Thursday 29th April

A Blue Fulmar (D type) flew north at Long Nab where the Grasshopper Warbler was still singing just north of Crook Ness. Wykeham Lakes highlights included 5 Pink-footed Geese, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Sedge and 2 Reed Warblers. A Lesser Whitethroat was at Seamer tip and a Garden Warbler at nearby Burton Riggs. A Bar-tailed Godwit at Jackson's Bay. 2 Curlew flew SE over Johnson's Marsh.

PHOTO - Stonechat Jackson's Bay (Ray Maddison)

Wednesday 28th April

A total of 103 Arctic Terns moved out east today (94 between South and Cayton Bays plus 9 over Crossgates), 16 of which were seen over Wykeham Lakes and 15 mins later flew out east at Cayton Bay. Also past South Bay were a Great Skua, drake Red-breasted Merganser, and Manx Shearwater. The first-summer Mediterranean Gull was still in South Bay. A Great White Egret was seen at Johnson's Marsh and later flew north at Long Nab where the Whimbrel and Grasshopper Warbler were still present plus a Lesser Whitethroat. Another Lesser Whitethroat was in a garden at Scalby. Folkton Carr had 9 Wheatears, 7 Yellow and 15 White Wagtails and 23 Meadow Pipits. A Swift flew west there. 2 Wheatears at North Street, Flixton. 43 Fieldfare and 2 Redwing were at Flixton Carr. Wykeham Lakes had 8 Mute Swans, Goldeneye, LRP, Redshank, Snipe and 3 Common Sandpipers. A Turtle Dove was at Burniston. A Ring Ouzel sound recorded over Crossgates at 2am.

PHOTO - Turtle Dove Burniston (Rose Habberley)

Tuesday 27th April

A male Ring Ouzel was on South Cliff Golf Course early morning before moving off NNW. The Grasshopper Warbler was still reeling at the side of the golf course. A Lesser Whitethroat also moved through and the Great Northern Diver was still in South Bay. A LRP, 16 Tufted Duck and a Sedge Warbler was at Burton Riggs. A Little Egret on Seamer Mead and 12 Swallows at Seamer tip pool and another Sedge Warbler east of the tip. 70 Fieldfares by Star Carr scrape. A Wheatear at Metes Lane. At Seamer Carr were 4 Wheatears, 5 Yellow and 1 White Wagtail plus 6 Yellowhammers. A male Merlin flew south at Salt Pans Rd, Cloughton. A drake Red-breasted Merganser in Cayton Bay. At Wykeham Lakes: 5 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Teal, Goldeneye, drake Common Scoter (South Lake), 2 LRP, 2 Common Sandpipers, and 2 House Martins. A Whimbrel still at Long Nab plus 3 Wheatears. Grasshopper Warbler still at Crook Ness.

PHOTO - Red-breasted Merganser Cayton Bay (Chris Bull)

Monday 26th April

A singing Turtle Dove was at Dalby Forest. A Green Sandpiper was at Johnson's Marsh where there was also 8 Teal and a Shelduck. A Whimbrel was feeding in fields at Long Nab this evening and 4 Eiders flew south. A single Eider also flew south past Marine Drive. Singing Grasshopper Warblers still at Crook Ness and South Cliff Golf Course. A Great Northern Diver and first-summer Mediterranean Gull in South Bay. At Seamer tip area a cc Marsh Harrier flew over, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and plenty of Whitethroats. Six Wheatears at Stoupe Brow, Ravenscar.

PHOTO - Whimbrel at Long Nab (Nick Addey)

Sunday 25th April

Stoupe Brow, Ravenscar was well covered today and produced a 3 Golden Plover, 6 Curlew, Short-eared Owl, Red Grouse, 2 Ring Ouzels, 5 Wheatears. Singing Grasshopper Warblers were found at Long Nab and South Cliff Golf Course. 4 Willow Warblers were at Reasty Bank. A pair of Lapwing north of Hutton Buscel. At Wykeham Lakes there were still 5 Pink-footed Geese, Snipe, Common Sandpiper, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Reed Warblers, 3 Sedge Warblers, and a singing Corn Bunting near East Lake. A Green Sandpiper was sound recorded over Crossgates last night.

