Tuesday 31 August 2021

Tuesday 31st August

5 Wigeon, 8 Herons and 7 Teal were at Johnson's Marsh this morning, while at Seamer Road Mere there were 2 Grey Wagtails, a Little Grebe, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Bullfinch. A juvenile Long-tailed Skua, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose and 5 Sooty Shearwaters flew north past Long Nab. 60-70 Lapwings were at Herdborough Farm, Seamer, and at Wykeham East Lake there were 405 Greylag Geese, 21 Lapwings, 29 Tufted Duck and 7 Teal. A Velvet Scoter flew north at Marine Drive.

Monday 30 August 2021

Monday 30th August

A juvenile Long-tailed Skua flew south past Long Nab today, while 3 Sooty Shearweaters and 2 Pintail flew north. 2 Teal, a Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper were at Wykeham East Lake, and a Pintail was at Johnson's Marsh. A Great Skua was spotted flying north past Marine Drive.

Sunday 29 August 2021

Sunday 29th August

3 Sooty Shearwaters flew past Long Nab this morning, and in Wrench Green a pair of Kingfishers were feeding 2+ young. A juvenile Long-tailed Skua flew north off South Bay.

Saturday 28 August 2021

Saturday 28th August

An adult Pomarine Skua flew south past Long Nab early this morning, and a Balearic Shearwater flew past north. Other highlights included a Shoveler, 42 Wigeon, 21 Sooty Shearwaters, 29 Manx Shearwaters, 9 Bar-tailed Godwits, 7 Knot, 6 Great Skuas and 4 Arctic Skuas. A Tree Pipit flew south over Station Road, Scalby, and another was seen in Wrench Green, where there were also 2 Willow Tits. A Dunlin and 9 Teal were at Johnson's Marsh, and 2 Marsh Harriers flew north through Cloughton Wyke. A Greenshank, 7 Dunlin and a Curlew were at Wykeham East Lake this evening.

Friday 27 August 2021

Friday 27th August

3 juvenile Long-tailed Skuas and an Arctic Skua flew north, close past Long Nab early this morning, while later another Long-tailed Skua flew south. Also passing Long Nab were one Balearic Shearwater, 29 Sooty Shearwaters, 16 Manx Shearwaters, 12 Sanderling, 15 Great Skuas and 8 Arctic Skuas, while a Kestrel flew in from the east and continued north. A Kingfisher, a Common Sandpiper, 8 Tufted Duck, 3 Swallows and 2 Sand Martins were at Wykeham South Lake, while at East Lake there were 5 Greenshank, 7 Dunlin, a Kingfisher, 19 Lapwing, a Wheatear, 3 Sand Martins and 24 Tufted Duck. A Pintail, 3 Dunlin and 18 Teal were seen at Johnson's Marsh, and a number of waders flew north past Marine Drive: 6 Ringed Plover, a Grey Plover, 4 Purple Sandpipers, 14 Dunlin and 19 Sanderling.

Thursday 26 August 2021

Thursday 26th August

A Long-tailed Skua flew north past Long Nab early this morning, and another (a juvenile) flew past in the afternoon. Other highlights from Long Nab included 18 Wigeon, 4 Red-throated Divers, 43 Sooty Shearwaters, 26 Great Skuas and 5 Arctic Skuas. Lots of terns were seen during a seawatch this evening - 200+ Sandwich Terns feeding and drifting north plus some Common/Arctic Terns. Harrassing the terns were 3 Arctic Skuas and 2 Great Skuas, while 2 or 3 Manx Shearwaters were feeding. Passing Marine Drive this morning were 35 Wigeon, 78 Teal, 6 Red-throated Divers, 11 Sanderlings (north), 14 Dunlin (north), 4 Purple Sandpiper (north) and a juvenile Long-tailed Skua south. A Red Kite was seen on Fylingdales Moor, and 5 Bar-tailed Godwits were in Jackson's Bay.

Wednesday 25th August

A Short-eared Owl flew in off the sea early this morning, and a Sooty Shearwater flew north past Long Nab (and a Minke Whale south - not flying of course). 2 Black Redstarts were seen on the roof of the hospital. This afternoon 2 Curlews flew over Crossgates, while 3 Curlews, 4 Herons, 3 Cormorants, 20+ Oystercatchers and a Kestrel were present at Long Nab. At Wykeham East Lake there were 4 Wigeon, a Shelduck, 2 Teal, a Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper.

