Friday 29 April 2016

Thursday 28th April 2016

Migration watch; 07.00 – 09.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Grey Heron, 4 Common Gull north, 1 Flava, 4 Linnet and 2 Goldfinch.
In the Long Nab area were 2 Greenland Wheatear and 120 Linnet.
The first Common Sandpiper of the year was seen at Harwood Dale Lake, 29 Snipe were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) along with 5 Whimbrel, 3 Oystercatcher and 4 Gadwall.
Two Little Ringed Plover were at Burton Riggs and along Taylor Way.

Thursday 28 April 2016

Wednesday 27th April 2016

Migration watch; 18.45 – 19.45hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 11 Fulmar including 1 blue Fulmar, 61 Kittiwake, 1 Black-headed Gull and 3 Linnet.
A Black Redstart was in Hutton Buscel, 2 Little Ringed Plover were at Burton Riggs, 8 Whimbrel and a Little Egret were on Star Carr, 43 Turnstone were in the Harbour and 4 Redshank were at Wykeham South Lake.

Wednesday 27 April 2016

Tuesday 26th April 2016

Another quiet day, hopefully the weather situation will change soon!
At Wykeham South Lake 114 Sand Martin, 3 Pink-footed Geese, a Little Ringed Plover and a Yellow Wagtail were noted while a Dunlin and 22 Oystercatcher were in Jackson’s Bay.

Tuesday 26 April 2016

Monday 25th April 2016

Migration watch; 07.45 – 09.35hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 4 Cormorant south, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 1 Flava, 2 Meadow Pipit and 8 Linnet.
In the Long Nab area were 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Whitethroat.
On Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) there were 6 Whimbrel, 2 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 drake Gadwall, 2 Shoveler and 2 brood of Mallard.

Sunday 24th April 2016

Migration watch; 06.35 – 11.00hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 1 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 108 Fulmar, 183 Gannet + 10 south, 2 Cormorant south, 4 Oystercatcher, 112 Kittiwake + 4 south, 36 Common Gull + 14 south, 11 Great Black-backed Gull + 1 south, 2 Sandwich Tern south, 64 Auk sp + 5 south, 7 Carrion Crow, 2 Chaffinch, 16 Linnet and 2 Goldfinch.
A Ruff was a welcome addition to the year list, a single was present on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) as were 4 Whimbrel, 3 Redshank, 6 Snipe and male Gadwall. At Wykeham South lake there were 90 Sand Martin, 60 Swallow, 25 House Martin a Yellow Wagtail and a Whitethroat while two drake Mandarin were on Harwood Dale Lake.

Sunday 24 April 2016

Saturday 23rd April 2016

Migration watch; 06.40 – 12.00hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 2 Shelduck south, 4 Wigeon, 3 Common Scoter + 4 south, 2 Red-throated Diver south, 48 Fulmar + 5 south including one blue Fulmar north, 1 Manx Shearwater, 148 Gannet + 36 south, 4 Cormorant south, 1 Whimbrel, 45 Kittiwake, 1 Common Gull + 4 south, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 5 Sandwich Tern south, 306 Auk sp, 2 Stock Dove, 12 Linnet, 1 Yellowhammer and 1 Reed Bunting.
The male Hen Harrier was seen again briefly over Burn Howe Moor before moving off high south, a Cuckoo was also in the area.
The Whinchat was still at Scalby Lodge Pond where a brood of Mallard there consisted 11 ducklings.
In the Long Nab area there were 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 200 Linnet.

Saturday 23 April 2016

Friday 22nd April 2016

Migration watch; 17.45 – 18.45hrs.
A fine male Hen Harrier was the highlight of the day, hunting over Burn Howe Moor for much of the afternoon.
A Cuckoo was in Castle Beck Wood, 2 Pink-footed Geese were at Seamer Tip where there were also 3 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and the first 2 juvenile Coot of the year.
Single of Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat were in Scalby Beck and yesterday’s Whinchat was still present nearby at Scalby Lodge Pond.
On the move (north unless stated) were 3 Fulmar, 1 Cormorant south, 4 Common Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern, 2 Swallow south and 4 Linnet + 1 south.

