Sunday 31 May 2015

Friday 29th May 2015

The Wood Sandpiper remained on Scalby Lodge Pond where there were also two Shelduck broods and 3 Black-headed Gulls.
An unseasonal Whooper Swan was at Wykeham South Lake where there were also 4 Egyptian Geese, 2 Shelduck and a drake Pochard.

Friday 29 May 2015

Thursday 28th May 2015

A quiet day, highlights were a Shoveler, a Dunlin and a Greenshank at Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), a Wood Sandpiper at Scalby Lodge Pond, a Hobby at the Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint and a Pink-footed Goose and a Teal at Wykeham South Lake.

Thursday 28 May 2015

Wednesday 27th May 2015

The first Quail of the year was heard on Brown Hill, Fylingdales Moor where a Red Kite was seen mid morning.
A second Quail was heard on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) that afternoon where there was also a Little Egret, a Pink-footed Goose, a Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 19 Lapwing and 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Shelduck and a Gadwall were at Wykeham South Lake, an Osprey was seen from the Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint at 14.30hrs before drifting off north and 4 Turtle Dove were seen again by the Nurseries in Wykeham Forest.

Tuesday 26th May 2015

Migration watch; 17.55 - 20.05hrs.
Two Common Crane were seen over Wykeham Forest from the viewpoint at 11.00hrs.
On Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) there were 9 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, a Gadwall and 2 Yellow Wagtail, two Corn Bunting were on Willerby Carr, 2 Dunlin were on Scalby Lodge Pond and the Scaup was still at Peasholm.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 2 Fulmar north, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Black-headed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull + 2 north, 1 Sandwich Tern + 9 north, 1 Puffin north and 9 Swallow.

Monday 25 May 2015

Monday 25th May 2015

Migration watch; 06.15 - 10.00hrs.
There was no sign today of the Temminck's Stint at Scalby Lodge Pond.
On the move (north unless stated) were 28 Fulmar, 5 Manx Shearwater, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Common Scoter, 3 Black-headed Gull south, 2 Common Gull, 5 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern + 7 south, 1 Common Tern (the first of the year, at last!!!), 2 Puffin, 2 Sand Martin, 11 Swallow + 5 south, 7 House Martin + 3 south, 3 Jackdaw, 7 Carrion Crow, 4 Goldfinch and 4 Linnet.
Two Eider were on the sea at Long Nab.

Sunday 24 May 2015

Sunday 24th May 2015

Migration watch; 06.25 - 12.10hrs.
A Temminck's Stint was a top find at Scalby Lodge Pond during the afternoon and gave a little hope for the remainder of May.
It remained there into the evening though often vanished for short periods in the grass.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver, 7 Fulmar + 14 north, 2 Cormorant + 3 north, 2 Little Egret north, 4 Barnacle Geese, 9 Common Scoter + 13 north, 1 Kestrel north, 1 Hobby, 1 Oystercatcher + 1 north, 3 Black-headed Gull + 3 north, 8 Common Gull + 7 north, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 51 Sandwich Tern + 9 north, 15 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 110 Swallow + 8 north, 49 House Martin, 1 Rook, 2 Carrion Crow + 3 north, 1 Tree Sparrow north and 21 Linnet.
Elsewhere an Osprey (the 5th this spring) flew south over Langdale Rigg towards the Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint at 13.45hrs, the Spotted Flycatcher was still at Long Nab, 2 Shoveler, a Dunlin, a Cuckoo and 5 Yellow Wagtail were at Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), 25 Mute Swan, 5 Egyptian Geese, 4 Barnacle Geese and 3 Little Ringed Plover were at Wykeham South Lake, the Bar-tailed Godwit was in North Bay and two pair of Turtle Dove were found in Wykeham Forest.

Friday 22nd - Saturday 23rd May 2015

Another generally quiet few days.


Friday 22nd;
Migration watch; 08.40 - 10.45hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Cormorant north, 6 Swift north, 42 Swallow + 9 north and 18 House Martin.
The first Honey Buzzard of the year was seen heading west over Harwood Dale early afternoon and a singing Reed Warbler was found in Falsgrave Park.


A Long-eared Bat was seen at Harwood Dale.


