Friday 30th September 2022

 Today's news reported was as follows;

4 Swallows around Low Dalby.

80 Pink Footed Goose north over Eastfield during the morning.

Around Scalby Mills and Beck and out to sea were, Kingfisher, Dipper, 37 Wigeon, the usual Waders (as Facebook), North out at sea were 3 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 26 Common Scooter and 7 Red Throated Divers, with a Great Northern Diver south.

12 Redwing were at Ruffa Lane, Pickering.

190 Pink Footed Geese flew North west over Pickering during the morning.

25 Pink Footed Geese Flew north over Scalby Beck during the morning.

40 Pink Footed Geese flew north over Newlands during the evening.

At Gristhorpe Bay, in the early morning were, 85 Oystercatchers, 5 Redshank, 11 Turnstone, 2 Curlew, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Lesser Back Backed Gull, 12 Grey Partridge, 24 Pink Footed Geese north, 1 Ring Ouzel, 17 Redwing, along with 4 Roe Deer.

Dipper at Scalby Mills; Terry Hobson

Thursday 29th September 2022

Today's sightings were as follows;

25 Wigeon and 2 Teal were seen at Scalby Mills, with as Facebook pictures a Kingfisher and the usual, Curlew, Redshank and Oystercatchers.

1 Purple Sandpiper was reported on the East Pier rock armour, with a Red Throated Diver off shore in the south bay.

A Kingfisher was seen at The Open Air Theatre.

3 Snow Bunting were still present in the filed north of Long Nab, the the corner of the field near the path.

Wykeham Lakes, East Lake, saw 36 Teal, 42 Wigeon, 2 Lapwing (and later a flock of 36 fly over), 1 Jack Snipe on the far bank of the lake, 2 Great Crested Grebe and 9 Cormorant.

Over Reasty Bank to Low North Camp were 3 or 4 Goshawk flying between the two areas.

Late afternoon saw 80-90 Pink Foot Geese fly South over the town.

Snow Bunting Phil Bennett

Wednesday 28th September

 A Ruff was at Wykeham East Lake this morning and 79 Coot and four Great crested Grebes were on Wykeham South Lake (Water Park). Six Swallows were near the Sealife Centre this morning and the Snow Bunting flock at Long Nab had increased to five but were very mobile, flying and appearing to land near Crook Ness. 25 Manx Shearwaters, one Puffin, one Mediterranean Gull and two Common Terns flew north past Long Nab Obs.

Curlew by Terry Crook.

Tuesday 27th September

 A Mute Swan, Dipper and approximately six Curlews were at Scalby Mills this morning. A Spotted Flycatcher, four Chiffchaffs and two Goldcrests were at Ravenscar. The first returning Whooper Swans of the autumn were at Wykeham East Lake where a herd of seven were resting. Also present there were one Pink-footed Goose (with 43+ flying over SW), 52 Wigeon, two Shoveler, one Little Egret, one Common Snipe and 55 Stock Doves. Three Shoveler were at Seamer Road Mere. Two Goshawks, six Common Buzzards, four Common Crossbills and two Jays were noted at Wykeham Raptor View Point. Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese and a first calendar year Yellow-legged Gull flew north past Long Nab Obs and a Great Northern Diver flew south. There was an increase in Goldcrests today with 10 in the ringing plantation. Three Snow Buntings remained in the field immediately north of Long Nab Obs, evading the hunting prowess of the local Kestrels, and two Stonechats were nearby.

Whooper Swans by Nick Addey.

Monday 26th September

 The only news in today came from Long Nab Obs where an adult Mediterranean Gull, Pintail and a Puffin flew north. Two Arctic Skuas flew south.

Grey Wagtail by Martin Moseley.

Sunday 25th September

 A WRYNECK was briefly seen in the pines at the north end of the ringing plantation at Long Nab this morning but not relocated. Four Snow Buntings remained at Long Nab just north of the Obs Five Pintail, one Sooty Shearwater and six Arctic Skuas (1S) and a first calendar year Yellow-legged Gull flew north past Long Nab and 105 Pink-footed Geese flew south. A single Redwing was at Scalby Nab and 12 Redwing and three Song Thrush flew in off the sea at Ravenscar. The Whooper Swan was at Seamer Road Mere and approximately 12 Swallows and six House Martins were at Troutsdale. 52 Wigeon, 27 Teal, 31 Mallard, eight Tufted Duck, one Gadwall and one Dunlin were at Wykeham East Lake this morning and a cream crown Marsh Harrier, three Common Buzzard, two Marsh Tit and three Chiffchaff were at Wykeham South Lake (Water Park). 30 Turnstone and two Purple Sandpiper were at the harbour this evening.

