Saturday 31 January 2015

Friday 30th January 2015

Migration watch; 08.45 - 09.20hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) 3 Fulmar + 1 north, 18 Gannet + 4 north, 1 Cormorant, 5 Black-headed Gull, 49 Herring Gull and 3 Great Black-backed Gull.
The drake Scaup at the Mere and 68 Golden Plover at Long Nab were the highlights of a rather quiet day.

Friday 30 January 2015

Wednesday 28th - Thursday 29th January 2015


It was a quiet day on 28th with a Water Rail at the Open Air Theatre and a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Scalby Mills the only reports.

The 29th was much better...
Migration watch; 07.44 - 09.46hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 1 Fulmar + 2 north, 14 Gannet, 2 Cormorant north, 2 Shag north, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 14 Black-headed Gull, 18 Common Gull, 532 Herring Gull + 13 north, 16 Great Black-backed Gull and 7 Auk sp + 1 north.
The highlights of the day were the reappearance of the 16 Tundra Bean Geese with a single Pink-footed Geese at Wykeham South Lake where an Oystercatcher had also returned and the continued presence of the Richard's Pipit at Hayburn Wyke.
At the Mere the Scaup was still present along with a Red-breasted Merganser, 7 Goosander, 60 Tufted Duck, 36 Mallard, 13 Gadwall, 4 Goldeneye, 2 Coot and 41 Moorhen, 13 Whooper Swan, 143 Wigeon and 100 Fieldfare were in Cayton Carr, 2 Little Egret and 6 Kestrel were on Flotmanby Carr, 16 Goosander were on Harwood Dale Lake and in Jackson's Bay there were 21 Ringed Plover, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Sanderling and 1 Dunlin.

Tuesday 27th January 2015


A quiet day, in the Long Nab area were 20 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 1 Barn Owl, 60 Tree Sparrow, 40 Linnet and 35 Reed Bunting, 19 Teal, 4 Wigeon and a Barn Owl were at Johnson's Marsh, 7 Whooper Swan were on Cayton Carr and 3 Teal, 40 Lapwing and 2 Barn Owl were by Flotmanby Carr.

Monday 26th January 2015

Migration watch; 07.55 - 09.55hrs.
Yet another quiet day at Long Nab with the following heading south unless stated; 30 Red-throated Diver north, 19 Fulmar north, 21 Gannet, 3 Cormorant + 5 north, 2 Common Scoter and 18 Black-headed Gull.
On the Mere were 10+ Gadwall, the Scaup, 48 Tufted Duck, 5 Goldeneye and 7 Goosander, 30+ Mandarin, 7 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck and 2 Little Grebe were on Hackness Lake, 9 Mediterranean Gull were at Holbeck and roosting in South Bay were 540 Black-headed Gull and 1350 Herring Gull.

Monday 26 January 2015

Sunday 25th January 2015


Migration watch; 08.35 - 10.00hrs.
A quiet day at Long Nab produced the following: (south unless stated) 1 Fulmar, 1 Cormorant, 1 Golden Plover north, 5 Black-headed Gull + 1 north, 79 Herring Gull and 7 Great Black-backed Gull.
An adult Yellow-legged Gull at Wykeham South Lake was the highlight of the Gull roost, also there were 1200+ Common Gull. At Scalby Mills there were 336 Wigeon and a Skylark came in off the sea there. The two Water Rails were showing well in the Open Air Theatre, 30 Crossbill were seen at Highwood Brow and the Waxwing was seen again just off Seamer Moor Lane.

Saturday 24th January 2015


The first Waxwing of the year was seen briefly along Seamer Moor Lane during the morning and the first Little Auk of the year flew south past Scalby Mills early afternoon before dropping on the sea in North Bay. Elsewhere 6 Goldeneye, 32 Moorhen, a Coot, 13 Gadwall and 46 Tufted Duck were on the Mere, Red-breasted Mergansers were seen off Scalby Mills and in Jackson's Bay, 2 Water Rail were in the Open Air Theatre and 2 Eider were off Marine Drive.

Friday 23rd January 2015

The drake Scaup remained on the Mere, 26+ Shelduck were on the sea in South Bay while at Potter Brompton Carr there were 34 Snipe, 3 Woodcock, a Shelduck and 9 Little Grebe.