PHOTO - Willow Warbler Reasty Bank (Chris Bell)

Saturday 24th April

2 Ring Ouzels, 7 Golden Plover and a Wheatear by the radio mast at Ravenscar. Moving past Long Nab were 96 Common Scoter, 2 Eiders and 14 Whimbrel. 2 Wheatears were at Long Nab with 3 at nearby Cloughton Wyke. A further influx of Whitethroats; 5 Cloughton Wyke, 3 at Long Nab and 1 Cornelian Ravine. 2 Barn Owls, 6 Mandarin and 2 Tree Pipits at Northstile near Wrench Green. A Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpipiers were at Wykeham Lakes. A Little Ringed Plover was sound recorded as it flew over Johnson's Marsh at 02.05 hrs. A Redwing was sound recorded over Crossgates last night.

PHOTO - male Blackcap at Seamer Road Mere (Ray Maddison)

Friday 23rd April

At Wykeham Lakes today there were 6 Tufted Duck, a Great Crested Grebe, 2 Shoveler, 4 Pink-footed Geese and a Lapwing at the East Lake, plus a Greenshank which flew past towards South Lake, where there were 5 Goldeneye, 2 Great Crested Grebes, a Yellow Wagtail, 2 Shelduck, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatchers, a Reed Warbler and a Common Sandpiper. A Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warblers and a Redpoll were seen at Gristorpe Carr, plus 3 Yellow Wagtails flying over. A Red Kite flew south-west over Crossgates, a Wheatear was below Cockmoor Hall in Snainton, and 10 Sand Martins have arrived back at last year's colony site in Cayton Bay (which has sadly been destroyed by erosion). A singing Redstart and 2 Crossbills were at Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint, record numbers of Siskins were recorded on a BBS square in Wykeham Forest, and a Green Woodpecker was at May Beck. A Whitethroat and 2 Kestrels were seen at Ganton Golf course. There were 5 Snipe and a Yellow Wagtail flew north at Long Nab, where good numbers of bumblebees were moving north (including 14 Red-tailed and 9 White-tailed). A Fieldfare was sound recorded at Johnson's Marsh at dusk.

Thursday 22nd April

A Little Ringed Plover was at Johnson's Marsh today, and a Little Egret was again at Brompton Butts. A Lesser Whitethroat was at Seamer Tip, opposite the motorcycle track, while Common Whitethroats were behind the NYCC depot and at the Seamer Tip pool mounds. 2 Marsh Tits were at Burton Riggs and 2 Blackcaps were in a Crossgates garden. Willow Warblers were along the cinder track a mile up from Ravenscar, and a Brambling and a Tree Pipit were near Housedale in Dalby Forest. The Common Scoter was still at Seamer Road Mere and another was on the sea in front of the skate park. 2 male Eiders were seen flying past Cloughton Wyke, where Fulmars were nesting, and 8 Sandwich Terns were spotted feeding at the north end of Cayton Bay. 5 Goldeneye were at Wykeham Lakes.

Wednesday 21st April

The Common Scoter was still at Seamer Road Mere this morning, where Tufted Duck numbers had risen to 42 and the first of 4 pairs of Coot have now hatched young. Seen passing Long Nab were: 4 Wigeon, a Goosander, a Manx Shearwater and 2 Puffins. At Johnson's Marsh there were 10 Teal, and at Wykeham Lakes there were 2 Teal, 3 Goldeneye, 5 Pink-footed Geese, and a Snipe.

