Wednesday 26th April 2017

This was another relatively quiet day with the cold northerly airstream.

On Star Carr today 16 Whimbrel, 4 Curlew and 2 Wheatears and on the Motocross track at Seamer there was a Little Ringed Plover, then presumably the same bird was seen over the Seamer Tip pool. There was also a Little Ringed Plover on Potter Brompton Carr plus 5 Snipe, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Sedge Warblers and a Little Egret on Flixton Carr.

At Long Nab there was quite a movement north today with a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers, 4 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Sandwich Terns, 537 Fulmars, 279 Gannets and 536 Kittiwakes in 3½ hours observation. Down the coast at Scalby Mills there was a Common Sandpier, Whitethroat and 3 House Martins, later analysis of photographs showed the Sandpiper to be colour ringed. Nearby Johnson’s Marsh had a White Wagtail.

Wykeham South Lake had 19 Whimbrels early this evening, further afield today a Cuckoo was seen over the A171 at The Flask at 08.25 flying in the direction of Boggle Hole and on Low Moor using the layby by the A171 on the B1416 it is possible to see Red Grouse within our area. I mention this as the ones on the moor by the radio mast at Stoupe Brow are proving difficult this year.

Kestrel - Alec Scott

Tuesday 25th April 2017

Not a very nice day with a mixture of strong wind and wintery showers making observations difficult.

26 Whimbrels were in a field on the side of Seamer Tip by Star Carr, a Willow Tit was to the east of the Tip, 3 Corn Buntings flew north over Seamer Tip pool and in the area of the Motocross track there was a Wheatear and a Lesser Whitethroat

Harwood Dale Lake today had 20 Swallows, 6 Sand Martins, 2 House Martins, 3 Wheatears and a Whitethroat;

Finally an evening stroll around Long Nab produced 13 Shore Larks (which are now the latest ever and the longest stayers), 2 White Wagtails and a Wheatear. There were two Manx Shearwaters going north from here this morning.

The following photo explains why some people think birders are slightly insane in the things they do for their hobby.

Our Chairman - Long Nab Blizzard - Selfie

Monday 24th April 2017

A reasonable number of Wheatears were seen at various locations today with 8 at Long Nab, 3 at Malton Cote near Ebberston, 2 inside Marine Drive and a single in the Givendale Farm area.

Potter Brompton Carr held a White Wagtail, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Redshank, 6 Wigeon, 2 Teal and 2 Lapwing chicks, and Wykeham South Lake had 3 Common Sandpipers.

Other records today included a pair of Willow Tits on feeders in a garden on Yedmandale Road, West Ayton; 2 Ring Ouzels in a paddock next to Stony Marl Moor and a ♂ Redstart near to the Dalby visitors centre.

Dipper - Troutsdale - Alec Scott

Sunday 23rd April 2017

A good arrival of Ring Ouzels into the area today with 3 seen early morning, 05.45, by Seamer Tip pool that arrived from the east, 2♂2♀ in the fields below the Radio Mast at Ravenscar, another was by the Cleveland Way at Ravenscar and a final ♂ was seen by the railway line from Salt Pans Road, Cloughton. Nearby in Newlands Dale a Water Rail was seen on a small pond.

At Long Nab today a cream crown Marsh Harrier flew south at 10.05 and in the area there were also 2 Shore Larks, 3 Wheatears, a Yellow Wagtail, 5 White Wagtails and a Short-eared Owl, a record breaking 166 Carrion Crows flew north as did a single Whimbrel.

The first Cuckoo of the Spring was both seen and heard in Castlebeck Woods, Harwood Dale today and at Harwood Dale Lake there was a Yellow Wagtail.

The Grasshopper Warbler at Seamer Tip pool remained for its second day but was moving about a bit more today although it made itself visible at times it was easier to hear its distinctive, reeling, insect-like song.

An evening stroll down Troutsdale produced 2 Kingfishers, a Dipper, a Water Rail and a Swallow, also 2 Mandarin Ducks near Hackness.

Grasshopper Warbler - Seamer Tip Pool - Chris Bell

Yellow Wagtail - Long Nab - Nick Addey

Saturday 22nd April 2017

At Long Nab today, between 05.55 and 11.55, we had 11 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Divers, 7 Sand Martins and 4 Swallows all heading north along with a 2cy Iceland Gull at 06.20, a breeding plumage Great Northern Diver, a Short-eared Owl and a Whimbrel. The Shore Larks were seen again to the north of the Obs and today 18 birds were present. Moving south along the coast there was a Wheatear near the now dry Scalby Lodge Pond and 5 Teal on the small pond, and at Scalby Nab there was a Lesser Whitethroat. Nearby on Johnson’s Marsh we had 2 Snipe, 3 Teal and a Yellow Wagtail.

