Sunday 28 February 2021

Sunday 28th February

A Chiffchaff was seen moving rapidly south-west through the treeline along South Cliff golf course this morning, and another was heard singing this afternoon at Seamer Road Mere. At least 6 Great Northern Divers were between South Bay and Cornelian Bay, and a raft of up to 18 Kittiwakes were off the Spa. A Ring-tailed Hen Harrier flew over Cromer Point and Scalby Lodge Pond, heading south. A Corn Bunting was singing at Gristhorpe Carr. The South Bay gull roost this evening contained 650 Herring Gulls and 160 Common Gulls, while further out to the south east were another 2200 Herring Gulls, 364 Common Gulls and 134 Black-headed Gulls. Species seen in Gristhorpe Bay include: 207 Curlew, 148 Redshank, 140 Oystercatcher, 41 Purple Sandpiper, 20 Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, and a Greenshank. Also in the area were a Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, a Red-brested Merganser, a Mediterranean Gull and 8 Teal.

Saturday 27 February 2021

Saturday 27th February

A Ring-necked Parakeet flew south along South Cliff esplanade this morning, and a White-fronted Goose flew west over Seamer Tip pools. A Chiffchaff was feeding along the tideline at the base of the Holbeck landslip and 2 Brambling flew south through South Cliff. 23 Pink-footed Geese flew north over the sea 2 miles out from South Bay, and 240 were also seen heading north over Pickering. Just 3 Little Grebes and 4 Coot were at Seamer Road Mere. 7 Buzzards were spotted over Pickering and a male Mandarin was at Thornton Dale pond. A Sparrowhawk was seen being mobbed by Crows at Hutton Buscel. 135 Wigeon and 3 Teal were at Scalby Mills while at Jackson's Bay there were 46 Redshank, a Shelduck and 7 Purple Sandpipers.

Friday 26 February 2021

Friday 26th February

The first Chiffchaff of spring was on the North Side of Castle Hill (several arrived in Yorkshire today). A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in Peasholm Glen this morning. The Slavonian Grebe was feeding close inshore in Cayton Bay again, where there was also a Dunlin. A Greenshank was in Gristhorpe Bay again, and about 132 Pink-footed Geese flew north over Hutton Buscel. A Brimstone butterfly was out in Falsgrave. A Great Egret was seen along the Hertford between Staxton and Ganton, while 3 Buzzards were circling over Burton Riggs and 5 flew west together over Gristhorpe. 2 Corn Buntings (and an escaped Harris's Hawk) flew south past Long Nab, a first winter Russian White-fronted Goose flew east over Seamer Tip pools. At Gristhorpe Bay there were 154 Redshank, a Greenshank, 10 Purple Sandpipers, 14 Turnstones, 55 Oystercatchers and 3 Grey Plovers. 2 pairs of Stonechats were on the cliff path between Gristhorpe Bay and Cayton Bay.

Thursday 25 February 2021

Thursday 25th February

250+ Pink-footed Geese flew north over East Ayton this morning, while the Slavonian Grebe was seen in Cayton Bay again, though this time further out. 18 Gadwall, 6 Teal and a Marsh Tit were at Seamer Tip Pool, while at Seamer Road Mere there were 3 Little Grebes, 5 Goldeneye, a Water Rail and 4 Coot, and in the field immediately north of the entrance to the mere 2 Russian White-fronted Geese were with Greylags. 2 Corn Buntings flew south along South Cliff in the morning, and at least 4 Great Northern Divers were between South Bay and Cornelian Bay. A pair of Lesser Redpoll were seen feeding in alders by the river in Wrench Green, and about 50 were seen at Jugger Howe, along with a Woodcock and a Grey Wagtail. 2 Golden Plover were seen at Lilla Cross. At Johnson's Marsh there were 43 Teal, 2 Mallard and 2 Moorhens, and at Long Nab the highlights were 340 Pink-footed Geese headiong north and 6 Dunlin south. A Buzzard was being mobbed by Crows at Pinewood Park, and a mixed flock of 30 Yellowhammers and Chaffinches were seen at Cloughton Wyke. At Gristhorpe Bay in the late afternoon there were 154 Redshank, a Greenshank, 10 Purple Sandpipers, 14 Turnstones, 55 Oystercatchers and 4 Ringed Plovers.