Friday 22 April 2016

Thursday 21st April 2016

Migration watch; 07.00 - 11.35hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 5 Cormorant north, 1 Lapwing, 22 Sand Martin, 8 Swallow + 1 north, 1 Flava, 32 Linnet and 1 Goldfinch.
At Long Nab there were 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Redstart, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Willow Tit.
Elsewhere the first Whinchat of the year was at Scalby Lodge Pond along with 2 Wheatear and a female Black Redstart was behind the Marine Drive Wall.
A single Black-necked Grebe was in the Harbour, a Lesser Whitethroat was at the Mere and the Pink-footed Goose was still at Seamer Tip.


Redstart - Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Lesser Whitethroat - Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw. First ringed at Long Nab in 2013 as a second year, he is back again to raise yet another brood all being well. Amazing bird!

Willow Tit - Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw. Only the third Long Nab record and the third to be ringed.

Linnet - Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Pink-footed Goose - Seamer Tip - Michael McNaghten

Thursday 21 April 2016

Wednesday 20th April 2016

Migration watch; 07.30 – 12.20hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 1 Cormorant south, 1 Buzzard, 1 Lapwing south, 6 Rook, 10 Carrion Crow, 4 Sand Martin + 52 south, 1 Swallow + 3 south, 2 Flava + 18 south, 6 Meadow Pipit, 22 Linnet + 93 south and 1 Goldfinch + 16 south.
In the Long Nab area there were 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Siskin.
A Black-necked Grebe was still in the Harbour and a Lesser Whitethroat, the first Whitethroat, a Pink-footed Goose and 2 Little Ringed Plover were in the Taylor Way – Seamer Tip area.

On Johnson’s Marsh 10 young Mallard were seen while 10 young Greylag Geese were on the Mere.

Willow Warbler - Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Goldfinch - Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Pink-footed Goose - Seamer Tip - Michael McNaghten

Tuesday 19th April 2016

Migration watch; 18.00 – 20.00hrs.
Two Ravens were seen together at Stoupe Brow during the day, confirming suspicions that two birds were responsible for the recent rise in sightings.
On the move (north unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver, 17 Fulmar, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 51 Sandwich Tern, 2 Sand Martin south and 9 Swallow south.
Elsewhere a Stonechat was at Stoupe Brow, a Cuckoo was at Ravenscar, 3 Wheatear were at Scalby Lodge Pond, 3 Tree Pipit and a Yellow Wagtail flew north over Crook Ness and a Black-necked Grebe was in the Harbour.


Raven - Stoupe Brow - Michael McNaghten

Ravens - Stoupe Brow - Michael McNaghten

Monday 18 April 2016

Monday 18th April 2016

Migration watch; 07.28 – 17.30hrs.
The highlight of a rather interesting day was undoubtedly a SHORT-TOED LARK at Long Nab, only the second record for the district, the first being almost two years ago to the day (20th April 2014) and only a few hundred yards further along the cliffs!
Unfortunately, unlike the first, it was rather illusive, regularly disappearing in the fast growing crops. It then flew a short distance towards the car park at Crook Ness where it again dropped into vegetation and wasn’t seen again after 10.25hrs.
Other migrants in the Long Nab area included 1 Whimbrel, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Wheatear and 5 White Wagtail.
On the move (north unless stated) were 1 Common Scoter + 1 south, 11 Gannet, 1 female Hen Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 12 Whimbrel, 3 Curlew, 2 Black-headed Gull + 9 south, 31 Common Gull south, 3 lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Sandwich Tern + 2 south, 13 Carrion Crow, 4 Sand Martin + 4 south, 8 Swallow + 11 south, 2 House Martin + 4 north, 2 Flava, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Alba, 2 White Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit south, 1 Chaffinch, 57 Linnet + 70 south and 1 Goldfinch + 2 south.
Elsewhere 9 Ring Ouzel were at Ravenscar where the Raven was seen again, nearby a Wheatear was at Stoupe Brow.
2 Wheatear were on Scalby Nab, 6 House Martin and 10 Sand Martin were over Scalby Beck, the second Osprey in two days flew north over Thornton le Dale at 14.55hrs, a Red-breasted Merganser and a Common Scoter were in Cornelian Bay, a Wheatear was on South Cliff, a Brambling was in Crossgates and 4 Great Crested Grebe were at Burton Riggs.

