heading off towards the coast, presumably to join one of the roosts out in Cayton, Cornelian or South Bays.
Also present on Wykeham were 4 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Egyptian Geese, 23 Tufted Duck and 8 Lesser Black-backed Gull.
It was another steady day for passage over the sea dominated again by Oystercatchers. On the move (south unless stated) were 14 Fulmar, 7 Manx Shearwater, 2 Cormorant + 7 north, 1 Common Scoter + 13 north, 237 Oystercatcher, 9 Knot, 61 Whimbrel, 3 Redshank, 13 Black-headed Gull, 11 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 13 Great Black-backed Gull, 19 Sandwich Tern + 36 north, 2 Common Tern, 20 Swift, 9 Sand Martin, 58 Swallow, 34 House Martin and 2 Flava.
In the Long Nab area there were 220 Linnet and singles of Yellow Wagtail, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.


Oystercatchers past Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

Friday 8 August 2014

Thursday 7th August 2014

Migration watch; 12.00 - 14.10hrs.
Very quiet over the sea, on the move (south unless stated) were 1 Fulmar north, 20 Gannet + 57 north, 1 Cormorant + 1 north, 2 Common Scoter + 32 north, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Knot, 5 Common Gull, 42 Sandwich Tern + 46 north and 7 Swallow.
In the Long Nab area there were 140 Linnet, 40 Tree Sparrow and a Willow Warbler and on Johnson's Marsh there was a Teal, a Shoveler and a Snipe.

Thursday 7 August 2014

Wednesday 6th August 2014

Migration watch; 05.35 - 13.45hrs.
A good day of passage over the sea produced the following; (south unless stated) 11 Fulmar, 23 Manx Shearwater + 6 north, 933 Gannet + 77 north, 2 Cormorant, 1 Shag north, 18 Teal + 7 north, 4 Common Scoter + 273 north, 1 Velvet Scoter, 496 Oystercatcher, 67 Knot, 3 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 56 Whimbrel, 24 Curlew, 1 Arctic Skua + 1 north, 1 Black-headed Gull, 9 Common Gull, 64 Sandwich Tern + 6 north, 10 Common Tern, 4 Arctic Tern, 2 Little Tern at 12.22hrs and at 13.02hrs, 3 Auk sp and 2 Puffin.



Oystercacthers on the move - Michael McNaghten

A distant record shot of one of the largest Oystercatcher flocks - Michael McNaghten

Tuesday 5th August 2014

Migration watches; 09.00 - 09.30hrs and 16.45 - 19.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 137 Gannet + 37 north, 6 Cormorant, 33 Oystercatcher, 9 Lapwing, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Common Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Puffin, 2 Swift and 3 Swallow.
The Garganey and 3 Shoveler were again on Johnson's Marsh.

Tuesday 5 August 2014

Monday 4th August 2014

Migration watch; 12.35 - 14.15hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 10 Gannet + 24 north, 1 Eider, 3 Common Scoter north, 18 Oystercatcher, 1 Lapwing, 1 Common Gull, 8 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern, 1 Auk sp, 2 Swift, 6 Sand Martin and 82 Swallow.
On Johnson's Marsh there were 5 Grey Heron and 3 Shoveler, 5 Dunlin and a Redshank were on Scalby Lodge Pond, 12 Oystercatcher, 7 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Grey Wagtail were in Jackson's Bay, 3 Teal, 9 Oystercatcher, 12 Redshank, 14 Turnstone, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Willow Warbler were at Scalby Mills, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Egyptian Geese, 22 Tufted Duck and 1 Pochard were on Wykeham South Lake and a Willow Warbler was on Castle Hill.

Monday 4 August 2014

Sunday 3rd August 2014

Migration watch; 05.35 - 11.10hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 6 Fulmar + 1 north, 2 Manx Shearwater north, 122 Gannet + 72 north, 5 Cormorant + 11 north, 23 Teal + 5 north, 93 Common Scoter north, 2 Goosander, 20 Oystercatcher, 4 Knot, 1 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, 1 Arctic Skua, 52 Black-headed Gull + 11 north, 4 Common Gull, 161 Sandwich Tern + 52 north, 2 Common Tern, 1 Auk sp, 60 Swift, 4 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Alba and 1 Flava.
Elsewhere a juvenile Cuckoo was at Wykeham South Lake where there were also 11 Egyptian Geese, 21 Teal, 23 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Sandpiper and a Hobby and the Garganey and a Snipe were on Johnson's Marsh.

Sunday 3 August 2014

Saturday 2nd August 2014

Watches; 09.15 - 10.45hrs and 13.00 - 13.45hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 7 Fulmar, 57 Gannet, 11 Teal 3 Common Scoter north, 1 Black-tailed Godwit (over Peasholme at 00.40hrs), 4 Sandwich Tern and 4 Swift.
On Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) were 2 Teal, 2 Green Sandpiper and 2 Snipe, 4 Shoveler were on Johnson's Marsh, a Green Sandpiper was on Flotmanby Carr, 45 Oystercatcher, 12 Redshank, 21 Turnstone and 2 Common Sandpiper were in Cornelian Bay and 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Willow Tit were at Long Nab.

Saturday 2 August 2014

Friday 1st August 2014

A decent morning over the sea with a trickle of wader passage and another year tick taking the 2014 total to 212!
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Great Crested Grebe north, 3 Manx Shearwater + 3 north, 4 Fulmar + 9 north, 205 Gannet + 188 north, 3 Common Scoter + 71 north, 17 Oystercatcher, 50 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling, 1 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 38 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 1 Arctic Skua north, 1 Black-headed Gull, 18 Sandwich Tern + 39 north, 5 Commn Tern + 7 north, 8 Arctic Tern, 4 Little Tern at 08.44hrs (first of the year) and 2 Auk sp + 10 north.
The juvenile Mediterranean Gull was seen again at Scalby Mils and a Black Redstart was found in a derelict area behind Melrose Street in Scarborough Town.

Friday 1 August 2014

Thursday 31st July 2014

A very short watch at Long Nab produced (south unless stated) 2 Fulmar, 5 Manx Shearwater north, 20 Gannet + 41 north and 8 Sandwich Tern.
The Garganey was again on Johnson's Marsh, 42 Oystercatcher, 12 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 9 Redshank and a Common Sandpiper were in Cornelian Bay, 2 Green Sandpiper were on Flotmanby Carr, 15 Turnstone were in the Harbour and 49 Sandwich Tern were at Scalby Mills.