Wednesday 24 February 2021

Wednesday 24th February

The Slavonian Grebe was feeding in Cayton Bay again this morning. 2 Oystercatchers and a Goldeneye were at Burton Riggs, a Stonechat was on the east side of Seamer Tip, 2 Golden Plover flew south over Star Carr, and a mixed flock of about 100 Redwing and Fieldfare were south of the tip. 20+ Fieldfare were on the field before Betton Industrial Park. 2 Goosanders flew south over Crossgates in the afternoon.

Tuesday 23 February 2021

Tuesday 23rd February

A Little Egret was at Brompton today, and at Johnson's Marsh there were 2 Shelduck, 4 Wigeon, 38 Teal, 4 Mallard and 6 Herons. 800 Pink-footed Geese were seen on the move this morning, 413 heading north offshore past South Cliff and about 395 north-west along Row Brow, inland of Long Nab. Also passing Long Nab, heading south, were a Great Northern Diver and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. 5 Grey Plover and 152 Redshank were seen in Gristhorpe Bay.

Monday 22 February 2021

Monday 22nd February

A Lapland Bunting was showing well on the rock armour at the base of the Holbeck landslip through much of the day. A female Black Redstart was spotted on the cliffside at the south end of Cayton Bay, while a Grey Plover, a Greenshank and 3 Stonechats were at Gristhorpe Bay. 1291 Pink-footed Geese, 20 alba Wagtails and a Brambling flew north past Long Nab through the morning and 17 Barnacle Geese flew south. 11 Snipe, 215 Greylag Geese and 3 Barn Owls were at Thronton Carrs this afternoon, and at Wrench Green this evening 4 male and one female Tawny Owls were calling. 8 Stonechats were seen at Cayton Bay, and a Short-eared Owl was near Folkton.

Sunday 21 February 2021

Sunday 21st February

The Slavonian Grebe was in Cayton Bay again throughout the day, together with 3 Red-throated Divers and up to 6 Great Northern Divers, some of which moved between there and Cornelian Bay. Another Great Northern Diver flew south, while 3 were in South Bay. 2 Red-throated Divers, 5 Shags, 6 Cormorants, 10 Guillemots, 2 Peregrines and a Grey Seal were seen off Marine Drive, another Shag was in the harbour, a Peregrine was above lamp post 51, and 19 pairs of Fulmar were on Castle Headland. At Seamer Tip pools there were 21 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, 3 Wigeon, 2 Teal, and a Barn Owl. A pair of Mute Swans were on Taylor Way pool, in addition to the usual family on the main pool. A Coot was on Peasholm Lake and 2 were on Cloughton Pond with 5 Tufted Duck. Passing through South Cliff this morning were 164 Skylark heading south and 27 north, 3 Lapland Buntings going north, 47 Siskin going south, and the first Stonechat of the spring. 2 Lapland Buntings were still present in the stubble field at Long Nab where a Corn Bunting and 345 Skylarks flew south and 21 Skylarks flew north.

Saturday 20 February 2021

Saturday 20th February

A Great Northern Diver was seen off Holbeck this morning, having been seen in the harbour earlier. 4 male Goosanders were at Throxenby Mere, and a Bittern was spotted flying over Crossgates in the afternoon. 5 Little Grebe, a drake Gadwall, 19 Tufted Duck, 7 Goldeneye, 2 Coot and 2 Water Rails were at Seamer Road Mere, and a Dipper was in Cow Wath Beck, Scalby. A Little Egret and a Stonechat were at Thornton Carrs, a Barn Owl was was at Upper Cornbrash on the north side of Castle Hill and another was seen at Yedingham. A Great Northern Diver was again seen in South Bay in the afternoon, while 6 more were in Cayton Bay along with the Slavonian Grebe, a Red-throated Diver and a female Eider, while Gannets were seen on the move. At Scalby Mills there were 28 Redshank.