Short-toed Lark - Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Whimbrel - Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw


Sunday 17th April 2016

Migration watch; 06.35 – 10.30hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 1 Pink-footed Goose, 12 Greylag Geese south, 1 Canada Goose, 1 Eider, 1 Red-throated Diver south, 22 Fulmar, 317 Gannet + 5 south, 1 Cormorant, 30 Kittiwake, 5 Black-headed Gull, 6 Common Gull + 2 south, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull south, 2 Sandwich Tern south, 6 Auk sp, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Rook, 19 Carrion Crow + 1 south, 1 Sand Martin south, 2 Swallow south, 2 Starling south, 4 Alba, 33 Meadow Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 46 Linnet + 13 south and 10 Goldfinch.
The Raven was seen again on several occasions in the Stoupe Brown – Ravenscar area where there were also 4 Ring Ouzel. An Osprey flew north over Northstead School at 11.00hrs, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Pink-footed Goose, 8 Gadwall and 2 Shoveler were at Seamer Tip and a Pochard, a Yellow Wagtail, 18 Teal, 4 Wigeon and 4 House Martin were at Wykeham South Lake.

Saturday 16th April 2016

Migration watch; 07.15 – 10.20hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 1 Wigeon south, 4 Eider south, 4 Common Scoter south, 2 Red-throated Diver, 54 Fulmar, 28 Gannet + 3 south, 2 Cormorant, 1 Common Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern south, 87 Auk sp + 6 south.
Elsewhere two Black-necked Grebe were in the Harbour, 2 Great Crested Grebe were at Burton Riggs and the Knot, 2 Dunlin and 2 Redshank were on Scalby Lodge Pond.

Friday 15th April 2016

Migration watch; 09.0 – 12.00hrs and 17.35 – 19.20hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver south, 11 Fulmar, 56 Gannet + 3 south, 1 Cormorant south, 4 Curlew, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern + 5 south, 1 Arctic Tern, 214 Auk sp + 7 south, 1 Swallow south, 1 Alba, 1 Meadow Pipit, 5 Linnet + 26 south and 4 Goldfinch + 5 south.
The Raven was once again seen at Stoupe Brow, a Mandarin was at Wykeham South Lake along with 12 Shoveler, 10 Wigeon, 2 Teal, a White Wagtail, a Wheatear, 50 Sand Martin, 30 Swallow and 2 House Martin.
Two Black-necked Grebe were still in the Harbour, a Knot was on Scalby Lodge Pond and 33 Pied and 3 White Wagtails were at Long Nab.

Friday 15 April 2016

Thursday 14th April 2016

Yet more new arrivals within the area included 2 Sedge Warbler and a Grasshopper Warbler on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), also there were 3 Snipe, a Little Ringed Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit (left high west), a Yellow Wagtail and 11 Willow Warbler.
Elsewhere 70 Sand Martin, a Pink-footed Goose, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 9 Wigeon and 6 Shoveler were on Wykeham South Lake, 2 Black-necked Grebe were in the Harbour, 4 Brambling, a Blackcap and a Siskin were in a Crossgates garden. On Johnson’s Marsh there were 4 Teal with 2 House Martin feeding there.


