Tuesday 12th April

There was an obvious movement of Northern Wheatears through the area today with 13 recorded in the Ravenscar/Stoupe Brow areas, four at Scalby Nab, three at South Cliff, two near Cliff Top House, Burniston, two at Gristhorpe Sands, one at Hundale and one at Harwood Dale Lake. A Ring Ouzel was at Cliff Top House early this morning and left to the north west. A White Wagtail was at Ravenscar with a single Golden Plover and a displaying Curlew at Stoupe Brow. A Short eared Owl and a Common Sandpiper were at Gristhorpe Sands where a Barn Swallow flew north. Single Barn Swallows were also noted at Seamer Tip Pool and over Heron Lane, Crossgates. Willow Warblers were noted at New Dike, Seamer Tip and one flew south at South Cliff. A first summer Mediterranean Gull remained at Holbeck. Seven Collared Doves were noted on wires at Staintondale and a male Blackcap was behind the Open Air Theatre and another on Metes Lane, Seamer and a total of 10 Redwings were also noted in the area. . 1,060 Kittiwakes, the largest spring count, were on the Castle Headland cliffs where a Peregrine was also present. Four Shelduck, a Red breasted Merganser and six Sandwich Terns flew north at Long Nab along with 13 Common Scoters and another three Common Scoter flew south. A single Sandwich Tern also flew north at South Cliff. A male Sparrowhawk was calling in Peasholm Glen. A Shoveler was at Seamer Tip Pool and a pair of Lapwings were at Great Moor Road, Hutton Buscel along with six Yellowhammers and three singing Skylarks.

Photo by Stephen Beaver.