Saturday 23rd
Migration watch; 05.55 - 12.55hrs.
It was another slow mornings watch at Long Nab, on the move there (north unless stated) were 39 Fulmar + 9 south, 4 Manx Shearwater, 1 Cormorant + 1 south, 2 Shag, 7 Common Scoter, 1 Oystercatcher south, 3 Dunlin, 1 Black-headed Gull + 8 south, 1 Common Gull + 1 south, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull + 2 south, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern + 12 south, 1 Puffin south, 3 Sand Martin, 48 Swallow + 35 south, 3 House Martin, 1 Jay, 7 Carrion Crow + 1 south, 2 Goldfinch south and 5 Linnet.
Equally disappointing was the virtual absence of any drift migrants despite the change in conditions, a Spotted Flycatcher was the only bird of note.
Elsewhere 2 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 1 female Wigeon, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Wood Sandpiper and 2 Yellow Wagtail were at Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), 2 Turtle Dove were in Staintondale, 3 Garden and 3 Sedge Warbler were on Willerby Carr and the first Nightjar was reported from Wykeham Forest.

Thursday 21 May 2015

Thursday 21st May 2015

Migration watch; 17.45 - 19.00hrs.
There was no sign today of the Wood Sandpiper at Potter Brompton Carr but seen there were a Little Egret, 2 Shoveler, 2 Teal and a Crossbill north, an unusual site record.
The Scaup was still on Peasholm and a Coot, 4 Grey Heron and a brood of 10 Shelduck were on Johnson's Marsh.
A slow evening at Long Nab, on the move south were 14 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow and 2 Goldfinch.

Tuesday 19th - Wednesday 20th May 2015

A very quiet day on 19th was only marginally beaten on 20th, although the first Wood Sandpiper of the year was found on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) where there was also 2 Little Egret, 2 Shoveler and 2 Teal.
A Red Kite was seen over Scampston, a Ringed Plover was on Harwood Dale Lake, a Bar-tailed Godwit was in North Bay, the Scaup remained on Peasholm Park and a Cuckoo was on Thornton Carr.

Wood Sandpiper - Potter Brompton Carr - Chris Bradshaw

Bar-tailed Godwit - North Bay - Steve Wignill

Monday 18th May 2015

Migration watch; 08.00 - 12.00hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver, 5 Fulmar + 33 south, 3 Manx Shearwater south, 1 Cormorant, 1 Shag, 2 Shoveler south, 3 Common Scoter, 1 Dunlin, 1 Turnstone, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull south, 2 Great Black-backed Gull + 4 south, 5 Sandwich Tern, 60 Auk sp + 420 south, 1 Puffin + 2 south, 6 Wood Pigeon, 8 Swallow south and 1 House Martin.
In the Long Nab area were 2 Wheatear and a Redstart.
Elsewhere the first 2 Greenshank of the year were seen at Wykeham South Lake as well as 3 Little Egret, the Barnacle Goose, and singles of Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover and Whimbrel. A Dunlin was on Scalby Lodge Pond and another was in Cornelian Bay, a Little Egret and a Little Ringed Plover were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), a Hobby flew south over Burniston, 2 Turtle Dove were at Staintondale and a Cuckoo was at Ravenscar.


Some late news from yesterday, a Dotterel was on Jugger Howe Moor.

Sunday 17 May 2015

Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th May 2015

The 16th passed by rather uneventful with no significant reports.

Migration watch; 09.05 - 11.10hrs.
The 17th was marginally better.
On the move at Long Nab (south unless stated) were 1 Cormorant + 1 north, 2 Black-headed Gull north, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull + 3 north, 6 Great Black-backed Gull + 1 north, 4 Sandwich Tern + 2 north, 3 Swift, 27 Sand Martin, 48 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 2 Carrion Crow north and 4 Linnet.
Elsewhere the first Hobby of the year was seen chasing Hirundines over Folkton, the Barnacle Goose was at Wykeham South Lake, a Dunlin was at Scalby Lodge Pond, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Curlew and a Lesser Black-backed Gull were on Cayton Carr, a Coot and 2 Shelduck were on Johnson's Marsh, the Scaup was still on Peasholm, a Reed Warbler and 2 Sedge Warbler were at Seamer Tip and a Lesser Whitethroat was new in Crook Ness.

Saturday 16 May 2015

Friday 15th May 2015

Migration watch; 07.00 - 11.00hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 2 Manx Shearwater, 432 Gannet + 186 south, 2 Wigeon, 4 Eider, 2 Common Scoter south, 2 Puffin and 6182 Auk sp + 2132 south.
Elsewhere 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Teal, 1 Goosander 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 100 Sand Martin, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Reed Warbler were at Wykeham South Lake and a Little Egret, 2 Wigeon, 2 Teal and 8 Yellow Wagtail were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access).

