Thursday 28th December 2017

There were 2 Hawfinches today on Dog Kennel Lane in Thornton-le-Dale and in Scarborough only 2 Goosanders could be found on the Mere but there were 7 Mediterranean Gulls around the Holbeck Car Park, 5 adults, a 1^st winter and a 2^nd winter.

Wednesday 27th December 2017

The only news today involved a single Hawfinch in Thornton-le-Dale at the junction of Dog Kennel Lane and Rectory Lane plus 7 Goosanders on The Mere, 

Tuesday 26th December 2017

Another fairly quiet day in the Scarborough area with an adult Mediterranean Gull at Scalby Mills at dusk; a Red-throated Diver and 6 Shags were feeding off Marine Drive and around the Holbeck Car Park 7 Mediterranean Gulls (6 adults and a 2^nd winter).

 

Monday 25th December 2017

Not surprisingly there was very little news today in fact the only report concerned a single red-headed Goosander on Throxenby Mere this morning.

Sunday 24th December 2017

A Great White Egret flew west along the river at Ruston Carr bridge at 09.05 this morning and nearby at Potter Brompton Carr there were 14 Whooper Swans, 79 Wigeon and 30 Fieldfares. There was little movement off Long Nab today and the best bird in the area was a Snow Bunting in the stubble field north of the Obs.

The most interesting discovery today were a small number of Hawfinches in Thornton le Dale with one being seen along Dog Kennel Lane and then 3 on Rectory Lane but these kept dropping down from the trees into the gardens where they were not visible, thus making them rather elusive.

Can I take this opportunity to wish everyone reading this blog a very Happy Christmas.

Hawfinch - Thornton-le-Dale - G. Sigsworth

Saturday 23rd December 2017

The most exciting news today was the continued presence of the Hawfinch at Ellerburn which was seen a couple of times in the churchyard today. It was seen early morning and again in the late afternoon but despite observers being present for most of the day these were the only sightings today. Also around Ellerburn today were 2 Kingfishers, 6 Common Buzzards, a Grey Wagtail and 12 Siskins plus Marsh Tit and Bullfinch.

The Starlings were still putting on a good display over Old Town at dusk this evening.

Friday 22nd December 2017

The Green Sandpiper was still present around the farm ditches at Thornton Carr and at Ellerburn a Hawfinch was discovered near the fish farm and then later it was seen in the Church Yard. There was also a Kingfisher on Thornton le Dale Beck.

Also today 6 adult Mediterranean Gulls were on the rocks below the Holbeck Car Park.

Thursday 21st December 3017

At Long Nab today between 11.00 and 12.20 there were 160 Woodpigeons moving southwest and a Golden Plover was in the stubble field.

Wednesday 20th December 2017

Another quiet day with just a Great Crested Grebe in South Bay, an adult Mediterranean Gull at Scalby Mills  and on the Mere an adult Mediterranean Gull, 7 Goosander, 2 Little Grebes and a ♀ Teal.

Male Goosander - The Mere - all Steve Race

adult Mediterranean Gull (2nd right) - The Mere - Steve Race

Tuesday 19th December 2017

The only news received today concerned a flock of 70+ Curlew and three pairs of Stonechats along the clifftop at Redcliff.

 

Monday 18th December 2017

On the Mere today we had 4♂ 3♀ Goosander and a Teal; in South Bay 4 adult winter Mediterranean Gulls and a Common Scoter; a Red-throated Diver off Castle Headland and a Guillemot just off the East Pier.

Sunday 17th December 2017

At Long Nab today going north we had 2 Goldeneye, a male Goosander, 14 Red-throated Divers, a Black-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver and a Snow Bunting, a Jack Snipe came in from the east and continued west at 10.20 and also in the area the Whimbrel was still present and another Jack Snipe was in the stubble field where the Skylarks had increased to 80+.

At Wykeham South Lake we had a Whooper Swan, 18 Gadwall, 2 Goldeneye, 12 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Little Grebes plus on The Mere at least 2♂ Goosanders.

Saturday 16th December 2017

In a stubble field between Redcliff and Yons Nab there was a nice flock of 60 Snow Buntings while a little way to the north in Cornelian Bay we had 5 Red-throated Divers, a Common Scoter, 4 Grey Plovers and 4 Ringed Plovers plus in South Bay a female Red-breasted Merganser.

A little further afield we had 9 Golden Plovers and a Stonechat by Rudda Road Flash and late afternoon 25 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Hutton Buscel.

Snow Buntings - Redcliff - Chris Bull

Friday 15th December 2017

Wykeham South Lake this morning still had 43 Whooper Swans and 6 Gadwall also 53 Coot, 3 Pochard and a Goldeneye while in a field adjacent to Johnson’s Marsh there were a flock of 19 Curlew.

Around the Harbour we had 48 Turnstones roosting on the West Pier and 2 Great Crested Grebes were in South Bay.

Thursday 14th December 2017

Wykeham South Lake this morning held 43 Whooper Swans, 6 Gadwall, 3 Goldeneye, a Water Rail, a Snipe and a Redshank.

The Little Egret was again at Folkton Bridge; a Great Crested Grebe was in South Bay and this evening the Starling murmuration over Old Town was estimated at 2,200 birds.

Wednesday 13th December 2017

The only news today concerned 60 Pink-footed Geese west over Plaxtons between the Eastfield Industrial Estate and Cayton; a Merlin and a Stonechat on Fylingdales Moor and a Little Egret and a Kingfisher at Folkton Bridge.

 

Tuesday 12th December 2017

The most news today came from Wykeham South Lake where there were 48 Whooper Swans (including 13 juveniles) but 45 of these flew off to the east, a Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 82 Teal, a Goldeneye, 16 Pink-footed Geese, 6 Egyptian Geese, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 73 Coot and a Grey Wagtail.

Also today a Jack Snipe was seen on a ditch bank along the B road about 1 mile north of Yedingham at 10.30, Nick Gibbons reversed back to confirm the identity.

