Sunday 26 October 2014

Thursday 23rd October 2014

Migration watch; 07.25 - 12.45hrs.

The highlight of the day relates to some very late news from the 17th October when a RADDE'S WARBLER was photographed on Castle Hill, only Scarborough's second record, no doubt it would have proved popular if it's identity had been recognised sooner.

On the move (south unless stated) were 14 Red-throated Diver north, 6 Gannet + 95 north, 3 Cormorant + 3 north, 1 Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose + 20 north, 2 Common Buzzard north, 1 Merlin north, 1 Snipe, 6 Curlew north, 138 Little Gull north, 20 Black-headed Gull + 11 north, 19 Common Gull, 54 Kittiwake north, 7 Arctic Tern north, 2 Auk sp + 826 north, 43 Skylark, 7 Meadow Pipit, 23 Rock Pipit, 3 Alba, 1 Blackbird, 3 Starling, 4 Tree Sparrow, 1 Chaffinch and 14 Linnet.
Elsewhere 6 Whooper Swan were still near the Flask Inn, the 3 Scaup were still present on the Mere, a record 74 Mandarin (50+) drakes were on Hackness Lake along with 6 Teal and 3 Tufted Duck.
At Wykeham South Lake there were 47 Pink-footed Geese, an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Scalby Mills and the probabl blythi Lesser Whitethroat was in Crook Ness.

Radde's Warbler, Castle Hill, 17th October - Dave Mansell
 

Wednesday 22nd October 2014

Migration watch; 07.25 - 11.20hrs.
A good day at Long Nab, past there (south unless stated) were 1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Manx Shearwater north, 68 Gannet + 11 north, 4 Cormorant, 4 Common Scoter, 1 Pomarine Skua, 6 Arctic Skua, 1 Long-tailed Skua, 9 Great Skua, 4 Little Gull north, 24 Common Gull, 35 Herring Gull, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 29 Kittiwake + 8 north, 19 Auk sp + 6 north, 1 Asio sp in off (probably a Long-eared), 3 Skylark and 6 Rock Pipit.
Elsewhere 6 Whooper Swan, a Shoveler and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull were on Wykeham South Lake, a Little Egret, 65 Wigeon, 2 Snipe and 160 Starling were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), 18 Teal and a Shoveler were on Johnson's Marsh, a Little Grebe, 1 Gadwall, 34 Tufted Duck, 3 Scaup, 36 Moorhen, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Siskin were at the Mere, 20 Purple Sandpiper were roosting in the Harbour, the Stonechat was still present along Marine Drive, the probable blythi Lesser Whitethroat, and a Blackcap were in Crook Ness and a Snow Bunting was at Ravenscar.

Tuesday 21st October 2014

Migration watch; 08.20 - 11.10hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar, 98 Gannet + 5 north, 3 Little Gull + 16 north, 28 Black-headed Gull, 34 Common Gull, 41 Herring Gull, 6 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Kittiwake, 1 Arctic Tern, 12 Auk sp + 4 north, 1 Skylark and 2 Rock Pipit.
Elsewhere at Wykeham South Lake there were 4 Whooper Swan, 5 Egyptian Geese and 2 Pochard, 7 Purple Sandpiper and 5 Redshank were roosting in the Harbour, an Arctic Tern and 3 Grey Wagtail were in Cornelian Bay and 3 Twite were at Long Nab.

Monday 20th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.20 - 12.05hrs.
An interesting day at Long Nab produced the following; (south unless stated) 12 Red-throated Diver + 9 north, 43 Gannet + 1 north, 3 Cormorant + 1 north, 3 Teal, 1 Eider north, 4 Common Scoter + 4 north, 265 Little Gull + 18 north, 284 Black-headed Gull + 3 north, 126 Common Gull, 322 Herring Gull, 55 Great Black-backed Gull, 13 Kittiwake, 8 Auk sp + 17 north, 8 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit, 36 Rock Pipit, 3 Alba, 5 Starling, 10 Tree Sparrow, 6 Goldfinch, 47 Linnet and 21 Twite.
Elsewhere a Great Grey Shrike was by the Roadside near Spikers Farm before flying west towards at Yedmandale Farm at 08.30hrs.
Four Whooper Swan, 244 Greylag Geese and a Pink-footed Goose were at Wykeham South Lake, 7 Whooper wan were near the Flash Inn and 2 were at Harwood Dale Lake, 40 Lapwing and a Fieldfare were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) and a Chiffchaff was in north Bay.