Thursday 14th May 2015

Migration watch; 08.45 - 13.00hrs.

Despite searching yesterday's Woodchat Shrike near the Downe Arms at Wykeham had clearly departed during overnight.

On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Manx Shearwater north, 3 Tufted Duck, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Velvet Scoter north, 1 Common Gull and 16 Sandwich Tern.
Elsewhere singles of Wheatear and Willow Warbler plus 2 Whimbrel were grounded at Long Nab and a Common Sandpiper was grounded at Scalby Lodge Pond.
At Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) were 2 Teal, 2 Coot, 1 Wigeon, 1 Little Egret, 1 White Wagtail and 12 Yellow Wagtail and a Pink-footed Goose, a Barnacle Goose, a drake Goosander, 3 Little Ringed Plover and a Dunlin were at Wykeham South Lake.


Little Egret - Potter Brompton Carr - Nick Addey

Wednesday 13 May 2015

Wednesday 13th May 2015

Migration watches; 07.35 - 09.00hrs, 10.25 - 12.40hrs and 18.45 - 20.25hrs.
The undoubted highlight of the day, and the year so far, was the discovery of a 2nd calander year male WOODCHAT SHRIKE of the race badius along the road half a mile north of the Downe Arms PH.
The bird preformed well there all day, delighting a steady stream of observers and providing Scarborough listers with a very valuable tick, the first in the district since 1991!!!

Elsewhere the first Turtle Dove of the year was at Harwood Dale Lake along with a Wheatear, 6 Wheatear were at Long Nab, 2 Coot were on Johnson's Marsh, a single Dunlin was on Scalby Lodge Pond and a Common Sandpiper and 2 Shelduck were on Rudda Road Flash.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 7 Common Scoter, 1 Kestrel north, 3 Whimbrel north, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull north, 4 Sandwich Tern north, 196 Swallow + 31 north, 39 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Carrion Crow north, 1 Rook, 4 Linnet + 5 north and 2 Goldfinch.


Woodchat Shrike - Chris Bell

Woodchat Shrike - Nick Addey

Woodchat Shrike - Ian Glaves
Woodchat Shrike - Ian Glaves

Tuesday 12th May 2015

Migration watch; 08.10 - 12.30hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Little Egret, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 12 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 3 Sandwich Tern + 3 north, 5 Swift north, 257 Swallow, 26 House Martin, 20 Sand Martin, 3 Flava, 1 Tree Pipit, 74 Linnet + 2 north and 16 Goldfinch.
A Coot on Johnson's Marsh was unusual and the drake Scaup was still on Peasholm Park.


Little Egrets on the move south - Michael McNaghten.

Tuesday 12 May 2015

Monday 11th May 2015

Migration watch; 15.00 - 17.40hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 11 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 3 Swift, 484 Swallow, 35 House Martin, 29 Sand Martin and 2 Linnet.
Elsewhere a scattering of migrants were seen along the coast with highlights being Spotted Flycatcher and 3 Garden Warbler in Newlands Dale, a Whinchat and a Wheatear were at Scalby Lodge, 9 Whimbrel were in Jackson's Bay, a Wheatear was behind Marine Drive Wall and the male Black Redstart was seen again in Scalby.

Monday 11 May 2015

Sunday 10th May 2015

Migration watch; 06.55 - 12.50 and 13.50 - 19.15hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Cormorant north, 3 Greylag Geese, 4 Eider north, 1 Common Buzzard north, 3 Oystercatcher north, 8 Black-headed Gull + 3 north, 13 Common Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Sandwich Tern + 9 north, 13 Swift, 84 Sand Martin, 1026 Swallow + 19 north, 119 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, Flava + 2 north, 2 Rook, 3 Carrion Crow + 18 north, 20 Goldfinch, 6 Siskin north and 51 Linnet
Migrants were thin on the ground but at Long Nab there were 10 Wheatear and good count of 16 Whitethroat, 3 Wheatear were at Cloughton Wyke, a Sedge Warbler was in Trough Gully, a Garden Warbler was at Ravenscar and a fine male Black Redstart was found in Scalby, in exactly the same garden that hosted the Eastern Black Redstart last year!
Elsewhere the first Spotted Flycatcher was seen near Hackness, the Barnacle Goose, 2 Common Sandpiper and 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull were at Wykeham South Lake, 2 Mandarin were on Harwood Dale Lake.

