Saturday 29th January

Very little news in today - just the Water Rail which was showing well at the Open Air Theatre.

Friday 28th January

A Great Northern Diver, 11 Red-throated Divers and 2 Common Scoter were in South Bay this morning, and 2 Great Northern Divers were in the harbour an hour later. 5 Pochard were at Burton Riggs, and a pair of Shoveler were at Seamer Tip pool. Between Middle Deepdale and Eastfield Dell there were 2 Water Rail, 72 Fieldfare, 9 Mistle Thrush, 33 Redwing and 2 pairs of Willow Tits. A Little Egret was seen south of Snainton, and at Sandybed Lane there were 60 Goldfinch, 3 Bullfinch and a Kestrel. At Long Causeway there were 2 Yellowhammer and 5 Roe Deer. At Wykeham South Lake there were: 5 Wigeon, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Little Grebes, an Oystercatcher, 17 Goldeneye (with at least 5 males displaying), 4 Pochard and 2 Gadwall, while at East Lake there were 47 Lapwing and 6 Great Black-backed Gulls. 80+ Yellowhammers were at Fenton plus 12 more and a Kestrel on the Balk.

Thursday 27th January

A Water Rail, a Kingfisher and a Redshank were once again at the Open Air Theatre. 9 Little Grebes, 65 Teal and a Kingfisher were along the Hertford between Folkton and Stockdales; a Peregrine, 7 Wigeon and 650 Lapwing were on Cayton Carr; and 2 Little Egrets and 460 Fieldfare were in the Seamer Mead area, while 14 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 2 Little Grebes and a Kingfisher were at Burton Riggs. About 45 Brambling were near the cover crop by Long Causeway Road, and 8 Bullfinch were seen by Ings Farmm. A Willow Tit, 2 Pochard, 8 Goldeneye and 3 Wigeon were at Wykeham Lakes, and the Little Owl was again seen in the tree off the approach road.

Wednesday 26th January

A Shelduck, 7 Mandarins, 42 Wigeon, 7 Teal and 72 Lapwing were at Harwood Dale Lake today, while at Hackness Lake there were a Goldeneye, 9 Mandarin, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebe, a Teal and 40+ Wigeon, with 70+ Lapwing in the fields around. A Merlin flew east over Burniston pursued by a Kestrel. 4 Grey Partridge were in the southern field below Oliver's Mount. 24 Purple Sandpipers were on the outer harbour wall while a Great Northern Diver was in South Bay. A Red Grouse, 2 Golden Plover and about 50 Fieldfare were seen on High Moor/Fylingdales Moor. A Marsh Tit was at Burton Riggs; 3 Little Egrets were in New Dike; a Great White Egret flew south-west from a dike on Seamer Mead; and 2 Ravens flew south over the low side of the tip. From Burnt Cliff (running from Broxa to above Low North Camp) 2 Goshawks were seen displaying while one was calling in the valley bottom, plus also present were 4 Buzzards, 10 Crossbills, 20+ Siskins and a Great Spottedv Woodpecker. 50+ Golden Plover were with Lapwings on Cayton Carr, with a Buzzard also present and 27 Pink-footed Geese flew east. A Great White Egret was spotted in fields west of Potter Brompton Carr.

Tuesday 25th January

A Shelduck was at Scalby Lodge Pond this morning, and 12 Curlew were nearby, while a Purple Sandpiper was with Turnstones off Scalby Ness. A Water Rail and a Kingfisher were again seen at the Open Air Theatre. 8 Pochard were at Wykeham South Lake.

Monday 24th January

A Woodcock was seen on the mounds near Seamer Tip pool, a Shoveler was on the pool, and a male and female Pochard were at Burton Riggs. 2 Red-throated Divers were in Cornelian Bay, plus 27 Oystercatchers and a Redshank. 60+ Siskins and 10 Lesser Redpoll were in alders at Wykeham East Lake car park, while a WeBS count at the lakes included: 7 Little Grebes, 121 Coot, 11 Goldeneye, 6 Pochard, 9 Gadwall, 86 Tufted Duck, 18 Cormorant (including 2 Sinensis race), 2 Water Rails and a Kingfisger, plus a Stonechat on the fence to the south of the water park. A Kingfisher was at Seamer Road Mere, and another was at the Open Air Theatre together with a Redshank. 60+ Fieldfare were on Oliver's Mount fields. A pair of Willow Tits were at Lun Rigg in Langdale Forest, where 10 Crossbills included 4 singing males. Another Willow Tit pair was in Chapman Banks Wood, and another singing Crossbill was heard in Wykeham Forest. 300+ Brambling, 400+ Linnet and 20 Siskins were at Hutton Buscel Carr. A Peregrine flew over Crossgates towards the coast.