Friday 19 February 2021

Friday 19th February

A Great Northern Diver, 22 Purple Sandpipers, 54 Turnstones, a Cormorant and a Shag were seen around the harbour this morning, while 2 Great Northern Divers were in Cayton Bay. About 40 Siskins were seen in Hutton Buscel. In the late afternoon 11 Gannets were diving about 100m out in Cayton Bay, the 2 Great Northern Divers were still present, feeding at the southern end, and there were several Razorbills. A Peregrine was at Redcliffe.

Thursday 18 February 2021

Thursday 18th February

A pair of Shelduck, 6 Oystercatchers, a Kestrel, 3 Yellowhammers and 2 Chaffinches were seen this morning in the Scalby Lodge Pond area, plus 6 Tree Sparrows in a House Sparrow flock. At Johnson's Marsh there were 6 Wigeon, 23 Teal, a Redshank, and 3 Skylarks singing in the rain. 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Grey Wagtails and a Chiffchaff were at Thornton Carrs, and 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew south past Long Nab mid-morning. In the afternoon a Slavonian Grebe was spotted in Cayton Bay, feeding close inshore. A Willow Tit was in a copse east of Seamer Tip, while 4 Woodcock, 9 Mistle Thrush, 20 Redwing and 70 Fieldfare were also in the area.

Wednesday 17 February 2021

Wednesday 17th February

A Woodcock was seen at the Seamer Tip motorcycle track this morning, a Goosander was at Burton Riggs, and 5 Stockdoves and a Snipe were by Cayton approach road. 2 Lapland Buntings were again in the stubble field at Long Nab, where 294 Skylarks and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull flew south and 7 Skylarks flew north. A Chiffchaff and 2 Grey Wagtails were at Thornton Dale sewage works.

Tuesday 16 February 2021

Tuesday 16th February

2 Greenfinch, one calling/singing, were at Yedmandale Road early this morning. 47 Mallard, 21 Gadwall, 4 Wigeon, 11 Tufted Duck, a Pochard and a Heron were seen at Seamer Tip pool, while 11 Gadwall, 1 Teal and a drake Goosander were at Burton Riggs. A male Blackcap was in a garden on Flower Garth, and a female Merlin was hunting on Cayton Carrs. 4 Great Northern Divers were seen between South bay and Cornelian Bay, one of which then entered the harbour. 312 Skylarks and a Lapland Bunting were seen heading south and 22 Skylarks north, along South Cliff. 3 Buzzards were at Low Yedmandale in the afternoon, while at Harland Wood there were 5 Mistle Thrush, 2 Woodcock, 2 female Sparrowhawks and 3 singing Song Thrush. At Long Nab a Great Northern Diver, 334 Skylarks, 41 Chaffinch and a Brambling were seenn heading south, plus 8 Skylarks and 2 Snow Buntings north. 5 Twite were in a Linnet flock on Rocks Lane, and 2 Lapland Buntings were still in the stubble field.