Monday 11th December 2017

At Long Nab today the record breaking Whimbrel was still present and on the sea we had a Pink-footed Goose (N), 3 Common Scoter (N), 22 Red-throated Divers (6 S, 16 N), 2 Great Northern Divers (1 N, 1 S), 20 Fulmars (1 S, 19 N), 61 Gannets (1 S, 60 N) and 66 Kittiwakes (N).

Also today on Johnson’s Marsh there were 23 Teal.

Sunday 10th December 2017

There were 4 Rock Pipits on Marine Drive where 2 Red-throated Divers, a Gannet and a female Common Scoter all flew north; 42 Purple Sandpipers were roosting on the East Pier; a Sparrowhawk was seen flying over town and in North Bay there were 2 Purple Sandpipers and a Stonechat was between the Skate Park and the Oasis Café.

At Wykeham South Lake a waterbird count included 3 Whooper Swans, 15 Pink-footed Geese, 360 Greylag Geese including the leucistic bird, 2 Egyptian Geese, a Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 22 Wigeon, 41 Teal, 8 Pochard, 5 Goldeneye, 7 Great Crested Grebes and 74 Coots.

Saturday 9th December 2017

Two sites contributed the vast majority of records for today. The first was Wykeham South Lake with 3 Whooper Swans, 75 Pink-footed Geese, 130 Mallard, 24 Gadwall, 16 Wigeon, 23 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 80 Teal, 5 Egyptian Geese, 7 Cormorants, 7 Great Crested Grebes, a Snipe and 20+ Skylarks.

The other was Cornelian Bay where the high tide wader count consisted of 2 Grey Plover, 31 Purple Sandpipers, a Ringed Plover, 5 Curlew, 12 Turnstone, 30+ Redshanks and 20 Oystercatchers, there were 3 Red-throated Divers on the sea and a Stonechat at the base of the Ravine.

The only other news today came from Wykeham Forest where 20+ Crossbills were 300 yards east of the Highbrow carpark and down in Old Town where 1660 Starlings came in to roost this evening.

Marsh Tit - Forge Valley - Chris Bell

Friday 8th December 2017

A reappearance by the Cattle Egret today at Wykeham South Lake when it flew west towards the fishing lakes before 09.00, also here were 3 Whooper Swans, 15 Wigeon and 15 Siskins and 53 Pink-footed Geese flew over to the south. 150+ Pink-footed Geese flew south over Stepney at 10.25 and on Johnson’s Marsh today 41 Teal and 38 Curlew.

The gull count from Scalby Mills this afternoon included a 2^nd calendar Mediterranean Gull, 490 Black-headed Gulls, 20 Common Gulls, 45 Greater Black-backrd Gulls and 620 Herring Gulls. In the Harbour today just a couple of Great Crested Grebes in the early afternoon and at Ellerburn today a Little Egret, 17 Grey Herons, 2 Jays, 2 Willow Tits, 6 Bullfinches and 2 Crossbills.

Cattle Egret - Wykeham South Lake - Terry Hobson

Thursday 7th December 2017

The only news received today concerned 2 Great Crested Grebes in the harbour and a Common Scoter and 3 Shags in South Bay.

Great Crested Grebe - Scarborough Harbour - Jan & Gary Powell

Wednesday 6th December 2017

At Crook Ness there were 3 Goldcrests and in ‘Pipe Gully’ 200 metres south of Crook Ness a Chiffchaff and 4 Long-tailed Tits. Cromer Point pond held 11 Snipe, 3 Rock Pipits, 14 Pied Wagtails and a Stonechat, there were also 2 Snipe on the scrape at Long Nab.

The only other news today was a flock of 75 Pink-footed Geese that flew low southwest over Eastfield Industrial Estate at 15.00.

Tuesday 5th December 2017

Along Royal Albert Drive there was a Stonechat on the sea defences opposite where the Café used to be and in Ellerburn there was a Little Egret on the beck to the south of the farm.

Monday 4th December 2017

At Wykeham South Lake today 3 Shoveler, a Pintail, 3 Goldeneye, 32 Teal, 36 Wigeon and nearby 4 Whooper Swans flew east over the Downe Arms; 84 Pink-footed Geese flew west over the Fox and Rabbit at Lockton north of Thornton-le-Dale and at Cloughton there was a report of a Rough-legged Buzzard at TA 012 945 flying southeast at 13.00.

Sunday 3rd December 2017

Up at Long Nab a Black-throated Diver (N), a Great Northern Diver (S), 32 Red-throated Divers (9 S, 23 N), 4 Eider (N), 3 Snow Buntings in the fields north of the Obs and the Whimbrel continues its stay into December being seen today in Burniston Bay.

Scalby Mills had 38 Redshanks, 14 Curlew, 6 Ringed Plovers and 272 Wigeon; the Harbour hosted a Great Crested Grebe and a Guillemot as well as 47 roosting Purple Sandpipers including one green flagged and ringed individual; at Wykeham South Lake a Whooper Swan, 8 Gadwall and 2 Goldeneye and finally in a field at Stoupe Brow 15 Golden Plovers and a Grey Plover.

Saturday 2nd December 2017

At Long Nab today there was a female Goldeneye on the sea at Crook Ness and 2 Snow Buntings in the stubble field north of the Obs, also a possible Water Pipit flew over Crook Ness at 07.55 but unfortunately despite searching there was no further sign of this bird.

To the south of town in Cornelian Bay there were 4 Red-throated Divers, 2 Goldeneyes, 2 Wigeons, 4 Grey Plovers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 28 Purple Sandpipers and Green Woodpecker and 5 Goldcrests in the ravine.

On The Mere the ♂ and  3♀ female Goosanders remained for another day and also a Mistle Thrush and a Sparrowhawk were seen here.

Friday 1st December 2017

Around the Harbour today we had 39 Purple Sandpipers in the roost, a Great Crested Grebe, a Guillemot and a 2^nd calendar year Mediterranean Gull flew over; in South Bay there was a Common Scoter; The Mere had a ♂ and 3♀ Goosanders and the Green Sandpiper was still at Charity Farm, Thornton-le-Dale.

