Sunday 15th May

A cream crowned Marsh Harrier flew north at Long Nab early this morning and a Hobby flew south there along the cliffs late afternoon. A Grasshopper Warbler was still in cliff top bracken approximately 50 yyards south of Crook Ness. An Arctic Skua flew south east past Long Nab this morning and also past there were two Gadwall, an Eider, 52 Common Scoter, four Ringed Plover, two Turnstone and a Whimbrel. A drake Red-breasted Merganser flew north east over Crossgates this morning and single Common Redstarts were noted in Wykeham Forest above Mount Misery and approximately 200 metres east of Mowthorpe Bridge. Two Purple Sandpipers roosted at the Harbour at high tide and six Sandwich Terns were feeding in South Bay. Rock Pipit pairs were noted at Long Nab and Marine Drive and at least one fledged Stonechat was at Long Nab. Two Turtle Doves were again reported from Burniston and European Nightjars were again reported from Wykeham Forest. Two young Tawny Owls at Wykeham Lakes between Match and Trout Lakes.

Yellowhammer by Stephen Beaver.