Monday 15 February 2021

Monday 15th February

2 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Goldeneye, a Coot and a Sparrowhawk were at Seamer Road Mere, and a Twite and 2 Lapland Buntings were at Long Nab. 3 Great Crested Grebes and a Great Northern Diver were seen between South Bay and Cornelian Bay. 66 Siskins flew south through South Cliff where 10 Snipe and a Jack Snipe were present. A Green Woodpecker was west of Long Causeway in a large sheep pasture, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming at Castle Rise. A Greenfinch, a Nuthatch, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Long-tailed Tits, a Treecreeper, a Blackcap, a Jay, 4 Siskins and a Sparrowhawk were in a garden in Scalby. A Green Woodpecker was at Haygate, Dalby in the late afternoon, along with 5 Brambling and 80 Yellowhammers. 6 Little Grebe, 4 Goldeneye, a Woodcock and a Water Rail were at Seamer Road Mere. Highlights from a WeBS count at Wykeham Lakes included: a Great White Egret, 4 Pintail, 190 Mallard, 17 Goldeneye, a Pink-footed Goose, 15 Great Crested Grebes, 93 Coot, a Water Rail, 2 Oystercatchers, a Jack Snipe, 2 Woodcock, an adult Mediterranean Gull and a Stonechat, plus 9 Skylarks which flew west.

Sunday 14 February 2021

Sunday 14th February

A Long-tailed Duck flew south past Marine Drive early this morning, a Great Northern Diver was in the harbour, and 24 Purple Sandpipers were on the steps next to the lighthouse. At Seamer Tip and the adjacent carrs there were a Merlin, a Peregrine, 17 Snipe, a Jack Snipe, 16 Lapwings and a Buzzard. In the fields below Seamer Tip pool 4 Tundra Bean Geese, a White-fronted Goose, and a few Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese were among a goose flock (the Bean Geese being 2 fields west of the main group). 2 Lapland Buntings and 37 Woodcock were seen at Long Nab and another Woodcock was on the north side of Castle Hill. A second Great Northern Diver was in the harbour in the afternoon.

Saturday 13 February 2021

Saturday 13th February

4 Tundra Bean Geese, 4 Pink-footed Geese, a Russian White-fronted Goose and 4 Barnacle Geese were in the field south-west of Seamer Tip pool this morning. A female Barn Owl was behind Boyes' warehouse in Eastfield, while a male was in the field behind Plaxtons and another was at the motorcycle track near Seamer Tip. 2 Lapwings were at Taylor Way. The Water Pipit remains in the field north of the Long Nab observatory, where there were 10 Snipe and 14 Woodcock. A Great Northern Diver was in the harbour this afternoon, and at Cayton Bay there were 5 female Goldeneye, a female Eider, and 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew south. 3 Dunlin and 9 Ringed Plover were spotted in Jackson's Bay, where a male Stonechat was on the cliffs. 5 Little Grebe, 6 Goldeneye, a Coot and 3 Woodcock were at Seamer Road Mere, and 6+ Woodcock were at Oliver's Mount. Male Hen Harrier again SW of Wykeham Lakes.

Friday 12 February 2021

Friday 12th February

A Bittern was seen at Seamer tip pools plus two Jack Snipe. 130+ Redwing and 60+ Fieldfare flew south-west over William Street car park mid-morning, and 40 Redwing were seen at Dark Wood in the early afternoon. At Long Nab there were 350 Redwing (plus 242 heading south) and 60 Fieldfare (plus 88 heading south), while also present were 21 Golden Plover, 21 Snipe and 2 Lapland Buntings. 2 Woodcock, 19 Snipe, 4 Jack Snipe and 188 Redwing (59 heading south) were seen along South Cliff. A Pink-footed Goose, a pair of Teal, 5 Goldeneye and an adult Mediterranean Gull were at Seamer Road Mere, and a pair of Stonechats were at the Open Air Theatre. There were 480 Wigeon at Scalby Mills and another 15 at Scalby Lodge pond, while also in the Scalby Lodge area were 4 Snipe, 20 Lapwing, 45 Curlew, 30 Fieldfare and 10 Skylark. A Dunlin was in Jackson's Bay, and 30 Skylark were around Cromer Point. On a 2 mile walk along the cut east from Folkton sewage treatment works the following were seen: 2 Corn Buntings, 11 Woodcock, 14 Snipe, 40 Redwing, 15 Song Thrush, 10 Fieldfare, 2 Little Egrets and 20 Teal.