Black-necked Grebe - Harbour - Chris Bell

Wednesday 13th April 2016

Migration watch; 06.25 – 12.10hrs.
A good day with at last a noteworthy arrival of migrants.
Very welcome were three new additions to the year list, a Twite at Long Nab was rather unexpected, the other two were much more routine but just as welcome, 2 male Redstart were at Long Nab while a Tree Pipit was on Castle Hill.
Other migrants on Castle Hill included a Siberian Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 15 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 16 Goldcrest, 3 Wheatear and 2 Robin.
Between Cromer Point and Scalby Nab were 18 Wheatear, 3 White Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler and 3 Goldcrest.
Also at Long Nab were 2 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Ring Ouzel (left northwest), 3 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 8 Goldcrest, 5 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 1 White Wagtail, at Ravenscar there were 3 Ring Ouzel, 19 Wheatear, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Brambling and 4 Siskin and 2 Wheatear and a Blackcap were on South Cliff.

On the move (north unless stated) were 3 Shelduck south, 1 Cormorant south, 1 Buzzard, 1 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover south, 14 Curlew, 3 Auk sp, 1 Rook south, 14 Carrion Crow + 9 south, 1 Skylark south, 6 Swallow + 1 south, 7 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin, 1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Yellow Wagtail + 4 south, 2 Alba, 121 Meadow Pipit + 2 south, 1 Chaffinch + 1 south, 1 Greenfinch, 148 Linnet + 22 south, 1 Redpoll sp, 32 Goldfinch + 11 south, 1 Siskin and 1 Reed Bunting.

Elsewhere a Raven was seen over Stoupe Brow, 2 Green Sandpiper were on Johnson’s Marsh, 5 Wheatear, a Ring Ouzel and a drake Pochard were at Seamer Tip, at Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) there was a Little Gull, 36 Teal, 15 Wigeon and 80+ Fieldfare, a cream crown Marsh Harrier flew east at Cayton at 16.05hrs, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Blackcap, 70 Sand Martin and 8 Swallow were at Wykeham South Lake and 3 Common Scoter were in Cornelian Bay.

Some late news concerns the first Cuckoo of the year heard singing yesterday along Ruffa Lane near Pickering.


Ring Ouzel - Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Yellow Wagtail - Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Redstart - Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Wheatear - Marine Drive Wall - Michael McNaghten

Little Gull - Potter Brompton Carr - Chris Bradshaw


Wednesday 13 April 2016

Tuesday 12th April 2016

A rather quiet day with murky conditions making things hard work.
Migrants were thinly scattered with very little notable change, at Long Nab there were 2 Chiffchaff and 4 Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler was at Cloughton Wyke, a Wheatear was on Castle Hill, a Robin was behind the Marine Drive wall with another in Albermarle Square and a Goldcrest was in Alma Square.
A drake Eider was in North Bay, a Green Sandpiper, a Golden Plover, a Snipe, 12 Wigeon, 4 Oystercatcher, 14 Shoveler, 6 Teal, 4 Willow Warbler and a Grey Wagtail were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access), 2 Black-necked Grebe were in the Harbour and 9 Tufted Duck were on Johnson’s Marsh.

Tuesday 12 April 2016

Monday 11th April 2016

Migration watch; 07.20 – 11.25hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 4 Eider + 3 south, 1 Velvet Scoter, 21 Common Scoter + 1 south, 2 Manx Shearwater, 13 Gannet + 13 south, 2 Cormorant + 2 south, 1 Oystercatcher south, 5 Black-headed Gull south, 5 Common Gull + 28 south, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern, 157 Auk sp + 43 south, 1 Puffin, 23 Carrion Crow, 1 Swallow, 1 Yellow Wagtail south, 2 Alba, 3 Meadow Pipit, 13 Linnet + 5 south and 1 Reed Bunting south.
In the Long Nab area there was a Golden Plover, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, the Treecreeper, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Wheatear.
The First Yellow-legged Gull of the year, an adult, was on Peasholm Park Lake, 5 adult Little Gull flew east through Wykeham South Lake where there were also 35 Sand Martin, 5 Swallow and 2 Pink-footed Geese. A Sand Martin, 4 Shelduck and a Wigeon were at Scalby Lodge Pond and 10 Teal were on Johnson’s Marsh.