Mallard by Martin Moseley.

Saturday 24th September

 The four Snow Buntings remain just north of the Observatory at Long Nab. Observed moving north was  a Brent Goose sp, a first-winter Mediterranean Gull and Eider flew south. Three Dippers and a Kingfisher were at the seaward end of Scalby Beck.  Three Dunlin at Scalby Mills. A Yellow Wagtail was with Pieds at Snainton and Wykeham East Lake held 48 Wigeon.

Dippers at Scalby Beck - Mark Hepples

Friday 23rd September

 Today's sublime weather offered very little in the way of bird news. The four Snow Buntings remained at Long Nab along with a Northern Wheatear and a Stonechat. A Sparrowhawk was noted over the Briardene area and the long staying Whooper Swan was at Seamer Road Mere.

Snow Bunting by Malcolm Gladman.

Thursday 22nd September

 Four Snow Buntings remained in the barley field north of Long Nab Obs all day. 413 Pink-footed Geese (60S), 11 Little Gulls and eight Pintail flew north past there and a Grey Plover flew south. A Northern Wheatear was just south of the Obs and two Ravens circled over there before apparently going to ground at Cloughton Wyke. A Lapland Bunting flew south along the cliffs at Long Nab early morning. A Kingfisher was at Scalby Beck. Pink Footed Goose movements noted elsewhere were 80 NW over Thornton Dale, 50 N over West Ayton, 225 NW over Givendale and 50 NW over Pickering.

Female Sparrowhawk by Simon Temlett.

Wednesday 21st September

 A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Cornelian this morning and two Redwing arrived in off the sea at South Cliff along with a Great spotted Woodpecker which continued south. A Willow Warbler was at Heron Lane, Crossgates and a Dipper was at Scalby Beck weir. Four Snow Buntings were in the field immediately north of Long Nab Obs  and two Dunlin, two Ringed Plover, nine Wigeon and four Turnstone were at Scalby Mills. A Little Egret and a Kingfisher were at Brompton Ponds and two Common Buzzards flew south west over Newlands. One Great crested Grebe and three Little Grebes were at Wykeham South Lake (Water Park). 35 Red-throated Divers were in Burniston Bay this afternoon, some of which were calling. Pink-footed Geese were evidently moving today with observations noted as follows;  60 NW over Marine Drive, 100 E over North Pickering, 310 E over Thornton Dale, 51 N over Newlands, 28 NW over Scalby Mills, 17 SW over West Ayton and 419 N past Long Nab Obs. Other highlights from Long Nab included a Whimbrel roosting at high tide, 46 Oystercatchers present and 24 Red-throated Divers offshore. 91 Greylag Geese and 56 Dunlin flew north  and four Grey Plover and 51 Skylarks flew south.

Snow Bunting by Nick Addey.

Tuesday 20th September

 A breeding plumage Black-throated Diver flew north past Long Nab Obs at 0948hrs and a Black Guillemot continued north past there at 1113hrs after momentarily landing on the sea. Four Snow Buntings were feeding in the field north of the Obs just 20 metres from the Cleveland Way. Also passing north at Long Nab today were 40 Dunlin, five Purple Sandpipers and a first calendar year Yellow-legged Gull. Three Barnacle Geese flew south there. Four Common Buzzard were over Barmoor, Scalby and a Nuthatch flew into the park behind Heron Lane, Crossgates. Four Grey Heron flew north over Stepney and a Little Owl was at Thornton Carrs. A Willow Tit, three Marsh Tit, three Jay and two Common Buzzard were in the Dalby/Sand Dale area. The origin of ringing of one of four Turnstones in the harbour bearing a combination of coloured leg rings is currently being researched and two Razorbill and three Guillemot were on the sea off Marine Drive. Two Redwing, the first of the autumn, were reported over Valley Road late evening.

Ringed Plover by Pauline Dent.

Monday 19th September

 A first winter Mediterranean Gull, female Pintail, five Common Snipe, 13 Teal one Dunlin and one Yellow Wagtail were at Wykeham East Lake this morning, a Shoveler was at Seamer Tip Pool and a Velvet Scoter flew north out of South Bay. Two Grey Partridge, two Common Buzzard and a Willow Tit were at North Moor, Wykeham and 12+ Sandwich Terns were at Scalby Mills. A brief sea watch at Hundale Point accounted for one Velvet Scoter, one Great Northern Diver and seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese north and six Sanderling South. Highlights past Long Nab Obs this morning included 21 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, one Velvet Scoter, one Red-breasted Merganser, 77 Red-throated Diver, five Sooty Shearwaters, one Grey Plover, 14 Purple Sandpipers, 52 Little Gulls and one Long-tailed Skua. A Northern Wheatear was by the Obs, a Lesser Whitethroat by Cliff Top House and the first Brambling of the autumn was on the south side of Castle Hill.