 

Thursday 30th November 2017

At Wykeham South Lake this morning we had a juvenile ♀ Scaup, 8 Goldeneye, 12 Pochard and a Whooper Swan and in the Harbour/South Bay area 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Common Scoter (and 13 flew north) and 6 adult winter Mediterranean Gulls.

At Nabgate, Thornton-le-Dale there were small numbers of Bramblings feeding in a stubble field with Chaffinches.

Wednesday 29th November 2017

Going north off Long Nab this morning were 34 Common Scoter, a ♂ Red-breasted Merganser, 27 Fulmars including one ‘Blue’ phase, a Manx Shearwater, 2 Knot and 3 Great Skuas and south along the coast at Scalby Mills a Razorbill, a Kittiwake and the Snow Bunting was by the blue tower on the crazy golf.

The Open Air Theatre was holding on to a couple of Kingfishers plus a Grey Heron and 2 Redshanks; there was a Great Crested Grebe and a Guillemot in the Harbour and in South Bay a Common Scoter off the Harbour mouth, another off The Spa and a Red-throated Diver.

Harwood Dale Lake had a Black-tailed Godwit which departed to the East, 13 Goosander and 8 Wigeon while in a field by Rudda Road Flash there were 45 Golden Plovers.

Tuesday 28th November 2017

The Snow Bunting was present for its’ second day at the Sea Life end of the crazy golf to the south of Scalby Mills and at Long Nab today a female Goldeneye and a Great Skua went south and a Manx Shearwater went north.

At Stoupe Brow a flock of 31 Golden Plovers; Harwood Dale Lake had 8 Wigeon, 8 Teal and 166 Lapwings and in South Bay a Red-throated Diver and 2 Great Crested Grebes.

Wykeham South Lake had 2 Whooper Swans, 4 Goldeneye, 61 Coot and 7 Great Crested Grebes.

Monday 27th November 2017

A new discovery today was a Snow Bunting at The Bulge by the base of the cable car run but it was soon flushed by dog walkers, fortunately it was rediscovered on the Sea Life end of the crazy golf where it remained on and off for the rest of the day.

Langdale Forest got a bit of coverage today and apart from 4 Goshawks and 2 Sparrowhawks the highlights included 25 Crossbills at Stony Rigg; 2 Stonechats and 10 Bullfinches at May Moss, 16 Crossbills at Low Grain Head and 25 Siskins at Wait Cliff.

The Whimbrel remained at Long Nab today and there were 3 Buzzards circling over Deans Garden Centre at 15.30 this afternoon.

Sunday 26th November 2017

A couple of interesting late records for summer visitors today as a Swallow was seen at Wrench Green and a House Martin was over Old Town this afternoon. Also this morning a Great White Egret flew by the bridge halfway between Brompton and Sherburn heading in the direction of Potter Brompton Carr.

The highlights from Long Nab today included the continued presence of the Whimbrel, 2 Great Skuas went south and 21 Fulmars, the first for 8 weeks, went north. Johnson’s Marsh had 82 Wigeon, 26 Teal and 22 Curlew and behind the wall on Marine Drive there was a Stonechat.

The Mere today held 51 Tufted Ducks, 2 Pochards, 26 Cormorants, a Little Grebe, 2 Buzzards and 2 Finnish ringed Black-headed Gulls, the adult was ringed as a pullus 25/06/16 at Kokkola 63 57N 23 24E and the 1^st cy as a pullus on 11/06.2017 at Hyvinkaa 60 39N 24 59E. The Open Air Theatre had a couple of Kingfishers; at Holbeck Car Park there were 5 adult Mediterranean Gulls and 21 Purple Sandpipers were roosting in Cornelian Bay at high tide.

Saturday 25th November 2017

3 Red-throated Divers were in Cornelian Bay; a pair of Blackcaps and a pair of Stonechats were in the Ravine and there were 19 Curlew in the large stubble field. Just along the coast at the Holbeck Car Park a male Sparrowhawk flew through and 2 adult winter Mediterranean Gulls were on the rooves.

The Mere had a red headed Goosander, 3 Pochards and a Chiffchaff and at the Open Air Theatre there was a Redshank, a Water Rail and a couple of Goldcrests.

Friday 24th November 2017

Wykeham South Lake this morning had 3 Whooper Swans, 2 Goldeneye, a mixed flock of 50+ Redwings and Fieldfares and 6 red headed Red-breasted Mergansers.

There was a Dunlin and 13 Ringed Plovers in Jackson’s Bay; down the coast at Scalby Mills the gull count was 190 Black-headed Gulls, 450 Herring Gulls, 80 Greater Black-backed Gulls, 2 Common Gulls and a first calendar year Mediterranean Gull; Valley Road Duck Pond had a ♂ Teal and a ♀ Tufted Duck and in Old Town 1450 Starlings came to roost and put on a bit of murmuration activity as a Peregrine was also present.

Thursday 23rd November 2017

At Wykeham South Lake this morning the Red-necked Grebe began its’ fourth week of residency in the company of a male Goosander, a Whooper Swan, 3 Goldeneye, 9 Pochard and about 150 Fieldfares dropped in briefly.

Potter Brompton Carr produced 26 Wigeon, 3 Pink-footed Geese and 70+ Fieldfares whilst Folkton Carr had a Little Egret, a ♂ Stonechat and 4 adult winter Mediterranean Gulls among a very large mixed gull flock.

Cornelian Bay had a Goosander, a Red-throated Diver, 2 Grey Plover, $ Ringed Plovers and a Green Woodpecker in the Ravine; a Goosander was on The Mere and at the Open Air Theatre a Water Rail, a Kingfisher, a Grey Heron, a Grey Wagtail, 3 Redshank, 2 Bullfinches and 12 Long-tailed Tits.