Sunday 10th April 2016

Migration watch; 06.15 – 11.00hrs.
An interesting day with some passage and a few arriving migrants.
On The move (north unless stated) were 55 Pink-footed Geese, 44 Greylag Geese + 3 south, 6 Shelduck south, 2 Common Scoter, 15 Fulmar + 2 south, 6 Gannet + 1 south, 13 Cormorant + 3 south, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3 Curlew, 9 Black-headed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Sandwich Tern, 6 Auk sp + 5 south, 4 Magpie + 2 south, 1 Jackdaw, 8 Rook, 46 Carrion Crow + 16 south, 35 Sand Martin + 13 south, 4 Swallow + 3 south, 2 Starling, 1 Tree Sparrow south, 2 Alba + 8 south, 299 Meadow Pipit + 1 south, 2 Chaffinch south, 12 Linnet + 206 south, 3 Goldfinch + 14 south, 1 Yellowhammer south and 2 Reed Bunting south.
Migrants in the Long Nab area included 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest and 2 White Wagtail.
Three Black Redstart were found during the day all of which were females, the first was seen feeding on the roof of Wetherspoons before moving towards Alma Vets, the second was behind the Marine Drive wall and the third on the north side of Castle Hill.
A Wheatear was behind the Marine Drive wall, 10 Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler were on Castle Hill, a Willow Warbler was by Scalby Lodge, a Bar-tailed Godwit and 23 Redshank were in Jackson’s Bay, a House Martin was over Scalby Nab, a single Wigeon was at Scalby Mills and 8 Teal were on Johnson’s Marsh.

Three Bottlenose Dolphin passed north in Cornelian Bay at 07.50hrs, after being seen passing Marine Drive and Scalby Mills they arrived at Long Nab at 09.00hrs and passed Cloughton Wyke at 09.17hrs.


Black Redstart - between Wetherspoons and Alma Vets - Michael McNaghten

Pink-footed and Greylag Geese heading north at Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

Black Redstart - Marine Drive wall - Nick Addey

Wheatear - Marine Drive wall - Michael McNaghten

Bottlenose Dolphin passing Long Nab - Michael McNaghten

Saturday 9th April 2016

The highlight of the day was the years second Osprey that flew north over town at 11.16hrs.
Elsewhere the first Yellow Wagtails of the year turned up, 1 on Cayton Carr, along with 2 Wheatear and the other a flyover at Potter Brompton Carr (no general access where were was also 90 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, a Willow Warbler, 12 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall and 9 Wigeon. A Blackcap was at Burton Riggs, a Green Sandpiper was at Seamer Tip, 2 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler were behind the Marine Drive wall, 5 Oystercatcher and 2 Little Ringed Plover were on Wykeham South Lake, 1 Wigeon was on Scalby Lodge Pond and 1 Teal was on Johnson’s Marsh.

During the evening 5 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen in Cornelian Bay.

Saturday 9 April 2016

Friday 8th April 2016

Migration watch; 16.15 – 17.20hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 2 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Carrion Crown and 3 Linnet + 6 south.
A single White Wagtail and 200 Linnet were at Long Nab.
The lone Black-necked Grebe remained in the Harbour and is starting to show a little more breeding attire.
On Wykeham South Lake there were 6 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Wheatear were behind Marine Drive Wall, 9 Wigeon, 14 Shoveler, 6 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 3 Oystercatcher, 20 Lapwing and 4 Egyptian Geese were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access).

Thursday 7th April 2016

A fairly quiet day, at Burton Riggs highlights were 4 Great Crested Grebe and a female Common Scoter, 10 Goldeneye and a House Martin were at Wykeham South Lake, a Blackcap was in Crossgates, 4 Wheatear and 2 Stonechat were in Cayton Bay and a Brambling was in a Cayton garden.