Sunday 23rd January

A Mute Swan was seen on the sea in North Bay before it flew south round the headland. A Treecreeper and a Dipper were seen in Peasholm Glen and a Mediterranean Gull at Peasholm Lake. At Seamer Road Mere there were 2 Water Rails, 11 Little Grebes, a drake Goosander, a Teal, 3 Gadwall, 61 Tufted Duck, 88 Moorhen and 79 Coot. A female Merlin was hunting on Cayton Carr north-west of the sewage works, and a Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Divers and 2 Stonechats were in Cayton Bay. 8 Long-tailed Tits were on a feeder in Hutton Buscel and 23 Goldfinch were seen from Middle Lane.

Saturday 22nd January

A Shoveler and a Water Rail, plus 200 mixed Canada and Greylag Geese, were at Seamer Tip pool today, and 3 Bullfinch and a Long-tailed Tit were in the bushes. A Short-eared Owl, 9 Grey Partridge, 4 Litte Egrets, 2 Stonechats and 5 Fieldfare were seen in the tip area, and along the Hertford there were 2 Little Grebes, 80+ Teal and a Little Egret. 17 Tufted Duck were at Burton Riggs, while at Seamer Road Mere there were 8 Little Grebes, a Teal, 4 Gadwall, 62 Tufted Duck, a Water Rail and a Kingfisher. 16 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin were in Jackson's Bay; an adult Mediterranean Gull and 485 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills; and a Kingfisher, a Chiffchaff and a Water Rail were at the Open Air Theatre.

Friday 21st January

2 Great Northern Divers were at the harbour this morning. At Bedale there was a Buzzard; at Sawdon Dale there were 6 Fieldfares, 40 Tree Sparrows, 6 Yellowhammers, 5 Bullfinches and a Great Spotted Woodpecker; and between Ruston and Wykeham there were 2 Buzzards and a Bullfinch. A Jay and 5 Pochard were at Burton Riggs, while a Woodcock was seen at the motorcycle track by Seamer Tip. The Water Rail was clearly visible at the Open Air Theatre, where there was also a female Kingfisher. 5 Mediterraean Gulls were at Holbeck car park. 2 Pink-footed Geese, 19 Curlew and 2 Snipe were present at Long Nab, while 75 Golden Plover were with 300+ Lapwings on Cayton Carr. A redhead Goosander was seen at Throxenby Mere, and a pair of Buzzards were in a hedge by Scalby Beck. 2 Short-eared Owls, a Kestrel, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Fieldfare and a Little Egret were seen at Seamer Tip. A single Whooper Swan was seen off Wykeham Causeway.

Thursday 20th January

A second calendar year Iceland Gull and a Pomarine Skua flew south past Cornelian Bay ths morning, and 7 Pochard were present at Burton Riggs. A Little Egret, a Lapwing, 2 Goldeneye and 2 Marsh Tits were seen at Wykeham East Lake, while at South Lake there were: a Shelduck, 4 Pochard, 9 Goldeneye, 2 Gadwall, 5 Egyptian Geese, 4 Little Grebes, 7 Great Crested Grebes, 20 Cormorants, 4 Snipe, 15 Redwing and 12 Siskins. Along Long Causeway Road there were 60+ Linnets and 40+ Bramblings in the sheep field hedge, and the Little Owl was still in the tree by the embankment.