Tuesday 20th April

A Dotterel was sound recorded over Crossgates at 23.30 hrs. A Barn Owl was hunting over an old football pitch off Cayton Low Road this morning, and the Common Scoter was still present on Seamer Road Mere. A few new migrants had arrived in at South Cliff including 2 Willow Warblers, a Whitethroat and a Wheatear. A Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Grebes and a Little Egret were at Seamer Pool, a Little Ringed Plover was flying around an otherwise rather quiet Wykeham South Lake, and a Greenshank flew over the East Lake. Highlights passing Long Nab include a Whimbrel, 61 Sandwich Terns and 2 Yellow Wagtails, while a Wheatear was in the cover crop. A Whitethroat was seen in Hutton Buscel and another on Sandybed Lane, while a Green Woodpecker was in Broxa Forest. A Brambling was again at the Long Causeway feeders, together with a Reed Bunting, 2 Jays, a Willow Tit, 43 Linnets, a Lapwing and lots more. This evening 4 Pink-footed Geese, a Wigeon and 3 Goldeneye were at Wykeham South Lake, where 12 Sand Martins were busy building holes. A Little Egret was at Brompton Ponds.

Sunday 18th April

A drake Common Scoter was at Seamer Road Mere today, though it sadly had no left eye; and a Red Kite was seen at Crossgates near Burton Riggs. 5 Brambling were again at the Long Causeway feeders, together with a Siskin. At Wykeham Lakes there were 5 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Goldeneye, a Little Ringed Plover and 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, plus a Ruff on the east bank of East Lake. There was a possible sighting of a Marsh Harrier over Boyes this evening.

Saturday 17th April

A Grasshopper Warbler was singing at Crook Ness early this morning and an Iceland Gull flew south along the cliffs at Long Nab. A male Yellow Wagtail was on Flixton Carr and 2 Grey Partridges were at Loder's Carr, Folkton. At Johnson's Marsh there were 8 Teal and a Common Sandpiper. A Barn Owl, an Oystercatcher, a pair of Shelduck, a Chiffchaff, a Swallow, 20+ Sand Martins and a pair of Kestrels were seen in the Cromer Point area. A pair of Bullfinch and a pair of Jays, plus a Nuthatch and a Buzzard were seen around Woodlands Cemetery, and a pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on a rooftop in Gladstone Road. A Blackcap was singing at Wykeham South Lake, and 5 Bramblings and 4 Siskins were at the Long Causeway feeders, plus a Willow Tit briefly. A Tree Pipit, a pair of nesting Stonechats, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Buzzards and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were at Harwood Dale Moor, while at Scar Wood there was a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Grey Wagtail and a pair of Bullfinches. A male Redstart was at Broxa Forest. A Little Ringed Plover was sound recorded over Crossgates last night.

Friday 16th April

3 Whooper Swans flew east over Ruston Carr early this morning, and a Red Kite was seen drifting south over Burniston and then Falsgrave. 3 Willow Warblers and 3 Chiffchaffs were in Revenge Wood. A Spotted Redshank was at Wykeham East Lake for a brief period in the morning, where there was also a Common Sandpiper, 5 Pink-footed Geese, 10 Shovelers, 16 Teal, 3 Goldeneye, 14 Willow Warblers, and a Green Sandpiper which flew off east. 6 Golden Plovers flew north-east over Crossgates, a Common Sandpiper and 2 Shelduck were at Johnson's Marsh, and a Ruff flew in off the sea then continued west at Gristhorpe Cliff. Two Wheatears at Holbeck.

Thursday 15th April

A Marsh Harrier flew north through South Cliff this morning, and a Buzzard flew south over Manor Road. 10+ Swallows were seen around the Yourwaste sheds, and a Wheatear and a Raven were at Ravenscar. Along Middle Lane to Ancat Farm there were 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Lapwings, a Yellowhammer and a Buzzard, while about 40 Golden Plover flew over. A Treecreeper and a male Blackcap were seen at Wykeham and 3 Tree Sparrows and 4 Buzzards were in Hutton Buscel. A Little Egret and a Willow Warbler were at Seamer Mead, and another Willow Warbler was by the railway track on the eastern side of Seamer Tip. A Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk were spotted at Ravenscar, 2 Buzzards were seen over Burniston, and a Common Crane flew north-west over Seamer Tip pools. At Wykeham Lakes this evening there were 5 Pink-footed Geese, 7 Goldeneye and 23 Cormorants. A Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover wwere sound recorded over Crossgates last night.