Thursday 7 April 2016

Wednesday 6th April 2016

Migration watch; 06.55 – 11.30hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 4 Greylag Geese + 1 north, 1 Common Scoter, 6 Gannet, 1 Cormorant north, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 immature male Marsh harrier north at 08.33hrs, 3 Black-headed Gull + 1 north, 10 Common Gull + 4 north, 1 Sandwich Tern north, 3 Guillemot, 3 Rook north, 4 Carrion Crow in off and south, 10 Sand Martin + 1 north, 4 Swallow + 1 north, 1 Alba, 32 Meadow Pipit + 9 north, 73 Linnet + 5 north, 7 Goldfinch + 1 north and 1 Yellowhammer.
Migrants in the Long Nab area included a Snipe, 12 White Wagtail and 10 Wheatear.
Five Pink-footed Geese flew north over Taylor Way, 2 Willow Warbler were at Burton Riggs, a male Blackcap was in Crossgates and the first House Martin of the year was seen over Peasholm Park.

Wednesday 6 April 2016

Tuesday 5th April 2016

Migration watch; 07.15 – 11.10hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 4 Greylag Geese, 1 Red-throated Diver north, 5 Gannet, 2 Cormorant north, 1 female Marsh Harrier north about a mile inland at 07.52hrs, 1 Buzzard north, 5 Black-headed Gull, 36 Common Gull, 2 Auk sp north, 1 Swift, 18 Sand Martin + 4 north, 1 Swallow, 4 Starling, 9 Alba + 1 north, 16 Meadow Pipit + 159 north, 3 Chaffinch, 86 Linnet + 193 north, 37 Goldfinch + 5 north, 1 Yellowhammer and 3 Reed Bunting.
In the Long Nab area there were 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear and 6 White Wagtail.
Behind the Marine Drive Wall there were 2 Wheatear and a White Wagtail, 10 Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest were along South Cliff, the earliest Grasshopper Warbler for the district by 12 days was seen at Stoupe Brow along with 3 Chiffchaff, 300 Linnet and a male Brambling, a White Wagtail was at Ravenscar, a male Ring Ouzel was at Seamer Tip, a Willow Warbler was on Star Carr, a Black-necked Grebe returned to the Harbour after being missing since 31st March, 2 Brambling were in a garden on Barmoor Lane in Scalby and 18 Shoveler, 13 Wigeon and 30 Fieldfare were on Potter Brompton Carr.

Tuesday 5 April 2016

Monday 4th April 2016

The first Black Redstart of the year was found behind the Marine Drive wall where there was also a Wheatear and a Willow Warbler.
At Seamer Tip there were 4 Shoveler and 6 Gadwall, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Egyptian Geese and 12 Swallow were at Seamer Tip, 58 Fieldfare were at Ings Farm and 2 Wheatear were on Scalby Lodge Pond. 

Sunday 3rd April 2016

Migration watch; 7.35 – 11.20hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver south, 3 Fulmar south, 2 Gannet, 2 Black-headed Gull, 1 Sand Martin south, 1 Alba south and 53 Meadow Pipit + 19 south.
In the Long Nab area there were 1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Chiffchaff, 11 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 155 Meadow Pipit,
Migrants in the Castle Hill area included a Song Thrush, 7 Wheatear, 7 Chiffchaff and 11 Goldcrest.
The Coot was still on Johnson’s Marsh, 2 Egyptian Geese, a Pink-footed Goose, 4 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck and the first Willow Warbler were at Seamer Tip, 2 Jack Snipe and 3 Snipe were along Taylor Way, a Swallow was back at Ravenscar, 100 Fieldfare were on Star Carr and the first Osprey of the year flew north over Seamer Road Mere at 12.53hrs, also there were 6 Chiffchaff and 12 Tufted Duck.


