Wednesday 12 October 2016

Sunday 9th October 2016

Migration watch: 06.40 – 17.50hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 4 Tundra Bean Geese, 13 Wigeon + 5 south, 1 Pintail + 1 south, 6 Common Scoter + 10 south, 2 Goldeneye south, 14 Red-throated Diver south, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Manx Shearwater, 1 Balearic Shearwater at 07.27hrs, 194 Gannet + 716 south, 1 Cormorant, 43 Kittiwake + 131 south, 10 Black-headed Gull south, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull south, 11 Common Gull + 87 south, 13 Great Black-backed Gull + 5 south, 1 Great Skua + 1 south, 1 Arctic Skua + 1 south, 51 Auk sp + 360 south, 2 Raven northwest, 42 Starling + 24 south, 1 Rock Pipit south and 2 Brambling.
Two PALLAS’S WARBLERS were discovered during the day, the first on Castle in and the second at Long Nab.
Also at Long Nab were 1 Golden Plover, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 40 Goldcrest, 7 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 13 Song Thrush, 28 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 35 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 2 Yellowhammer, 10 Reed Bunting and 4 Lapland Bunting.
Other migrants on Castle Hill included 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Long-eared Owl, 6 Redwing, 25 Song Thrush, 20 Blackbird, 40 Robin, 2 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 30 Goldcrest and 1 Brambling.
While at Ravenscar there were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Stonechat, 20 Redwing, 2 Brambling, 9 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Siskin and 2 Reed Bunting.
Elsewhere the Black-tailed Godwit was still on Johnson’s Marsh and 2 White-fronted Geese and a Pink-footed Goose were on Harwood Dale Lake.


Pallas's Warbler - Castle Hill - Michael McNaghten
Pallas's Warbler - Castle Hill - Michael McNaghten

Saturday 8th October 2016

Migration watch; 07.15 – 11.40hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 7 Common Scoter north, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar north, 2 Cormorant + 5 north, 20 Dunlin, 73 Kittiwake north, 14 Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull + 2 north, 2 Auk sp, 7 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 4 Starling in off and south, 3 Redwing, 6 Tree Sparrow, 5 Alba, 24 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 1 Chaffinch + 15 north, 1 Brambling, 51 Linnet and 3 Reed Bunting.
Present were 1 Golden Plover, 20 Skylark, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 35 Goldcrest, 11 Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 4 Song thrush, 60 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 25 Dunnock, 40 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 250 Linnet, 2 Yellowhammer, 9 Reed Bunting and 4 Lapland Bunting.
At Ravenscar there was a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Redstart, a Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 50 Goldcrest, 40 Robin, 15 Song thrush and 10 Redwing.
At Cloughton Wyke there was a Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff, 25 Robin and 3 Brambling.
A Yellow-browed Warbler was on Castle Hill and the Black-tailed Godwit and Dunlin were on Johnson’s Marsh.
Two Grey Plover, a Stonechat and a Chiffchaff were at Cromer Point, two White-fronted Geese were on Harwood Dale Lake, a Little Egret and 6 Wigeon were in Scalby Beck, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 30 Oystercatcher were in Jackson’s Bay and another Yellow-browed Warbler was in Peasholm Glen.

Friday 7th October 2016

Migration watch; 07.00 – 10.15hrs and 16.50 – 17.20hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 22 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 4 Common Scoter, 7 Red-throated Diver + 1 north, 32 Kittiwake north and 10 Common Gull.
A Dunlin
On Castle Hill there were 65 Song Thrush, 30 Redwing, 34 Robin, 1 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 20 Goldcrest and 2 Brambling.
At Long Nab there were 20 Goldcrest, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and 8 Robin.
A Black-necked Grebe was in the Harbour during the afternoon, a Ring Ouzel was seen over the Art Gallery, other Yellow-browed Warblers were seen on the Crescent, in Scalby Beck, by Yorkshire Coast College and at Ravenscar (2).
Also at Ravenscar were 4 Chiffchaff, 40 Goldcrest, 19 Song thrush, 10 Blackbird, 40 Robin, 1 Brambling, 2 Lesser Redpoll and a Reed Bunting.
In North Bay during the evening 20 Goldcrest and 76 Robin were counted.


