Thursday 31 December 2015

Thursday 31st December 2015

Little Gulls have been extremely scarce throughout 2015 so it was very welcome when three were found on the final day, 1 in Cornelian Bay and 2 in South Bay.
Also in Cornelian Bay were 2 Red-throated Diver, 5 Shag, 18 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Grey Plover and 4 Razorbill.
Presumably the same Short-eared Owl seen hunting North Bay cliffs on the 27th was still present, 30 Pink-footed Geese were seen at Bedale and only 2 Shoveler remained on Seamer Tip along with 3 Little Grebe.
The 3 Black-necked Grebe were still in the Harbour, and hopefully still will be in the morning.

Happy New Year from Scarborough Birders, good birding to all during 2016.

Wednesday 30th December 2015

Migration watch; 10.35 - 11.05hrs.
On the move south were 1 Cormorant, 12 Black-headed Gull, 1 argentatus Herring Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull and 2 Auk sp.
A probable Caspian Gull was seen in fading light on Cayton Carr in the company of 50 Herring, 250 Common and 200 Black-headed Gull, also there were 800 Lapwing and 100 Starling.
At least one Black-necked Grebe was seen in the Harbour.

Tuesday 29th December 2015

A Swift sp (the 2nd of the month!!) was seen over Cloughton before disappearing to the south, it was thought to be a probable Pallid. Hopefully the next one will get nailed.
Three Black-necked Grebe were still in the Harbour, fast approaching a 2 month stay! In Cornelian Bay there were 5 Red-throated Diver, 3 Shag, a Common Scoter, 3 Grey Plover and 11 Purple Sandpiper, 80 Pink-footed Geese headed west over Seamer Tip.
Two Goosander flew south over Scalby Lodge Pond while another was on nearby Johnson's Marsh.

Monday 28th December 2015

Migration watch; 08.15 - 12.00hrs.
A good December sea-watch, on the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 3 north, 1 Great Northern Diver, 10 Fulmar + 2 north, 1 Balearic Shearwater at 10.59hrs, 9 Gannet + 18 north, 6 Cormorant, 5 Shag + 6 north, 22 Teal, 2 Common Scoter + 2 north, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Great Skua + 3 north, 8 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 94 Herring Gull including 1 argentatus, 117 Great Black-backed Gull, 9 Kittiwake north, 6 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 9 Auk sp + 3 north and 1 Fieldfare in off.
On Seamer Tip Pool were 10 Shoveler and a Shelduck, 30 Fieldfare were on Seamer Mead and 18 Pink-footed Geese flew west over Crossgates.

Sunday 27 December 2015

Sunday 27th December 2015

Migration watch; 08.15 - 12.00hrs.
A good winter's day birding.
At least 1 RICHARD'S PIPIT was in fields just to the south of the Hayburn Wyke viewable from the Cleveland Way, this bird was first found on 23rd October and has been seen there on and off since.
A second bird joined the first on the 5th December but couldn't be found today.
For anyone who may wish to visit these birds (no doubt they will attract few come the new year if still present) please view only from the Cleveland Way and DO NOT enter the fields.

Elsewhere a Great Grey Shrike was seen at Lun Rigg, Landgdale Forest, the 3 Black-necked Grebe remained in the Harbour along with 51 Purple Sandpiper, a Short-eared Owl arrived in off the sea at Castle Hill before moving to North Bay cliffs where it preformed well.
On Seamer Tip there were 10 Shoveler and 2 Gadwall, 12 Brambling were at Wilton Heights, a good count of 7 Little Egret were on Folkton Carr as was a Shelduck, 23 Whooper and 22 Mute Swan, 69 Wigeon, 4 Snipe, 34 Reed Bunting, 17 Yellowhammer and a Willow Tit were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), 6 Goldeneye, 9 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Gadwall, 45 Wigeon, 23 Yellowhammer, 11 Reed Bunting and 14 Goldfinch were at Wykeham South Lake and 23 Shag, an Eider and 4 Common Scoter were in Cornelian Bay.
A watch at Long Nab produced the following; (south unless stated) 4 Red-throated Diver north, 1 Great Northern Diver, 11 Fulmar + 3 north, 5 Gannet + 6 north, 10 Cormorant + 3, 2 Shag + 1 north, 6 Mallard, 2 Common Scoter, 9 Black-headed Gull + 2 north, 19 Common Gull + 2 north, 325 Herring Gull including 23 argentatus, 310 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Kittiwake north and 1 Auk sp + 7 north.
Also in the area were a Snipe and a Jack Snipe and 2 Lapland Bunting.

