Tuesday 31st January

 Passerines were showing signs of pair establishment today, particularly tit species. Two Song Thrushes were in a Stepney Road garden early morning and a drake and three redhead Goosanders were at Peasholm Park Lake. 26 Curlew were in a field north of Crook Ness with a further seven Curlew in a field near Scalby Lodge Pond. Three singing Skylarks, six Reed Buntings, one Yellowhammer and three Grey Heron were also present. Two drake Common Scoter were in Cayton Bay and a Willow Tit was at the motor cycle track at Seamer Tip. 10 Gadwall and two Grey Partridge were at Seamer Tip Pool and two Marsh Tit and nine Greenfinch were at Burton Riggs.

Water Rail at Long Causeway Road, Wykeham by David Swann.

Monday 30th January

 Two Eider flew past Long Nab this morning and 12 Common Snipe were at the scrape area. Skylarks were singing north of West Ayton and Crook Ness this morning and Sparrowhawks were noted at Cayton, Long Causeway Road, Wykeham and in a Burniston garden. Six Goldeneye (4m, 2f) were the highlights at Seamer Road Mere and an Iceland Gull flew north over Crossgates at 1040hrs. 10 Grey Heron were at Johnson's Marsh at high tide and approximately 1,000 Lapwings were in fields north of Folkton. Two drake Pochard were at Seamer Tip Pool, 13 Ringed Plover at Scalby Mills and three Marsh Tit and a Water Rail were at Long Causeway Road, Wykeham. To the west side of Forge Valley today there were four Marsh Tit, three Great spotted Woodpecker, two Nuthatch, six Bullfinch, 14 Fieldfare, three Redwing, two Mistle Thrush and a Jay.  A Great spotted Woodpecker was drumming in Falsgrave Park and four Goldeneye were at North Yorkshire Water Park Water Sports Lake. At Troutsdale early afternoon, there were three Northern Goshawk (m, f and 2nd calendar year), five Common Buzzard, 350 Wood Pigeon, 30 Meadow Pipit and a Jay.  30 Common Crossbill, four Siskin and a Great spotted Woodpecker were at Harwood Dale.

Pochard at Seamer Tip Pool by Paul Tozer.

Sunday 29th January

 The CETTI'S WARBLER was still near the climbing wall at the North Yorkshire Water Park, singing and showing well once. A Water Rail was calling along Long Causeway Road and a Willow Tit was along the track to Causeway Lake on the complex and an Egyptian Goose was on the main island on the Water Sports Lake. 19 Goldeneye were present across the complex, a Green Sandpiper was on East Lake and 52 Pink-footed Geese flew south. A Dark-bellied Brent Goose was at Seamer Tip Pool and a male Blackcap again visited a Heron Lane, Crossgates garden. Four Northern Goshawk, five Common Buzzard and six Redwing were at Troutsdale and a Red Kite flew west over Burniston this morning. 290 Greylag Geese, 5 Shoveler, 40 Teal, 39 Gadwall and 490 Redwing were at Scampston lake. 260 Golden Plover and 180 Lapwing were along North Moor Road and one plus Northern Goshawk and five Common Crossbills were at Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint. A Water Rail was calling again at the Open Air Theatre. The resident Whooper Swan was at Seamer Road Mere.

Great Northern Diver, harbour area by Fred Tiles.