Wednesday 19th January

Wykeham Lakes were quiet eaerly on, with just 13 Goldeneye, 32 Lapwing and 41 Mallard, but by mid-morning there were 11 Little Grebe, 10 Great Crested Grebe, a Little Egret, 5 Pink-footed Geese, a Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 16 Wigeon, 400 Teal, 19 Goldeneye, a Water Rail, a singing Willow Tit and 4 Redpoll. A Little Owl was again seen along the Wykeham Lakes approach Road. 3 male Goshawks were seen displaying in Troutsdale, along with 7 Buzzards, 4 Crossbills and a singing Song Thrush, while a Kingfisher was spotted at Hilla Green. 2 Egyptian Geese, a Grey Wagtail and 50+ Pied Wagtails were at Seamer sewage works. A Dipper was singing on the river 100m west of Hackness bridge, while at Hackness Lake there were 14 Little Grebe, 2 Goldeneye, 12 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 33 Mallard and 9 Mandarin. 3 Crossbills and 5 Siskins were seen at the Long Drain clearing in Wykeham Forest, and a Goshawk, 5 Buzzards, 2 Crossbills and 7 Goldcrest were seen from the Raptor Viewpoint. 2 Short-eared Owls were at Seamer Tip.

Tuesday 18th January

The Great Northern Diver was again in the harbour this morning, a Kingfisher was at the Open Air Theatre, and a Long-eared Owl was spotted in Sweetbecks Plantation near Burton Riggs. 6 Greylag Geese, 12 Moorhens and a Shelduck were at Town Pond, Cloughton, while a Peregrine and 4 Fulmar were seen at Cloughton Wyke. At Long Nab 2 Pink-footed Geese were in the fields behind the observatory, 4 Curlew were in the bay, and 2 Fieldfare and 2 Common Scoter flew north. 3 Dippers (one singing) were on the river at Wrench Green where 2 Willow Tits wee also present. At Burton Riggs there were 4 Pochard, a Treecreeper and a Great Spotted Woodpecker (plus 2 Bank Voles and lots of gulls). 400+ Lapwing and a Buzzard were on Cayton Carr, while 80 Teal were on the River Hertford. A Short-eared Owl was at Seamer Tip in the afternoon, plus a Fieldfare and a Water Rail calling from the ditch, while 5 Pink-footed Geese flew over. 3 Pink-footed Geese remain at Scalby Lodge Farm.

Monday 17th January

Usual numbers of Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal and Goldeneye were at Wykeham South Lake this morning, plus 6 Reed Buntings, while a Kingfisher and a Water Rail were at East Lake. 8 Red-throated Divers and 2 Common Scoter were in South Bay and 6 Snipe were in Cornelian Bay. At Cayton Carr there were 100+ Lapwings, a Sparrowhawk and 2 Buzzards. 2 Mistle Thrush were at Ravenscar mast, 3 Pink-footed Geese were in Scalby Lodge field, and a male Blackcap was in a garden on Valley Road. 16 Curlew, a Jack Snipe, 3 Redshank and 15 Pied Wagtails were at Cromer Point, and a Sanderling was in Cayton Bay. At Gristhorpe Bay there were 5 Grey Plover, 7 Ringed Plover, 112 Redshank, 22 Purple Sandpipers, 45 Oystercatchers, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank (plus 161 Seals).

Sunday 16th January

62 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, a Teal, a Wigeon, 11 Little Grebes and 2 Water Rails were at Seamer Road Mere this morning. A Willow Tit, 7 Pochard, 4 Shovelers and 2 Gadwall were at Burton Riggs; a Stonechat was on Seamer Tip; and at Seamer Mead there were 3 Little Egrets, 41 Teal and a Stonechat, while 9 Pink-footed Geese flew over northwards. 30 Yellowhammer and a Buzzard were seen from Middle Lane, Hutton Buscel and a Golden Plover was between there and Far Lane. 460 Wigeon, a Pochard, a Goldeneye, a redhead Goosander and 5 Red-throated Divers were at Scalby Mills. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was in North Bay, a Common Scoter was in South Bay, and a Great Northern Diver was again in the harbour. A Greenshank, a Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Short-eared Owl were at Gristhorpe Bay in the afternoon, while 3 Stonechats and 300 Wigeon flew over.

Saturday 15th January

65 Pink-footed Geese flew south over town today. At Scalby Mills/ North Bay there were 3 Shelduck, 570 Wigeon, a drake Shoveler, 2 pairs of Gadwall, 9 Pochard and 8 Teal. 4 Pintails and a female Common Scoter were seen on the sea just north of Jackson's Bay, while 30 Golden Plover were in the field next to Cromer Point Pond, along with a Barn Owl and a Stonechat.