Thursday 11 February 2021

Thursday 11th February

A flock of 50+ Siskins were feeding in alders and conifers at the top of Cornelian Ravine this morning, and 15 Curlew were feeding in the bay, where the remains of 4 Woodcock were found along the strand line. 150+ Pink-footed Geese flew south-east over Cayton Bay. At Long Nab there was a further increase in birds, including 700 Redwing, 330 Fieldfare, 60 Skylarks, a Lapland Bunting, 19 Snipe and a Jack Snipe, plus a Water Pipit feeding in the field north of the observatory near the 'scrape'. A single Whooper Swan and a Twite flew over south. A Grey Plover, 18 Ringed Plover, a Dunlin and a Brent Goose were seen in Jackson's Bay. The Grey Plover then flew north to Cromer Point where 44 Curlew and a pair of Stonechats were seen. A second pair of Stonechats were at Scalby Lodge, and in the Scalby Lodge pond area there were at least 50 Fieldfare, 2 Yellowhammer, 2 Reed Bunting and a few Skylark. At least 100 Golden Plover were around Crook Ness and Long Nab, where 4 Red-throated Divers were on the sea. A pair of Bullfinch were at the Open Air Theatre, and a flock of about 80 Goldfinch were seen gathering in tree tops on Sandybed Lane. 10 Wigeon were at Johnson's Marsh, and a Barn owl and a Kestrel were seen in the next field. Opposite The Barn there was a Curlew and 135 Redwing. Along the River Hertford (Folkton Water Treatment to Flixton Car bridge): 30 Teal, Woodcock, 4 Snipe, 22 Golden Plover, 150 Lapwing, Barn Owl, 6 Stonechats (3 pair).

Wednesday 10 February 2021

Wednesday 10th February

A Great Northern Diver was again in the harbour this morning, and a Goldeneye, a Great Crested Grebe, a Common Gull and 40 Black-headed Gulls were at Burton Riggs. 2 Bitterns are still in the reedbed at Seamer Tip pool (located using thermal imaging optics), where there were also 3 Water Rails, a Jack Snipe, a Barn Owl and a Dark-bellied Brent Goose (which flew off east after a short time). A Snipe , 12 Yellowhammers and 5 Goldfinch were seen on Ings Road, and 5 Bullfinch on Church Lane in Cayton. In Dalby Forest this morning 32 Yellowhammers and a Woodcock were seen at Nabgate, while 6 Marsh Tits, 3 Willow Tits, a Woodcock and 4 Buzzards were at Sand Dale. A Barn Owl was seen below Hutton Buscel and another below Wyedale on Main Road, while a Little Owl was seen in Snainton. A Woodcock flew east over the mounds near Seamer Tip pool this afternoon, and a pair of Stonechats were seen this morning on the cliff top near Alpamare. 16 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, a Woodcock and 40 Siskins were seen along South Cliff. Good numbers of Redwing were on North Cliff golf course this afternoon, and a large flock was also in Raincliffe Woods. More were in the Scalby Mills/ Scalby Beck area and a Barn Owl was hunting just north of there. Long Nab saw a big influx of birds: 78 Golden Plover (plus 3 heading north), 160 Fieldfare, 250 Redwing and 60 Yellowhammers, while a dead Puffin was on the shoreline. Also dead on the shoreline at Black Rocks in South Bay were 2 Fulmar, 10 Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, a Song Thrush, 2 Common Gulls, and Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls.