Friday 23 January 2015

Thursday 22nd January 2015


Migration watch; 08.20 - 11.30hrs.
On the move south were 9 Golden Plover and 1 Lapwing.
In the Long Nab area there were 8 Skylark, 7 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 90 Tree Sparrow, 15 Chaffinch, 11 Goldfinch, 45 Linnet, 2 Lesser Redpoll and 18 Reed Bunting.

Wednesday 21st January 2015


Migration watch; 07.53 - 10.55hrs.
On the move at Long Nab (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 6 north, 5 Fulmar, 162 Gannet, 5 Cormorant north, 1 Shelduck, 3 Tufted Duck, 23 Golden Plover, 4 Black-headed Gull, 6 Common Gull, 219 Herring Gull + 17 north, 34 Great Black-backed Gull + 2 north, 3 Razorbill and 1 Puffin.
The 16 Tundra Bean Geese were seen at Wykeham South Lake whilst flying onto Willerby Carr, also there were 8 Great Crested Grebe, 22 Pochard, 5 Goldeneye, 116 Great Black-backed Gull, 500+ Common Gull and 600+ Herring Gull, on the Mere the Scaup and the Red-breasted Merganser were still present along with 5 Goosander, 43 Tufted Duck, 14 Gadwall, 5 Goldeneye and 7 Bullfinch and up to 8 Mediterranean Gulls were at Holbeck.

Monday 19th - Tuesday 20th January 2015


The drake Scaup was seen on the Mere on 19th. The 20th wasn't much more exciting but Velvet Scoter made it on to the year list, a single north past Marine Drive. Elsewhere the Water Rail was still in the Open Air Theatre, 31 Purple Sandpiper were in the Harbour and at Scalby Mills there were 205 Wigeon, 2 Eider and a Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Sunday 18th January 2015


Migration watch; 08.00 - 12.25hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 2 Great Northern Diver, 6 Gannet, 41 Pink-footed Geese north, 1 Sparrowhawk in off then south, 1 Kestrel, 1 Lapwing, 1 Black-headed Gull, 8 Common Gull and 1 Auk sp.
The Richard's Pipit was still at Hayburn Wyke, the drake Scaup was still on the Mere, 4 Little Egret were at Flotmanby Carr and a Jack Snipe, a Snipe and 33 Reed Bunting were at Long Nab.

Saturday 17th January 2015


At Wykeham South Lake 16 Tundra Bean Geese were present before flying east by about a mile and dropping into fields. The Scaup and a Red-breasted Merganser were still on the Mere along with 9 Goldeneye, 11 Goosander, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Barnacle and 4 Pink-footed Geese were at Seamer Tip, 7 Mediterranean Gull were seen at Holbeck, a Sanderling and a Dunlin were in Jackson's Bay, 2 Eider were at Scalby Mills a Red-breasted Merganser flew south off Marine Drive and the Water Rail was seen again in the Open Air theatre.

Friday 16th January

The Short-eared Owl was still at Seamer Tip along with a Barn Owl, the Scaup, the Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Goosander, 8 Goldeneye, 15 Gadwall and 2 Pink-footed Geese were on the Mere and the Water Rail was seen in the Open Air Theatre

Friday 16 January 2015

Thursday 15th January


The Scaup and the Red-breasted Merganser were both still present at the Mere.

Tuesday 13th - Wednesday 14th January 2015


A blank day on 13th was followed by a decent day for the time of year on 14th. At the Mere there were 58 Tufted Duck, a drake Scaup, 6 Goosander, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Goldeneye and 13 Gadwall, a Short-eared Owl was seen at Seamer Tip and 2 Ringed Plover, 43 Redshank and 2 Mediterranean Gull were in Cornelian Bay.

Monday 12th January 2015


Migration watch; 08.13 - 13.45hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver + 4 south, 139 Fulmar + 46 south, 2 Gannet + 1 south, 1 Cormorant + 1 south, 9 Black-headed Gull south, 6 Common Gull south, 514 Herring Gull south, 148 Great Black-backed Gull south, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Guillemot and 1 Auk sp + 3 south.
A Snow Bunting was at Long Nab, 2 Red-throated Diver and 3 Great Crested Grebe were in South Bay, the 4 Barnacle Geese were still at Seamer Tip and had been joined by 2 Pink-footed Geese, the Lesser Black-backed Gull and an Eider were at Scalby Mills and 20 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin and 1 Sanderling were in Jackson's Bay.