Sunday 19th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.20 - 10.50hrs.
Another interesting day for passage produced the following; (south unless stated) 2 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 1 Diver sp, 7 Gannet + 6 north, 8 Whooper Swan, 14 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Greylag Geese north, 5 Mallard, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Lapwing, 6 Snipe, 1 Curlew, 13 Little Gull, 171 Black-headed Gull, 145 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 422 Herring Gull, 117 Great Black-backed Gull, 12 Auk sp + 11 north, 13 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 12 Meadow Pipit, 10 Rock Pipit, 2 Alba Wagtail, 1 Blackbird, 10 Starling in off and west, 36 Tree Sparrow, 7 Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinch, 30 Linnet and 1 Twite.
The only other reports were of a Shoveler on Johnson's Marsh and a Yellow-browed Warbler with a Tit flock just to the north of the Hayburn Wyke Pub.

Sunday 19 October 2014

Saturday 18th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.50 - 10.45hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Diver sp, 304 Gannet + 46 north, 1 Cormorant north, 1 Teal, 3 Common Scoter + 7 north, 1 Goldeneye, 40 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 1 Arctic Skua, 47 Little Gull, 40 Black-headed Gull, 18 Common Gull, 22 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Arctic Tern, 4 Song Thrush in off, 6 Redwing in off, 9 Starling in off and west and 3 Twite.
Elsewhere a Whopper Swan, 2 Egyptian Geese, 160 Teal, 38 Wigeon, 140 Lapwing and 110 Starling were in Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) and a Jack Snipe and 19 Snipe were along Taylor Way.

Friday 17th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.09 - 09.35hrs and 17.00 - 17.45hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver, 4 Cormorant north, 12 Wigeon, 2 Eider, 4 Common Scoter north, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 18 Black-headed Gull, 9 Common Gull, 4 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipit, 6 Rock Pipit, 7 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 22 Rook, 29 Starling, 1 Tree Sparrow, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 3 Siskin, 19 Linnet and 1 Reed Bunting.
Migrants seen between Ravenscar and South Cliff were 1 Grey Wagtail, 11 Song Thrush, 309 Redwing, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (1 Ravenscar, 1 Long Nab), 48 Goldcrest and 1 Brambling.
Elsewhere a Little Grebe, 6 Teal were on Scalby Lodge Pond, 122 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills, 42 Oystercatcher and 12 Redshank were in Jackson's Bay and 2 Tawny Owl were on Castle Hill.

Thursday 16th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.30 - 11.45hrs and 16.55 - 17.40hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar south, 147 Gannet + 58 south, 6 Wigeon + 9 south, 1 Teal + 2 south, 77 Common Scoter, 2 Curlew, 5 Little Gull south, 2 Common Gull south and 4 Kittiwake.
Grounded migrants seen between Hood Lane and South Cliff were 2 Woodcock (1 Long Nab, 1 Castle Hill), 1 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 6 Grey Wagtail, 1 Dunnock, 39 Robin, 1 Stonechat, 452 Redwing, 59 Song Thrush, 11 Fieldfare, 68 Blackbird, 7 Ring Ouzel (1 Hood Lane, 1 Long Nab, 5 Castle Hill), 11 Blackcap, 1 possible blythi Lesser Whitethroat (Long Nab), 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (king street), 106 Goldcrest, 12 Long-tailed Tit (Castle), 40 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 3 Siskin and 1 Twite (Castle).
A good flock of 80 Goldfinch were in Rowan Close.

