Tuesday 31 March 2015

Tuesday 31st March 2015

A very windy end to the month hampering birding. It was a disappointing month with very few signs of migrants and the first March for many years with no Little Ringed Plover recorded, even worse than the terrible March of 2013!
The only reports of interest were of 4 Purple Sandpiper in North Bay, 29 Curlew on Cayton Carr and the drake Scaup on Peasholm Park now looking much healthier.

Monday 30th March 2015

Migration watch; 07.10 - 09.05hrs.
A very quiet morning at Long Nab, on the move there (north unless stated) were 8 Fulmar, 2 Gannet south, 1 Cormorant, 5 Black-headed Gull + 13 south, 20 Common Gull + 24 south, 14 Herring Gull + 33 south, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Kittiwake + 2 south, 3 Meadow Pipit west, 3 Carrion Crow and 8 Linnet.
At Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) the female Scaup remained, also seen there were 2 Shelduck, 1 Teal, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin, 23 Pied Wagtail and 1 White Wagtail. A second White Wagtail was seen at Wykeham South Lake where there were also 8 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Egyptian Goose and a Goldeneye. Only 7 Wigeon were seen at Scalby Mills, a Red-throated Diver, 3 Goosander and a Red-breasted Merganser were in Cornelian Bay and 800 Herring Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull were at Knapton.
On Cayton Carr there were 8 Pied Wagtail and 4 Teal, a Snipe, 16 Teal and 2 Oystercatcher were on Johnson's Marsh, 2 Shelduck and a Teal were on Scalby Lodge Pond and a Shelduck, a Snipe and 2 Chiffchaff were at Seamer Tip.

Monday 30 March 2015

Sunday 29th March 2015

It was clear Meadow Pipits were on the move from early on, over town between 09.00 and 10.30hrs 243 passed north with 3 south, also on the move were 3 Alba north and 1 Siskin south.
Elsewhere 14 Goldeneye, 2 Wigeon, 1 Pochard, 7 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Egyptian Geese were at Wykeham South Lake, 18 Teal and 6 Wigeon were on Johnson's Marsh and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull were at Scalby Mills.

Sunday 29 March 2015

Saturday 28th March 2015

Migration watch; 07.25 - 13.00hrs.
A return to miserable weather with rain and strong winds after some rather settled spring like days ironically delivered the first true spring migrant, a Wheatear at Long Nab, a whole 7 days later than last years first!!
Also at Long Nab were 21 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 7 Robin, 2 Chiffchaff and 4 Goldcrest.
Elsewhere 7 Egyptian Geese and singles of Gadwall and Goldeneye were on Wykeham South Lake.
On the move (north unless stated) were 5 Red-throated Diver south, 22 Fulmar + 11 south, 110 Gannet + 451 south, 1 Cormorant, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Common Scoter + 2 south, 1 Curlew, 2 Black-headed Gull, 23 Common Gull + 18 south, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 435 Herring Gull + 236 south, 29 Great Black-backed Gull + 10 south, 4 Kittiwake + 252 south, 2 Guillemot south, 2 Razorbill south, 1 Auk sp + 4 south and 24 Meadow Pipit + 2 south.

Friday 27 March 2015

Thursday 26th - Friday 27th March 2015

The only reports came on 27th.
The drake Scaup remained on Peasholm Park where it showed some signs of improvement, gingerly flapping regularly but diving and swimming with ease.
Elsewhere 5 Egyptian Geese, 2 Pink-footed Geese and a Goldeneye were the highlights on Wykeham South Lake, 14 Teal and 15 Wigeon were on Johnson's Marsh and a single Chiffchaff was at the Mere. On the coast 2 Chiffchaff and 1 Redwing were at Holbeck where singles of Meadow Pipit and Alba flew north and 50 Fieldfare were near Snainton.

An interesting record was of a Terrapin sp at the Mere.


Scaup - Peasholm Park - Michael McNaghten

Thursday 26 March 2015

Wednesday 25th March 2015


Some early morning passage over town included (south unless stated) 12 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag Geese, 3 Mallard, 2 Meadow Pipit + 37 north, 2 Rock Pipit north, 7 Alba north, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 7 Linnet and 1 Yellowhammer north.
Elsewhere a Water Rail was seen at Seamer Tip, 28 Wigeon and 15 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh, 4 Shelduck, 1 Teal, 6 Curlew, 2 Redshank and 2 Snipe were on Scalby Lodge Pond,3 Teal and a Moorhen were on Cromer Point Pond and the injured Scaup survived on Peasholm Park.