At Wykeham South Lake today there were 6 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Wheatears, 2 Whitethroats, 6 House Martins and small numbers of both Swallows and Sand Martins

Seamer Meads had 3 Corn Buntings, a Wheatear and 9 Whimbrel and 3 Curlew flew over to the north, nearby to the north of Seamer Tip pool the first Grasshopper Warbler of the year was discovered in the afternoon. It was rather elusive but was seen a few times when it broke cover to sing from exposed perches before it got too dark to see well in the gloom of dusk.

Grasshopper Warbler - Seamer Tip Pool - Dave Mansell

Friday 21st April 2017

The highlight of the day was a female Montagu’s Harrier that was tracked from Hunmanby Gap at 07.00 and then seen heading west from Gristhorpe Bay at 07.40 was chased down in our area at Folkton/Flixton Carr at 08.07 heading towards Seamer Tip. Whilst searching the Seamer area for the harrier a singing Corn Bunting was found on Taylor Way.

Wheatears were well represented today with 5 at Scalby Lodge, 2 at Long Nab and 4 at Stoupe Brow; Green Sandpiper and Snipe on Johnson’s Marsh and at Reasty Hill Top 4 Crossbills came to drink in a small puddle.

Crossbill - Reasty Hill Top - Steve Wignill

Thursday 20th April 2017

Waxwings were back in the news again today with 2 being seen by John Harwood at Staintondale near the former Shire Horse Centre and nearby 5 Crossbills in the car park of the Heyburn Wyke pub.

The first Osprey for our area this year went southeast over Gristhorpe Bay early morning although this is the border of our area we have confirmation from the observer that it was seen in the Scarborough recording area. Other raptors reported today were a Marsh Harrier going northwest at Gristhorpe Bay mid-morning and a Red Kite went north over Scalby Manor, also mid-morning.

Single Crossbills flew south over Scalby Nab and over Knipe Point, time difference would make them separate birds unless it stopped for a couple of hours en route.

The Shore Lark flock was still in the fields north of the Obs at Long Nab with a maximum of 19 being seen in the late afternoon, also in the area 5 Wheatears, 4 White Wagtails and a Lesser Whitethroat and just to the south along the coast 3 Wheatears at Cromer Point.

Other records from today were a Green Sandpiper on Johnson’s Marsh, Whitethroats at Seamer Tip and near Burton Riggs, in the fields below Seamer Tip pool there were 2 Willow Tits and 27 Carrion Crows, the injured Brent Goose was still at Burton Riggs, Pink-footed Geese and Barnacle Geese still on Seamer Tip Pool and the Long-tailed Duck was still in Cayton Bay.

 

Waxwing - Staintondale - John Harwood

 Normally I wouldn't use back of camera shots but as the photographer accidentally deleted the original photo then I have no option here.

Osprey - Gristhorpe Bay - Mark Pearson

Wednesday 19th April 2017

The first Lesser Whitethroat for the year was reported today from Taylor Way where there was also a Wheatear present. Another first for the year was a Garden Warbler at Seamer Road Mere which was heard singing and showed briefly during the early afternoon.  

At Long Nab today a Great Skua flew north in the morning and also there 21 Shore Larks in the field to the north of the Obs at 19.00, a ♂ Ring Ouzel went north at 09.01, a young ♂ Marsh Harrier went north at 09.13 and a Corn Bunting and a Whitethroat were also present. Just down the coast a bit at Cromer Point there was a Tree Pipit and the first Common Sandpiper of the year.

Harwood Dale Lake produced a single Pink-footed Goose, 24 Swallows, a single House Martin, about 40 Sand Martins, a Yellow Wagtail and a Grey Wagtail, and finally today there were 5+ Crossbills at Highwood Brow Viewpoint.

male Crossbill - Highwood Brow Viewpoint - Chris Bell

Tuesday 18th April 2017

The 2cy Glaucous Gull was seen again today among the seal colony at Ravenscar and at Long Nab the Shore Larks were still present in the field north of the Obs but when seen this evening the flock had increased to 24 individuals which is the second highest count for our area.

A Green Sandpiper was seen today on Johnson’s Marsh but could not be located this evening, there was a Little Egret on Cayton Carr and a Brambling was still present in a Crossgates garden.