Wednesday 14th April

2 Great Northern Divers were again in the harbour mouth this morning, and 2 Shelduck and 7 Teal were at Johnson's Marsh. At Wykeham South Lakes there were 45 Teal, 6 Willow Warblers, 14 Mute Swans and a Little Ringed Plover. A Greylag Goose was displaying to a White-fronted Goose on the angling pond at Burton Riggs, and a Willow Warbler was at Seamer Tip pool. A Tree Pipit was singing in Harwood Dale Forest, and 2 Stonechat territories were identified at Stoupe Brow. A Merlin flew north-east over Crossgates in the early afternoon, and 4 Bramblings were spotted in the Causeway PLantation, Wykeham Lakes. 3 Purple Sandpipers were on the rock barrier opposite the skateboard park. A Ring Ouzel was sound recorded over Crossgates last night.

Tuesday 13th April

A Corn Bunting was seen at Fentons this morning and a Little Egret at Brompton Butts. At Wykeham South Lake there were 3 Whooper Swans, 2 Goldeneye, 5 Reed Buntings, 9 Chiffchaffs, 5 Willow Warblers, a Blackcap, 2 Oystercatchers, a Buzzard, a female Common Scoter, 2 Little Ringed Plover and a Mistle Thrush. A Willow Warbler was newly in at Seamer Road Mere where a drake Goldeneye remains. 3 Mandarin Ducks were at Burton Riggs, 8 Teal were at Johnson's Marsh, and a Sandwich Tern and a White Wagtail flew north at Long Nab. A Cream crowned Marsh Harrier was seen over Causeway Road this evening. 14 flocks of Common Scoter were sound recorded over Crossgates last night.

Monday 12th April

2 Little Grebes were seen at Seamer Tip early this morning. 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails and a Yellow Wagtail were on Seamer Carr field adjacent to Star Carr, and a Litte Egret was on Seamer Mead. Sightings at Wykeham Lakes include: 8 Blackcap (at least one singing), 9 Willow Warblers, 22 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldeneye, 30 Swallows, 160 Sand Martins, 6 Pink-footed Geese, 3 House Martins, a male Tawny Owl calling, a hybrid Barnacle x Canada Goose, a Wigeon, 16 Teal, 32 Cormorants, a Little Ringed Plover, 19 Snipe, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Brambling. At least 2 Woodcock were roding at Pexton Bank, Dalby Forest this evening. 11 flocks of Common Scoter were sound recorded over Crossgates last night.

Sunday 11th April

2 Great Northern Divers were again just off the harbour entrance this morning. 3 female and one male Blackcap plus a Chiffchaff were in a garden on Heron Lane, Crossgates. An Osprey was spotted flying north over the A1039 near West Flotmanby, and a Raven was seen over Ellerburn, where there were also a pair of Dippers, a Grey Wagtail and a Buzzard. At Wykeham East Lake there were 18 Cormorants, 7 Goldeneye, 3 Oystercatchers, 5 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 17 Greylag Geese, a Swallow, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, while 2 very mobile Little Ringed Plovers and a Common Sandpiper were spotted at the South Lake. A Little Ringed Plover was sound recorded over Crossgates last night.

