Monday 9th May

The much anticipated arrival of Common Swifts was realised today with birds being reported on a broad front both across the UK and within our recording area. Birds were reported from Gladastone Street and Prospect Road, Scarborough, East Ayton, Thornton Dale, Crossgates, Wykeham Lakes and South Cliff, where 12 passed through. A Red breasted Merganser and Tree Pipit flew north at South Cliff and a Little Egret flew north there. A Grasshopper Warbler showed well intermittently on the "plateau" there. A Hobby flew over Prospect Road and a Bittern flew fairly high north west over Crossgates this afternoon. A Greenshank was at Johnson's Marsh early morning and a Little Egret was there later in the morning. Two Turtle Doves were singing this morning in Broxa Forest along with a Common Redstart, three plus Garden Warblers and two Tree Pipits. Three Reed Warblers, and two Garden Warblers were at Wykeham Lakes Match Lake and two Little Ringed Plovers were on East Lake. A Yellow Wagtail was also at the complex. Three Common Buzzards were along the cliffs at Ravenscar and the Whooper Swan remained at Seamer Road Mere. 14 Shelducks were in Burniston Bay with five leaving north and nine south. A drake Goosander flew east over Seamer Tip Pool. Approximately 20 Common Crossbills, including plenty of juveniles, were noted in Harwood Dale Forest and two Cuckoos were at Helwath Beck area. A Green Woodpecker and two Common Redstarts were at Scar Wood and three Bar-tailed Godwits remained in Jackson's Bay. A further two Turtle Doves, 12 Tree Pipits and three Garden Warblers were around New Close Rigg, Dalby Forest. A pair of Tawny Owls were calling late evening on Stepney Road. Two pairs of LRP and 2 Common Sandpipers at Wykeham Lakes.

Red-legged Partridge by Stephen Beaver.