Black headed Gull by Mark Hepples.

Sunday 18th September

 A Little Egret was seen at Wrench Green this morning and a Woodcock flew in off the sea at Crook Ness. Five Red-throated Divers were on the sea off Marine Drive, nine flew north along with two Arctic Skuas also past there. Five Common Scoter and five Sooty Shearwaters were also reported off Marine Drive this morning. An adult Mediterranean Gull flew over Crossgates at 1015hrs. Highlights past Long Nab Obs between 0630hrs and 1230hrs were five Pale-bellied Brent Geese, one Red-breasted Merganser, 27 Shags, seven Purple Sandpipers, one Little Gull, one Pomarine Skua, two Long-tailed Skuas, 16 Arctic Skuas (2S) and 4,100 Razorbills all north. A Snow Bunting was photographed in a field east of Wykeham Lakes and just north of Darrells Low Farm.

A remarkable photograph of an adult House Martin feeding a youngster whilst on the wing by Phil Bennett.

Saturday 17th September

 A female Pintail and seven Teal were at Seamer Tip Pool this morning and 30 Pink-footed Geese flew over. Approximately 100 Pink-footed Geese also flew south over Givendale. Highlights north past Marine Drive this morning were one Long-tailed Skua, nine Sooty Shearwaters, seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese, one adult Grey Plover  and 32 Purple Sandpipers. Two Curlew flew over Crossgates. 33 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, one Black-throated Diver, six Sanderling, and one Purple Sandpiper flew north past Long Nab Obs and one Long-tailed Skua and 26 Pink-footed Geese flew south there. Two adult  Egyptian Geese and two Goslings and one Pink-footed Goose were at Wykeham South Lake (Water Park). A female Pintail, two Common Snipe, 46 Lapwing, five Great crested Grebes, two Swallows, two Goldcrest and two Bullfinch were at Wykeham East Lake.

Female Pintail by Paul Tozer.

Friday 16th September

 Strong NNW winds sparked off further seabird movements today with an eclectic mix of species passing coastal watch points. Four Long-tailed Skuas had passed south off Marine Drive by 0833 hrs and five had passed south at Long Nab Obs by 0900hrs. A Razorbill and two Guillemots were in the harbour. A total of 12 Long-tailed Skuas (11S and 1N) passed Marine Drive this morning along with 14 Arctic Skuas south ( +7N). 14 Sooty Shearwaters and two Pintail flew north. Highlights past Long Nab between 0625hrs and 1525hrs included 11 Sooty Shearwaters, one Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Roseate Tern and a Yellow-legged Gull north and 11 Long-tailed Skuas, 16 Arctic Skuas, two Great Skuas and a Caspian Gull south. A minimum of 13 Long-tailed Skuas passed south along the coast through the recording area today. 21, Great Black-backed Gulls, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 38 Lapwing, three Teal, 24 Tufted Duck and three Great crested Grebes were at Wykeham East Lake.

Cormorant by Stuart Baines.

Thursday 15th September

 A northerly wind was a good omen for sea passage to day with all four species of Skuas being noted at coastal locations. Two juvenile Long-tailed Skuas flew south off Marine Drive this morning, the first at 0814hrs and the second at 0825hrs. Also past there this morning were 29 Sooty Shearwaters and 69 Purple Sandpipers north and 16 Arctic Skuas south. Two skeins of 80 plus Pink-footed Geese passed south over Pickering and three Guillemots were in North Bay and 16 Sandwich Terns and 10 Curlew were at Scalby Mills. An adult Pomarine Skua with full spoons, perhaps one of the most exciting encounters on any sea watch, flew north past Long Nab Obs at 0700hrs and a juvenile Long-tailed Skua flew north at 1015hrs. Also north past Long Nab Obs today were 10,840 Razorbills (162S), 40 Purple Sandpipers and a firs calendar year Yellow-legged Gull. Another juvenile Long-tailed Skua flew south past Long Nab Obs at 1551hrs. Two Great Skuas flew north past Marine Drive and one flew south past Long Nab Obs.

 

Collared Dove by Stephen Beaver.