Wednesday 22nd November 2017

The elusive, for many observers, Cattle Egret was seen again at Wykeham South Lake this morning albeit very briefly on a couple of occasions,

Also today a 1^st winter Glaucous Gull was at the Scarborough Waste Treatment Works off Burniston Road, this is a private site with no access but it can be viewed from the Cleveland Way footpath at Cromer Point.

Tuesday 21st November 2017

The only news today came from Wykeham South Lake this morning where the reduced visibility meant that the far bank could not be seen, species included 37 Whooper Swans, 2 Water Rails, 15 Pochard and 2 Goldeneye.

Monday 20th November 2017

On Johnson’s Marsh this morning there were 47 Mallards, 59 Wigeon, 49 Teal and a Little Grebe; 2 Goosanders were still present on Harwood Dale Lake; at Scalby Mills a Long-tailed Duck flew north and there were 6 Red-throated Divers off shore and in Cornelian Bay a Great Crested Grebe, 2 Red-throated Divers, 2 Grey Plover, 6 Ringed Plover and 10 Purple Sandpipers with a Jack Snipe and 8 Common Snipe flushed from the ditch in the stubble field to the south of the ravine.

This afternoon at Wykeham South Lake 2 Whooper Swans, 100+ Pink-footed Geese, 3 Tundra Bean Geese, 8 Egyptian Geese, Pintail, 9 Gadwall, 32 Wigeon, Teal, 5 Goldeneye, 11 Pochard, 2 Water Rails, the Red-necked Grebe, 11 Great Crested Grebes, a Little Egret and a 2^nd winter Mediterranean Gull.

Sunday 19th November 2017

2 Great Northern Divers went north at Long Nab today and in the fields the Whimbrel remained for another day and there were 5 Snipe and 37 Curlews.

Both the Great White Egret and the Cattle Egret remained at Wykeham South Lake. The Great White was seen first thing and then again at 15.54 when it dropped into the northwest corner presumably to roost. The Cattle Egret was probably seen first thing but not well enough to be 100% certain and was seen again flying in from the east at 11.30 when it seemed to go down on Causeway Lake. Finally it was seen flying to the northwest corner of the Lake at 15.10 as with the Great White it was presumably going to roost. Also seen at Wykeham South Lake today 8 Goldeneye, 3 Pochard, 8 Egyptian Geese, a Water Rail to the right of the viewpoint and 2 Whooper Swans joined by 22 others in the evening to roost.

Elsewhere we had a Water Rail and a Kingfisher at the Open Air Theatre; 6 Jack Snipe and 2 Common Snipe at Taylor Way and on Seamer Tip Pool 13 Gadwall, a Shoveler, 4 Wigeon, 3 Tufted Duck and 2 Redshank.

Saturday 18th November 2017

The only news from our area today concerned multiple sightings of the Cattle Egret at Wykeham South Lake.

Friday 17th November 2017

A Great White Egret flew west over Long Causeway at 09.45, presumably the same bird seen previously on Wykeham South Lake and at that location the Red-necked Grebe remained for another day with 9 Pochard, 5 Goldeneye, 2 Whooper Swans and a Stonechat. 2 Little Egrets were found today below Snainton.

Around town we had sightings of 36 Pink-footed Geese over the town centre at 12.30; 53 Tufted Ducks and 4 Little Grebes were on The Mere; just a single Tufted Duck on Peasholm Park Lake and c950 Starlings roosted in Old Town this evening.

The wader roost in Jackson’s Bay held 29 Redshanks, a Dunlin, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 45 Oystercatchers, 7 Turnstones and 7 Ringed Plovers and nearby at Scalby Mills 233 Wigeons and 9 Purple Sandpipers.

Thursday 16th November 2017

170 Pink-footed Geese went south over Wykeham South Lake this morning; Harwood Dale Lake held on to the 11 Goosanders seen yesterday plus 6 Wigeon and a Kingfisher and there was a Green Sandpiper on the slurry pool at Charity Farm, Thornton le Dale.

Around town today the Open Air Theatre had 2 Water Rails, a Kingfisher and a Redshank and at Scalby Mills there was a Great Crested Grebe, 6 Oystercatchers and 141 Wigeon.

Wednesday 15th November 2017

At Wykeham South Lake today 110+ Whooper Swans but they departed early in smaller groups, the Red-necked Grebe added another day to its residency, and also 8 Egyptian Geese, 15 Pochard, 9 Goldeneye, 11 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Little Grebes were also present.

Around Long Nab a Great Northern Diver flew south over the stubble field and there was also 32 Golden Plovers, a Lapland Bunting and 8 Snow Buntings. Along Taylor Way there were 6 Jack Snipes and 4 Common Snipes, nearby in the field to the south of Seamer Tip Pool there were 26 Redshanks and finally at Harwood Dale Lake there were 11 Goosanders.

Tuesday 14th November 2017

The Cattle Egret was still present at Wykeham South Lake early this morning but disappeared from view at 08.35 and was not seen again during the day. The Great White Egret was also still present today and seemed quite settled on the western side of the lake where it was visible for at least most of the morning. The long staying Red-necked Grebe was also still present today and continued to frequent the eastern side of the lake occasionally coming quite close to the observation blind.  

80+ Whooper Swans were seen on Willerby Carr this morning, 90+ Golden Plover on an arable field southeast of Ruston Carr Bridge, Johnson’s Marsh had 46 Teal and 20 Wigeon and on Harwood Dale Lake there were 9 Goosanders and 8 Fieldfares flew over to the west.

Monday 13th November 2017

The Great White Egret was still present on Wykeham South Lake today but the big new discovery today was the second Scarborough record of Cattle Egret. The bird was seen first thing this morning in the northeast corner but as it was not being very obliging it was presumed to be a Little Egret, the news of its true identity was not revealed until later in the day but it could not be located again in the remaining daylight. Up to 12 days now for the Red-necked Grebe and there was also 2 Common Scoter, 4 Goldeneye and 2 Stonechats in the area.