Saturday 10th April

Willow Warblers are now being seen widely: one flying north along South Cliff, 2 in Wykeham Forest, one in Wrench Green, Burton Riggs, Long Nab, Seamer Tip pools and Hilla Green. 2 Great Northern Divers were just outside the harbour mouth early in the morning and 3 were in South Bay later. 2 male Ring Ouzels were on the track leading down to Scar Wood in Harwood Dale, 70+ Chaffinches were opposite the Mill Inn, and 2 Oystercatchers were on the island at Harwood Dale Lake, one apparently incubating. A Wheatear flew north along South Cliff and a second was seen on the golf course. A Buzzard, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Sparrowhawk and a Redpoll were at Scalby cricket pitch. A Swallow was over Seamer Tip pool, another flew south over the tip and another was at Harwood Dale Lake, while 16 Fieldfares were near Star Carr scrape. A Reed Bunting, 2 pairs of Lapwing and a Yellowhammer were at Great Moor Road, Hutton Buscel, while 2 Willow Tits were at Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint. A Tawny Owl was at Castlebeck Wood. 2 male Blackcaps were seen at Outgang Lane, Thornton Dale, and at Sand Dale /Ellerburn in Dalby Forest there were 7 Buzzards, 2 Crossbills and 30+ Chiffchaffs. A flock of 26 Skylarks were feeding behind the observatory at Long Nab. At Wykeham South Lake there were 106 Sand Martins, a House Martin, 35 Swallows and a Barnacle Goose. A Cream crowned Marsh Harrier and 4 Swallows flew north over Seamer Tip pools. A Common Sandpiper was at Wykeham Lakes. A male Hen Harrier was seen on Fylingdale Moors, initially near Stoupe Brow and later over Juggar Howe Moor.

Friday 9th April

A Short-eared Owl and 3 Goshawks were seen this morning from Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint. A Little Grebe was on Cloughton Pond, and 30+ Linnets, 6 Stock Doves and 2 Siskins were in a field west of Plaxton Court. 3 Buzzards were over Hutton Buscel, 2 Chiffchaffs were in Revenge Wood, and 2 more plus a Nuthatch were in Wykeham. A Red Kite and 83 Pink-footed Geese were seen at Low Marishes, a Wheatear and a Stonechat were seen at Gristhorpe Cliff, and a male Pied Flycatcher was spotted in Forge Valley. At Wykeham South Lake this afternoon there were about 100 Sand Martins and a party of about 6 Marsh Tits, while at East Lake there were 4 Goldeneye, 16 Cormorants, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Oystercatchers, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Willow Warbler and 3 Chiffchaffs. 7 flocks of Common Scoter were sound recorded over Crossgates last night. 5 Pink-footed Geese, a Barnacle Goose, Great White Egret and six House Martins were at Wykeham Lakes.

Thursday 8th April

5 flocks of Common Scoter were sound recorded over Crossgates last night. 4 Goldeneye and a singing Blackcap were at Seamer Road Mere this morning, and another Blackcap was singing in a Westwood Court garden. A male Merlin was seen over Sneaton Low Moor, 2 Red Grouse were at Stoup Brow, and 2 Wheatears were in Burniston Bay. At Wykeham Lakes there were 5 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Teal, 8 Goldeneye, 25 Cormorants, 60 Sand Martins, 2 Swallows and a Siskin. A minimum of 2850 Common Gulls came into roost between South Bay and Cornelian Bay this evening, along with a first summer Mediterranean Gull, while a House Martin was feeding along South Cliff.

Wednesday 7th April

34 Tufted Duck, 7 Goldeneye and 7 Coot were at Seamer Road Mere, one pair of the Coots being the breeding pair first recorded breeding in 2013. 2 pairs of Curlew were seen at Stoup Brow and a White Wagtail at Ravenscar. 30+ Fieldfare were in the field below Cockmoor Hall, Snainton. On Seamer Mead there were 2 Little Egrets and a Golden Plover; 9 Curlews flew east over Cayton Carr; and 26 Pied Wagtails, 4 White Wagtails, 60 Fieldfares and 50 Starlings were in a field on Seamer Carr adjacent to Star Carr. At Wykeham East Lake there were 165 Common Gulls, 6 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 6 Black-headed Gulls, 40 Herring Gulls, an Oystercatcher, 5 Goldeneye, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Cormorants, 4 Greylag Geese, 8 Mallard and 2 Chiffchaffs. This evening a Barn Owl was spotted hunting near the north-east corner of the hospital's visitor car park.