Wednesday 14th September

 67 Pink-footed Geese in two flocks flew south over South Cliff this morning and two Northern Wheatear were on the rock armour around the Harbour along with 28 Turnstones. a further 95 Pink-footed Geese flew east over Pickering. At Wykeham East Lake this morning were 94 Lapwing, six Wigeon, three Great crested Grebes and a Blackcap  and on South Lake (Water Park) there were six Little Grebes, three Great crested Grebes, one Common Whitethroat, one Sedge Warbler and three adult Mute Swans with six juveniles. Highlights past Long Nab this morning included one Little Gull and 4,520 Razorbills north and one Common Swift, one Tree Pipit, 495 Meadow Pipit and 11 Rock Pipit south. Eight Sandwich Terns, five Turnstone, three Dunlin, 3 Curlew, 15 Wigeon and two Grey Herons were at Scalby Mills and a Great White Egret was at Wykeham East Lake late afternoon. A further two Great White Egrets were reported at Scalby Beck late this evening.

Barn Owl by Nick Addey.

Tuesday 13th September

 There was no sign of yesterday's BARRED WARBLER at Cornelian, but two Garden Warbler and three Common Whitethroat were present. An increased number of Blackcap and Chiffchaff was noted at South Cliff. Two Stonechat, two Swallows, five Reed Buntings, one Barn Owl, two Grey Heron and one Common Whitethroat were at Crook Ness this morning. Goldcrests were noted at Hundale Point and one by Long Nab Obs which then flew south. Four were in the ringing plantation, however: there was no sign of yesterday's YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER. One Northern Wheatear and a Common Redstart were  at The Hundales and an Arctic Skua flew south past there. Two Marsh Harriers flew west over the A171 at Jugger Howe towards Harwood Dale this morning and Wigeon had increased to 14 at Scalby Mills. Three Common Buzzards were over Hutton Buscel and two Stonechat and a Greenfinch were at Sandybed Lane. Two Northern Wheatear were on Marine Drive. Selected counts from today's BTO WeBS survey at Wykeham Lakes featured 11 Mute Swans, 420 Greylag Geese, 186 Canada Geese, three Shoveler, one Pintail (East Lake), nine Wigeon, 103 Coot, two Mediterranean Gulls (Adult+2nd Calendar year on East Lake), 366 Black-headed Gulls on the silt there and single Reed and Sedge Warblers in the north east corner of the Water Park Lake (South Lake). At Selley Bridge Farm/Lake, Marishes Lane  today, 210 Swallows, 74 House Martins and one Common Swift flew south and present were three Kingfishers, two Reed Warblers, two Little Grebe, six Coot, five Moorhen and eight Mallard.

Female Reed Bunting by Paul Tozer.

Monday 12th September

 The sight of numerous House Martins feeding over the valley south of Wrench Green was a prelude to an amazing southerly passage through the recording area. By 1110hrs, 5,371 had passed through South Cliff along with 1,614 Swallows, 32 Sand Martins, seven Common Swifts, nine Grey Wagtails and a single Yellow Wagtail. Four Northern Wheatears were present. This astounding passage of House Martins was also noted from Long Nab Obs where a day record count of 11,360 was noted before rain at 1530hrs. Also south past there were three Hobbys and five Common Swift. A Common Sandpiper was feeding on the seaweed at The Hundales and two Northern Wheatears were also present. The first YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER of the autumn was in the ringing plantation at Long Nab along with a Common Redstart and a Garden Warbler was in Crook Ness.  The second BARRED WARBLER in three days was at the seaward end of Cornelian Ravine, typically elusive and sub-singing occasionally. Three Little Egrets were at Brompton Ponds and a Coot was at Scalby Mills. An adult Mediterranean Gull and the long staying Whooper Swan were at Seamer Road Mere. One Gadwall, seven Wigeon, eight Teal, 124 Lapwing, two Common Sandpiper, one Hobby and one Barn Owl were at Wykeham Lakes this afternoon. At Gristhorpe Bay this evening, there was one Little Egret, 92 Curlew, 132 Oystercatcher, eight Turnstone, four |Dunlin, 15 Redshank, one Ringed Plover, 10 Teal, eight Grey Heron, 11 Cormorant and one Stonechat. There were six Grey Partridge and one Northern Wheatear at Mount Pleasant Farm. A Green Sandpiper, one Spotted Flycatcher, one Common Whitethroat and seven Chiffchaff were at Thornton Carrs.

Mute Swan by Beverley Senturk.