In the harbour today there was a Dunlin in with 19 Purple Sandpipers along the East Pier and up at Long Nab the highlights included 2 Velvet Scoter (1 N, 1 on the sea), 250 Common Scoter (6 S, 244 N), a Long-tailed Duck (N), 59 Goldeneye (2 S, 45 N and 12 on the sea), 2♂ Red-breasted Mergansers (N), a Great Northern Diver (S), 2 Manx Shearwaters (N), 340 Kittiwakes (N), a juvenile Glaucous Gull (S) at 09.02 and 9 Little Auks (N) also present in the area the Whimbrel, 2 Stonechats, a Lapland Bunting and 2 Snow Buntings.

Sunday 12th November 2017

A Great White Egret was discovered at about 15.30 this afternoon in the northwest corner of Wykeham South Lake but it walked out of view some 25 minutes later. The Red-necked Grebe was still present today and there was a single Whooper Swan, an estimated 1000+ Gulls came in to roost this evening the vast majority of which were Common Gulls with 800+ in total.

Past Long Nab today 20 Goldeneye (N), a Goosander (N), an adult Mediterranean Gull (S), a Great Skua (S), 12 Pomarine Skuas (S) in groups of 3 at 08.08 and then 9 at 11.15 of which 6+ were adult types, a total of 7 Little Auks (N), a Lapland Bunting (S) and a Snow Bunting (S).

On Willerby Carr this morning there were c120 Whooper Swans but at 14.30 none could be located and on Marine Drive a Little Auk flew north and there was a probable Scandinavian Rock Pipit which was photographed.

Saturday 11th November 2017

Now on its tenth day the Red-necked Grebe remained on Wykeham South Lake and heralding a major arrival into our area 81 Whooper Swans were also present along with 91 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Pochards, 5 Goldeneye and 2 Little Grebes. Later in the day 134 Whooper Swans were seen on Willerby Carr which is a record count for this species in our area.

A Common Buzzard flew south over Northstead; 3 possibly 4 Kingfishers were at the Open Air Theatre; Seamer Tip Pool hosted a juvenile Whooper Swan, 11 Gadwall, 6 Wigeon, a Shoveler, a Teal, a Little Grebe and in the field to the south 33 Redshanks and in Cornelian Bay a Red-throated Diver, 2 Common Scoter, 2 Grey Plover, 14 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Stonechats and a Brambling.

The highlights in the Long Nab area today included a Great Northern Diver (S), 2 Woodcock flushed from the cliff top north of the Obs, the Whimbrel was still present, a total of 16 Snow Buntings (2 flew south, 2 in Hundale fields and 12 in the Obs field but quite mobile), 2 Lapland Buntings in the stubble field and c70 Pink-footed Geese flew over to the south at Crook Ness at 12.25.

Friday 10th November 2017

As with yesterday the only news in was from Wykeham South Lake where the Red-necked Grebe continued to show and there was also an adult Whooper Swan and 7 Goldeneye.

Thursday 9th November 2017

The only news received today came from Wykeham South Lake where the Red-necked Grebe extended its stay into a second week accompanied by, amongst other things, a Whooper Swan, 8 Pochards, 3 Goldeneye, 2 Little Grebes and a Kingfisher.

Wednesday 8th November 2017

The Red-necked Grebe was still present at Wykeham South Lake where there were also 37 Whooper Swans (29 adults and 8 juveniles) of which 18 departed southeast at midday and a pair of Goldeneye. Seamer Tip Pool had a juvenile Whooper Swan, but unfortunately the other bird seen on Monday was found dead, 8 Gadwall, 8 Wigeon, 17 Teal, a Shoveler, a Little Grebe, an adult Mediterranean Gull and a calling Water Rail.

In the Stoupe Brow area 2 Peregrines headed northwest over Brow Moor and there was a Barn Owl and 3 Woodcocks meanwhile back in town 2♂ Stonechats behind the Marine Drive wall by lamp posts 52 and 55.

At Long Nab today the highlights included the continued presence of the Whimbrel plus Snow Bunting, 2 Lapland Buntings and a Twite in the stubble field; at the ringing site 11 Yellowhammers were among the birds trapped today.

Tuesday 7th November 2017

Another frustrating morning at Long Nab where a probable Black-throated Thrush flew low over the stubble field calling but just continued west and could not be relocated, this was among an arrival of thrushes coming in off the sea and heading immediately inland. There were also an amount grounded in the area including 210 Blackbirds, 8 Fieldfares and 7 Redwings; 8 Snow Buntings flew south, a Short-eared Owl came in off the sea at 11.10 and in the stubble field near the Obs a Lapland Bunting and a Twite.

Another annoyingly brief sighting today was that of a Hawfinch flying west over Raincliffe Woods and calling at 13.00. Potter Brompton Carr produced 2 Whooper Swans; there was a Red-throated Diver in North Bay and a ♀ Goldeneye on The Mere.

The Red-necked Grebe remained for another day at Wykeham South Lake and there was also 7 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Gadwall, 4 Goldeneye, 23 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 83 Coot, a leucistic Greylag was with the ordinary Greylags and Canada Geese and 36 Mallard and 41 Pink-footed Geese flew south.

Monday 6th November 2017

The majority of today’s news came from Wykeham South Lake where the Red-necked Grebe was present for another day and was attracting quite a few admirers during its protracted stay. Also on the lake today 3 Little Grebes, 7 Great Crested Grebes, a Whooper Swan and 2♂2♀ Goldeneye, 35 Pink-footed Geese were in the stubble field with the hay bales and another 200+ were in one of the fields to the right of the approach road with a probable Bar-headed Goose.

At other locations today the reports included 2 Barnacle Geese at The Mere; 2 juvenile Whooper Swans, 5 Gadwall, a Teal and a Shoveler at Seamer Tip Pool and at Cornelian Ravine a Goldcrest, a Blackcap, 2 Redpoll sp., 4 Brambling and 20+ Goldfinches.

Sunday 5th November 2017

The Whimbrel continued its’ extended stay in the Long Nab area where there was also a Jack Snipe, a Lapland Bunting, a Snow Bunting flew northeast (out to sea) and 48 Siskins arrived in off the sea. Also moving today were 17 Eider (N), 19 Lapwing (S), a juvenile Arctic Skua (N) and 1295 Woodpigeon (S).

