After yesterday's gloom had cleared and more favourable conditions followed, then birds started to move today, particularly wildfowl. A Gannet and Red-throated Diver were in the harbour area, a Brent Goose sp flew inland over North Bay and approximately 80 Carrion Crows (that's quite a murder) were circling over the motor cycle track at Seamer Tip. 51 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Newby, 90 Pink-footed Geese flew low near Helwath Road and the A171 and a single Golden Plover flew south over Ings Road. Two Red-throated Divers were off Marine Drive on the north side of the Castle Headland and 40 Pink-footed Geese flew in off the sea and south. A Short-eared Owl flew high south over the sea past Long Nab early this afternoon. Highlights past Long Nab today were two Black-throated Divers, 12 Dark-bellied and one Pale-bellied Brent Geese, one Pochard, 52 Common Eider, four Red-breasted Mergansers, 12 Goldeneye and seven Puffin (+1 on sea). A single Brambling at Crook Ness left south and a Woodcock was at the short hedge. A remarkable 16 species of wildfowl past South Cliff throughout the day with the highlights being nine Whooper Swan, 18 Dark-bellied Brent Geese (8N), 36 Mallard, five Gadwall, six Pintail, six Goosander, four Goldeneye, one Pochard, and a Velvet Scoter. Also passing south there were one Black-throated Diver, 82 Kittiwake, 62 Little Gull and one Snow Bunting. A Ring Ouzel was still present along with eight Chiffchaff. At Wykeham lakes this afternoon were 19 Common Snipe, two Goldeneye, nine Gadwall, 28 Teal, nine Great crested Grebe, five Little Grebe, 23 Siskin, two Marsh Tit, two Jay, two Bullfinch, nine Redwing and a Mistle Thrush. 32 Great Black-backed Gulls and a first winter Mediterranean Gull roosted at Wykeham East Lake and approximately 250 Jackdaw went to roost. In the Gristhorpe Bay and surrounding area late afternoon were six Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 102 Curlew, one Bar-tailed Godwit three Grey Herons, two pairs of Stonechat, two Chiffchaff, 39 Pied Wagtails were in the field adjacent to the caravan park. A Great Northern Diver was in the harbour. Pink-footed Geese were heard flying over Wrench Green and Burniston soon after dark.
Red-throated Diver by Stuart Baines.
