Thursday 25 September 2014

Tuesday 23rd September 2014

Migration watch; 07.10 - 10.30hrs and 17.05 - 18.05hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 5 Red-throated Diver + 9 south, 13 Fulmar + 5 south, 26 Sooty Shearwater + 5 south, 12 Manx Shearwater + 1 south, 47 Teal, 51 Common Scoter, 1 Redshank, 11 Arctic Skua, 1 Skua sp, 2 Great Skua, 83 Little Gull + 4 south, 4 Common Gull, 5 Black-headed Gull, 554 Kittiwake + 3 south, 5 Sandwich Tern south, 57 Common Tern + 10 south, 18 Arctic Tern + 2 south, 2 Puffin, 1402 Auk sp, 2 Skylark, 44 Meadow Pipit, 4 Grey Wagtail, 1 Alba, 48 Swallow, 2 Magpie and 6 Tree Sparrow
The only migrants reported were 6 Kestrel, 2 Chiffchaff and 4 Goldcrest on Castle Hill and a Wheatear at Long Nab.

Monday 22 September 2014

Monday 22nd September 2014

Migration watch; 07.45 - 18.25hrs
Another good day at Long Nab produced the following; (north unless stated) 9 Red-throated Diver + 30 south, 71 Fulmar + 9 south, 16 Sooty Shearwater + 3 south, 75 Manx Shearwater + 2 south, 3 Cormorant south, 1 Shag + 3 south, 2 Little Egret, 25 Pink-footed Geese south, 8 Barnacle Geese + 84 south, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose south, 31 Wigeon + 8 south, 56 Teal + 15 south, 6 Tufted Duck, 3 Scaup south (year tick), 35 Common Scoter + 4 south, 2 Ringed Plover south, 14 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin south,1 Curlew south, 4 Pomarine Skua + 5 south, 30 Arctic Skua + 15 south, 1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 2 Great Skua + 7 south, 1003 Little Gull (record count!), 151 Black-headed Gull + 9 south, 126 Common Gull + 1 south, 1011 Kittiwake, 72 Common Tern, 7 Arctic Tern, 45 Auk sp, 29 Swallow south, 4 House Martin south, 6 Meadow Pipit, 2 Goldfinch south and 8 Linnet + 30 south.
On the migrant front a Barred Warbler at Holbeck was the pick of a small bunch, between Cloughton and South Cliff were 7 Kestrel, 1 Tree Pipit, 45 Meadow Pipit, 16 Robin, 2 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 19 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (1 Long Nab, 1 Castle) and 15 Goldcrest.
Elsewhere a Red Kite was seen over Seamer Tip at 13.20hrs.

Of interest a Minki Whale was seen of Long Nab.

A record shot of some of the Barnacle Geese heading south - Adrian Ewart
 

Sunday 21st September 2014

Migration watches; 06.30 - 13.30hrs and 15.15 - 18.00hrs.
With an improvement in visibility and a change in the winds attention was turned to the sea in the hope of a good seawatch, and what a good seawatch it was with two additions to the year list. The clear highlight was a FEA'S (type) PETREL which flew north past Long Nab only about 5-600 meters offshore from 09.43 - 09.47hrs, after being seen at Flamborough and Filey. This is the first record of Fea's Petrel for Scarborough, the 4th first this year, and took the year list on to a respectable 225.
Also past Long Nab during the day (north unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver + 31 south, 57 Fulmar + 1 south, 143 Sooty Shearwater, 77 Manx Shearwater, 760 Gannet, 1 Cormorant + 3 south, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Wigeon, 1 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 17 Eider south, 14 Common Scoter, 1 Velvet Scoter, 2 Oystercatcher south, 1 Curlew south, 3 juvenile Long-tailed Skua at 10.30, 13.21 and 16.43hrs, 11 Arctic Skua + 5 south, 3 Great Skua + 5 south, 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 adult Sabine's Gull seen feeding with Kittiwakes at 15.55hrs before heading north (the 226th species for the year!!), 7 Black-headed Gull + 1 south, 5 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 92 Kittiwake + 5 south, 1 Sandwich Tern, 4 Common Tern, 5 Arctic Tern, 1648 Auk sp, 9 Puffin, 1 Rock Pipit south and 1 Grey Wagtail south.
Migrant numbers had again decreased but were also much harder to detect in the strong winds, between Long nab and South Cliff were 6 Kestrel, 7 Wheatear, 5 Whinchat (South Cliff), 1 Redstart, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap and 3 Chiffchaff.
Elsewhere an Osprey was seen at Ellerburn Trout Farm, 8 Egyptian Geese, 8 Wigeon, a Shoveler, a Pintail and 2 Mediterranean Gull (1 adult + 1 1st winter) were on Wykeham South Lake where 4 Ringed Plover flew west, 12 Grey Heron, 22 Wigeon, 5 Teal and a Shoveler were on Johnson's Marsh, 59 Oystercatcher, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 5 Redshank were in Jackson's Bay, 2 Dunlin and 5 Sanderling were in North Bay, in the Harbour there were 31 Turnstone, a Ringed Plover and the first two returning Purple Sandpiper of the autumn and 2 Little Gull were seen in Cayton Bay.