Tuesday 6th April

A Sandwich Tern flew south, and an Eider north, past Long Nab this morning. At Wykeham Lakes there were at least 60 Sand Martins and 12+ Swallows, plus a singing Willow Warbler. A White-tailed Eagle was reportedly seen over Dalby Forest car park in the early afternoon. An Egyptian Goose was in the field south of Wykeham Lakes also eight Whooper Swans early morning.

Monday 5th April

60+ Sand Martins and 2 Swallows were seen at Wykeham South Lake today, while 32 Purple Sandpipers and 33 Turnstones were roosting in the harbour at high tide.

Sunday 4th April

3 Chiffchaffs, a male and a female Blackcap, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen in Manor Road Park/Woodland Ravine this morning, and 20 Purple Sandpipers were at the harbour. 15 Fieldfares were on Star Carr and at least 5 were on Cayton Carr. 2 Little Egrets and 20 Curlew were on Seamer Mead, a Red-legged Partridge was at the eastern side of Seamer Tip, and a White-fronted Goose was in the field to the south. 3 singing Blackcaps were in the Burton Riggs area and another was in Hutton Buscel churchyard. A pair of Willow Tits were at Reisty Bank, a Buzzard flew south-east over the harbour, and at Harland Wood there were 4 Chiffchaffs and a pair of Grey Partridge. 2 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaff, a pair of Bullfinch, a Grey Wagtail and a Treecreeper were at Seamer Road Mere. In Dalby Forest/Haygate there were 19 Chiffchaff, 11 Buzzard, just 2 Crossbill and 3 Nuthatch. A Red Kite was seen flying south past Long Nab and then at sea off the Castle Headland in the early afternoon, and mid-afternoon one flew south over Newby.

Saturday 3rd April

2 drake Eider were on the sea off Marine Drive early this morning, and a Blackcap was singing near Long Lane railway crossing in Crossgates. At Wykeham Lakes 2 Little Ringed Plover flew from South to East Lake; 3 Swallows and 55 Sand Martins were over South Lake; and 17 Goldeneye and 3 Pink-footed Geese were at East Lake. Later in the day a Great White Egret, a pair of Teal and a Barnacle x Canada hybrid goose were also present. 2 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck and 5 Teal were seen at Johnson's Marsh, and a drake Eider flew north past Long Nab. A Great Northern Diver and a Great Crested Grebe were at the harbour, and later 3 of the former were in South Bay, while a drake Red-breasted Merganser flew south past Marine Drive. At Harwood Dale Lake there was a Sand Martin and a Raven was spotted flying west. 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were at the entrance to Woodlands cemetery.

Friday 2nd April

A Swallow was seen over Scalby Mills beck this morning. 20 Sand Martins, 2 Willow Warblers, 6 Goldeneye and a Yellowhammer were at Wykeham South Lake, while 13 Goldeneye, a Curlew and a pair of Great Crested Grebes were at the East Lake. In the afternoon 2 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Little Ringed Plover and 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were at East Lake; 50 Sand Martins and 2 Swallows were at South Lake; and a third Willow Warbler and 8 Gadwall were at Trout Lake. A female Goosander and 4 Teal were at Harwood Dale Lake, a Great Crested Grebe was in the harbour, and a female Eider flew south past Long Nab. About 25 Siskins were in a garden in Hutton Buscel plus a Red Kite at nearby Beedale.

Thursday 1st April

A Snipe was drumming on Sneaton Low Moor this morning, and 10 Whooper Swans were seen over Outgang Lane, Pickering. 3 Swallows were seen heading east over Wykeham South Lake and a flock of 50 to 60 hirundines were seen high above the lakes. A Manx Shearwater flew north past Long Nab and a Great Skua flew south. A Swallow was also present in Brompton.