Tuesday 24 August 2021

Tuesday 24th August

9 Teal, 3 Shoveler, a Mandarin, 18 Lapwings, 2 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 18 Great Black-backed Gulls and 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were at Wykeham East Lake today. Highlights from Long Nab include 434 Teal, 6 Eider, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, a Balearic Shearwater, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 23 Knot, a Ruff, 6 Sanderling and 143 Dunlin (plus a Minke whale heading north). 2 Bar-tailed Godwits were in Jackson's Bay and a juvenile Shelduck was at Scalby Mills. 50+ Swallows were seen flying south, high over Hutton Buscel this evening.

Monday 23rd August

Highlights passing Long Nab today included 3 Sooty Shearwaters, 4 Wigeon, 9 Knot, 6 Arctic Skuas and 4 Great Skuas. 15 Herons were at Johnson's Marsh, and 2 Sanderling were in North Bay.

Sunday 22 August 2021

Sunday 22nd August

A Common Tern was in South Bay this morning, and a Cream-crowned Marsh Harrier flew south-west through Cloughton Wyke. A Velvet Scoter flew north through South Bay and a Ruff flew south. 20 Mediterranean Gulls, including 4 juveniles, were on rocks off Holbeck. Passing South Cliff were a Sooty Shearwater and 7 Arctic Skuas Heading south, plus 494 Common Scoter and 187 Teal heading north. 75 Cormorants were feeding in South Bay, and a juvenile Knot was spotted on North Bay beach. A Fulmar flew south-west over Crossgates this afternoon, and an unconfirmed report of a Greenish Warbler seen sitting on the fence at the Castle before dropping down into the grass on the North Bay side early afternoon. At Northstile pool there are now 4 Green Sandpipers, while one Green Sandpiper, two Greenshank and 32 Teal are at Johnson's Marsh. Highlights passing Long Nab include 2 Sooty Shearwaters, a Marsh Harrier, a Grey Plover, a Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers and a Mediterranean Gull. 4 Arctic Skuas put on a wonderful display close in at South Bay.

Saturday 21 August 2021

Saturday 21st August

Kittiwakes were diving and catching Sand Eels in front of the lifeboat house early this morning, while in the afternoon large numbers of Guillemots were on the sea off the Spa. 14 Teal and a Green Sandpiper were at Johnson's Marsh, and a Kingfisher was on Sky Pond at Seamer Road Mere. A Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers and 12 Teal were at Northstile pool, while a Willow it was nearby. Highlights seen passing Long Nab included a Sooty Shearwater, a Manx Shearwater, 4 Arctic Skuas and 4 Great Skuas.

Friday 20th August

A Common Sandpiper was at Burton Riggs this morning, and a pair of Tawny Owls were calling in Burniston village in the early hours. 6 Jays were in a garden near the cricket pitch, and surprisingly 2 Great Skuas were spotted flying west, high over Wykeham Forest. 6 Teal and a Green Sandpiper were at Johnson's Marsh, and 14 Yellow Wagtails and a Reed Warbler were at Long Nab. Passing Long Nab were 6 Arctic Skuas, 5 Great Skuas and a Sooty Shearwater while feeding offshore were 1400 Guillemots and 50 Razorbills.

Thursday 19 August 2021

Thursday 19th August

A Kingfisher and 14 Coot were at Burton Riggs this morning, and 2 Green Sandpipers were again at Johnson's Marsh. A Velvet Scoter, a Balearic Shearwater and a Mediterranean Gull flew past Long Nab. 2 Turtle Doves were in Burniston.

Wednesday 18th August

2 Green Sandpipers were at Johnson's Marsh this morning, plus 9 Moorhens with 2 small chicks, 7 Mallard and 2 Teal. A Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper were at Burton Riggs, a Whinchat was by New Dike, and a Cream-crowned Marsh Harrier flew south-west over the tip. A Hobby was seen catching a Swallow over Wrench Green. At Long Nab a Balearic Shearwater flew north while a Sooty Shearwater and an adult Pomarine Skua flew south. 305 Greylags, 57 Canada Geese, 14 Lapwings, 2 Little Grebes, 22 Tufted Duck and 3 Sand Martins were at Wykeham East Lake in the afternoon.

Tuesday 17 August 2021

Tuesday 17th August

A Green Sandpiper was at Johnson's Marsh this morning, and the first Little Grebe of the autumn was back at Seamer Road Mere. A juvenile Caspian Gull flew past Long Nab, as did 5 Wigeon, a Shoveler, 122 Teal, 6 Sooty Shearwaters, a Greenshank, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 150 Common Terns and 81 Arctic Terns. During an afternoon seawatch the following were seen: an adult Long-tailed Skua, 2 Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua, 16 Common Scoter, 2 Grey Plover, a Curlew, 30 Teal, 3 Wigeon, a Red-throated Diver, 8 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Sooty Shearwaters and a Minke Whale heading north; 2 Arctic Skuas, 4 Dunlin, a Turnstone and 6/7 Bottlenose Dolphins heading south.