Saturday 9 May 2015

Saturday 9th May 2015

Migration watch; 06.45 - 12.00hrs.
The highlight of the day was a GREAT EGRET that flew north over Town heading north at 06.25hrs. Unfortunately the lure of Johnson's Marsh, Scalby Lodge Pond or Peasholm Park weren't enough to drag it in.
On the move (south unless stated) were 5 Cormorant + 2 north, 1 Dunlin north, 4 Whimbrel north, 6 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull + 1 north, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 181 Sandwich Tern, 1 Puffin, 17 Swift + 7 north, 2 Sand Martin, 48 Swallow, 28 House Martin, 1 Flava, 4 Carrion Crow, 2 Goldfinch and 20 Linnet.
New in migrants in the Long Nab area included 4 White Wagtail, 13 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Chiffchaff while 11 Wheatear arrived on Castle Hill.
Elsewhere an Osprey and a Barnacle Goose were at Wykeham South Lake, a Wigeon and 2 Common Sandpiper were on Harwood Dale Lake, the Scaup remained at Peasholm Park, a Black-tailed Godwit was at Seamer Tip and 2 Eider and a Whimbrel were in Cornelian Bay.

Friday 8 May 2015

Friday 8th May 2015

Migration watch; 0.00 - 10.25hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Kestrel, 1 Turnstone north, 4 Whimbrel north, 1 Swift north, 173 Swallow, 5 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin north, 1 Flava, 18 Carrion Crow + 11 north, 3 Jackdaw + 6 north, 3 Goldfinch and Linnet.
A Willow Warbler was seen arriving in off the sea at Long Nab as a large sea fret rolled in.
Elsewhere 70+ Swifts, 100+ Swallow, 10 House Martin and 30+ Sand Martin were at Wykeham South Lake.

Thursday 7th May 2015

Migration watch; 07.00 - 08.35hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 1 Whimbrel, 14 Swallow + 1 south, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Flava, 2 Jackdaw south, 6 Carrion Crow + 15 south and 5 Siskin.
Elsewhere Green Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Redstart and 2 Tree Pipit were at Low North Camp, 2 Pink-footed Geese, a Shelduck, 2 Gadwall and 3 Common Sandpiper were at Wykeham South Lake, a Tree Pipit and a Cuckoo were at Harwood Dale Lake and 2 Dunlin and a Sedge Warbler were at Scalby Lodge Pond.

Thursday 7 May 2015

Wednesday 6th May 2015

Migration watch; 17.25 - 18.05hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 4 Whimbrel, 5 Curlew and 1 Swallow south.
Elsewhere a Little Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, a Whimbrel and a Short-eared Owl were in the Scalby Lodge Pond area, a Ringed Plover was in Jackson's Bay, a Snipe, 3 White Wagtail and 30 Sand Martin were at Harwood Dale Lake, the drake Scaup remained at Peasholm Park and 2 Pink-footed Geese, a Barnacle Goose, 20 Swift, 2 House Martin and 100 Sand Martin were at Wykeham South Lake.

Wednesday 6 May 2015

Tuesday 5th May 2015

Migration watch; 07.35 - 12.00hrs and 18.00 - 19.40hrs.
A great day with a scattering of migrants and a few disorientated waders.
Grounded between Long Nab and Castle Hill were 4 Tree Pipit, 2 Redstart (in off), 8 Wheatear, 5 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 21 Whitethroat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Starling (in off) and 1 singing Twite.
On the move (north unless stated) were 5 Common Scoter + 3 south, 1 Osprey at 13.40hrs, 1 Dotterel at 10.54hrs, 1 Ringed Plover, 22 Knot south, 18 Black-headed Gull south, 3 Common Gull + 2 south, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 6 Swift + 5 south, 64 Swallow + 16 south, 1 House Martin + 1 south, 4 Sand Martin, 2 Flava south and 1 Tree Pipit.
Elsewhere 2 Ringed Plover and 57 Common Gull were in Jackson's Bay, 4 Ringed Plover were on Scalby Lodge Pond, 3 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck and a Yellow Wagtail were on Johnson's Marsh and 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Swift and 4 Reed Warbler were on Potter Brompton Carr.