Sunday 11th September

 A Spotted Flycatcher was above Scalby Mills this morning and a female Aythya duck species was briefly at Seamer Tip Pool before flying off. Two Wigeon were also present. Two Sanderling were in North Bay and two Chiffchaff and three Siskin were on the north side of Castle Hill. A Great White Egret flew over Crossgates towards the coast and a Little Egret was at Burton Riggs. An impressive 3,293 Meadow Pipits, 12 Common Buzzards and two Ruff flew south at South Cliff this morning and five Northern Wheatear and two Whinchat were present. One Common Redstart and one Northern Wheatear were at Hundale and a Great crested Grebe was offshore there. Four Wigeon, three Gadwall, 35 Teal, 90 Lapwing, three Common Snipe and 70 Great Black backed Gulls were at Wykeham East Lake. A day record count of 5,210 Meadow Pipits flew south at Long Nab between 0625hrs and 1300hrs along with three Ruff, one Hobby, and 11 Grey Wagtails. A single Great crested Grebe flew north there and a 1st calendar year Yellow-legged Gull and three Northern Wheatear were on rocks just north of the Obs.  A Common Redstart and a Garden Warbler were at Crook Ness. A watch at Gristhorpe Bay between 0600hrs and 0900hrs  accounted for 12 Grey Partridge, one Northern Wheatear, two pairs of Stonechat, one Common Snipe, 106 Great Black backed Gulls, four Redshank, nine Dunlin, 36 Curlew, one Whimbrel, 108 Oystercatcher, 14 Grey Heron, 19 Cormorant, 270 Goldfinch, 24 Meadow Pipit, 70 Swallow, 32 House Martin and two Common Buzzard. An afternoon watch there between 1400hrs and 1600hrs accounted for one Little Egret, 21 Grey Heron, 22 Cormorant, 172 Oystercatcher, 175 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Redshank, two Turnstone, one Golden Plover, five Sandwich Tern, three Red throated Diver and one pair of Stonechat. 12 Wigeon were in Jackson's Bay this evening.

Grey Wagtail by Stephen Beaver.

Saturday 10th September

 A BARRED WARBLER was found late in the afternoon on the north side of Crook Ness but was typically elusive. Other new arrivals there were two Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Common Whitethroat and Common Redstart. Three Dippers were under the bridge at Scalby Mills early morning and a pair of Peregrine Falcons were hunting waders there,  A Balearic Shearwater passed close and north past Cornelian at 0815hrs and an Osprey flew west at Wykeham East Lake at 0930hrs. 84 Lapwing were also present. At least one elusive Pied Flycatcher remained at Cliff Top House this morning and a juvenile Long-tailed Skua flew north past Long Nab Obs at 0958hrs. An injured Red-throated Diver was in the harbour and an adult Mediterranean Gull was in Cayton Bay. Migrants noted along South Cliff today included four Common Redstarts, two Whinchat, three Northern Wheatear and one Pied Flycatcher. A Greenshank also flew south there and 16 Pink-footed Geese, the first of autumn flew south through South Cliff having been initially seen south past Hayburn Wyke. A Quail was flushed from the Cleveland Way just north of the Blue Dolphin and at least 61 Sandwich Terns were on Scalby Mills rocks with one Purple Sandpiper. A Sanderling was in North Bay and the Lapwing count at Wykeham East Lake had risen to 135. Also present there were 25 Swallows, 36 Coot, nine Teal, 15 Great Black-backed Gulls, one Lesser Black-backed Gull and two Great crested Grebes. A Whinchat was north of Long Nab Obs and a Turtle Dove was in Hundale Plantation. 20 Sooty Shearwaters and three Northern Pintail flew north past Long Nab Obs and four Eiders flew south.

Sanderling by Christopher Bell.