Tuesday 24th March 2015

The first two Ring Ouzel of the year were seen on RAF Flylingdales during the morning, equally inaccessible were the two Long-eared Owl on private land on Thornton Carrs.
Two female Common Scoter were on Wykeham South Lake along with 2 Pink-footed Geese and 3 Egyptian Geese while along the coast there was a Great Crested Grebe in South Bay, 4 Red-throated Diver, 4 Goosander and an Eider in Cornelian Bay and the drake Scaup remained on Peasholm Park.

Tuesday 24 March 2015

Monday 23rd March 2015


The drake Scaup was still present on Peasholm Park, it appears to have either broken or severely damaged its left wing.
At Scalby Mills there was a 2nd winter Iceland Gull, other highlights there included 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Migrants recorded between Scalby Beck and Castle Hill were 4 Chiffchaff and 3 Goldcrest.
A trickle of passage included 7 Meadow Pipit and 1 Alba north and 9 Siskin south.

Saturday 21st - Sunday 22nd March 2015

Migration watch; 06.30 - 10.40hrs.
A very quiet day on 21st with no reports was followed by a slow but interesting day on 22nd.
Past Long Nab, south unless stated, were 1 Red-throated Diver + 5 north, 2 Fulmar + 42 north, 36 Gannet + 93 north, 11 Cormorant + 4 north, 1 Grey Heron north, 3 Shelduck, 3 Eider, 1 Common Scoter + 3 north, 1 Kestrel, 1 Curlew out northeast, 65 Black-headed Gull +8 north, 105 Common Gull + 19 north, 172 Herring Gull north, 2 Great Black-backed Gull north, 1 1st winter Iceland Gull, 91 Kittiwake, 15 Auk sp + 75 north, 5 Skylark, 42 Meadow Pipit + 3 north, 3 Alba, 2 Rook north, 9 Carrion Crow north, 2 Goldfinch + 1 north, 2 Siskin, 10 Linnet and 1 Yellowhammer.
Elsewhere a Snow Bunting was at Long Nab, a drake Scaup, presumably the Mere bird, was on Peasholm Park (where it was first seen on 15th), a Dunlin and 31 Wigeon were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), 2 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Egyptian Geese and 5 Oystercatcher were on Wykeham South Lake and 14 Teal and 29 Wigeon were on Johnson's Marsh.

Saturday 21 March 2015

Friday 20th March 2015

Chiffchaffs arrived in higher numbers with 3 around Scalby Beck, one singing on Potter Brompton Carr and 2 in Cornelian Ravine, the latter appeared in the coastal scrub as the Solar Eclipse peaked!
Elsewhere 22 Teal were on Scalby Lodge Pond, 3 Ringed Plover were in Jackson's Bay, 92 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 5 Goosander and 1 Lapwing were at Scalby Mills, other sightings on Potter Brompton Carr were the female Scaup, 17 Teal, 1 Peregrine and 27 Golden Plover, 2 Goldeneye and a Shelduck were on Wykeham South Lake and a Red Kite was seen over the A64 near Scampston.
A trickle of passage along the coast throughout the day included (north unless stated) 5 Skylark, 104 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Alba, 3 Great Tit, 3 Magpie south, 7 Carrion Crow, 4 Linnet + 2 south and 1 Siskin south.