Fea's Petrel, Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

Fea's Petrel, Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

Sunday 21 September 2014

Saturday 20th September 2014

Migration watch; 16.10 - 18.20hrs.
A much quieter day with many migrants having cleared out over night. Seen between Cloughton and Cornelian Bay were 7 Ringed Plover, 6 Kestrel (2 Long Nab, 4 Castle), 9 Skylark, 25 Meadow Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail (Castle), 18 Robin, 4 Wheatear, 6 Whinchat (2 Long Nab, 4 South Cliff), 3 Redstart (Long Nab, Castle, Cornelian Bay), 8 Song Thrush, 3 Blackbird, 5 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (Castle), 10 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Castle), 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher (Castle) and 16 Chaffinch.
On the move (south unless stated) were 5 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar north, 5 Wigeon, 7 Common Scoter, 5 Black-headed Gull north, 1 Common Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 10 Alba, 1 Grey Wagtail and 4 Swallow.
The only other report was of 31 Wigeon and 12 Grey Heron on Johnson's Marsh.

Saturday 20 September 2014

Friday 19th September 2014

Migration watch; 16.20 - 18.40hrs.
The best day of the week for grounded migrants with an obvious arrival of migrants taking place during the morning, seen between Roger Trod and Cayton Bay were 20 Kestrel (3 Long Nab, 2 Jackson's Bay, 12 Castle, 2 South Cliff, 1 Cornelian), 27 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover (Cloughton), 19 Skylark, 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit (South Cliff), 1 White Wagtail, 5 Grey Wagtail, 41 Robin, 6 Redstart (1 Long Nab, 2 Castle, 1 South Cliff, 2 Cayton), 20 Wheatear, 7 Whinchat (3 Long Nab, 4 South Cliff), 2 Stonechat, 10 Song Thrush, 24 Blackbird, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 7 Yellow-browed Warbler (2 Long Nab (1 new), 4 Castle, 2 Cayton), 54 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, 8 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Castle), 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Red-breasted Flycatcher (3 Long Nab (1 new at Hundale Point), 3 new on Castle), 37 Chaffinch, 24 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin and 2 Reed Bunting.
Passage was a little more evident that it has been over the last week, heading south (unless stated) were Common Buzzard 6 in and west, 1 Common Tern north, 7 Skylark, 32 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 24 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail and 6 Linnet.
Elsewhere an Osprey was seen at Wykeham South Lake, 28 Wigeon and 6 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh, 13 Ringed Plover, 38 Dunlin, 9 Sanderling, 1 Greenshank and 1 Common Sandpiper were in Jackson's Bay, 9 Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin and 4 Sanderling were in North Bay and a Ruff was in fields at Lebberston.

A fresh in Yellow-browed Warbler behind the Marine Drive Wall, Castle Hill - Michael McNaghten

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Castle Hill - Michael McNaghten

Kestrel, Jackson's Bay - Michael McNaghten
 

Thursday 18th September 2014

Migration watch; 09.10 - 13.00hrs.
New migrants continued to turn up along the coast although it remained hard work in the fog.
Between Long Nab and Cornelian Bay were 10 Kestrel (Castle), 13 Golden Plover, 2 Snipe, 31 Robin, 1 Redstart (Castle), 4 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 14 Song Thrush, 17 Blackbird, 1 siberian type Lesser Whitethroat (Holbeck), 4 Whitethroat, 3 Garden Warbler (Scalby Beck), 8 Blackcap, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (Long Nab), 4 Willow Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Red-breasted Flycatcher (2 Long Nab plus a new bird at Holbeck), 1 Greenfinch and 6 Siskin.
Elsewhere 16 Wigeon were on Johnson's Marsh a Greenshank was at Scalby Mills and 20 Dunlin, 7 Sanderling, 6 Ringed Plover were in North Bay.
Heading south (unless stated) were 1 Pink-footed Goose, 20 Teal north, 9 Wigeon north, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Snipe and 11 Meadow Pipit.