Friday 9th September

 Birds were on the move again today with a Black Tern north past Cornelian at 0645hrs followed quickly by a juvenile Honey Buzzard in off the sea and SW along South Cliff Golf Club at 0649hrs. A Caspian Gull flew south there and grounded birds included two Common Redstart, eight Northern Wheatear, and three Willow Warbler. Six Common Sandpipers and a Yellow-legged Gull were on Black Rocks. A Tree Pipit also flew over. Two Northern Wheatear were later on the cliff top path near South Cliff Golf Course. A juvenile Honey Buzzard flew SW at Long Nab at 0708hrs, continuing inland followed by a second Honey Buzzard flying west there at 0852hrs. A Temminck's Stint found at Wykeham East Lake at 0745hrs flew off east at 0750hrs. Three Dippers were at Scalby Mills this morning, a Little Egret was in Jackson's Bay and six Dunlin in North Bay. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was inland south of Crook Ness and two Northern Wheatear were on a grassy area behind the Barracks Estate on Burniston Road. Two Dunlin were at Burton Riggs and four Grey Herons circled over Crossgates before appearing to drop at Burton . A Greenshank was at Brompton Ponds at lunchtime and a juvenile Long-tailed Skua was chasing Terns in Gristhorpe Bay. Three Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff were in a Burniston garden and three Common Terns, three Dunlin and a Ringed Plover were on rocks at the north end of Cayton Bay. Three Dunlin were at Seamer Tip Pool and an Arctic Skua flew south over North Bay. Later this afternoon, a juvenile Black-tailed Godwit, one Pintail, 21 Wigeon and a pair of Egyptian Geese with three young Goslings were at Wykeham East Lake. Maximum migrant totals at Castle Hill were four Pied Flycatchers, three Common Redstart, one Spotted Flycatcher, four Northern Wheatear and one Willow Warbler. Highlights from Long Nab Obs this morning included two Pied Flycatchers by Cliff Top House, one Northern Wheatear and one Common Redstart, Four Sooty Shearwaters flew north past Long Nab Obs and a first calendar Yellow-legged Gull and one Common Buzzard flew south a second first calendar year Yellow-legged Gull was following a nearby plough. A second Common Redstart was at Cliff Top House this afternoon, a Whinchat was briefly in the potato field and a Siskin was feeding on the cliffs by Long Nab Obs.

Common Tern by Chris Bull.

Thursday 8th September

 Another busy day. An Osprey passed south over South Cliff heading towards Cornelian Bay at 1012hrs. Also south through South Cliff this morning were an Eider, six Greenshank, three Ruff, seven Knot (23N), 17 Dunlin (40N), one juvenile Little Gull and 104 Common Tern. Five Common Sandpipers were present on Black Rocks and six Whitethroat, two Lesser Whitethroat, two Willow Warbler, one Whinchat and a Garden Warbler were grounded there. One Northern Wheatear and one Purple Sandpiper were in the Harbour and a Common Swift flew south over the Castle..23 Northern Wheatear and a Whinchat were on the Castle Tops (English Heritage area) and two Common Redstart and a Northern Wheatear were inside the wall on Marine Drive.30 Common Terns, six Sandwich Terns, one Kingfisher, three Wigeon, five Teal and one Ringed Plover were in the area of Scalby Mills/North Bay. Wykeham East lake hosted four Ringed Plover, two Dunlin, one Green Sandpiper, 55 Lapwing, three Gadwall and eight Wigeon. The daily totals from Long Nab included 16 Northern Wheatear, one Whinchat, two Common Redstarts, two Spotted Flycatchers, two Pied Flycatchers, seven Willow Warblers and three Garden Warblers . A protracted watch at Gristhorpe Bay this afternoon produced two Common Redstart, nine Northern Wheatear, one Whinchat, two pairs of Stonechat, four Grey Partridge, 19 Pied Wagtail, 250 Goldfinch, 80 Linnet, one Common Sandpiper, one Whimbrel two Curlew, two Bar-tailed Godwit, nine Dunlin, 14 Turnstone, two Ringed Plover, five Redshank, 106 Oystercatcher, 19 Teal, three Wigeon, nine Grey Heron, 18 Cormorant, four Sandwich Tern, 24 Great Black-backed Gulls, one Lesser Black-backed Gull, 108 Swallow, 70 House martin and 14 Meadow Pipit. Passing Long Nob Obs today were 52 Ringed Plover, three Grey Plover, one Spotted Redshank (in off the sea and then NW), three Greenshank, 29 Bar-tailed Godwits, one Merlin, four Common Swifts and 2,143 Meadow Pipits south. Another day which showed obvious signs of an afternoon arrival of common migrants following the passing of a weather front.

Chiffchaff by Terry Crook.

God Bless the Queen, God Save the King. A sad day and our thoughts are with HM family at this particularly sad time. A pleasure to have served on behalf of you Ma'am. Rest in Peace, Rest Easy.