The only other news today came from the Open Air Theatre where a Woodcock, a Water Rail, a Kingfisher, a Grey Wagtail and 3 Chiffchaffs were recorded and from North Bay where 63 Pink-footed Geese flew north at midday.

Saturday 4th November 2017

The Whimbrel continues to break records with its extended late stay in the Long Nab area where there were also 2 Lapland Buntings, a Snow Bunting and a Black-throated Diver flew south as did a female type Goosander.

In and around Cornelian Bay today were 3 Red-throated Divers, 2 Mallard, a Woodcock came in off the sea, a Ringed Plover, 7 Purple Sandpipers, 6 Turnstones, 23 Curlews, c50 Redshanks, c30 Oystercatchers, 2 Stonechats and 4 Reed Buntings.

Elsewhere we had a Dipper and a Grey Wagtail at Scalby Mills, a Red-breasted Merganser on The Mere and at Spikers Hill Farm a large flock of 80-100 Greenfinches, 23+ Redwings, 14+ Fieldfares and large numbers of Chaffinches and Yellowhammers.

Friday 3rd November 2017

Another new discovery today was a Siberian Chiffchaff which was located at the north end of Marvels (by the Open Air Theatre) and was apparently very vocal. Nominate Chiffchaffs were noted on Castle Hill with 2 at the Open Air Theatre and 189 Wigeon were counted at Scalby Mills.

The Red-necked Grebe was still present at Wykeham South Lake and also here we had 13 Whooper Swans, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Goldeneye, 21 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 8 Gadwall and 7 Pink-footed Geese with a large flock of Canadas and Greylags; another 7 Whooper Swans were in a stubble field between Seamer and Ayton and around the harbour/Marine Drive Blackbirds, Redwings and Fieldfares were all noted coming in off and Razorbill was on the sea off the harbour

Thursday 2nd November 2017

A nice new discovery today was a juvenile Red-necked Grebe visible, although rather distant at times, from the viewing screen at Wykeham South Lake. Also at this location today 12 Whooper Swans (8 ads, 4 juvs) and later 9 in the fields of which 7 were juveniles, 5 Goldeneyes, 5 Pochards, 6+ Great Crested Grebes and c60 Pink-footed Geese flew over to the south at 10.30. Nearby 5 Whooper Swans flew east over West Ayton.

It was fairly quiet at Long Nab today the highlights including 47 Common Scoter, a Great Northern Diver, a Black-throated Diver and a Little Auk all heading north and 7 Siskins going south, The record late Whimbrel was still in the area today and a Snow Bunting flew over Crook Ness.

On the forest edge above Wrench Green today there were 23 Crossbills and along Valley Road a ♂ Blackcap was with the Tit flock.

Wednesday 1st November 2017

At Wykeham South Lake today 20 Whooper Swans including 6 juveniles, 28 Pink-footed Geese, 9 Egyptian Geese, 2 Goldeneye, 3 Gadwall, a Pochard, 23 Tufted Duck and a Kingfisher. The Potter Brompton Carr survey produced a Water Rail, a Kingfisher, a Snipe, 22 Wigeon, 33 Teal, 5 Redwing and a Fieldfare whilst at Scalby Mills there were 106 Wigeon and 2 Kingfishers and on Johnson’s Marsh 41 Teal.

At Long Nab today the visible migration counts were done from the south of Crook Ness and the totals included 138 Woodpigeons (N), 84 Chaffinches (S), 184 Siskin (S) this was the third highest day count for the site, a Reed Bunting (S) and 2 Snow Buntings (S). The Whimbrel was still present in the area today and a Twite was with the Linnet flock south of Crook Ness before flying north towards the stubble field north of the Obs.

The May Moss area had 2 Red Grouse, 6+ Redpolls, 5 Stonechats and a scattering of Crossbills and Siskins and at Broad Gran Head 14+ Crossbills. In Wrench Green this morning there was a Blackcap; a Little Egret was below Ebberston and around town we had a ♂ Stonechat and 3 Rock Pipits along Royal Albert Drive opposite the Skate Park and 3 Common Scoter in North Bay.

Finally there was a cetacean sighting of 3 Harbour Porpoises off Marine Drive.

Tuesday 31st October 2017

The only news that came in today was from Harwood Dale Lake where there were 2 Whooper Swans, 7 Mandarins and a Wigeon. 

Monday 30th October 2017

The Bearded Tits put in their final performance at the Open Air Theatre before departing high to the south prior to 09.00, also a Blackcap was seen here and at The Mere a Water Rail was seen in the reedbed at the southern end, there was a female Goosander on the water and in the trees a couple of Blackcaps.

Quite a productive seawatch at Long Nab today between 07.00 and 13.20 with the following species being recorded - 86 Pink-footed Geese (S), 46 Wigeon (1S, 45 N), 28 Mallard (N), 87 Teal (N), 258 Common Scoter (6 S, 252 N), a Long-tailed Duck (N), 73 Goldeneye (2 S, 71 N), a Goosander (N), a Red-breasted Merganser (N), 46 Red-throated Divers (12 S, 34 N), 3 Black-throated Divers (N), 3 Great Northern Divers (N), 4 Manx Shearwaters (N), 219 Gannets (14 S, 205 N), 3 Shags (N), 38 Cormorant (32 S, 6 N), 2 Dunlin (N), 914 Kittiwakes (N), 167 Black-headed Gulls (35 S, 132 N), 5 Little Gulls (N), 2 Mediterranean Gulls (1 S, 1 N), 95 Common Gulls (16 S, 79 N), a Sandwich Tern (S), a Skua sp. (S), an Arctic Skua (N), 3 Little Auks (N), 734 Guillemots/Razorbills (N), a Long-eared Owl (in off and west), 3 Skylarks (in off and west), 40 Starlings (in off and west), 2 Redwings (in off and west), a Grey Wagtail (S) and a Chaffinch (S).