Wednesday 15th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.45 - 12.20hrs.
Another good day with plenty of new arrivals to search through although passage was a little quiet.
On the move (south unless stated) were 5 Cormorant north, 80 Pink-footed Geese + 3 north, 32 Kittiwake north, 8 Skylark, 4 Rock Pipit, 1 Siskin and 2 Reed Bunting.
Migrants seen between Long Nab and South Cliff were 2 Snipe, 1 Short-eared Owl (Castle Hill), 18 Skylark, 57 Robin, 8 Meadow Pipit, 11 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Stonechat, 1 Whinchat (Long Nab), 48 Blackbird, 9 Song Thrush, 39 Redwing, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (Long Nab), 11 Blackcap, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (Long Nab), 5 Chiffchaff, 135 Goldcrest, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Great Grey Shrike (Long Nab), 1 Jay, 16 Chaffinch, 5 Brambling, 1 Lapland Bunting (Long Nab) and 14 Reed Bunting.
A female Hen Harrier was seen at Flixton Carr.

Great Grey Shrike, Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw
 

Tuesday 14th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.15 - 18.00hrs.
Finally a few migrants arrived and the sea was a little busier.
Migrants between Long Nab and Castle Hill were 1 Kestrel, 4 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe (Long Nab), 1 Long-eared Owl (Crook Ness), 8 Rock Pipit, 46 Robin, 1 Wheatear (Long Nab), 1 Stonechat, 60 Blackbird, 38 Song Thrush, 109 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare (Castle), 1 Ring Ouzel (Castle Hill), 11 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 145 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Crook Ness), 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher (Long Nab), 30 Starling, 15 Chaffinch, 12 Brambling, 1 Redpoll sp, Lapland Bunting (Long Nab) and 4 Reed Bunting.
On the move (north unless stated) were 8 Red-throated Diver + 15 south, 7 Fulmar, 15 Sooty Shearwater, 69 Manx Shearwater, 503 Gannet + 129 south, 2 Cormorant south, 1 Shag south, 90 Pink-footed Geese3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese south, 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese + 3 south, 2 Shelduck, 165 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall, 47 Teal + 5 south, 1 Pintail, 1 Tufted Duck, 30 Eider + 5 south, 91 Common Scoter, 4 Velvet Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Golden Plover south, 2 Curlew + 14 south, 3 Pomarine Skua + 3 south, 1 Arctic Skua south, 8 Great Skua + 10 south, 103 Little Gull + 1 south, 3 Black-headed Gull + 2 south, 105 Kittiwake, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 276 Auk sp + 3 south and 1 Puffin.
In the Harbour there were 7 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover and 1 Guillemot.

Long-eared Owl, Crook Ness - Chris Bradshaw
 

Wednesday 15 October 2014

Monday 13th October 2014

Migration watch; 08.00 - 15.30hrs and 17.00 - 18.00hrs.
A disappointing day over the land given the conditions but the sea did produce some interest including an addition to the year list.
On the move (north unless stated) were 8 Red-throated Diver + 16 south, 1 Great Northern Diver south, 1 Fulmar, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 7 Manx Shearwater + 6 south, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 144 Gannet + 488 south, 1 Cormorant + 7 south, 1 Shag south, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 20 Wigeon, 1 Teal + 2 south, 1 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 98 Common Scoter + 4 south, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Pomarine Skua south, 2 Arctic Skua + 2 south, 30 Great Skua + 5 south, 24 Little Gull, 22 Black-headed Gull south, 16 Common Gull south, 150 Kittiwake + 2 south, 2 Auk sp and 1 Puffin.
Migrants seen between Long Nab and Castle Hill were 2 Skylark, 9 Rock Pipit, 1 Stonechat, 1 Dunnock, 17 Robin, 9 Song Thrush, 6 Redwing, 18 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 11 Goldcrest, 4 Starling and 3 Brambling.
On the sea off Long Nab were 2 Little Auk which became the 230th species for the year.