Monday 16 August 2021

Monday 16th August

Not much news in today: 2 Green Sandpipers at Johnson's Marsh and 2 Ravens in off the sea over Chain Hill, being mobbed by Crows. At Stoupe Beck sands; Greenshank, Whimbrel, 8 Curlews.

Sunday 15 August 2021

Sunday 15th August

A Balearic Shearwater and an adult Roseate Tern both flew south past Long Nab early this morning. Other highlights passing include a Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Little Gull, 119 Common Terns and 25 Arctic Terns, while the Grasshopper Warbler is still present. 679 Greylag Geese were at Wykeham East Lake, plus a Common Sandpiper. A Red-breasted Merganser was seen briefly in Cornelian Bay this afternoon before it flew south, while also present were a Dunlin and 3 Mediterranean Gulls (2 adults and a juvenile), plus 3 Willow Warblers in the ravine.

Saturday 14 August 2021

Saturday 14th August

A Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper were still at Johnson's Marsh this morning, and the Grasshopper Warbler was still singing at the Long Nab scrape. A Merlin flew south at Long Nab, 22 Sandwich Terns were feeding at Knipe Point, and a pair of juvenile Sanderlings were feeding at the north end of Cayton Bay in the late afternoon. Large numbers of Swifts were seen on the east side of Oliver's Mount, 3 Guillemots were in North Bay, and 2 Mediterranean Gulls (an adult and a juvenile) were at Scalby Mills.

Friday 13 August 2021

Friday 13th August

A Greenshank was at Johnson's Marsh this morning, joined by a Green Sandpiper later in the day. The Grasshopper Warbler was still singing, now at the Long Nab "scrape", together with a Reed Warbler. Northstile Pool now has 3 Green Sandpipers, plus 3 Grey Wagtails and 5 Teal. At least 60 Swifts were over Valley Road, plus a Hobby which was hunting them before heading off north.

Thursday 12 August 2021

Thursday 12th August

A juvenile Buzzard was seen at High Yedmandale, plus 2 adult and 2 juvenile Whitethroats and a Garden Warbler. A pair of Pochard were at Wykeham East Lake, while 3 Teal, a Gadwall, and 2 pairs of Little Grebes with young were at Causeway Lake, and 2 Egyptian Geese were at the Water Park. A Grasshopper Warbler and a Sedge Warbler were by the Long Nab observation hut. This afternoon a Hobby was cruising above Hackness and a Marsh Harrier was at Crook Ness. A Green Sandpiper and Greenshank at Johnson's Marsh.

Wednesday 11th August

A juvenile Marsh Harrier flew north over Holbeck early this morning. 2 Little Egrets flew north along South Cliff, where 53 Cormorants, 68 Oystercatchers, 32 Curlew, a Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Wheatear were also present. Long Nab saw a small influx of common migrants including 9 Willow Warblers, a Sedge Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat. The Grasshopper Warbler is now just south of the observation hut. At least 6 Mediterranean Gulls were in South Bay. A Hobby was seen chasing Swifts over Crossgates, where a Great White Egret flew over north-west.

Tuesday 10 August 2021

Tuesday 10th August

Early this morning a Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper and a Swift flew south over Johnson's Marsh. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was hunting around Long Nab before drifting off towards Burniston where it was seen heading west over Scalby Road. At Wykeham East Lake there were 14 Tufted Duck, a Kingfisher and 80+ Black-headed Gulls in the morning, while in the late afternoon there were 116 Black-headed Gulls, 24 Tufted Duck, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Teal and 6 Lapwing. 4 Sanderling were in Jackson's Bay, and a Spotted Flycatcher was in a garden in Wrench Green. Highlights from Long Nab include an adult Roseate Tern heading south, 120 Common Terns, 5 Arctic Terns, a Pintail, a Mediterranean Gull, and the Grasshopper Warbler still singing on the Cleveland Way. Up to 3 Green Woodpeckers (one a juvenile) were in a Ganton garden recently.

Monday 9th August

A Bar-tailed Godwit was at Johnson's Marsh, and 6 Yellow Wagtails were seen at Wykeham East Lake. A feeding frenzy in South Bay involved 4100 Herring Gulls (of which at least 1700 were juveniles), 12 Sandwich Terns, 6 Common Terns, 12 Mediterranean Gulls, 65 Black-headed Gulls and a Red-breasted Merganser. 3 Whimbrel, 4 Turnstones, a Common Sandpiper, a Redshank, 28 Oystercatchers and 13 Curlew were seen on Black Rocks, while 40 Common Terns and 2 Arctic Terns were in Cornelian Bay. 2 Willow Warblers were seen along South Cliff, and 10 Bar-tailed Godwits flew south past Long Nab.