Tuesday 9 February 2021

Tuesday 9th February

Two Lapland Buntings in the stubble at Long Nab, 12 Golden Plover flew north, 2 Lapwing and 30 Redwings flew south. A pair of Buzzards were seen at Bedale this morning, while 4 Wigeon were at Seamer Tip pool and a Woodcock, a Grey Wagtail and 20 Fieldfares were at the motorcycle track. A Stonechat was in a garden in Wrench Green. A flock of 90+ Yellowhammers together with a smaller number of Chaffinch and 9+ Reed Buntings were seen in a small field near the river between Hackness and Woodhouse. Also nearby were 4 Bullfinch, 3 Mistle Thrush, a flock of 40+ Goldfinch, 2 Buzzards, a Kestrel plus 2 Dippers on the river. 4 Woodcock were in Eastfield Dell, while at Hackness Lake there were 8+ Mandarins, a pair of Tufted Duck and a pair of Little Grebes. 5 Redwing were up Great Moor Road, Hutton Buscel, and a Buzzard was seen off Middle Lane. 10 hares, in 3 groups, were also seen there.

Monday 8 February 2021

Monday 8th February

A Goosander was seen on the river in Wrench Green this morning, and another was at Burton Riggs along with a Goldeneye. A Merlin flew east over Crossgates, and a Stoat was spotted carrying a Blackbird on Taylor Way. In Cayton Bay a Dunlin was with an Oystercatcher flock, and a Great Crested Grebe was in the inner harbour. In the Ellerburn/Sand Dale area of Dalby Forest there were 3 Willow Tits, 5 Marsh Tits, 80 Siskins and 120 Linnets. 37 Dunlin flew south at Long Nab plus an influx of 6 Snipe to the fields there.

Sunday 7 February 2021

Sunday 7th February

21 Wigeon and a Woodcock were seen at Burton Riggs this morning, and a Goldeneye at Seamer Tip pool. A Woodcock was also seen at Scarborough Bowls Club, while the Coot remains in Peasholm Park. A Great Northern Diver was in the outer harbour while 29 Purple Sandpipers were again on the lighthouse steps and 2 more were at the usual roost location around midday. 7 Purple Sandpipers were also spotted roosting on the North Bay sea defenses at high tide. At Thornton Carrs there were 2 Green Sandpipers, a Little Egret, 450+ Fieldfare, 350+ Redwing and 900+ Starlings. At Low Marishes there were 5+ Shelduck, 160+ Pink-footed Geese, 1100+ Lapwing and 600+ Golden Plover. A Blue Fulmar flew south at Long Nab. 38 Teal and 22 Wigeon at Johnson's Marsh.

Saturday 6 February 2021

Saturday 6th February

Yesterday 2 Shovelers flew from Seamer Tip pool, while 4 Pink-footed Geese and a Buzzard were seen flying over fields to the south of the pool. Today 2 Great Northern Divers were seen together in the inner harbour and 29 Purple Sandpipers were on the steps near the lighthouse. 2 Razorbills were seen off the outer pier, though an hour later one was being eaten by Great Black-backed Gulls. 9 Little Egrets were near Folkton sewage treatment works this afternoon. An influx of Woodcocks along the coast totalled 29 (11 South Cliff, 14 Long Nab, 3 Castle Hill, 1 Sycarham Wood). 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese were at Cromer Point pond.

Thursday 4 February 2021

Thursday 4th February

A white Greylag Goose was with the goose flock at Seamer Tip pool today. 6 Whooper Swans, 2 Mute Swans and 12 Teal were on flood water near Yedingham, while 2 Buzzards were in the trees above. A pair of Shelduck were back on Lebberston Carrs/flash. A Brent Goose sp. flew north at Long Nab.

Wednesday 3 February 2021

Wednesday 3rd February

A few days of dreadful weather with very little news coming in. 150 Pink-footed Geese were seen flying west over the harbour on Monday 1st February. Today a drake Goosander, 2 Wigeon and 20 Tufted Duck were seen at Burton Riggs. A Great Northern Diver flew south at Long Nab. MONDAY 1st Feb Two Lapland Buntings at Long Nab, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew north. The male Hen Harrier was seen again Sw of Wykeham Lakes. TUESDAY 2nd Feb Four Goldeneye flew south past Long Nab.