Monday 13 October 2014

Sunday 12th October 2014

Migration watch; 08.45 - 13.00hrs and 15.30 - 17.00hrs.
A quiet day for passage but migrants began to arrive during the afternoon.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Cormorant north, 504 Pink-footed Geese, 43 Greylag Geese, 7 Teal, 2 Common Buzzard, 1 Curlew and 8 Meadow Pipit.
Migrants in the Long Nab area were 2 Jack Snipe, 1 Snipe, 1 Long-eared Owl (remarkably the first of the year as no breeding birds were located, taking the year list to 229), 32 Skylark, 40 Meadow Pipit, 25 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat and 12 Reed Bunting.
Elsewhere 4 Puffin, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Song Thrush, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and 4 Goldcrest were in the Cornelian Bay area and at Ravenscar were single Snipe, Stonechat and Wheatear, 10 Song Thrush, 3 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Brambling, 5 Siskin and a Willow Tit.

Sunday 12 October 2014

Saturday 11th October 2014


Migration watch; 07.25 - 09.50hrs and 10.45 - 12.30hrs.
Another fantastic day for passage with the following; (south unless stated) 4 Red-throated Diver, 5 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Whooper Swan, 990 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Teal north, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Golden Plover north, 1 Lapwing in off and west, 1 Jack Snipe in off and south, 7 Snipe in off and south, 1 Curlew north, 69 Wood Pigeon, 212 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 33 Meadow Pipit + 2 north, 4 Rock Pipit + 1 north, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Alba, 4 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Magpie, 10 Rook, 19 Starling, 60 Tree Sparrow, 58 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch + 2 north, 35 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 211 Linnet + 7 north, 1 Lapland Bunting, 6 Yellowhammer and 3 Reed Bunting.
Migrants seen between Ravenscar and Castle Hill were 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 35 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Jay, 6 Reed Bunting.

Friday 10th October 2014


Another quieter day, on Castle Hill were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff and 10 Goldcrest were at Ravenscar and 12 Grey Heron, 4 Wigeon and 2 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh. Moving south over Town were 5 Meadow Pipit, 2 Alba and 1 Linnet.

Thursday 9th October 2014


Migration watch; 11.00 - 12.10hrs.
A quieter day, on the move (south unless stated) were 7 Red-throated Diver, 17 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Tern north and 6 Swallow.
Elsewhere 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest were on Castle Hill, a Brent Goose and 137 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills, a Grey Plover and a Greenshank were in Jackson's Bay, a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was off Long Nab and 300 Linnet were at Cromer Point with 35 at Scalby Lodge.

Wednesday 8th October 2014


Migration Watch; 07.30 - 11.20hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Cormorant, 2 Wigeon, 1 Sparrowhawk north, 2 Golden Plover north, 29 Skylark, 1 House Martin, 18 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 3 Grey Wagtail, 3 Alba, 6 Starling, 8 Tree Sparrow, 9 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 7 Goldfinch, 6 Siskin, 17 Linnet and 4 Reed Bunting.
Migrants continued to arrive with the following recorded between Long Nab and Cornelian Bay were 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (South Cliff), 1 Whinchat (Long Nab), 8 Blackbird, 28 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, 1 Ring Ouzel (Holbeck), 1 Garden Warbler (Castle Hill), 2 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 7 Yellow-browed Warbler (1 Long Nab, 1 Scalby Beck, 4 Castle Hill, 1 Cornelian Ravine), 25 Goldcrest and 1 Twite (first of the year).
Elsewhere 13 Grey Heron were on Johnson's Marsh, a Goldeneye and 3 Ringed Plover were at Wykeham South Lake and a Greenshank was in Jackson's Bay.

Tuesday 7th October 2014

Migration watches; 07.15 - 12.35hrs and 17.05 - 18.3hrs.
Another good day for passage produced (south unless stated) 11 Red-throated Diver + 4 north, 1 Manx Shearwater, 3 Cormorant north, 11 Grey Heron, 67 Dark-bellied Brent Goose + 22 north, 678 Wigeon + 68 north, 314 Teal + 23 north, 6 Mallard + 8 north, 4 Pintail, 31 Common Scoter + 5 north, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Golden Plover + 2 north, 2 Grey Plover, 4 Lapwing, 3 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Curlew, 2 Greenshank, 2 Great Skua, 35 Little Gull, 7193 Black-headed Gull, 82 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull north, 3 Sandwich Tern, 4 Common Tern, 2 Skylark + 3 in, 3 Swallow, 31 Meadow Pipit, 5 Rock Pipit, 3 Alba, 22 Carrion Crow, 5 Starling, 3 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 21 Linnet and 5 Reed Bunting.