Thursday 19th March 2015

At last Chiffchaffs finally appeared, with three singing at the Mere, also there were 2 Goldeneye, 4 Goosander and 2 Redwing.
Other reports were thin on the ground, a Blackbird was noted heading out east high up over town during the morning and a drake Common Scoter appeared on Wykeham South Lake, also there were Shelduck, 2 Goldeneye and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Thursday 19 March 2015

Wednesday 18th March 2015

Migration watch; 07.10 - 11.05hrs.
A much quieter day at Long Nab, on the move (north unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 1 south, 3 Cormorant + 16 south, 1 Shag south, 200 Gannet + 87 south, 2 Shelduck, 1 Goosander, 3 Black-headed Gull south, 4 Common Gull + 12 south, 71 Herring Gull + 42 south, 2 Great Black-backed Gull + 4 south, 36 Kittiwake + 21 south, 21 Auk sp + 7 south, 6 Meadow Pipit and 11 Starling.
Present at Long Nab were 32 Pied Wagtail and a Snow Bunting. The female Pintail was still present at Johnson's Marsh, 2 Snipe and a Jack Snipe were at Seamer Tip while at Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) 58 Snipe and 2 Jack Snipe were flushed, also there was the female Scaup, a Redshank flew north and 3 Willow Tit were recorded. At Wykeham South Lake there were 2 Egyptian Geese, a Goosander, 2 Goldeneye and 4 Oystercatcher while 2 Shelduck and 2 Dunlin were on Scalby Lodge Pond.

Wednesday 18 March 2015

Tuesday 17th March 2015

Migration watch; 07.30 - 13.20hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 14 Red-throated Diver + 4 south, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 15 Fulmar + 8 south, 15 Gannet + 27 south, 1 Cormorant + 1 south, 3 Shag + 1 south, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Shelduck, 2 Eider south, 1 Common Scoter, 6 Goosander, 4 Black-headed Gull + 24 south, 20 Common Gull + 25 south, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 207 Herring Gull, 4 Great Black-backed Gull + 1 south, 1 presumed hybrid adult Common X Mediterranean Gull, 2 Kittiwake + 30 south, 3 Auk sp + 55 south, 2 Skylark, 2 Alba, 12 Carrion Crow + 3 south, 2 Tree Sparrow and 3 Linnet.

The first White Wagtail of the spring was seen at Long Nab, the female Scaup, 79 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank, 23 Snipe, 55 Fieldfare, 1 singing Redwing and 1 Willow Tit were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), 2 Pink-footed Geese, a Shelduck, 4 Goldeneye, 7 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull were on Wykeham South Lake, the female Pintail was on Johnson's Marsh, 70 Purple Sandpiper were in the Harbour and 70 Yellowhammer, 30 Chaffinch and 100 Fieldfare were seen at Low Marishes.

Late news was received concerning a Red Kite seen heading northwest over Crossgates on 12th, the 150th species to be recorded this year.

Tuesday 17 March 2015

Monday 16th March 2015


A quiet day, at the Mere there were 36 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye and 1 Water Rail and the female Pintail, 27 Wigeon, 14 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck and a Little Grebe were on Johnson's Marsh.

Sunday 15th March 2015


A 1st winter Iceland Gull on Wykeham South Lake during the afternoon was a very welcome and long time coming addition to the year list, also at Wykeham South Lake were 8 Egyptian Geese, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Goldeneye and a Pochard.
Another addition to the year list was Long-eared Owl with 2 seen on Thornton Carr.

Friday 13th Saturday 14th March 2015

The only reports on 13th were of 2 Ringed Plover and 17 Purple Sandpiper in Cornelian Bay.

Highlights on the 14th were 2 Jack Snipe and 4 Snipe along Taylor Way, 100 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 2 Teal, a Shoveler and 7 Redshank on Cayton Carr, 12 Teal, a Wigeon, the female Pintail and 4 Tufted Duck on Johnson's Marsh, 250 Golden Plover and 4 Goldeneye at Wkeham South Lake and 2 Goosander in Cornelian Bay.

Saturday 14 March 2015

Thursday 12th March 2015


A few signs of migrants along the coast included 2 Goldcrest in Cornelian Ravine with singles at Holbeck and along South Cliff, a female Stonechat was also along South Cliff.
At Wykeham South Lake there were 6 Egyptian Geese, 5 Goldeneye and a Peregrine.

Wednesday 11th March 2015

Migration watch; 07.20 - 09.50hrs.
A very quiet morning at Long Nab, on the move (north unless stated) were 4 Red-throated Diver, 1 Shag, 73 Gannet + 60 south, 103 Kittiwake south and 86 Auk sp + 12 south.
Elsehere 3 Jack Snipe and 2 Snipe were along Taylor Way, 10 Whooper Swan and a Peregrine were seen at Wykeham South Lake, 6 Whooper Swan, 31 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 2 Shoveler and 11 Redshank were on Cayton Carr, 2 Oystercatcher were at Scampston and 250 Kittiwake were in South Bay.

