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.