Shore Lark - Long Nab - Nick Addey

Monday 17th April 2017

An interesting Chiffchaff at Stoupe Brow was a new discovery today, the bird was very grey in colour and was giving an unusual call but after long deliberation the observer withdrew his initial thoughts of it being a ‘Siberian’ Chiffchaff. Also at Stoupe Brow today was a female Redstart.

At Long Nab today 17 Shore Larks remained in the field to the north of the Obs where there was also a Wheatear; passing north were a Blue Fulmar, a Manx Shearwater, 9 Sandwich Terns, a White Wagtail, 59 Sand Martins and a single Swallow whilst a female Redstart was seen near Cliff Top House.

Records from other locations in our area today included a Yellow Wagtail on the roundabout at the bottom of Thornburgh Road, Seamer; 3 House Martins, 10 Swallows and several Blackcaps at Troutsdale Bridge; 9 singing Blackcaps on Castle Hill; 2 Bramblings in a Crossgates Garden; 2 Swallows over Ganton and 3 on Folkton Carr.

Brambling - Crossgates - Mick Francis

Shore Lark and Castle - Long Nab - Nick Addey

Sunday 16th April 2017

The highlight of the day was the discovery of the first Whitethroat for the year by the motorcycle cross circuit at Seamer Tip.

At Long Nab there were still 4+ Shore Larks, but today they were only seen in flight over the first field to the north of the Obs.

Harwood Dale forest had Lesser Redpoll and several Crossbills, Ravenscar observations included 11 Oystercarcher, 2 Redshanks and a pair of Rock Pipits and at Johnson’s Marsh there were 6 Teal, 2 Tufted Ducks and a Snipe.

Lapwing - Taylor Way - Pauline Dent

 My apologies for including the next photo in a birding site but I could not resist as it looked so cute.

Grey Seal - Ravenscar - Jen Addey

Saturday 15th April 2017

Another Hooded Crow for the year flew north along the cliffs at Long Nab at 07.28.

Most of the news today came from the Ravenscar area where the 2cy Glaucous Gull was seen again in the seal colony at 11.00 and also in the vicinity were a Blackcap, 15+ Chiffchaffs, 30+ Willow Warblers and a pair of Bullfinches.

Elsewhere there was a Green Woodpecker west of Wykeham Lakes in the field to the west of the causeway and the ♂ Garganey remained for another day on Johnson’s Marsh.

Although not birds the lovely photos below of Adders were taken by Nick Addey on the edge of Fylingdales Moor.

Adder - Nick Addey

Adder - Nick Addey

Friday 14th April 2017

Another very quiet day today with very little being reported from within our area.

At least 4 Shore Larks were seen at Long Nab.

The first Tree Pipit for the year was located this morning to the west of Wykeham Lakes whilst at Wykeham South Lake there were 4 Pink-footed and 2 Barnacle Geese plus a few Sand Martins, Swallows and 7 Common Buzzards, also a cream-crowned Marsh Harrier flew through.

The injured Dark-bellied Brent Goose was still surviving at Burton Riggs, a Snipe was on Johnson’s Marsh and there are now good numbers of Willow Warblers in our area.

Sand Martins have returned to the small colony on Cayton Bay with a total of eleven birds being seen today.

Sand Martins - Cayton Bay - Chris Bull

Thursday 13th April 2017

Today was a rather quiet day as we are supposed to be in Spring now. In the field to the north of the Obs at Long Nab there were 15 Shore Larks, also in the area 4 Wheatears and moving north 3 Sandwich Terns, 14 Sand Martins and 4 Swallows.

On Star Carr we had a Wheatear, a Swallow and 30 Linnets and at Potter Brompton Carr there were 9 Wigeon, 4 Egyptian Geese, 6 pairs of Lapwings, 2 pairs of Curlew, a pair of Oystercatchers and a Greylag Goose on a nest.

Wykeham South Lake had 2 Little Ringed Plovers and in the field to the south a solitary Wheatear, Seamer Tip pool was still holding on to 2 Pink-footed Geese and on Johnson’s Marsh the ♂ Garganey was hanging on for another day with 2 Shelduck, 6 Teal, a Wigeon and a Common Snipe.

Other odds and sods included a Mute Swan at Scalby Mills and 5 Swallows and 2 Sand Martins heading north at South Cliff.

Mammal news today involved a couple of Otters in the river only 100 yards from the A64.

Wheatear - Long Nab - Nick Addey

Peregrine - Marine Drive - Deb Schild