Friday 14th January

The usual birds were at Wykeham South Lake today, including 5 Pochard, 2 Water Rails and a Kingfisher. 22 Fulmars were on Castle Cliffs. 2 Little Egrets were seen at Folkton sewage works, whie on Cayton Carr there were 42 Pink-footed Geese, 22 Golden Plover, 550 Lapwings, 41 Pied Wagtails and 42 Skylarks. 65 Teal and 3 Little Grebes were along the Hertford, a Snipe was at Taylor Way, and in the Seamer Tip area there were 2 Little Egret, a Snipe, 120 Fieldfare, 3 Buzzards, the Cattle Egret, about 50 Linnets, 2 Short-eared Owls and a Water Rail. Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrows, Bullfinch, Reed Buntings, Skylarks, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Redwings and Grey Partridges were on the track leading inland from The Hundales (north of Long Nab). A Grey Wagtail was seen on Salt Pans Road, Cloughton, while 24 Fulmar and 2 Rock Pipits were at Cloughton Wyke. 8 Siskins and a Lesser Redpoll were seen at Burton Riggs.

Thursday 13th January

A Cream-crowned Marsh Harrier was spotted early this morning on the Seamer side of the tip, and another later hunting over Seamer Mead. A Dipper was on the weir near the Youth Hostel on Coastal Road, and a Kingfisher and a Heron were at the Open Air Theatre. A Bar-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank and 5 Grey Plover were roosting below Yons Nab, where 100 Wigeon flew north, and 8 Stonechats were seen between there and Cayton Bay. A Marsh Tit was in the small wood to the east of Seamer Tip, a Little Owl was south of Snainton, the Great Northern Diver was again in the harbour, and at Harwood Dale Lake there were 6 Goosanders and 15 Mandarins. The Cattle Egret was again in the field south of Seamer Tip, and a Short-eared Owl was again seen at the tip.

Wednesday 12th January

A Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail were seen on the beck at Scalby Mills this morning. At Wykeham South Lake there were 4 male and 9 female Goldeneye, 4 Pochard, 5 Gadwall, 26 Teal, 17 Yellowhammer and 2 Stonechats, while 75+ Golden Plover were with Lapwings on Cayton Carr. The sea watch at Long Nab was quiet, the main interest being 5 Fulmar on the cliffs north of the observatory and 2 Stonechats and 10 Fieldfare in the hedges nearby. 4 Water Rails were at Middle Deepdale, while 3 Water Rails, 11 Little Grebes, 54 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall and a Kingfisher were at Seamer Road Mere. A Water Rail was also at Burton Riggs and a Snipe at Taylor Way. A male Blackcap is still frequenting a garden in Burniston, and a female Sparrowhawk flew over Scalby Mills golf course.

Tuesday 11th January

A Tawny Owl was heard at Burton Riggs early this morning, and 2 Blackbirds were in full song by Morrison's. A Little Egret, a Grey Wagtail, 55 Pied wagtails, 22 Meadow Pipits and a Chiffchaff were at Seamer sewage works, the Cattle Egret remains near Seamer Tip pool, and a Water Rail and a Grey Wagtail were near New Dike. A Goosander was at Throxenby Mere where a Buzzard flew over. Sizeable flocks of Brambling, Linnet and Siskins were along Long Causeway, Wykeham, where 2 Jays were spotted at the feeders. Little Egret at Wykeham South Lake. A Great Northern Diver flew south past Long Nab, 52 Red-throated Divers flew past north and 17 flew south, 4 Shelduck passed by north and 8 Common Scoter flew north. A Water Rail and a Kingfisher were again at the Open Air Theatre, and both a Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver were at the harbour. 4 Pochard were at Burton Riggs, a Wigeon and 4 Teal were at Seamer Tip pool, and 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 4 Reed Buntings were nearby. 5 Marsh Tits, 3 Nuthatch, a Grey Wagtail and a Sparrowhawk were seen in Forge Valley. 21 Fulmar were on Castle cliffs and 8 Mediterranean Gulls were at Holbeck car park.