A record of the Osprey heading north over the Mere - Michael McNaghten

Saturday 2nd April 2016

The first 2 Sanderling of the year were found early morning on Wykeham South Lake where there were 12 Swallow, a Dunlin and a Little Ringed Plover. A Green Sandpiper was seen near Seamer Tip, a drake Pochard was on Burton Riggs, a Wheatear and a Redwing were behind the Marine Drive Wall, 8 Teal were on Harwood Dale Lake, a Coot was on Johnson’s Marsh and the injured Whooper Swan, 2 Pintail, 7 Shoveler, 7 Teal, 4 Shelduck, 19 Wigeon, 1 Snipe and 10 Curlew were on Potter Brompton Carr (no general access). 

Saturday 2 April 2016

Friday 1st April 2016

Migration watch; 07.35 – 11.05hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Gannet north, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Canada Goose north, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Black-headed Gull + 4 north, 1 Great Black-backed Gull north, 4 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 28 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 6 Alba, 4 Starling, 4 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 27 Goldfinch, 101 Linnet + 10 north and 2 Yellowhammer.
A Short-eared Owl was seen heading south at Cromer Point before dropping in somewhere around Jackson’s Bay.
At the Mere a single Sand Martin was present along with 4 Chiffchaff, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Siskin and 4 singing Goldcrest, a Jack Snipe, 2 Snipe and 2 Chiffchaff were along Taylor Way and 4 Gadwall and 4 Shoveler were on Seamer Tip Pool.
Another addition to the year list was a Sandwich Tern in Cornelian Bay where there were 2 Common Scoter.

Friday 1 April 2016

Thursday 31st March 2016

On Potter Brompton Carr (no general access) a Brambling and a Willow Tit were in song and 2 Sand Martin were seen feeding there. On Willerby Carr there were 500 Golden Plover, 90 Fieldfare and 15 Redwing, a Wheatear, 10 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 4 Coot and 7 Sand Martin were at Seamer Tip, 2 Little Egret were on Cayton Carr, 2 Swallow returned to Darrell’s Low Farm, 3 Goldeneye, 24 Wigeon and 3 Little Ringed Plover were on Wykeham South Lake.
A small amount of passage was detected along the coast over Town and included 19 Meadow Pipit north and a Buzzard and a Chaffinch south.

Of note a pod of between 10 to 15 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen of Marine Drive early morning.

Wednesday 30th March 2016

Migration watch; 07.03 – 10.40hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 1 Fulmar, 1 Gannet south, 2 Cormorant + 2 south, 1 Kestrel, 1 Golden Plover, 5 Common Gull, 2 Auk sp south, 1 Skylark, 35 Meadow Pipit, 1 Alba + 2 south, 2 Chaffinch south, 2 Goldfinch south, 1 Greenfinch, 18 Linnet + 11 south and 1 Reed Bunting.
A few more migrants arrived with the first 3 Wheatears of the year at Long Nab along with a White Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 110 Linnet and the Treecreeper while on Castle Hill there were 5 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest.
At Wykeham South Lake 4 Little Ringed Plover were present along with 6 Sand Martin and 15 Wigeon. Another Sand Martin was seen at Rudda Road Flash, a Gadwall and 11 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills and a dead Water Rail was found in Hutton Buscel.

Wheatear - Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw

Tuesday 29th March 2016

Migration watch; 07.05 – 09.35hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 4 Cormorant north, 1 Eider, 5 Black-headed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull north, 28 Wood Pigeon, 1 Sand Martin, 14 Meadow Pipit + 35 north, 7 Alba + 2 north, 8 Magpie, 2 Jackdaw, 18 Starling, 9 Goldfinch and 28 Linnet + 19 north.
Two Black-necked Grebe were in the Harbour, the Bar-tailed Godwit was in Jackson’s Bay, 2 Stonechat were still on Scalby Nab, 25 Wigeon and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull were at Scalby Mills and 2 Shoveler and 2 Willow Tit were on Star Carr.