Sunday 11th January 2015


Migration watch; 08.10 - 11.40hrs and 15.30 - 16.00hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 5 Red-throated Diver + 3 south, 263 Fulmar + 45 south, 7 Gannet + 20 south, 2 Cormorant + 1 south, 2 Shag south, 3 Greylag Geese, 1 Eider, 1 Pomarine Skua, 5 Black-headed Gull + 73 south, 6 Common Gull south, 474 Herring Gull south, 55 Great Black-backed Gull south, 1 Kittiwake, 7 Guillemot + 1 south and 8 Auk sp + 1 south.
The Richard's Pipit was seen again at Hayburn Wyke, the Lapland Bunting was still at Long Nab and the Water Rail was again in the Open Air Theatre.
Elsewhere 4 Barnacle Geese and a Shelduck were at Seamer Tip, 60 Tree Sparrow were at Long Nab, 100 Yellowhammer were at Allerston High Moor, Dalby Forest, a Lesser Black-backed Gull was the highlight at Scalby Mills and the Dipper was seen again on the Beck.

Saturday 10th January 2015

Migration watches; 08.35 - 09.10hrs and 15.40 - 16.10hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 19 Fulmar + 70 north, 2 Cormorant + 1 north, 2 Shelduck north, 2 Black-headed Gull, 37 Herring Gull, 5 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Razorbill north and 2 Auk sp.
At Seamer Tip 4 Barnacle Geese were still at Seamer Tip, 17 Teal were on Scalby Lodge Pond and at the Mere there were 27 Mute Swan, 13 Gadwall, 3 Goldeneye and 6 Goosander.

Friday 9 January 2015

Friday 9th January 2015


Migration watch; 08.00 - 10.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver north, 1 Great Northern Diver, 11 Fulmar + 34 north, 1 Gannet, 1 Cormorant, 7 Curlew north, 43 Black-headed Gull, 9 Common Gull, 103 Herring Gull + 14 north, 30 Great Black-backed Gull + 7 north and 1 Razorbill north.
The Lapland Bunting was still present at Long Nab, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Goldeneye, 200+ Black-headed Gull, 800+ Common Gull, 700+ Herring Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 72 Great Black-backed Gull were at Wykeham South Lake, 4 Barnacle Geese were still at Seamer Tip and a 1st winter Water Rail was trapped on Fylingdales.

Thursday 8th January 2015

Migration watch; 08.00 - 10.30hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 5 Red-throated Diver + 2 north, 2 Fulmar, 6 Gannet + 1 north, 1 Cormorant + 1 north, 2 Black-headed Gull, 54 Herring Gull + 21 north, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Guillemot and 1 Razorbill.
A Marsh Harrier south over Thornton le Dale was an interesting record for the time of year, 4 Barnacle Geese were still at Seamer Tip and 3 Goosander were on the Mere.

Thursday 8 January 2015

Wednesday 7th January 2015


Migration watch; 13.00 - 13.30hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar, 1 Glaucous Gull and 8 Great Black-backed Gull.

Tuesday 6th January 2015


61 Pink-footed Geese, flew north over Potter Brompton Carr, also there were 1 Water Rail, 11 Snipe, 70 lapwing and 2 Peregrine, a Viking Gull was at Scalby Mills

Monday 5th January 2015


Migration watch; 08.10 - 09.35hrs.
At Long Nab (north unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar, 1 Cormorant, 1 Black-headed Gull + 23 south, 27 Common Gull south, 17 Herring Gull + 76 south, 4 Great Black-backed Gull + 21 south, 2 Guillemot + 2 south and 1 Razorbill south.
Elsewhere the Lapland Bunting and 180 Linnet were at Long Nab, 3 Goldeneye, 350+ Black-headed Gull, 300+ Common Gull, 800+ Herring Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 55 Great Black-backed Gull were at Wykeham South Lake, 3 Sanderling and a Ringed Plover were in Jackson's Bay, 20 Ringed Plover, 1 Purple Sandpiper were at Scalby Mills, 46 Purple Sandpiper and 50+ Turnstone were in the Harbour, 2 Mediterranean Gull were in South Bay, 50 Fieldfare were at Cockmoor Hall and 15 Stock Dove were at Forge Valley.