At Wykeham South Lake today 5 Whooper Swans but they departed to the south-east, 430 Greylag Geese, 18 Pink-footed Geese (and 30 flew south this morning), 90 Canada Geese, c20 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 15 Tufted Ducks, 5 Pochard, 6 Goldeneye, a Goosander, 75 Coot, 4 Great Crested Grebe and a Woodcock flew in from the east.

Seamer Tip pool held 2 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 4 Wigeon and 5 Teal, a Little Egret was on Cayton Carr and there was a Barnacle Goose in Peasholm Park.

Sunday 29th October 2017

This morning the Long-tailed Duck was showing well in the harbour early on before flying out to the north, but it returned later and was still present at 11.05, also 9+ Purple Sandpipers were roosting on the East Pier and nearby off Marine Drive a Little Auk was on the sea close in between 09.40 and 09.45 but then flew off to the north.

Going north at Long Nab today we had 9 Bean Geese, a Whooper Swan, a Wigeon, 16 Mallard, 3 Teal, a Velvet Scoter, 4 Common Scoter, 17 Goldeneye, 21 Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, 2 Manx Shearwater, a Redshank, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 433 Kittiwakes, 3 Little Gulls, an adult Mediterranean Gull, an Arctic Tern and 512 Auk sp., also a Great Skua went south. There were 3 Twite and a Lapland Bunting in the stubble field north of the Obs and the late Whimbrel was still in the area.

The Bearded Tits were present for their third day at the Open Air Theatre and a drake Long-tailed Duck was seen at Cloughton Wyke.

Despite extensive searching of the Cloughton/Newlands Dale area today the interesting flycatcher was not seen all day.

Saturday 28th October 2017

Certainly the highlight of the day was the continued presence of the pair of Bearded Tits in the small reed bed at the Open Air Theatre. Although they showed well occasionally they managed to spend long periods hidden and out of sight only giving away their whereabouts when they called. Patience with these birds was essential but was usually rewarded in the end with some great, close views. At one point during the morning the birds flew off high to the east but after a while they returned and were still present at 16.40 this afternoon. Also in the same area there were a Kingfisher, a Marsh Tit, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Peregrine flew over.

Yesterday’s Long-tailed Duck was still present at the Harbour Mouth and there was a Lapland Bunting in the stubble field to the north of the Obs at Long Nab.

The other bird which attracted much attention today was the late Spotted Flycatcher at Cloughton which was found again today in the vicinity of the bridge on Hood Lane. There are suggestions on the social media that it may be a Mediterranean Flycatcher Muscicapa tyrrhenica which some authorities consider as a species in its own right. The bird showed well all afternoon after it was relocated just before mid-day and many photos were taken to assist with identification as this is a very cryptic species and some say impossible to distinguish from Spotted Flycatcher in the field. Also with some very vigilant observation in the late afternoon a sample of the birds droppings were obtained to be sent off for DNA analysis. Birding really is a different hobby nowadays!!! Nearby there was a Chiffchaff in Newlands Dale.

In the gull flock at Scalby Mills at dusk there was an unringed adult Mediterranean Gull, 25 Common Gulls, 630 Black-headed Gulls, 380 Herring Gulls and 180 Greater Black-backed Gulls.

Friday 27th October 2017

The big discovery today was a pair of Bearded Tits in the small reedbed at the Open Air Theatre; this is only the sixth record of this species for the Scarborough area. Unfortunately the news broke quite late this afternoon and there are a many observers hoping that they will stay overnight and remain in the area tomorrow.

At Long Nab today a Long-tailed Duck, 2 Goldeneye and a Manx Shearwater flew north and at Crook Ness there were a couple of Fieldfares and 8 Curlews in the turnip field. Nearby in Cloughton single Chiffchaffs were reported from both Roger Trod and Newlands Dale.

About 100 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Scalby Mills at 10.00; there were 2 Long-tailed Ducks in South Bay at 08.20 but they soon flew north; in town a Black Redstart was singing on the Grand Hotel and at 15.15 a Long-tailed Duck was showing well at the Harbour Mouth.

At The Mere we had a nice selection of woodland birds including 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 8 Bullfinches, 6 Long-tailed Tits and a Treecreeper and around Cornelian Bay a juvenile Mute Swan was on the sea, a couple of Purple Sandpipers on the rocks and a Chiffchaff was in the Ravine.

Thursday 26th October 2017

The Whimbrel remained around Long Nab for another day and also today 3 Twite and 3 Stonechats were recorded. Also today a couple of Stonechats were along Marine Drive and in Dalby Forest there were 6 Crossbills at Heck Dale, 4 Crossbills at Dixon Hollow, a pair of Stonechats at Bridestones and 140 Pink-footed Geese flew over to the east.

Lastly an unseen flock of Whooper Swans flew over Crossgates at 18.30.

Wednesday 25th October 2017

At Ravenscar c200 Pink-footed Geese moved south at sea and nearby at Stoupe Brow there was a Snow Bunting.

The Long Nab area produced the star of the day which was a Little Bunting but unfortunately it was only seen briefly by one observer. It came in from the north, or possibly from out of the stubble field, before landing on wires and then dropping into scrub. It was not relocated but what was possibly this bird was seen flying off to the south. Also in the area today 170 Pink-footed Geese flew south, a late House Martin flew south, the Whimbrel was still present, in the stubble field to the north of the Obs there were 3 Lapland Buntings and 2 Twite, 47 Redpoll sp. flew south as did 61 Siskin and finally 17 Whooper Swans flew south at 17.10 and then went past Cornelian Bay 10 minutes later.

Also today a skein of about 40 geese flew past the Castle, presumably Pink-feet, there were 82 Wigeon at Scalby Mills and 3 Red Grouse flew low over the A171 at Low Moor this evening at 18.00.

Tuesday 24th October 2017

Not a great deal of sightings today but we did have 2 Yellow-browed Warblers on the north side of Castle Hill; 6 Whooper Swans (2 adults and 4 juveniles) were in the stubble field to the north of the Obs and a late Spotted Flycatcher was reported at Cloughton. 