Black-necked Grebe - Scarborough Harbour - Michael McNaghten

Friday 7 October 2016

Thursday 6th October 2016

Migration watch; 07.00 – 10.30hrs.
On the move south were 9 Greylag Geese, 5 Barnacle Geese, 1 Alba, 8 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit and 1 Swallow.
Today’s highlight was the discovery of a PALLAS’S WARBLER behind the Art Gallery on the Crescent along with a Yellow-browed Warbler.
Other Yellow-browed Warblers were seen at Long Nab, on Castle Hill (2) and at Knipe Point.
In the Long Nab area were a Golden Plover, 1 Short-eared Owl, 30 Skylark, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Blackcap,. 16 Goldcrest, 12 Blackbird, 4 Redwing, 11 Song Thrush, 37 Robin, 1 Brambling and 200 Linnet.
Between Pipe Gully and the sea life center were a Snipe, 4 Song Thrush, 3 Blackbird, 14 Robin, 8 Goldcrest and 1 Brambling, while on Castle Hill there were 55 Robin, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 25 Goldcrest and 2 Brambling
A Black-tailed Godwit and a Dunlin were on Johnson’s Marsh, 121 Wigeon and 6 Ringed Plover were at Scalby Mills, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Grey Plover were in Jackson’s Bay and 63 Coot and 2 Pochard were at Wykeham South Lake where 14 Pink-footed Geese flew south.

Thursday 6 October 2016

Wednesday 5th October 2016

Migration watch; 10.30 – 18.30hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 4 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Cormorant, 1 Swallow, 3 Starling, 11 Meadow Pipit, 1 Redpoll sp and 1 Siskin.
Ion the Long Nab area were 1 Short-eared Owl, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 14 Goldcrest, 3 Redwing, 38 Song Thrush, 23 Robin, 4 Brambling, 40 Linnet and 7 Reed Bunting.
The highlight of the day was the discovery of Scarborough’s 3rd ever RADDE’S WARBLER on the north side of Castle Hill. Unfortunately it didn’t play ball, only showing for one other observer and giving a few calls throughout the day.
On Castle Hill there were 40 redwing, 34 Song Thrush, 15 Blackbird, 60 Robin, a Whinchat, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 45 Goldcrest, 3 Brambling and 1 Siskin. A Whimbrel flew south there early morning.

Some added frustration to the day was the briefest of glimpses of a Bluetail on a private area at Long Nab, unfortunately it never gave good enough views for it to be clinched.


Record shot of the Radde's Warbler - Michael McNaghten

Tuesday 4th October 2016

Migration watch; 06.30 – 15.10hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 77 Wigeon, 2 Mallard, 12 Teal + 4 south, 8 Eider, 1 Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar south, 1 Cormorant south, 3 Swallow south, 1 Alba south, 8 Meadow Pipit south, 18 Redpoll sp south and 1 Siskin south.
In the Long Nab area were 7 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Coal Tit, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 5 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Firecrest, 25 Goldcrest, 5 Blackbird, 15 Redwing, 25 Song Thrush, 18 Robin, 1 Wheatear, 4 Brambling, 2 Reed Bunting and 7 Lapland Bunting.
Elsewhere Scarborough’s second ever LITTLE BUNTING was discovered at 12.58hrs almost a year to the day (6th October 2015 was the first) and was remarkably found in exactly the same bush, round the Marine Drive Wall, Castle Hill.
Unfortunately, just like the previous bird, it only showed to the finder and soon disappeared!
Also on Castle Hill there were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Brambling and a Whinchat.
A single Yellow-browed Warbler remained on the Crescent.