Sunday 4th January 2015


Migration watch; 08.15 - 09.40hrs.
On the move at Long Nab (south unless stated) were 4 Fulmar + 12 north, 1 Gannet north, 2 Cormorant + 2 north, 1 Black-headed Gull, 27 Herring Gull + 16 north, 15 Great Black-backed Gull and 1 Goldfinch north.
The Richard's Pipit was at Hayburn Wyke, a Glaucous Gull, 8 Ringed Plover, a Kingfisher, 2 Goosander and 19 Cormorant were at Scalby Mills, the Lapland Bunting was still at Long Nab, 4 Barnacle Geese were at Seamer Tip, a Sanderling was in Jackson's Bay, 4 Little Egret were on Star Carr and 120 Siskin, 30 Lesser Redpoll and a Brambling were in Dalby Forest.

Saturday 3rd January 2015


On Wykeham South Lake there were 7 Great Crested Grebe, 31 Pochard, 1 Scaup, 3 Goldeneye, 1 Peregrine and 1200 Common Gull, 5 Little Grebe, 2 Scaup, 306 Lapwing, 1 Snipe and 121 Rook were on Potter Brompton Carr, 14 Whooper Swan were on Cayton Carr and a Short-eared Owl was on Flixton Carr.

Friday 2nd January 2015


Migration watch; 08.20 - 08.50hrs and 13.10 - 13.45hrs.
On the move at Long Nab (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver north, 1 Great Northern Diver, 57 Fulmar + 113 north, 2 Gannet + 1 north, 2 Cormorant north, 1 Great Skua and 1 Auk sp + 5 north.
The Richard's Pipit was still at Hayburn Wyke, a Water Rail was seen again at Open Air Theatre, 6 Whooper Swan and 1 Little Egret were at Cayton Carr.

Thursday 1st January 2015


Migration watch; 08.00 - 10.45hrs.
The year got off to a steady start.
On the move at Long Nab (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver + 5 north, 8 Fulmar, 1 Gannet + 8 north, 1 Great Skua north, 6 Black-headed Gull, 4 Common Gull + 1 north, 283 Herring Gull, 1 juvenile Glaucous Gull, 72 Great Black-backed Gull + 9 north, 2 Razorbill and 2 Fieldfare in off and west.
At Long Nab were 3 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 120 Tree Sparrow and 1 Lapland Bunting.
Elsewhere the Richard's Pipit was still at Hayburn Wyke, 1 Eider and 2 Sanderling were at Jackson's Bay, 3 Little Egret and 14 Whooper Swan were on Cayton Carr, a Water Rail was in the Open Air Theatre, a Goosander, 2 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall and a Mediterranean Gull were on the Mere and 145 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills.

Wednesday 31st December 2014


The fantastic year came to an end with only the second Glaucous Gull in the Harbour and 15 Whooper Swan on Folkton Carr.

Tuesday 30th December 2014


A Water Rail was in the Open Air Theatre and a Great Crested Grebe was in South Bay.

Monday 29th December 2014


Migration watch; 08.15 - 10.20hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver + 4 north, 1 Black-throated Diver north, 1 Great Northern Diver north, 1 Fulmar + 59 north, 1 Gannet, 1 Cormorant north, 1 Eider north, 5 Black-headed Gull, 10 Common Gull + 3 north, 80 Herring Gull, 13 Great Black-backed Gull, 11 Auk sp + 7 north, 8 Fieldfare in off and west, 1 Song Thrush in off and west and 1 Redwing in off and west.
A Richard's Pipit was still at Hayburn Wyke, a Great Grey Shrike was seen at Maw Rigg and at Wykeham South lake there were 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Goosander, 250 Black-headed Gull, 1400 Common Gull, 700 Herring Gull, 140 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Willow Tit.

Sunday 28th December 2014

Migration watch; 08.28 - 09.45hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Gannet + 1 south, 2 Cormorant + 2 south, 1 Shelduck, 1 Goosander, 2 Black-headed Gull + 1 south, 2 Common Gull + 6 south, 68 Herring Gull south and 4 Great Black-backed Gull south.
In Broxa Forest there were 2 Willow Tit, 11 Crossbill and 18 Bullfinch, 15 Rock Pipit were at Long Nab, a Scaup and 2 Goldeneye were on Wykeham South Lake and 10 Goosander and 10 Gadwall were at the Mere.