Short-eared Owl - North Bay cliffs - Steve Wignill

Saturday 26th December 2015

There was local flooding throughout the area following almost two days of persistent rain meaning Long Nab inaccessible, so a short watch from Marine Drive was the alternative!

Migration watch; 09.05 - 10.05hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 3 Fulmar, 2 Gannet north, 1 Cormorant + 2 north, 5 Shag north, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Wigeon + 3 north, 9 Teal, 3 Mallard, 1 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 7 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Guillemot and 2 Razorbill + 1 north.
Elsewhere a Pink-footed Goose was seen on floodwater near Johnson's Marsh, 3 Black-necked Grebe were in the Harbour, 10 Fulmar were back on the Castle Cliffs, a drake Pintail, 2 Goldeneye, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 45 Wigeon were on Wykeham South Lake and 137 Teal, 40 Wigeon, 5 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 3 Snipe, 2 Golden Plover and 23 Lapwing were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access).

Saturday 26 December 2015

Friday 25th December 2015

Merry Christmas from Scarborough Birders.

Migration watch; 10.15 - 11.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Gannet, 1 Shag north, 9 Wigeon, 4 Common Scoter, 1 Curlew north, 3 Black-headed Gull, 7 Common Gull, 14 Great Black-backed Gull and 1 Guillemot.
Seen during the day were the 3 Black-necked Grebe in the Harbour, 100 Wigeon at Scalby Mills, 8 Mediterranean Gull at Holbeck, 32 Tufted Duck, the Whooper Swan and 5 Goosander were at the Mere, 14 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler and 3 Tufted Duck were on Seamer Tip.

Thursday 24th December 2015

The 3 Black-necked Grebe were present on the Harbour with 77 Purple Sandpiper now roosting there. The Whooper Swan was still on the Mere, 16 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler and a Shelduck were on Seamer Tip, 5 Goosander were on Burton Riggs and the female Pintail and 150 Lapwing were on Harwood Dale.

Tuesday 22nd - Wednesday 23rd December 2015

The only reports came on 22nd with 3 Black-necked Grebe in the Harbour and a female Pintail, 2 Wigeon and 150 Starling at Harwood Dale Lake.

Monday 21st December 2015

The 3 Black-necked Grebe were present in the Harbour again with at least 61 Purple Sandpiper roosting there. Three Goosander and the juvenile Whooper Swan were seen at the Mere and 2 Grey Plover were in Cornelian Bay.

Saturday 19th - Sunday 20th December 2015

The 19th was fairly standard with at least 2 Black-necked Grebe in the Harbour and the juvenile Whooper Swan on the Mere.

The 20th saw 3 Black-necked Grebe and 35 Purple Sandpiper in the Harbour, 5 Goosander, the Whooper Swan, 5 Little Grebe, 26 Tufted Duck, 1 Coot and 3 Kingfisher on the Mere. On Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) there were 17 Whooper Swan, 1 Peregrine and 52 Lapwing, 4 Goldeneye, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Egyptian Geese and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull were on Wykeham South Lake, 12 Mediterranean Gull (10 adults, 2 2nd winters) were at Holbeck, 6 Jack Snipe were along Taylor Way, a Goosander was on Burton Riggs, 2 Goosander, 13 Gadwall and 4 Shoveler were on Seamer Tip and 20 Teal, 2 Snipe and a Peregrine were on Seamer Carr.

Saturday 19 December 2015

Friday 18th December 2015

Migration watch; 09.05 - 09.40hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver, 7 Fulmar, 4 Gannet + 2 north, 4 Cormorant north, 1 Shag, 2 Curlew, 2 Common Gull, 6 Great Black-backed Gull and 2 Guillemot.
Three Black-necked Grebe were still present in the Harbour, a Little Egret was on Seamer Carr, 6 Mediterranean Gull were at Holbeck and 3 Goosander, 11 Gadwall and 2 Wigeon were on Burton Riggs.