Wednesday 7th September

 A busy day. The first Lapland Bunting of the autumn flew south over South Cliff at 0905hrs and a Tree Pipit also flew south there. Meadow Pipits were on the move south today with 150 plus south over Hood Lane, Cloughton early morning and 47 Swallows also south. A maximum of four Turtle Doves were on overhead wires behind Burniston Village Hall and single Northern Wheatears were noted at Cromer Point dry pool, Scalby Lodge set aside, Long Nab, Marine Drive rock armour and behind Marine Drive wall. A maximum of 46 Sandwich Terns and 50 Common Terns were in North Bay near to the Sealife Centre together with two Greenshank and one Turnstone. Large flocks of Linnets were noted at Cromer Point (100), Long Nab (214 S) and 400 present and 300 near Burniston east of the cinder track. A Peregrine Falcon was noted at Roger Trodd, Cloughton. Seven Greenshank touched down for 10 minutes at Wykeham East lake before leaving SW and present there was one Common Sandpiper, 12 Lapwing, one Gadwall, six Teal and 10 Wigeon. A Woodcock was a surprise sighting early this afternoon flying SW over Scholes Park Road, Scalby Mills. Four Curlews were at Seamer Mead, and approximately 100 Lapwings at Herdborough Farm. Single Dunlin and Kingfisher were at Burton Riggs and approximately 100 Tree Sparrows on the eastern side of Seamer Tip where a cream crowned Marsh Harrier and four Common Buzzards were also seen. Four Yellowhammers were on Metes Lane, Seamer. A male Common Redstart was on a fence line above Hayburn Wyke and the long staying Whooper Swan was at Seamer Road Mere along with six Little Grebe, six Tufted Duck and nine Cormorants. Nine Gadwall, 19 Moorhen, 23 Coot and three Little Grebe were at Seamer Tip Pool and a maximum of 14 Teal were in North Bay. A Pied Flycatcher was in sycamores at Crook Ness along with one Lesser Whitethroat, one Common Whitethroat, one Willow Warbler  and four Stonechat. A further Pied Flycatcher was seen in the sycamores near Cliff Top House. 10 Common Sandpipers appeared on the rock armour along Marine Drive near the free toilet block and a single Purple Sandpiper and 14 Turnstone roosted on the harbour wall at high tide. A Little egret was noted at Wrench Green. A Whinchat was at Mount Pleasant Farm, Gristhorpe this morning and Gristhorpe Bay hosted one Bar-tailed Godwit, four Ringed Plover, one Arctic Skua, an adult + three juvenile Stonechat, 120 Swallows, 829 House Martins and one Common Swift. Highlights south past Long Nab this morning between 0600 and 1400hrs were 23 Common Swift, one Hobby, 186 Swallow, 829 House Martin, 1,469 Meadow Pipit, two Rock Pipits and one Arctic Skua.. A first calendar year Caspian Gull was feeding in a ploughed field to the east of the Cinder Track at Burniston, along with 650+ Herring Gulls.

Tuesday 6th September

 There was no sign of yesterday's Hoopoe at Staintondale today, but a Raven flew over and 32 Swallows flew south. A Turtle Dove was on overhead wires between Brompton and Snainton on the low roads and a Tree Pipit, Whinchat and two Willow Warblers were along South Cliff this morning. A Balearic Shearwater flew south past Long Nab at 0815hrs and a Kingfisher was at Scalby Mills. A  Northern Wheatear was on the rock armour at Marine Drive along with four Purple Sandpipers this afternoon and a Pied Flycatcher was on the north side of Castle Hill below the archway. The highlights of the days observations at Long Nab and Hundale Point included three Pied Flycatchers (two by Cliff Top House, one in Crook Ness), three Whinchat, six Northern Wheatear and  a Great crested Grebe fishing below the Obs. Moving past Long Nab Obs were one drake Greater Scaup, two Little Egrets, 118 Manx Shearwaters, 25 Arctic Skuas and two Skua sp. south and a first calendar year  Caspian Gull north. 

Northern Wheatear by Christopher Bell.

Monday 5th September

 A Cory's Shearwater flew north close in at Long Nab at 0711hrs and a juvenile Pomarine Skua flew south past South Cliff this morning. Also past Long Nab today were one Pintail, four Pale-bellied Brent Geese and three Caspian Gulls. A Pied Flycatcher was at Cliff Top House, Long Nab with a second in Crook Ness with a Common Redstart. A Pied Flycatcher was also at Gristhorpe Bay. Wykeham East Lake hosted 28 Teal, two Gadwall, three Shoveler and 18 Wigeon. All waders had departed from site. A single Swift flew south over Newby and a Northern Wheatear and a single Turtle Dove were in a stubble field at Hundale Point and three further Turtle Doves were reported from a field to the east of Burniston Village Hall. A HOOPOE reported to Birdguides early this morning was seen at approximately 0730hrs at Staintondale near to Rudda Road junction. Despite extensive searching and a brief sighting in early afternoon, the bird could not be relocated. Local enquiries established that it had been in the area since Saturday.

Hoopoe per Billy Wilson (Ravenscar Life).