Thursday 18 September 2014

Wednesday 17th September 2014

Migration watches; 10.30 - 14.15hrs, 15.30 - 16.45hrs and 17.45 - 18.55hrs.
Another good day with another welcome addition to the year list, which now stands at 224.
That addition came in the form of a fine juvenile Dotterel in the field to the north of Crook Ness which remained in the area until dark.
Other grounded migrants between Long Nab and the Spa Gardens were 2 Kestrel, 8 Golden Plover, 30 Meadow Pipit, 4 Redstart, 10 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat (Castle), 24 Robin, 13 Song Thrush, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 6 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Castle), 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Red-breasted Flycatcher (both still in the Long Nab area including the very showy Crook Ness bird) and 19 Chaffinch.
Today was probably the worst day for visibility (at least at times) since the murk hit the coast three days ago so passage was once again almost none excistent.
The following was noted; (south unless stated) 1 Fulmar north, 1 Cormorant, 1 Snipe, 2 Little Gull north, 10 Black-headed Gull north, 2 Common Gull north, 2 Kittiwake north, 5 Sandwich Tern north, 19 Common Tern north, 1 Swallow and 7 Meadow Pipit.

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Crook Ness - Dave Mansell

Dotterel, Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

Dotterel, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw
 

Wednesday 17 September 2014

Tuesday 16th September 2014

Migration watch; 06.20 - 11.20hrs and 17.10 - 19.00hrs.
Another good day with a trickle of migrants arriving all day. Highlights were the first Yellow-browed Warbler of the year on Castle Hill during the afternoon and a new day record of 3 Red-breasted Flycatcher, with new birds in Crook Ness and behind the Marine Drive wall as well as the other bird at Long Nab for its 3rd day.
Other migrants seen between Long Nab and the Spa Gardens were 5 Kestrel (Castle), 14 Wheatear, 31 Meadow Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Whinchat (Castle), 45 Robin, 7 Redstart (Long Nab, 5 Castle, Spa Gardens), 9 Song Thrush, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 5 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 11 Goldcrest, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 95 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling and 9 Siskin.
Again the visibility was poor restricting any serious watches. On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar + 8 north, 8 Grey Heron, 1 Teal north, 6 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe, 1 Arctic Skua, 2 Common Gull north, 67 Meadow Pipit, 4 Alba, 2 Chaffinch, 9 Linnet and 8 Siskin.
Elsewhere 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and a Sanderling were in North Bay and 10 Dunlin were in Jackson's Bay.


Siskin, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw




Monday 15 September 2014

Monday 15th September 2014

Migration watch; 08.10 - 14.10hrs, 15.45 - 17.00hrs and 117.05 - 19.00hrs.
A good day with migrants arriving from late morning onwards, particularly during the last two hours of light.
Grounded between Long Nab and Spa Gardens were 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit (Long Nab), 17 Wheatear (2 Long Nab, 2 North Bay, 12 Castle, 1 Spa Garden), 34 Robin, 4 Redstart, 11 Song Thrush, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 8 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 13 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 19 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Long Nab), 2 Red-breasted Flycatcher (Long Nab, Castle Hill), 2 Pied Flycatcher (Long Nab) and 4 Spotted Flycatcher.
Visibility was poor for much of the day but clearer spells did allow for some casual watches. On the move (south unless stated) were 48 Fulmar north, 5 Cormorant north, 2 Pintail north, 12 Wigeon north, 32 Teal north, 54 Oystercatcher, 1 Ringed Plover, 5 Golden Plover + 1 north, 1 Grey Plover, 2Great Skua north, 2 Arctic Skua, 1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua north at 18.48hrs, 2 Common Gull north and 1 Kittiwake north.