Monday 10th January

4 Tundra Bean Geese flew NW over the Hertford and Seamer Mead this morning. 5 Little Egrets were along the Hertford east of Folkton sewage works, while 2 Little Grebes, 40+ Teal, a Peregrine, a Curlew, a Kingfisher and 3 Water Rails were along the Hertford to the west of the sewage works, down to Stockdales. 42 Pink-footed Geese were on Cayton Carrs, 40 flew over Hutton Buscel, and 30 flew NW shortly after the Bean Geese. A Water Rail was at New Dike while 2 Woodcock and a Snipe were by the tip. The Great Northern Diver and a Red-throated Diver were again in the harbour. At Thornton Dale 2 Green Sandpipers were seen near Charity Farm, and a Chiffchaff and a Little Egret were near the sewage works/beck.

Sunday 9th January

17 Pink-footed Geese, 8 Golden Plover and 300+ Lapwings were on Cayton Carr this morning, and a Little Owl was spotted in a tree by the road approaching Wykeham Lakes. At the lakes there were 4 Litte Grebes, 14 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Pochard, 7 Gadwall, 16 Goldeneye, 4 Shoveler, a Wigeon, 240 Teal, 590 Common Gulls, 5 Egyptian Geese (2 adult, 3 juvenile) a Kingfisher and a Kestrel. 2 Gadwall, 44 Tufted Duck, 3 Water Rails, a Kingfisher and 11 Little Grebes were at Seamer Road Mere, and a Goosander was at Throxenby Mere. 2 Ravens flew west over Seamer Tip, where a Little Egret, 2+ Short-eared Owls, a Woodcock, 2 Snipe and 21 Magpies were seen (plus 18 Roe Deer). A Water Rail was in the ditch along Long Causeway, Wykeham, where a large finch flock in a cover crop just south of the sheep field contained numerous Bramblings. 2 Water Rails were calling at Taylor Way pool at dawn; a Goosander was in Jackson's Bay; 2 Barn Owls, a Snipe and a Stonechat were at Cromer Point Pond; and the Kingfisher remains at the Open Air Theatre. 230 Pink-footed Geese flew SSE over Wykeham Lakes, 38 flew north-west over Seamer Tip pool and Crossgates, and 36 flew north over Cloughton Wyke (as did a Buzzard). A Red Kite was spotted over Ox Pasture/Raincliffe Woods, while in Dalby Forest 2 Willow Tits, 8 Crossbills and 59 Fieldfare were seen. A Sanderling was feeding at the north end of Cayton Bay. 3 Short-eared Owls were on the Seamer side of the tip this evening.

Saturday 8th January

2 Great Northern Divers were at the harbour at high tide this morning, along with a Red-throated Diver, 2 Shags, a Guillemot, 51 Turnstones, 22 Purple Sandpipers and a Rock Pipit. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose flew south past Long Nab, while a Jack Snipe was in the stubble. 4 Snipe and a Reed Bunting were at Cromer Point Pond. A Dipper, a male Blackcap and a Jay were seen near the top of Peasholm Glen. At Coverdale Moor there was a flock of 250+ Fieldfare, about 47 Redwing, and hundreds of finches (very approximately: 120 Chaffinch, 90 Yellowhammer, 60 Goldfinch, 40 Linnet, 25 Greenfinch).14 Ringed Plover were at Scalby Mills.

Friday 7th January

A Bittern was at Trout Lake, Wykeham Lakes this afternoon, also at the lakes; 115 Teal, 4 Shoveller, 2 Wigeon, 2 Pochard, 18 Goldeneye, 11 Gadwall, 53 Tufted Duck, 10 Little Grebes, 10 Great Crested Grebes, Water Rail, Stonechat and 2+ Chiffchaffs. 20 Fieldfare flew SW over Burniston where 3 Stock Doves and a Blackcap visited a garden. In the Seamer tip/Seamer Mead area; 2 Little Egrets, Merlin, Peregrine, Kingfisher, Short-eared Owl. At Cayton Carr were 42 Pink-footed Geese, 18 Golden Plover, 1000 Lapwing and 250 Fieldfare. 3 Little Grebes and 74 Teal along the River Hertford there. 2 Snipe Taylor Way pools. 2 Gadwall, 4 Pochard Burton Riggs. Two Great Northern and a Red-throated Dive were at the harbour. 2 Whooper Swans flew west over Hutton Buscel Carr, also 20 Yellowhammers and 37 Fieldfare there. 47 Brambling Long Causeway road. PHOTO - Siskin Burton Riggs - Phil Harrison.