Migrants in the Long Nab area were 2 Woodcock, 15 Skylark, 13 Robin, 9 Blackbird, 96 Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest and 1 Brambling.
Elsewhere 62 Wigeon, 82 Teal, 2 Pintail, 3 Pochard, 2 Ringed Plover and 5 Dunlin were at Wykeham South Lake, 7 Wigeon, 8 Teal and a Kingfisher were at Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) and at Scalby Mills there were 132 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 600+ Black-headed Gull and 50 Common Gull.

Thursday 9 October 2014

Monday 6th October 2014

Migration watch; 07.55 - 12.15hrs and 15.55 - 18.00hrs.
A good day for passage over the sea produced the following; (north unless stated) 6 Red-throated Diver south, 3 Manx Shearwater + 1 south, 389 Gannet + 169 south, 2 Cormorant + 5 south, 52 Dark-bellied Bent Geese + 68 south, 118 Wigeon + 358 south, 3 Teal + 103 south, 2 Mallard south, 10 Pintail + 9 south, 1 Tufted Duck south, 46 Common Scoter + 14 south, 1 Oystercatcher south, 9 Knot south, 20 Dunlin south, 1 Pomarine Skua, 11 Arctic Skua, 4 Great Skua + 1 south, 87 Little Gull + 107 south, 4 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 12 Kittiwake, 3 Common Tern, 122 Auk sp + 25 south and 28 Linnet south.
Elsewhere the first Snow Bunting of the year came in off the sea at Marine Drive.

Tuesday 7 October 2014

Thursday 25th September - Sunday 5th October 2014

On the 25th passage at Long Nab included 4 Teal north, 1 Arctic Skua south, 32 Little Gull south + 3 north, 1 Kittiwake south + 14 north and 2 auk sp north.
On the 27th 4 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling and 1 Ringed Plover were in North Bay, a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper were at Scalby Mills, a Marsh Harrier flew east over Cayton with another seen at Wykeham South Lake where there were also 2 Great Crested Grebe, 200 Greylag Geese, 25 Coot, 15+ Common Buzzard, 2 Redshank and 3 Turnstone.
In Jackson's Bay on 28th were 5 Ringed Plover, 14 Dunlin and 2 Sanderling and 7 Ringed Plover, 16 Redshank and a Greenshank were at Scalby Mills.
A Sedge Warbler at Scalby Lodge Pond was the highlight of the 29th, also 2 Manx Shearwater flew south and 40 Common Scoter flew north off Long Nab.
Wheatears were seen at Scalby Mills on 30th September and in the Harbour on the 2nd October.
On the 3rd 30 Skylark, 10 Tree Sparrow and a Reed Bunting were at Scalby Lodge, 14 Moorhen and 6 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh and 104 Wigeon and 12 Teal were at Scalby Mills.
Highlights south past Long Nab on 4th included 1 Manx Shearwater, 1004 Gannet, 27 Common Scoter, 1 Arctic Skua, 46 Little Gull, 30 Black-headed Gull, 20 Kittiwake and 150 Auk sp.
Passage on the 5th (south unless stated) included 8 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 9 Manx Shearwater + 1 north, 2 Whooper Swan, 7 Teal north, 5 Common Scoter + 45 north and 1 Great Skua. Up to 400 Little Gull were feeding off Long Nab.

Wednesday 24th September 2014

Migration watch; 14.35 - 16. 45 and 18.00 - 19.00hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver south, 1 Fulmar, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Manx Shearwater, 143 Pink-footed Geese south, 20 Barnacle Geese, 3 Teal + 2 south, 4 Common Scoter, 1 Common Buzzard south, 1 Kestrel south, 2 Oystercatcher south, 6 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Skua, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 38 Little Gull, 3 Common Gull, 149 Kittiwake + 3 south, 2 Common Tern, 13 Auk sp and 1 Swallow south.
On Castle Hill there were 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Jay and 2 Whinchat, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and a Marsh Tit were between Holbeck and South Cliff.