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Redstart, fresh in along the Marine Drive, Castle Hill - Michael McNaghten
 

Sunday 14th September 2014

Migration watch; 06.45 - 11.05hrs and 14.40 - 18.35hrs.
An interesting day with a few good birds and definite signs of things to come over the coming few days!
There was a scattering of migrants seen along the coast, between Ravenscar and South Cliff were 5 Rock Pipit, 50 Meadow Pipit, 20 Pied Wagtail, 9 Wheatear (6 Long Nab, 2 Castle, 1 Holbeck), 31 Robin, 4 Whinchat (Long Nab), 4 Song Thrush, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 12 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher (Long Nab), 2 Pied Flycatcher (Long Nab and Castle), 1 Willow Tit (Ravenscar) and 1 Marsh Tit (South Cliff).
It wasn't a bad day for passage either, moving south (unless stated) were 8 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 7 Fulmar + 143 north, 1 Sooty Shearwater north, 4 Manx Shearwater north, 3 Grey Heron, 24 Wigeon + 50 north, 11 Teal + 36 north, 4 Pintail, 27 Common Scoter + 231 north, 64 Oystercatcher, 3 Golden Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew north, 1 Greenshank north, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Arctic Skua + 6 north, 1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua at 08.56hrs, 11 Black-headed Gull + 68 north, 3 Common Gull north, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull + 1 north, 3 Kittiwake + 41 north, 240 Razorbill north, 5 Auk sp north, 7 Swallow, 30 Meadow Pipit, 1 Flava north, 2 Alba north and 9 Jackdaw north.
Elsewhere 7 Wigeon and 7 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh and 4 Mediterranean Gull were at Holbeck.

Sunday 14 September 2014

Saturday 13th September 2014

Migration watch; 06.20 - 12.25hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 6 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 81 Fulmar north, 2 Cormorant + 5 north, 1 Grey Heron, 22 Wigeon north, 69 Teal north, 1 Mallard north, 99 Common Scoter north, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Greenshank, 1 Curlew, 8 Redshank, 1 Arctic Skua north, 14 Black-headed Gull + 124 north, 1 Common Gull + 3 north, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull north, 2 Kittiwake + 39 north, 4 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern north, 19 Auk sp north, 87 Swallow, 8 House Martin, 148 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Flava, 1 Grey Wagtail + 1 north, 2 Alba, 1 Fieldfare in and west, 5 Chaffinch and 6 Linnet.
Grounded between Newlands Dale and Scalby Beck were 400 Meadow Pipit, 2 Wheatear, 21 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest and 9 Reed Bunting.
At Scalby Mills there were 6 Wigeon, 17 Teal and a Greenshank and 4 Pochard and a Yellow Wagtail were at Wykeham South Lake.

Meadow Pipit, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw
 

Friday 12th September 2014

Migration watch; 10.10 - 12.55hrs.
Two eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard at Wykeham South Lake were the highlight of the day, also seen there were 8 Egyptian Geese, a Teal, 5 Pochard, a cream crown Marsh Harrier, 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Snipe.
Migrants seen between Ravenscar and South Cliff included 1 Redstart (Ravenscar), 3 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 7 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 11 Chiffchaff and 1 Pied Flycatcher (Holbeck).
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Fulmar north, 1 Cormorant, 11 Black-headed Gull, 11 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 31 Meadow Pipit, 8 Goldfinch and 11 Linnet.

 
Red-crested Pochard, Wykeham South Lake - Chris Bradshaw

Friday 12 September 2014

Thursday 11th September 2014

Migration watch; 07.30 - 11.00hrs and 18.00 - 19.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 5 Fulmar + 44 north, 1 Cormorant north, 7 Pale-bellied Brent Geese north, 4 Teal north, 4 Common Scoter + 42 north, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 2nd year Mediterranean Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull north, 6 Common Tern north, 6 Auk sp north, 7 Swallow, 8 Meadow Pipit and 1 Grey Wagtail.
In the Long Nab are there were 2 Wheatear, 7 Whitethroat, 9 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 2 Jay and 360 Linnet an Arctic Skua was blogging offshore and 40 Teal were in South Bay.