Monday 4th May 2015

Migration watch; 07.10 - 11.10hrs.
A WHITE STORK of unknown origin flew west over Hackness at 13.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Red Kite at 08.53hrs, 2 Oystercatcher north, 1 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull + 3 north, 7 Swift, 8 Sand Martin, 38 Swallow + 9 north, 10 House Martin + 2 north, 2 Meadow Pipit, 4 Flava, 3 Jackdaw, 10 Carrion Crow + 2 north, 3 Goldfinch and 14 Linnet.
A singing Firecrest was a nice find at Ravenscar, Wykeham South Lake produced small numbers of waders moving through during the day including 2 Sanderling, 8 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover and 8 Whimbrel. Also there were 4 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpiper, 20 Swift, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 1 Gadwall, 1 Peregrine, 2 Pink-footed Geese and 4 Egyptian Geese.
At Seamer Tip there were 12 Whimbrel, a male Redstart was the highlight of various breeding summer migrants at May Beck , 4 Purple Sandpiper were in Cornelian Bay and a Wheatear arrived in off the sea along Marine Drive.


Firecrest - Ravenscar - Michael McNaghten.

Sunday 3rd May 2015

Migration watch; 06.10 - 11.15hrs and 13.15 - 18.05hrs.
Despite the conditions it was rather disappointing. Although the sea did provide some entertainment with a few spring records broken as well as a few new additions to the year list making an appearance.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver north, 105 Fulmar + 9 north, 2 Manx Shearwater, 1708 Gannet + 45 north, 1 Cormorant north, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Eider north, 5 Common Scoter, 2 Great Skua, 1 Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull + 5 north, 11 Great Black-backed Gull + 4 north, 3950 Kittiwake, 170 Sandwich Tern + 1 north, 5350 Auk sp, 2 Puffin, 1 Swift + 1 north and 2 Swallow.
Migrants between Long Nab and Scalby Lodge Pond included 3 Wheatear, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap and 5 Chiffchaff.
Elsewhere a Common and a Green Sandpiper was on Johnson's Marsh, a Common Sandpiper, 6 Dunlin and 3 Swift were at Wykeham South Lake, an Arctic Tern was at Potter Brompton Carr, a Cuckoo was in Falsgrave Park.

Sunday 3 May 2015

Saturday 2nd May 2015

Migration watch; 07.00 - 11.15hrs.
With the confirmation of yesterday's ALPINE SWIFT at Hutton Buscel and a Hawfinch today at Hilla Green ensured a great start to May.
On the move (north unless stated) were 11 Fulmar + 1 south, 1 Cormorant, 6 Common Scoter, 2 Common Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Sandwich Tern, 1 Puffin and 1 Swallow.
In the Long Nab area were 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff and 110 Linnet.
Elsewhere a Little Ringed Plover, a Redshank and 3 Teal were on Scalby Lodge Pond, 2 Common Sandpiper and 3 Dunlin were at Wykeham South Lake, 2 Snipe and 2 Curlew were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), a Common Sandpiper was in Cornelian Bay and 2 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Reed Bunting were along South Cliff.

Saturday 2 May 2015

Friday 1st May 2015

The month began rather slowly, although an unconfirmed report of an Alpine Swift north over Hunnton Buscel at 12.45hrs provided some interest!
Elsewhere a Brambling was in Hutton Buscel, 20 Turnstone were in the Harbour, 110 Adult Greylag Geese + 21 juveniles, 1 House Martin, 50 Sand Martin, 30 Swallow and 1 Wheatear were at Wykeham South Lake and a Whimbrel flew north over West Ayton.

Friday 1 May 2015

Thursday 30th April 2015

Migration watch; 08.15 - 10.45hrs and 18.15 - 19.15hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 19 Fulmar + 2 south, 1 Manx Shearwater, 2 Teal south, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 2 Common Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 11 Sandwich Tern + 11 south, 4 Swallow, 3 Goldfinch and 11 Linnet + 2 south.
Three Wheatear were at Cloughton Wyke, 80 Sand Martin, 25 Swallow and a Wheatear were at Harwood Dale Lake, 2 Shelduck were on Rudda Road Flash. On Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) were 1 White Wagtail, 1 Wheatear and 1 Black-tailed Godwit (later on Wykeham South Lake), 7 Dunlin, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Teal and 2 Wheatear were on Scalby Lodge Pond, a Redshank was on Johnson's Marsh, the Scaup was on Peasholm and the Coot remained behind the Open Air Theatre.