Friday 13 March 2015

Tuesday 10th March 2015


A Raven was seen from the Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint during the afternoon, still a surprisingly irregular visitor to the area, this represents only the fifth record in the last three years.
The Richard's Pipit was still just south of Hayburn Wyke, 57 Purple Sandpiper were roosting in the Harbour and a Red-breasted Merganser and a Lapwing were in Cornelian Bay.

Sunday 8th - Monday 9th March 2015


Migration watch; 07.15 - 09.55hrs.
A good morning at Long Nab, on the move (north unless stated) were 7 Red-throated Diver + 3 south, 2 Cormorant + 2 south, 21 Gannet + 51 south, 9 Whooper Swan, 370 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Eider, 1 Kittiwake south, 1 Auk sp + 8 south, 14 Skylark, 2 Rock Pipit + 4 south, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Alba, 4 Jackdaw south, 1 Tree Sparrow south, 11 Siskin south and 1 Goldfinch south.
Two Snow Bunting showed well in the stubble at Long Nab, 19 Wigeon and 11 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh, 3 Jack Snipe and 2 Snipe were along Taylor Way, 2 Shelduck and a Coot were on Seamer Tip, a Red-breasted Merganser and 5 Goosander were in Cornelian Bay, 6 Whooper Swan, 2 Shelduck and 10 Redshank were on Cayton Carr, 2 Egyptian Geese, a Goldeneye and 10 Oystercatcher were at Wykeham South Lake, a Stonechat was at Stoupe Brow, 2 Little Egret were on Flotmanby Carr and 5 Barn Owl were seen by Flixton Bridge.
The sole report on the 9th was of a female Pintail, 10 Teal and 17 Wigeon on Johnson's Marsh.

Saturday 7th March 2015


The only report on the 7th was of the Richard's Pipit still in fields south of the Hayburn Wyke.

Friday 6th March 2015

Migration watch; 07.30 - 09.30hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Cormorant, 1 Egyptian Goose south, 2 Black-headed Gull south and 2 Meadow Pipit.
Present at Long Nab were 2 Lapwing, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Goldcrest and 7 Reed Bunting.
On Johnson's Marsh there were 17 Teal, 16 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck and 2 Oystercatcher and 5 Egyptian Geese, 2 Goldeneye, 3 Oystercatcher and a Peregrine were at Wykeham South Lake.

Friday 6 March 2015

Thursday 5th March 2015


A Black-throated Diver was in Cornelian Bay, as were 2 Grey Plover, 5 Ringed Plover, 40 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin and 1 Shelduck, 4 Common Scoter were in Cayton Bay, 100 Wigeon also flew north offshore there, 22 Redshank were on Cayton Carr, a Pink-footed Goose and a Peregrine were seen at Wykeham South Lake and on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) were 4 Shoveler, the female Scaup, 2 Shelduck, 45 Wigeon, 12 Teal and 14 Snipe.

Wednesday 4th March 2015


At Seamer Tip there were 3 Jack Snipe and 2 Snipe flushed, the Scaup, 2 Goldeneye and 5 Coot were on the Mere, 2 Grey Plover (the year's first) were in Cornelian Bay along with 4 Ringed Plover, 6 Whooper Swan and a Little Egret were on Cayton Carr, 3 Pintail were at Wykeham South Lake and at Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) there were 2 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 76 Wigeon, 12 Teal and 160 Lapwing.

Monday 2nd - Tuesday 3rd March 2015


No reports were received on the 2nd. The 3rd wasn't much better with the 6 Whooper Swan on Cayton Carr and 24 Pink-footed Geese that flew north from Taylor Way being the only reports of interest.