Wednesday 10th September 2014

Migration watches; 07.30 - 11.10hrs and 18.00 - 19.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 9 Fulmar + 25 north, 2 Manx Shearwater north, 2 Grey Heron north, 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Golden Plover north, 2 Dunlin, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Common Tern north, 1 Commic Tern, 14 Auk sp north, 16 Swallow, 3 House Martin and 24 Meadow Pipit.
In the Long Nab area were 1 Merlin, 4 Wheatear, 6 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler and 9 Goldcrest.
The juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was again present at Wykeham South Lake along with 5 Pochard and a Wigeon and a Bar-tailed Godwit were at Scalby Mills.

Wednesday 10 September 2014

Tuesday 9th September 2014

Migration watches; 07.45 - 09.40hrs, 10.00 - 12.05hrs and 18.30 - 20.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 19 Fulmar north, 2 Manx Shearwater north, 1 Cormorant, 2 Teal north, 2 Common Scoter north, 1 Common Buzzard north, 2 Arctic Skua north, 8 Black-headed Gull north, 1 Common Gull north, 246 Kittiwake north, 4 Sandwich Tern, 4 Common Tern north, 1 Arctic Tern north, 10 Swallow, 12 House Martin and 294 Meadow Pipit.
The juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was again on Wykeham South Lake along with 8 Egyptian Geese, 7 Teal, 800 Herring Gull and 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull, in the Jackson's Bay area there were 4 Wigeon, 1 female Merlin, 53 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 1 Knot, 29 Redshank, 1 Greenshank and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Teal and 2 Snipe were on Scalby Lodge Pond.

Monday 8th September 2014

Migration watch; 06.45 - 14.30hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 4 Red-throated Diver + 3 north, 1 Great Northern Diver, 15 Fulmar + 346 north, 1 Sooty Shearwater north, 4 Manx Shearwater + 8 north, 9 Cormorant + 6 north, 1 Shag north, 1 Shelduck north, 9 Teal, 6 Common Scoter north, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 3 Golden Plover, 7 Arctic Skua, 3 Great Skua, 7 Black-headed Gull + 56 north, 8 Common Gull + 12 north, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull north, 6 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern + 17 north, 1 Arctic Tern + 3 north, 8 Auk sp + 21 north, 22 Swallow + 65 north, 8 House Martin north, 165 Meadow Pipit + 35 north, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Grey Wagtail, 5 Alba, 17 Tree Sparrow, 9 Chaffinch and 1 Goldfinch.
A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was on Wykeham South Lake along with 9 Teal, 2 Pochard, a Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper and a Yellow Wagtail, 39 Oystercatcher, 8 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 7 Turnstone, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 4 Curlew were in Jackson's Bay, 8 Curlew were on Scalby Lodge Pond, 6 Teal on Flotmaby Carr and a Willow Tit at Potter Brompton Carr.

Sunday 7th September 2014

Migration watch; 06.40 - 13.05hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 11 Fulmar + 274 north, 4 Cormorant + 1 north, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Curlew + 2 north, 43 Black-headed Gull north, 1 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern north, 2 Arctic Tern north, 2 Sand Martin, 79 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 114 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Flava, 1 Grey Wagtail + 2 north, 2 Alba, 5 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 12 Goldfinch and 22 Linnet.
Grounded migrants seen between Ravenscar and South Cliff included 60 Meadow Pipit, 9 Skylark, 1 Kingfisher (Jackson's Bay), 3 Stonechat (Rudda Road, 2 South Cliff) 6 Whinchat (Scalby Lodge), 4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 7 Whitethroat, 9 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and 14 Goldcrest.
Elsewhere 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 62 Coot and a Common Sandpiper were at Wykeham South Lake, 6 Shelduck and 4 Common Tern were at Scalby Mills, 23 Mute Swan and a Kingfisher were at the Mere, 8 Teal along South Cliff, 11 Teal, 1 Gadwall and 1 Wigeon on Johnson's Marsh, a Ringed Plover on Scalby Lodge Pond, 4 Ringed Plover, 8 Oystercatcher, 2 Sanderling, 13 Redshank, 1 Greenshank and 26 Turnstone in Jackson's Bay and a Hobby over Troutsdale.

