Friday 10th April

A Grasshopper Warbler was singing in the brambles at the top of Scalby Nab early this morning, while at Scalby Mills there were 5 Wigeon and 2 Common Scoter. 5 Chiffchaffs and 3 Yellowhammers were between Low Yedmandale and Hutton Buscel, and a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap and 2 Grey Herons were on Yedmandale Road. At Seamer Road Mere there were 5 Pink-footed Geese, a pair of Shovelers, 20 Tufted Duck, a pair of Pochard, a drake Goldeneye, a Water Rail and 3 Coot. 2 Ruddy Shelducks and a Little Ringed Plover flew south past Long Nab, and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 3 Redshanks were at Scalby Mills. A Tree Pipit was displaying between Wrench Green and Northstile, and 20+ Sand Martins and 2 Swallow were seen over the cliffs above Scalby Beck. In the Italian Gardens/South Cliff golf course area there were 4 Blackcaps, 8 Chiffchaffs and a Redwing, while 3 Siskins, 2 Sand Martins and 2 Gadwall were seen flying south, and a single Swallow was seen flying north. A Willow Warbler was at Whin Bank, another was near Peasholm cafe, and 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler were spotted at Scalby Mills Waste Water Treatment Works. In the space of just 35 minutes a total of 114 Goldfinches went south over Scalby Mills round mid-morning. 3 Buzzards were circling over Cayton Bay and another 2 were seen over Ayton, as was a Kestrel, while a Sparrowhawk flew over Woodlands Ravine and a pair of Bullfinches were in the glen. A male Wheatear was inside the Marine Drive wall, 2 male Blackcaps were on the north side of Castle Hill, 2 Blackcaps were at The Dell in Eastfield, 11 singing Chiffchaffs were between The Dell and Seamer Road Mere, and 3 Nuthatch territories were detected on Oliver's Mount. Sand Martins were seen at Cayton Bay.

Full count from Long Nab here: https://www.trektellen.nl/count/view/1074/20200410

Barn Owl - Rose Habberley