Sunday 13 November 2016

The highlight of the day was a Short-toed Lark found by Nick Addey among approximately 120 Skylarks in a field to the north of the Long Nab obs. Unfortunately, despite extensive searching this highly mobile bird was not relocated after its original discovery. The mobile flock of Shore Larks had reached a new high of 21 birds, which is a record number since the 28 at Scalby Mills on 13 February 1975, in a stubble field to the west of the Crook Ness car park. There were 9+ Lapland Buntings at Long Nab and two single Snow Buntings flew over to the south at the obs.

Waxwings seem to be on the increase with 2 around the Seamer Road park and ride, 12 on Stony Lane in Scalby and just outside the area there are now about 110 in Pickering.

Other species of interest today included 380 Pink-footed Geese south at Long Nab plus an Eider and 3 Red-throated Divers at the same location, the Black-necked Grebe remained in the harbour, there was a Water Rail at the Open Air Theatre and the Great Grey Shrike remained at May Moss in Langdale Forest.