Sunday 7 September 2014

Saturday 6th September 2014

Migration watches; 07.40 - 10.15hrs and 16.25 - 19.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 21 Fulmar north, 6 Manx Shearwater north, 1 Cormorant, 3 Teal, 2 Common Scoter north, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 6 Golden Plover, 7 Whimbrel + 1 north, 1 Turnstone, 1 Arctic Skua + 8 north, 32 Black-headed Gull, 4 Common Gull, 11 Common Tern, 4 Arctic Tern north, 2 Auksp north, 4 Meadow Pipit, 4 Swallow, 2 Alba and 3 Linnet.
Grounded between Cloughton and Cornelian Bay were 1 Golden Plover, 2 Meadow Pipit, 7 Pied Wagtail, 8 Robin, 2 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat (Cloughton), 9 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler (Cornelian Bay), 16 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler and 2 Goldcrest.
In Jackson's Bay there were 1 Sanderling, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 18 Redshank, 27 Turnstone, 13 Dunlin and a Snipe were at Scalby Mills, 18 Teal, a Wigeon, a Gadwall and a Tufted Duck were on Johnson's Marsh, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was at Wykeham South Lake where there was also a Shoveler, a Gadwall, 15 Tufted Duck and 2 Pochard.

Some belated news from Friday 5th, an Osprey was seen at Ellerburn Trout Farm.



Dunlin, Scalby Mills - Michael McNaghten

Saturday 6 September 2014

Friday 5th September 2014

Migration watches; 07.30 - 13.00hrs and 18.15 - 19.35hrs.
A marginally better day with evidence of a slight increase in grounded migrants.
Between Long Nab and South Cliff were 5 Whinchat (3 Long Nab, 2 South Cliff), 2 Stonechat, 3 Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap, 9 Willow Warbler, 19 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (South Cliff) and 2 Pied Flycatcher (Long Nab).
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Great Crested Grebe north, 1 Cormorant, 4 Wigeon, 79 Teal north, 52 Common Scoter north, 1 Golden Plover, 23 Meadow Pipit, 2 Tree Sparrow, 4 Goldfinch and 7 Linnet.
Elsewhere 2 Wigeon and 12 Moorhen were on Johnson's Marsh, 6 Shelduck, 48 Wigeon, 10 Common Scoter, 2 Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpiper were at Scalby Mills, an Arctic Skua showed well over the fields at Long Nab and 3 Sand Martin and 7 Reed Bunting were at Cromer Point.

One of two Pied Flys at Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Arctic Skua, showing well at Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw
 

Friday 5 September 2014

Thursday 4th September 2014

Migration watches; 06.15 - 11.00hrs and 18.15 - 19.35hrs.
There was evidence of migrants arriving all day but only in very small numbers.
Between Ravenscar and Castle Hill were 1 Wheatear, 1 Redstart (Ravenscar), 2 Whinchat (Ravenscar, North Bay), 4 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 12 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Pied Flycatcher.
Passage was also very light, on the move (south unless stated) were 2 Fulmar + 5 north, 1 Cormorant, 8 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Whimbrel, 6 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull north, 3 Common Tern, 54 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sand Martin and 29 Swallow.
Elsewhere, 2 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon and 2 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh, 2 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills and the new Willow Tit at Long Nab was trapped and ringed while the other bird ringed last month was still present.


Willow Warbler, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw


Willow Tit, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Thursday 4 September 2014

Wednesday 3rd September 2014

06.30 - 14.40hrs and 18.00 - 18.50hrs.
A good day for passage produced a great Meadow Pipit count for such an early date and a decent Swallow movement which was abruptly ended just as they were really picking up when a thick sea fret rolled in!
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Fulmar, 2 Shag, 1 Marsh Harrier at 12.30hrs, 5 Oystercatcher, 5 Whimbrel, 3 Sandwich Tern north, 119 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 2 Grey Wagtail, 5 Flava, 1754 Meadow Pipit, 608 Swallow, 171 House Martin, 6 Sand Martin, 2 Carrion Crow, 24 Goldfinch and 3 Linnet.
Migrants seen between Ravenscar and South Cliff were as follows; 5 Grey Wagtail (Long Nab, Cromer Point, 3 Scalby Beck), 1 Redstart (Ravenscar), 4 Whinchat (3 Ravenscar, 1 South Cliff), 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Whitethroat, 10 Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher (Castle Hill) and 3 Goldcrest.
On Scalby Lodge Pond there were 29 Teal, a Ringed Plover, a Redshank and 2 Dunlin, 26 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 57 Lapwing and a Ruff were on Wykeham South Lake, 2 Mute Swan, a Shelduck, 5 Wigeon, the Greenshank and a Kingfisher were at Scalby Mills, the 1st year Caspian Gull from 26th August was again in the same field by Crook Ness along with 2,500+ Herring Gull, and Willow Tits seemed to be on the move with 2 trapped at Stoupe Brow and another, unringed bird, seen in Hundale.

