Saturday 11th April

A Short-eared Owl flew north at Long Nab early this morning. A Red Kite was seen at Coverdale Moor, plus a singing Blackcap, a displaying Lapwing and 12 Yellowhammers. 2 Bullfinches and a Willow Warbler were at the quarry and 4 Herons flew north over Forge Valley. 6 Roe Deer and 5 Hares were also seen in the area. 4 Mute Swans, 3 of them juveniles, were in North Bay, and a Peregrine was dozing on its usual perch on Castle Headland. A Willow Warbler was at the top end of Peasholm Drive, and a male Redstart was in willow trees by Scaby Lodge pond. A pair of Blackcaps were in a garden in Wrench Green, while other birds seen/heard on a walk round the area included 2 more singing Blackcaps, 7 Mandarins, 2 Willow Tits, 5 Willow Warblers, 2 Kestrels, 7 Redwings and 5 Yellowhammers. Sightings at South Cliff golf course included a House Martin, 17 Sand Martins, 3 Swallows, a Yellow Wagtail, a Brambling and 16 Siskins flying south, plus a Crossbill flying north. 2 Shovelers were at Seamer Tip pool, and 6 Tree Pipits, a Goshawk, 2 Willow Tits and 16 Willow Warblers were spotted in Dalby. Between Jackson's Bay and Scalby Mills there were 21 Oystercatchers, 4 Redshanks, 16+ Sand Martins, 6+ Swallows, 4 Turnstones, a Great Crested Grebe and a pair of Reed Buntings, plus good numbers of Goldfinches and Linnets heading north. 2 Jack Snipe and 2 Common Snipe were at Cromer Point pond and 3 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills. Large numbers of birds were passing Long Nab through the morning, including: 712 Linnets, 282 Goldfinches, 45 Sand Martins, 8 Swallows, 5 flava wagtails, 2 Fieldfare, a Corn Bunting and a high-flying Dunnock. A Marsh Harrier flew north over Spring Bank in the early afternoon, and a singing Willow Warbler was in Falsgrave Park. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling in brambles at the top of Scalby Nab this afternoon. 2 pairs of Teal, 2 Shelduck and a Grey Partridge were in the small Scalby Lodge pond area. A singing Willow Warbler and 3 Holly Blues were on Castle Hill, and this evening 2 Red Kites flew over Beedale.

Full count from Long Nab here: https://www.trektellen.nl/count/view/1074/20200411

Willow Warbler in full song - Chris Bull