Monday 3rd October 2016

Migration watch; 06.30 – 16.00hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 5 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Wigeon + 112 north, 199 Teal north, 125 Common Scoter north, 1 Red-throated Diver + 6 north, 1 Fulmar north, 2 Manx Shearwater north, 24 Cormorant + 4 north, 2 Golden Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Curlew, 16 Kittiwake north, 6 Black-headed Gull + 26 north, 6 Great Black-backed Gull + 66 north, 1 Great Skua, 1 Pomarine Skua north, 1 Arctic Skua north, 1 Auk sp north, 5 Skylark in off and south, 3 Swallow north, 5 Tree Sparrow, 1 Dunnock, 1 Alba, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Chaffinch + 3 north, 1 Reed Bunting + 4 north.
In the Long Nab area there were 7 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Short-eared Owl, 55 Skylark, 1 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Goldcrest, 4 Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 25 Robin, 2 Stonechat, 20 Tree Sparrow, 15 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 120 Linnet, 3 Lesser redpoll, 7 Reed Bunting and 10 Lapland Bunting.
Including the 6 Yellow-browed Warblers at Long Nab a new Scarborough record of 32 were counted!
On was at Ravenscar, 4 were in Sycarham Wood, 1 was in Trough Gully, 2 were by Scalby Lodge, 1 was by the sea life center, 2 were in the Open Air Theatre, 1 was on Marvels, 2 were in Peasholm, 5 were on Castle Hill, 1 was near to St Mary’s Church, 2 were on the Crescent, 3 were in Cornelian Bay and 1 was in Falsgrave Park.
Elsewhere 2 Chiffchaff were at Sycarham Wood, 2 Golden Plover were at Roger Trod, a Chiffchaff was at Scalby Lodge, 79 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills along with 8 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, a Grey Plover and a Ringed Plover were in Jackson’s Bay and a Raven, a Grey Wagtail, a Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest and 16 Lesser Redpoll were at Ravenscar.

Sunday 2nd October 2016

Migration watch: 06.40 – 12.45hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 19 Wigeon, 7 Teal + 8 south, 13 Eider south, 26 Common Scoter, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 red-throated Diver + 11 south, 7 Fulmar, 48 Sooty Shearwater, 18 Manx Shearwater, 1 Cormorant, 334 Kittiwake, 1 juvenile Sabine’s Gull feeding with Kittiwakes heading north at 11.10hrs, seen previously off Marine Drive at 08.50hrs, 9 Black-headed Gull, 6 Common Gull, 1 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skua, 1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 2817 Auk sp + 48 south, 3 Puffin, 7 Meadow Pipit south and 5 Meadow Pipit south.
Two Chiffchaff, 2 Brambling and 7 Lapland Bunting were in the Long Nab area.
A Yellow-browed Warbler was along Filey Road.

Saturday 1st October 2016

Migration watch; 06.45 – 11.30hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 3 Cormorant, 13 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Grey Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Sandwich tern, 14 Skylark, 2 Swallow north, 1 House Martin north, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Alba, 8 Meadow Pipit, 12 Chaffinch, 16 Redpoll sp, 8 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin and 2 Reed Bunting.
In the Long Nab area there were 1 Tawny Owl, 4 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Song Thrush and 3 Lapland Bunting.
Elsewhere 50 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Wykeham South Lake, 5 flew east over Crossgates and 30 flew south over Dalby.
A Turtle Dove was in Harwood Dale while the female Pintail was on the lake there. Two Wheatear were at Givendale, 2 Kingfisher, 8 Curlew, 10 Redshank, 10 Ringed Plover and 60 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills, 2 Chiffchaff and 60 Skylark were in the Scalby Nab area, a Little Grebe was on Scalby Beck, 3 Raven, a Yellow-browed Warbler were at Ravenscar, 5 Sandwich Tern were in Jackson’s Bay and 2 House Martin were on South Cliff.

Friday 30th September 2016

Migration watch; 10.00- 12.00hrs.
A quiet period at Long Nab, 3 Meadow Pipit and 3 Goldfinch flew south while present there were 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 30 Goldfinch and 1 Siskin.
A Wheatear and 72 Coot were at Wykeham South Lake and 2 Kingfisher were at Flixton Carr.