Thursday 6th January

The Cattle Egret remains in fields to the south and east of Seamer tip pool, 26 Pink-footed Geese SW of the pool. Nearby 2 Short-eared Owls were still at Seamer tip, also in that area 52 Teal, Little Egret, 12 Grey Partridge, 19 Golden Plover, Snipe, Woodcock, and 180 Fieldfare. A Green Sandpiper was at the northern edge of Star Carr/New Dyke. A Red Kite flew west over Gristhorpe and later Seamer tip. 4 Snipe were at Taylor Way pools. A Jay in a garden at Gristhorpe plus one at Burton Riggs. 3 drake Pochard, 6 Gadwall and Kingfisher at Wykeham Lakes. 5 Mediterranean Gulls in fields at Oliver's Mount plus 15 Golden Plover just south of there. At Cloughton Wyke: 25 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing. Common Scoter in South Bay. South past Long Nab were a Great Northern Diver and 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese. The Great Northern Diver remains at the harbour. 2 Woodcocks, Peregrine, 260 rooks at Wykeham Carr. Along Long Causeway Rd: 60 Brambling, 12 Greenfinch, 100 Linnets, 150 Chaffinches, 2 Marsh Tits. Six Whooper Swans were south of Ings Farm, West Knapton, also 60 Fieldfare and Red Kite. At Thornton Carrs: Green Sandpiper, Little Egret, Dipper. PHOTO- Brambling Long Causeway Rd - Phil Bennett.

Wednesday 5th January

A Red Kite was seen at Scampston this morning, and a Litte Egret and a Buzzard near Snainton. A Short-eared Owl was to the south side of the tip mid morning (plus 2 Golden Plover) and a second with it in the afternoon. Also near the tip were a Merlin (which flew off towards Cayton Carr), the Cattle Egret still, a Barn Owl, 5 Grey Partridge and 46 Fieldfares. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at the tip pool, while 90 Pink-footed Geese and 8 Golden Plover were on Cayton Carr and a Raven flew north over Star Carr. A female Goosander was at Throxenby Mere and 14 more Goosanders were at Harwood Dale Lake. At Long Nab there were 19 Golden Plover in the fields while a Great Northern Diver flew past north. A Jay was at the Open Air Theatre.

Tuesday 4th January

A juvenile Iceland Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull flew south past Long Nab this morning, while a drake Goosander flew north. A Dipper was seen in Peasholm Glen, a Chiffchaff was in Peasholn Park, and a Kingfisher was at the Open Air Theatre. At Throxenby Mere a Barn Owl was seen on a fence post; 74 Teal were at Northstile Pool, and 6 Fieldfares were at Johnson's Marsh. At Wykeham Lakes 5 Gadwall, 3 Pochard and 11 Goldeneye were at the South Lake while 62 Mallard and 3 Lapwing were at East Lake, while about 280 Jackdaws flew over south-east. In the late afternoon 1850 Common Gulls, 700 Black-headed Gulls, 260 Herring Gulls and 17 Great Black-backed Gulls were roosting on East Lake. 3 Snipe were in a field at Cornelian, and a Common Scoter was in South Bay. 28 Brambling and 2 Greenfinch were with a large Chaffinch flock off Long Causeway Road, where 2 Lesser Redpoll were in birch trees. 3 Pochard and 2 Gadwall were at Burton Riggs; the Great Northern Diver and a Red-throated Diver were again in the harbour. A Red Kite, 2 Woodcock and 50 Fieldfare were seen on Jugger Howe Moor.