Sunday 8th August

A Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Whimbrel, 4 Turnstones,and 714 Swifts flew south past Long Nab today. A Sedge Warbler was at Crook Ness, and a Grasshopper Warbler was again singing along the Cleveland Way just north of there. At Wykeham East Lake there were 2 Common Sandpipers, a Dunlin, 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 2 Yellow Wagtails, while at Johnson's Marsh there was a Red-breasted Merganser.

Saturday 7 August 2021

Saturday 7th August

2 Pintails were spotted flying over Crossgates this morning, and a Green Sandpiper flew over Station Road, Scalby. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling on the cliff top at Long Nab, while at least 80 Common Terns and 40 Sandwich Terns were off Scalby Ness. 5 Egyptian Geese flew north over South Bay in the afternoon.

Friday 6th August

A Balearic Shearwater was spotted off Long Nab this morning, while other highlights there included 86 Teal, 400 Common Scoter, 2 Eider, 11 Whimbrel, 3 Snipe, 424 Swifts and 87 Sand Martins heading south. There was a feeding frenzy of Gannets off the harbour mouth, and at least 50 Swifts were in one group over Station Road, Scalby. A Dunlin was at Johnson's Marsh, and 2 juvenile Mediterranean Gulls were on the sea of Scalby Nab this evening.

Thursday 5 August 2021

Thursday 5th August

A Hobby was seen over Oliver's Mount before it headed off north. During 3 hours in the Jerry Noddle area of Dalby Forest a Hobby, 2 Honey Buzzards, a Peregrine, 4 Goshawks (2 of them juveniles), a Kestrel, 8+ Common Buzzards and a Golden PLover were seen. A flock of Gannets were diving off Holbeck and the Spa in the early afternoon. Highlights of birds seen passing Long Nab include: 36 Teal, a Red-breasted Merganser, a Grey Plover, 9 Whimbrel, 36 Knot, 6 Sanderling and 11 Redshank. 142 Swifts and 72 Swallows flew south through South Cliff thismorning and a Little Egret flew north. At least 50 Swifts were over the Valley Road area this evening.

Wednesday 4th August

A Marsh Harrier was spotted heading north over Seamer Road Mere towards town early in the morning. The first 2 returning Grey Wagtails were at the mere, and 6 juvenile Willow Tits were in the tit flocks. A darvic ringed male Coot, which has been present much of the year and is now feeding its second brood, was ringed in St James's Park, London where it remained until the end of last year. At least 5 Buzzards, 2 Goshawks, a Green Woodpecker, a Willow Tit and 3 Crossbills were in the Nabgate area of Dalby Forest. The first southerly movement of Swallows was observed, 67 in 3 hours, together with 23 Sand Martins. 2 Whinchats (a male and a juvenile) were seen at Jugger Howe Beck, where 4 Golden Plover flew south. 33 Swifts were hawking over Woodall Avenue early in the morning. A Mediterranean Gull landed at the north end of Cayton Bay this afternoon.

Wednesday 4 August 2021

Tuesday 3rd August

A flock of 7 Little Egrets were seen heading south over Marine Drive this morning, and a Turtle Dove flew south at Long Nab. A Hobby was seen heading north over Crossgates and another was seen catching insects high above Wrench Green in the afternoon. Two flocks of about 30 and 50+ House Sparrows were in the Scalby Lodge area, and 4 Curlew flew north-west over Gladstone Street. A Quail was heard singing between Crosscliffe and Saltergate, and 3+ Nightjars were in the Housedale area of Dalby Forest. About 100 Pied Wagtails were in fields at High Rigg Farm, and a family party of Willow Tits were near the top of Seive Dale.

Monday 2 August 2021

Monday 2nd August

Heading north past Long Nab this morning were: a Balearic Shearwater (close in), a Sooty Shearwater, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers and 2 Mediterranean Gulls. 130+ Swifts and 40+ House Martins flew through Johnson's Marsh in a 30 minute period. 2 Green Sandpipers were still at Northstile Pool, and a pair of Spotted Flycatchers were nearby feeding one or possibly two young.

Sunday 1 August 2021

Sunday 1st August

A Wood Sandpiper at Johnson's Marsh this evening. A Mediterranean Gull flew east over Crossgates. Highlights past Long Nab included Sooty Shearwater, 48 Manx Shearwaters, 23 Arctic Terns, 5 Great & 5 Arctic Skuas. A Corn Bunting was singing from the wires at Long Nab early morning. PHOTO - Wood Sandpiper