Sunday 12th March 2017

The highlight of the day was without question the Bittern seen flying low over the Ayton Soccer Field this morning at 11.15 in the direction of Wykeham Lakes.

The Great Grey Shrike was still showing this morning at Maw Rigg in Langdale Forest and the sometimes elusive Shore Larks were again in the field south of Crook Ness although only 14 were counted today

At Seamer Road Mere today the records included 2 Pink-footed Geese, 19 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochards, ♀ Goosander, 7 Siskins and 2 singing Chiffchaffs meanwhile at Throxenby Mere the 2♀ Goosanders were still present.

Pink-footed Geese were on the move today with four notable flocks being reported -  c70 north over High Park Farm near Ebberston at 12.30, c70 over Flixton Carr at 15.00, c80 north over Ravenscar at 16.00 and finally c100 northeast over Hutton Buscel at 18.15.

A singing Chiffchaff was by the Open Air Theatre and another in the gully at Crook Ness.

At Ravenscar there were 2 Ravens seen today and down on the rocks 10 Purple Sandpipers and just down the road the 2 Shelduck were still frequenting the Rudda Road Flash.

Scalby Mills hosted a first winter Mediterranean Gull and 4 adult Lesser Black-Backed Gulls plus 56 roosting Oystercatchers. On the opposite side of Scarborough in South Bay the Great Northern Diver was seen again and a male Long-tailed Duck was off Holbeck.

Around the Carrs there were 4 Barnacle Geese seen flying north from Cayton Carr and on Starr Carr there were 60 Fieldfares meanwhile nearby on Burton Riggs the Great Crested Grebes had increased to 3.

Finally in the Wykeham Forest area a mixed finch/bunting flock with c120 Bramblings, c30 Yellowhammers and a few Chaffinches above Wrench Green at SE960888.

 

Great Grey Shrike - Maw Rigg - Chris Bell

Great Grey Shrike - Maw Rigg - Chris Bell