Sunday 4th September

 Two juvenile Caspian Gulls flew south past Long Nab Obs within 10 minutes of each other this morning and were probably the same two birds seen passing south slowly through Cornelian Bay later. A Great White Egret flew high south past Long Nab along with one Shoveler, one first calendar year Yellow-legged Gull and 22 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (including 13 juveniles). A juvenile Pomarine Skua flew north close in there. A Greenshank was at Seamer Tip Pool and two Ruff flew SW. 80 House Sparrows were frequenting a hedge in Crab Lane, Crossgates. Also passing south through South Cliff this morning were two Shoveler, one adult Little Gull, one Greenshank, 29 Whimbrel (2 N) one Yellow Wagtail and one Whinchat.141 Oystercatchers were in the roost there. A Greenshank also flew south over The Grand Hotel and a Great Skua was close in off Marine Drive. Two Whinchat and two Northern Wheatear were just north of Jackson's Bay and two Little Egrets and six Dunlin were in Jackson's Bay. A female/immature  Garganey was at Wykeham East lake along with one Greenshank, two Common Sandpipers, 78 Teal, one Wigeon, and a second calendar year Mediterranean Gull with a broken leg which did not seem to inhibit its mobility. Three Marsh Harriers drifted off SE just east of Wykeham South Lake (Water Park) and a Hobby, Peregrine Falcon and six Common Sandpipers were also present along with a House Martin harassing a Bat sp. Three Curlew flew from North Cliff Golf Course to Scalby Mills at dusk.

Great White Egret by Nick Addey

Saturday 3rd September

 A Pintail, three Knot and a Common Swift flew south at Long Nab this morning and a Whinchat was at the scrape. Two further Whinchat were along South Cliff this morning and two Dippers, one Kingfisher and two Grey Herons were at Scalby sea cut this morning. Singles of Little Egret, Whimbrel, Ringed Plover and Sanderling were with six Dunlin at Jackson's Bay. A Maximum of eight Turtle Doves were at Burniston again today near to the Village Hall and six Common Swifts flew south over Burniston amongst a steady stream of Swallows attracting the attention of a Sparrowhawk. Six Wigeon, 65 Lapwings, two Sand Martins, one Common Sandpiper and one Dunlin were at Wykeham East Lake this afternoon and two Northern Wheatears were at Mount Pleasant Farm, Redcliffe this evening.

Juvenile Peregrine Falcon by Christopher Bell.

 

Friday 2nd September

 A cream crowned Marsh Harrier was at Wykeham East Lake this morning along with eight Stock Doves and a Spotted Flycatcher was in Cornelian Ravine A Turtle Dove was along Rocks Lane, Burniston near the cottages and two Pintail flew north there. A flock of 280 Starlings were at Ravenscar Tea Rooms where six House Martin nests were still active. A Dunlin flew south there and two Common Snipe were at Hartwood Dale Lake. A Greenshank was at Scalby Mills, a Little Egret in Jackson's Bay and a Dunlin flew north there. 11 Turtle Doves were on wires at the rear of Burniston Village Hall and four Common Swift flew south over Burniston. A single Northern Wheatear was at Gristhorpe Bay. A Pied Flycatcher was on the south side of Castle Headland this afternoon by the top path and a Spotted Flycatcher was near the playground by the bottom path. A Curlew and a Ringed Plover flew through Wykeham East Lake this afternoon where there were 15 Teal, two Gadwall, three Wigeon, one Sand Martin, a cream crown Marsh Harrier and a juvenile Peregrine Falcon. At the Water Park a flock of five Common Sandpipers were on the island. Stock Doves had increased  to 30 at Wykeham Lakes in the afternoon and  a Peregrine Falcon flew south east over East Ayton this evening. Two Grey Plover flew in off the sea and continued SW at Long Nab this evening, two Whinchat were in the scrub and a single Arctic Skua flew north.

Barn Swallow by Phil Bennett.

Thursday 1st September

 A juvenile Long-tailed Skua, one Shoveler, three Arctic Terns and 13 Arctic Skuas (1S) flew north past Long Nab Obs and a Northern Wheatear was present. Two Turtle Doves were on the overhead wires behind Burniston Village Hall and three Sandwich Terns were on rocks at the north end of Cayton Bay. One Greenshank, one Green Sandpiper, one Common Sandpiper, one Dunlin, two Common Snipe, five Teal and seven Stock Doves were at Wykeham East Lake during the day.  Scalby Mills this evening hosted 18 Wigeon, 15 Sandwich Terns, eight Redshank, 10 Turnstone, two Curlew, two Oystercatcher and four Cormorant. A Hobby was at Gristhorpe Bay. Of particular interest was the news of a first calendar year male Firecrest ringed in Dalby Forest today (per Ian Nicholson).

Turtle Dove by Phil Harrison.