Sunday 1st March 2015

The 2 White-fronted Geese remained at Seamer Tip where there were also 12 Pink-footed and 1 Barnacle Goose, 4 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 3 Snipe and 1 Jack Snipe. At Wykeham South Lake there were 11 Egyptian Geese, 2 Goldeneye and 12 Oystercatcher, 18 Teal and 13 Gadwall were on Scampston, the Pintail was still on Johnson's Marsh, 18 Goosander and 2 Oystercatcher were on Harwood Dale, 9 Gadwall were on Burton Riggs, 129 Redshank and a Dunlin were in Cornelian Bay, the Scaup, 3 Goldeneye were on the Mere and 6 Whooper Swan were on Cayton Carr.

Wednesday 4 March 2015

Saturday 28th February 2015


The two White-fronted Geese and the Barnacle Goose were still at Seamer Tip and were joined by 11 Pink-footed Geese. Also seen there were 4 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall and 2 Snipe.
Two Red-throated Diver and a Red-breasted Merganser were in Cornelian Bay where 2 Shelduck flew south and on Cayton Carr there were 28 Teal, 4 Shoveler and 6 Redshank.

Friday 27th February 2015


There was no sign of the drake Surf Scoter in South Bay all day following its 6 day stay.
Two European White-fronted Geese were at Seamer Tip along with a Barnacle Goose, 5 Gadwall, a Shelduck, 2 Snipe and a Jack Snipe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 32 Coot and 6 Oystercatcher were at Wykeham South Lake, a male Stonechat was at Holbeck, the drake Scaup remained at the Mere, 21 Purple Sandpiper, 7 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin were in Cornelian Bay and 154 Wigeon and 7 Redshank were on Cayton Carr.



Thursday 26th February 2015


The SURF SCOTER remained on show in South Bay and a small raft of 27 Kittiwake had arrived back.
The two Water Rail were in the Open Air Theatre, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Lesser Black-backed Gull were in Cornelian Bay where 115 Black-headed Gull and 42 Common Gull flew north. Two Shelduck, 18 Teal and 3 Redshank were on Cayton Carr.
Also on the move were 3 Skylark north and 3 Snow Bunting south over Scalby Nab.

Tuesday 24th - Wednesday 25th February 2015


The SURF SCOTER was again present on both dates but showed a little closer to shore on the 25th.
Also on the latter date 4 White-fronted Geese and 12 Pink-footed Geese were present at Seamer Tip, the Pintail, Gadwall, 8 Wigeon and 11 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh, the Barnacle Goose, an Oystercatcher, 16 Goosander and 350+ Common Gull were on Harwood Dale Lake, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Egyptian Geese, 3 Goldeneye and 4 Oystercatcher were on Wykeham South Lake, 11 Teal and 11 Redshank were on Cayton Carr and an Eider and a Red-throated Diver were in Cayton Bay.

Monday 23rd February 2015


Migration watch; 08.15 - 11.00hrs.
The SURF SCOTER was seen again in South Bay during the afternoon.
Elsewhere the female Scaup, 42 Wigeon, 1 Shelduck and 6 Little Grebe were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), the Pintail, Gadwall and 8 Wigeon were on Johnson's Marsh, a Barnacle Goose and 6 Goosander were on Harwood Dale Lake and 37 Skylark were at Long Nab.
On the move (north unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver, 24 Fulmar + 3 south, 4 Gannet + 1 south, 4 Cormorant + 6 south, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 4 Black-headed Gull + 58 south, 1 Common Gull + 34 south, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull south, 447 Herring Gull south, 64 Great Black-backed Gull south and 1 Auk sp.

Sunday 22nd February 2015

Migration watch; 07.35 - 11.25hrs.
The SURF SCOTER was once again spent the day in South Bay often wandering south and close to Cornelian Bay.
Elsewhere the Scaup was still on the Mere along with 9 Gadwall and 39 Tufted Duck, 250+ Wigeon were at Scalby Mills and a Brambling was seen at the Forge Valley feeding station.
A steady day at Long Nab produced the following; (south unless stated) 2 Red-throated Diver + 4 north, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Fulmar + 1 north, 4 Gannet + 2 north, 7 Cormorant + 6 north, 1 Shag + 1 north, 3 Shelduck north, 14 Common Scoter, 1 Velvet Scoter + 5 north, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 160 Black-headed Gull, 15 Common Gull + 4 north, 174 Herring Gull, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Auk sp + 3 north, 1 Skylark and 2 Starling north.