Friday 18 December 2015

Thursday 17th December 2015

Migration watch; 10.40 - 12.50hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver north, 1 Gannet + 6 north, 1 Cormorant, 1 Shag, 1 Kestrel in off, 1 Black-headed Gull, 128 Herring Gull including 2 argentatus, 48 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Guillemot + 2 north, 2 Razorbill north, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Three Black-necked Grebe were in the Harbour, Wykeham South Lake held 63 Coot, 35 Tufted Duck, 64 Wigeon, 2 Pochard, 1 Goldeneye, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 60 goldfinch and 8 Yellowhammer. At Seamer Tip there were 18 Gadwall and 4 Shoveler, a Little Egret was on Seamer Mead where 11 Pink-footed Geese flew south and 29 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh.


Tuesday 15th - Wednesday 16th December 2015

After a birdless day on the 15th the 16th at least delivered some bits of interest....

Migration watch; 08.15 - 10.30hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 6 Red-thoated Diver + 3 north, 1 Fulmar, 1 Shag north, 2 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 2 Eider, 1 Velvet Scoter, 1 Goldeneye, 159 Herring Gull + 2 argentatus, 63 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Guillemot + 6 north and 1 Razorbill.
A few Thrushes were evident at Long Nab with 9 Blackbird and 7 Song Thrush.
A pair of Stonechat were at Cromer Point while a male was in Jackson's Bay, up to 60 Curlew and 35 Lapwing were on Scalby Lodge Pond, a Gadwall and a Kittiwake were the highlights at a quiet Scalby Mills, 3 Black-necked Grebe and 48 Purple Sandpiper were in the Harbour, 16 Gadwall and 4 Shoveler were on Seamer Tip and the Mealy Redpoll was still present at Wykeham South Lake where there were 84 Wigeon and 40 Teal.

Tuesday 15 December 2015

Monday 14th December 2015

Migration watch; 08.05 - 10.40hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver north, 3 Fulmar north, 3 Gannet, 4 Cormorant north, 1 Shag, 3 Mallard, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser north, 1 Woodcock in off, 11 Black-headed Gull, 20 Common Gull + 5 north, 115 Herring Gull including 3 argentatus, 15 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Kittiwake north and 7 Blackbird in off.
Elsewhere 3 Common Scoter, 5 Egyptian Geese, a Pink-footed Goose, a Goosander, 4 Goldeneye, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Lesser Redpoll and a Mealy Redpoll were at Wykeham South Lake, 7 Pink-footed Geese, 80 Wigeon and a Shoveler were on Cayton Carr, the juvenile Whooper Swan remained at the Mere, 3 Black-necked Grebe were in the Harbour, 12 Gadwall were on Seamer Tip and 24 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh.


Saturday 12th - Sunday 13th December 2015

The sole report on the 12th was of a male Blackcap in Falsgrave Park.

The 13th saw six Whooper Swan at Wykeham South Lake, the juvenile Whooper Swan was seen at the Mere, 5 Shoveler and 10 Gadwall were at Seamer Tip, a Goosander was at Burton Riggs and 2 Black-necked Grebe were in the Harbour.


Friday 11th December 2015

Only the 4th Hen Harrier of the year was seen today - over Fylingdales Moor, while 3 Black-necked Grebe remained in the Harbour.

Friday 11 December 2015

Tuesday 8th - Thursday 10th December 2015

At least 2 Black-necked Grebe were present in the Harbour on the 8th and 9th with 8 Mediterranean Gull seen at Holbeck on the latter date.

The 10th produced 3 Black-necked Grebe and up to 4 Red-throated Diver in the Harbour. Three Goosander and a Goldeneye were at Burton Riggs and 14 Gadwall and 4 Shoveler were on Seamer Tip.


Tuesday 8 December 2015

Monday 7th December 2015

Eight Jack Snipe and 2 Common Snipe were flushed from Taylor Way while 5 Whooper Swan, 16 Gadwall and 4 Shoveler were on nearby Seamer Tip Pool.
At the Mere there were 2 Little Grebe, 20 Tufted Duck, 4 Goosander and a Kingfisher, 2 Black-necked Grebe and 3 Red-throated Diver were in the Harbour and a Black-throated Diver was in South Bay. At least 6 Mediterranean Gull were seen at Holbeck and 2 Wigeon, 1 Goldeneye, 6 Siskin and 2 Lesser Redpoll were at Burton Riggs.