Monday 3rd January

At least 5 Barn Owls and 12 Woodcock were at Seamer Tip before dawn, while later in the day also present were the Cattle Egret, a Short-eared Owl, a Stonechat, 9 Grey Partridge and 122 Pied Wagtails. At Burton Riggs there were 6 Bullfinch, 3 Siskin, 8 Pochard and an Egyptian Goose, while at Wykeham South Lake there were 2 Pochard and 13+ Goldeneye. 2 Whooper Swans were spotted at Gristhorpe Cliff and a Greenshank was in the bay. 2 Green Sandpipers, a Peregrine, 150 Wigeon and about 200 Fieldfare were at Low Marishes. In Thornton Dale at the sewage works there were 2 Chiffchaffs, a Grey Wagtail and a Snipe, a Dipper was in the beck, a Kingfisher and 9 Litte Grebes were at the paper mill and fish farm, and about 24 Crossbills and 3 Bramblings were at Haygate. 2 Goldcrests were seen at the top of Peasholm Glen, and 2 Kingfishers and a Water Rail were at the Open Air Theatre. The Great Northern Diver was again in the harbour along with a Red-throated Diver, while a Great Northern Diver was also seen at the south end of Cayton Bay. A Little Gull was spotted over Cayton Carr, where the Pink-footed Geese were still present. At Long Nab there were 2 Stonechats while another was at Cromer Point pond; 25 Snipe were at the small Scalby Lodge pond; a Great Crested Grebe was in South Bay. At Seamer Road Mere there were a Water Rail and a Kingfisher; a Buzzard was over Oliver's Mount; and a Sparrowhawk was spotted over Burniston. A Greenshank, 6 Grey Plover, 13 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin were below Yons Nab, while 6 Stonechats were between there and Cayton Bay. A Short-eared Owl at GCHQ. Two Long-eared Owls at Seamer Tip.

Sunday 2nd January

A Swallow flew east over Seamer tip pool.The Cattle Egret again frequenting fields south of Seamer Tip pool. Also around the tip were Little Egret, Woodcock, 3 Meadow Pipits, 6 Grey Partridge, 25 Stock Doves, and a Short-eared Owl late afternoon. At Burton Riggs were a Shoveler and 6 drake Pochard, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the adjacent Sweetbeck's Plantation.. 68 Pink-footed Geese flew east at Hutton Buscel and 72 were grazing at Cayton Carrs where 2 Little Egrets were by Folkton Water Treatment. Three Eiders were in North Bay. A Great Crested Grebe was in South Bay plus Great Northern Diver still in the harbour. A second Great Northern Diver was in Cayton Bay plus a pair of Stonechats on the cliffs there. Waders roosting at Redcliffe/Gristhorpe Bay: Greenshank, 174 Redshank, 45 Oystercatchers, 6 Grey Plover, 15 Turnstone, 8 Ringed Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, 215 Curlew. Two Jays were in Peasholm Glen. A Red Kite was over the A171 near The Flask. PHOTO- roosting waders at Redcliffe, incl the Greenshank (Steve Wignill).

New Years Day 2022

Birders were out in force today in very mild conditions. The Cattle Egret remains in fields south of Seamer tip pool, 6 Grey Partridges there and also four Snow Buntings east of the tip. A Goosander and Mediterranean Gull was at Seamer Tip pool. Five Pochard and a Shoveler were at Burton Riggs. A Brambling, Stonechat and 2 Red-throated Divers at Cayton Bay. A Great White Egret was at Ruston Carr plus one flew west from Wykeham Lakes. The Dipper was at Peasholm Glen plus one at the Open Aire Theatre. The Great Northern Diver remained at the harbour. A male Blackcap was in a garden at Burniston plus a Chiffchaff in gardens at Peasholm. 39 Pink-footed Geese were still at Cayton Carr plus 8 Little Egrets (1 Seamer Mead, 7 Folkton Water Treatment). Johnson's Marsh held 96 Teal and 12 Grey Herons. A Coot was at Town Farm Pond, Cloughton. In the Dalby/Haygate area: 30 Crossbills, 4 Brambling, 100+ Chaffinches, 150 Fieldfare and 5 Mistle Thrushes. A Jack and 6 Common Snipe were at ornelian Bay. 11 Little Grebes, a Water Rail and Kingfisher at Seamer Rd Mere. 1200 Lapwing, 600 Starlings, 300 Fieldfares, 42 Pied Wagtails at Seamer Mead, where 30 Golden Plover flew south. 6+ Brambling were at Causeway Plantation, Wykeham Lakes. PHOTO - Great Northern Diver at the harbour - Chris Bell.