 

Monday 23rd October 2017

At Long Nab today a ♀ and 3♂ Eider flew north as did a Snow Bunting and moving south were 6 Common Scoter, 32 Woodpigeon, 18 Carrion Crows, 11 Skylarks, 19 Tree Sparrows, 11 Meadow Pipits, 2 Rock Pipits, 21 Chaffinches, a Brambling, 4 Greenfinches, 8 Linnets, 41 Redpoll sp., 6 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin and 5 Reed Buntings. Also in this area today we had a Dark-bellied Brent Goose just north of Cromer Point, a Grey Plover at Crook Ness, 2 Twite in the stubble north of the Obs plus a Coal Tit, 9 Goldcrests, a Fieldfare, a Brambling and 24 Reed Buntings.

Just down the coast at Jackson's Bay we had 10 Ringed Plover and at Scalby Mills there was a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, presumably the bird seen earlier near Cromer Point, 950 Herring Gulls and 240 Greater Black-backed Gulls plus a Dipper was seen on the Beck. Reports from Castle Hill today included a Ring Ouzel, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 5 Brambling and a Treecreeper.

Jack Snipe were seen today on Taylor Way and Brow Moor and last but not least a Dipper was seen in Peasholm Glen.

Sunday 22nd October 2017

At Ravenscar today a Snow Bunting visited the cricket pitch briefly and nearby on Stoupe Beck Beach there were 2 Wheatears and 4 Rock Pipits. Moving south there was a Chiffchaff at Hayburn Wyke and between Jackson’s Bay and Scalby Mills a juvenile Ring Ouzel.

At Scalby Mills waders included 4 Ringed Plover, 11 Redshank and 6 Curlew, there were 63 Wigeon and a male Goosander flew along the Beck where 2 Grey Wagtails and a Dipper were also seen. In North Bay a second winter Mediterranean Gull was opposite the Oasis Café.

Potter Brompton Carr held a ♀ Shoveler, 25 Wigeon and 24 Teal and at The Mere there was a single Pink-footed Goose.

Saturday 21st October 2017

At Long Nab today a juvenile Marsh Harrier flew south at 08,00, a Little Gull flew north and further southerly movement included 64 Starlings, 12 Chaffinches, 5 Bramblings and 7 Siskin. Also 3 Snipe went west and in the area we had a Coal Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrests, a Stonechat and the Yellow-browed Warbler was still at Crook Ness, another Yellow-browed Warbler was seen very briefly in a Knipe Point Drive garden.

On Castle Hill today 7 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, a ♂ Blackcap and 2 Bramblings; on South Cliff there were 3 Goldcrests; a female Common Scoter was in the Harbour and at Holbeck a pair of Common Scoter and 5 adult winter Mediterranean Gulls including the ringed bird PNN5.

Further afield we had 40+ Golden Plovers at High Marishes; 4 Goshawks and a Crossbill at Wykeham Raptor View Point and finally at Ravenscar there were 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Bramblings, a Lesser Redpoll and a Short-eared Owl.

Friday 20th October 2017

This was a frustrating early morning for the intrepid Long Nabbers when a probable Olive-backed Pipit flew over calling but could not be relocated in the area despite much searching. This could have been the first record for our area of this species, hey ho maybe next autumn!!

Also at Long Nab today with most observations from the ringing site including many Redwings and Song Thrushes pre-dawn and 8+ Bramblings, a Ring Ouzel came in off the sea at 07.50 and another was along Long Hedge, the late Whimbrel was still present, 2 Eider went north and there were a Blackcap, 14 Goldcrests, a Redstart, 6 Stonechats, a total of 35 Bramblings, and 46 Siskins flew south. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still present at Crook Ness with a female Blackcap and a couple of Bramblings were seen here as well.

The day totals for the Castle Hill area today included 20 Robins, 3 Stonechats, 50 Song Thrushes, 70 Redwings, 85 Blackbirds, 2 Ring Ouzels around the Skateboard Park area late afternoon, 5 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 7 Goldcrests, 3 Tree Sparrows, a Chaffinch, 25 Bramblings, 2 Bullfinches and the highlight was a Red-breasted Flycatcher. This bird was initially located in the small plantation behind the wall on Marine Drive but it didn’t stay for long before flying towards the Skate Park, also along Marine Drive was a Wheatear.

At Wykeham South Lake the wildfowl count included an adult Whooper Swan, 8 Egyptian Geese, 2 Goldeneye, 6 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 56 Teal, 72 Wigeon and a Pochard; also seen here today were a Kingfisher and a juvenile Marsh Harrier.

At other locations today we had a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Brambling and a Little Grebe were at Johnson’s Marsh; at Cornelian Bay lots of thrushes and finches and a Yellow-browed Warbler in a Willow by small Scalby Lodge Pond.

Finally an interesting report of a 4 to 5 foot Leatherback Turtle seen from a yacht off Scalby Mills bouy.

Thursday 19th October 2017

In the Long Nab area today the best birds were 2 Ring Ouzels, one at the ringing site and the other in Long Hedge, thrush movement this morning included 75 Blackbirds, 480 Redwings and 43 Song Thrushes most of which came in off the sea and continued heading west. There were also c200 Redwings west over Crook Ness this afternoon and present in the Long Nab area a Jack Snipe, a Coal Tit, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, a dozen Goldcrests, 2 Fieldfares at Crook Ness, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Stonechats,6 Bramblings and 16 Reed Buntings.

The small area by the water treatment works at the top of Cornelian Ravine was full of birds this afternoon in the foggy conditions and between 16.00 and 17.30 there were a Green Woodpecker, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Goldcrests, a Treecreeper, 2 Fieldfares, c30 Blackbirds, 5 Song Thrushes, c50 Redwings with many heard flying over in the fog, c20 Tree Sparrows, 3 Bramblings, 4 Reed Buntings and a Yellowhammer.

The thrush movement over town this evening was still ongoing but considerably reduced compared to yesterday.