Jack Snipe - Taylor Way - Michael McNaghten

Jack Snipe - Taylor Way - Michael McNaghten



Sunday 6th December 2015

Migration watch; 08.00 - 11.40hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 6 Red-throated Diver + 6 north, 4 Fulmar + 23 north, 96 Gannet + 9 north, 2 Cormorant + 9 north, 1 Shag, 1 Lapwing, 16 Black-headed Gull + 1 north, 14 Common Gull + 5 north, 386 Herring Gull including 9 argentatus, 255 Great Black-backed Gull, 7 Kittiwake + 8 north and 3 Auk sp + 2 north.
A drake Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Gadwall and 7 Great Crested Grebe were on Wykeham South Lake, 3 Grey Plover, 8 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Scoter and 5 Razorbill were in Cornelian Bay, the Pintail remained on Harwood Dale Lake, 20 Teal were on Johnson's Marsh, a Short-eared Owl was on Flixton Carr and 3 Black-necked Grebe and 54 Purple Sandpiper were in the Harbour.


Sunday 6 December 2015

Saturday 5th December 2015

Migration watch; 08.10 - 11.20hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 3 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Fulmar + 21 south, 9 Gannet, 2 Cormorant + 8 south, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Black-headed Gull + 9 south, 22 Common Gull south, 225 Herring Gull south including 2 argentatus, 111 Great Black-backed Gull south, 7 Kittiwake south and 1 Razorbill + 7 south.
A Swift sp seen briefly over the Old Town was unfortunately never pinned down.
Elsewhere 16 Gadwall and 3 Shoveler were on Seamer Tip, singles of Pink-footed Goose, Pintail, Mandarin and Goosander were on Harwood Dale Lake and 25 Teal were on Scalby Lodge Pond.

Gadwall - Seamer Tip - Terry Hobson



Saturday 5 December 2015

Thursday 3rd - Friday 4th December 2015

Two fairly quiet days as expected...
On the 3rd a female Red-crested Pochard resurfaced at Seamer Tip Pool where there were also 16 Gadwall and 4 Shoveler. Three Goosander were on Burton Riggs and 22 Pied Wagtail, 29 Redshank, 15 Teal, 11 Lapwing and 1 Snipe were on Scalby Lodge Pond.

And on the 4th...
The female Red-crested Pochard remained on Seamer Tip in the company of 17 Gadwall, a Shoveler and 4 Tufted Duck.
Two Black-necked Grebe, 43 Purple Sandpiper and 48 Turnstone were in the Harbour, a Little Egret was seen at Brompton Butts and 140 Wigeon, 90 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 540 Herring Gull, 440 Black-headed Gull, 30 Common Gull and a Kingfisher were at Scalby Mills.


Friday 4 December 2015

Wednesday 2nd December 2015

What were presumably the 7 Whooper Swans seen heading north past Marine Drive yesterday were present on Scalby Lodge Pond during the morning where there were also 32 Teal, 10 Lapwing, 41 Curlew and 52 Redshank.
The highlights at Wykeham South Lake were 7 Egyptian Geese (including the three young still surviving), a Pintail and 5 Goldeneye, singles of Jack Snipe and Common Snipe were flushed along Taylor Way, 15 Gadwall and a Shoveler were on Seamer Tip Pool, 3 Goosander, the juvenile Whooper Swan and 2 Little Grebe were on the Mere, a Dipper was at Brompton Butts and 3 Black-necked Grebe were still around the Harbour.

Thursday 3 December 2015

Tuesday 1st December 2015

Three adult Bewick's Swan, the first for over two year's in the district, were present on Scalby Lodge Pond during the morning, unfortunately though they didn't stick around long! Also there were 14 Teal and 54 Curlew.
A further 7 Whooper Swans flew north past Marine Drive, at least 3 Black-necked Grebe remained around the Harbour and at Scalby Mills there were 20 Common Gull, 370 Black-headed Gull, 110 Great Black-backed Gull and 460 Herring Gull.


Bewick's and Whooper Swans - Scalby Lodge Pond - Terry Hobson




Tuesday 1 December 2015

Monday 30th November 2015

Migration watch; 08.20 - 11.45hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 4 Red-throated Diver, 1 Gannet + 8 north, 3 Cormorant, 2 Shag, 5 Whooper Swan, 60 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Common Scoter, 18 Black-headed Gull + 2 north, 1 Common Gull, 137 Herring Gull, 22 Great Black-backed Gull and 6 Guillemot + 9 north.
A Short-eared Owl, 9 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing and 1 Goldcrest were in the Long Nab area.
At least 2 Black-necked Grebe were still in the Harbour.