Wednesday 28th – Thursday 29th September 2016

No reports on the 28th was followed by the following on the 29th

Two Raven were seen over Sycarham Wood north of Long Nab where a Wheatear was also present.
Two Chiffchaff, 2 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, 12 House Martin and 8 Swallow were at Scalby Lodge Pond and 2 Goosander flew north off North Bay.

Tuesday 27th September 2016

Migration watch; 08.50 – 10.30hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 2 Common Scoter north, 3 Red-throated Diver, 14 Cormorant, 16 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Razorbill north, 2 Swallow, 42 House Martin and 4 Meadow Pipit.
A Chiffchaff and 42 Skylark were in the area.
Along Taylor Way a Jack Snipe and 3 Snipe were flushed, nearby 8 Wigeon and a Gadwall were on Seamer Tip, on Harwood Dale Lake there was a female Pintail, 3 Mandarin and 2 Wigeon, 2 Wheatear, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plover and a Stonechat were in Jackson’s Bay, an immature male Marsh Harrier flew south at Wykeham South Lake at 12.30hrs, a Yellow-browed Warbler was in the Italian Gardens, 3 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest were at Holbeck where there were 7 Mediterranean Gull.

Monday 26th September 2016

Reported on the 26th were an Eider and a Purple Sandpiper in Cornelian Bay, the latter the first returning bird of the winter.
Nearby a Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagtail and 2 Chiffchaff were in the Ravine.
On Seamer Tip there were 4 Gadwall, a Shoveler and 8 Wigeon and a Buzzard flew north over Northstead.

Saturday 24th – Sunday 25th September 2016

A quiet day on the 24th was followed by a few reports on the 25th

A Jack Snipe and 2 Snipe were flushed along Taylor Way, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 10 Goldcrest and 6 Chiffchaff were at Ravenscar, 12 Grey Heron, an Eider and 8 Teal were in Cornelian Bay, a Snipe, a Little Grebe, 6 Grey Heron and 7 Wigeon were on Johnson’s Marsh, 7 Oystercatcher and 3 Dunlin, 13 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher and 53 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills.

Friday 23rd September 2016

Migration watch; 10.00 – 11.30hrs.
On the move (south unless stated) were 1 Spotted Redshank at 11.00hrs, only the second in Scarborough during 2016, 1 Sandwich tern north, 6 Swallow, 8 Meadow Pipit, 28 Linnet and 2 Goldfinch.
A Yellow-browed Warbler was new in Crook Ness where a Chiffchaff was also seen.
There was no sign of the Red-backed Shrike today at Cromer Point, a Snipe was flushed off the pond there.
Two Yellow-browed Warbler were still on the Crescent while 4 were along South Cliff.
A Raven was seen again at Ravenscar, a Barnacle Goose was on Peasholm Park Lake and 29 Wigeon were on Johnson’s Marsh.

Thursday 22nd September 2016

Migration watch; 07.00 – 11.45hrs.
On the move (north unless stated) were 44 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler, 18 Teal, 12 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver + 2 south, 6 Fulmar, 2 Cormorant, 1 Turnstone south, 213 Kittiwake, 6 Great Black-backed Gull, 15 Sandwich Tern + 2 south, 1 Common Tern, 7 Swallow south, 1 Flava south, 3 Grey Wagtail south, 41 Meadow Pipit south, 47 Linnet south, 9 Goldfinch south, 22 Siskin south and 1 Reed Bunting south.
In the Long Nab area were 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 10 Goldcrest and 3 Lapland Bunting.
Further to the south a juvenile Red-backed Shrike was found at Cromer Point where a Jack Snipe came in off the sea.
Other Yellow-browed Warblers were recorded at Scalby Lodge Pond area, the Crescent (2), at Holbeck, by the University on Filey Road and in Cornelian Bay (3) where a Lesser Whitethroat was also seen.
Six Swallow and 10 House Martin were at Wykeham South Lake, 43 Wigeon were on Johnson’s Marsh and a Wheatear and a Whinchat were at Scalby Lodge Pond.


Red-backed Shrike - Cromer Point - Dave Mansell