Wednesday 3 September 2014

Tuesday 2nd September 2014

Migration watches; 06.00 - 11.15hrs and 13.30 - 14.10hrs.
A Pomarine Skua north at 13.50hrs was the highlight over the sea, also seen (south unless stated) were 21 Fulmar north, 9 Cormorant, 1 Shag, 56 Teal north, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 3 Sandwich Tern, 5 Swallow and 17 Meadow Pipit.
Migrants seen between Long Nab and Scalby Beck were 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler and 3 Goldcrest.
Elsewhere an adult Yellow-legged Gull was atWykeham South Lake, also there was a male Merlin, 7 Egyptian Geese, 28 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 5 Lapwing, Dunlin, Curlew, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Yellow Wagtail, at Scalby Mills there was a Greenshank, a Knot and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 12 Teal and a Green Sandpiper were on Scalby Lodge Pond and 2 Arctic and 3 Great Skua were seen from the Queensferry early morning.

Tuesday 2 September 2014

Monday 1st September 2014

Migration watches; 07.00 - 09.10hrs and 18.50 - 19.50hrs.The month began with the 4th Caspian Gull of the year, a showy bird on rocks on the north side of Castle Hill near the Skate park. This bird brings the total number of Scarborough to 7, since the first in 2006!
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Fulmar + 33 north, 7 Cormorant, 1 Shag + 3 north, 3 Teal, 2 Common Scoter, 47 Oystercatcher, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin north, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 304 Kittiwake north, 7 Sandwich Tern + 4 north, 77 Common Tern north, 1 Commic Tern north, 3 Swallow, 34 Meadow Pipit, 4 Goldfinch and 3 Linnet.
There was no sign of the Greenish Warbler on Castle Hill despite it being searched for all morning and early afternoon. Elsewhere 17 Teal, 1 Green Sandpiper, 8 Snipe, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Reed Warbler were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), 32 Teal were on Scalby Lodge Pond with another 18 on Johnson's Marsh, 4 Teal, 1 Pochard, 19 Tufted Duck, 21 Lapwing, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew, 1 Ruff and 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull were on Wykeham South Lake and 7 Redshank, a Greenshank, 25 Turnstone, 2 Common Sandpiper and a Lesser Black-backed Gull were at Scalby Mills.
Grounded migrants were almost non existent, a Whinchat on South Cliff was the only report.

Caspian Gull - Michael McNaghten

Showing the underwing and tail pattern - Michael McNaghten

Caspian and Herring Gull - Michael McNaghten
 

Monday 1 September 2014

Sunday 31st August 2014

Migration watches; 07.15 - 11.00hrs and 15.15 - 18.50hrs.
The 2nd Scarborough Pelagic of the year ran this morning, however it was rather predictably quiet at sea, even the usual attending Herring Gulls were nowhere to be seen until close inshore. Highlights on the trip were obviously few, although a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull following the boat off Long Nab and the 2nd Ocean Sunfish of the year were worthy of note.
Another record from out at sea was of a Great Skua seen 10 miles off Long Nab by one of our resident birders returning from a 'quiet' weekend in Amsterdam!
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Diver sp north, 1 Wigeon north, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Golden Plover, 2 Arctic Skua + 1 north, 1 Great Skua north, 5 Sandwich Tern + 1 north, 25 Common Tern north, 2 Arctic Tern north, 1 Auk sp north, 105 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 2 Flava, 3 Alba and 12 Linnet.
Migrants seen throughout included the Greenish Warbler on Castle Hill which was still proving very elusive at times, fortunately though it occasionally gives its self away with a burst of song, a Barred Warbler, the 221st species this year, was found in the hedge by Cliff Top House at Long Nab but soon disappeared and 2 Skylark, 12 Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler and 2 Goldcrest in the Long Nab area.
Also the showy Greenshank was still at Scalby Mills.