Saturday 28th January

 Two Red-throated Divers were on the sea off Marine Drive near to lamp post 57 and three Mediterranean Gulls (2 ads. 1 2nd cy) were at Holbeck. 40 Redwing were noted on Fields Lane/Rock Lane, Burniston. A Chiffchaff was at Scalby Mills this morning.  Three Goosanders remained at Peasholm Park in addition to nine Tufted Duck and 101 Mallard. Two Water Rail were at the Open Air Theatre and at Scalby Mills this afternoon, there were 560 Black-headed Gulls, 15 Common Gull, 490 Herring Gulls and one Great Black Backed Gull. a Dipper was at Scalby Beck. 16 Fulmar were back on the cliffs at Castle headland and three Shag flew past Marine Drive. A Corn Bunting was with a small flock of Goldfinch and Yellowhammer at Seamer Mead this morning and one Water Rail, eight Little Grebe and a single Siskin were on the River Hertford nearby. A Water Rail and 11 Redwing were at Long Causeway Road near to the old feeding station. The CETTI'S WARBLER was again heard and seen briefly by the climbing tower at the Predator Lake at North Yorkshire Water Park and a walk around the complex revealed one drake Goosander and six Shoveler on East Lake and two Whooper Swans on the fields to the south of the Water Sports Lake. 15 Goldeneye, seven Gadwall, 30 Wigeon, 10 Mute Swan, six Little Grebe, 16 Moorhen, 23 Cormorant, three Water Rail, one Jack Snipe, seven Common Snipe, three Marsh Tit, 15 Redwing, one Sparrowhawk and one Treecreeper were on or around the Water Sports Lake. One Common Buzzard, one Jay, one Great Spotted Woodpecker, five Common Crossbill, one Marsh Tit and one Goldcrest were at Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint. A Little Egret was to the south of Seamer Tip Pools and a Great Northern Diver was off the harbour mouth.

Drake Eurasian Wigeon at Seamer Tip Pool by Mark Hepples.

Friday 27th January

 The CETTI'S WARBLER was still present near to the climbing tower at North Yorkshire Water Park and 15 Redwing, approximately 70 Fieldfare and 12 Long-tailed Tits were along the main road through. 66 Lapwing were on East Lake. Wildfowl at the Water Sports Lake featured 43 Gadwall, 12 Goldeneye, 26 Tufted Duck, a drake Goosander, eight Great crested Grebes and nine Little Grebes. The drake Common Scoter was in South Bay and 12 Shag, 36 Turnstone and a Redshank were in the harbour. Two Water Rail were at the Open Air Theatre and a Dunlin, Purple Sandpiper, 46 Redshank, 60 Turnstone and 57 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills/Jackson's Bay. Three Goosander were at Peasholm Park Lake and at Sandybed Lane today there were 15 Fieldfare, one Redwing, seven Bullfinch and a single Yellowhammer.

Canada Goose by Ian Rowley.

Thursday 26th January

 A Manx Shearwater flew north past Cornelian this morning and a drake Common Scoter was again off the harbour entrance. A Sparrowhawk was noted in Old Town and five Redwing and a Treecreeper were at Hay Lane Scalby. 10 Siskins were at Burton Riggs and 23 Stock Doves were  on the eastern side of Seamer Tip. 14 Bullfinches were at Metes Lane, Seamer and three Wigeon and a Shoveler were at Seamer Tip Pool. The CETTI'S WARBLER was heard again at North Yorkshire Water Park by the climbing tower and a Common Scoter was on the Water Sports Lake near to the island. Three Goosander and the resident Whooper Swan were at Seamer Road Mere. Two plus pairs of Northern Goshawk were displaying from Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint.

Stock Dove at Peasholm Glen by Phil Bennett.

Wednesday 25th January

 The CETTI'S WARBLER was again at North Yorkshire Water Park at 0853hrs, singing by the climbing wall next to the Predator Lake and continuing to sing approximately every 10 minutes. Circa 30 Siskin, one Goldcrest and a Grey Wagtail were also in the vicinity. A drake Common Scoter was in the harbour mouth and a second winter Iceland Gull was at Burton Riggs. 17 Ringed Plover and an adult winter Mediterranean Gull were at Scalby Mills and the drake and two redhead Goosanders remained at Seamer Road Mere. A male Blackcap again visited a garden in Heron Lane, Crossgates as did a Lesser Redpoll. Six Grey Partridge and a Barn Owl were at Seamer Tip. Two Great Northern Divers and one Red-throated Diver were seen from the harbour in South Bay and a Northern Goshawk and a Common Crossbill were at Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint.

Rock Pipit by Fred Tiles.

Tuesday 24th January

 A CETTI'S WARBLER found this morning near to the climbing wall by the predator lake at North Yorkshire Water Park was only the second record for the recording area. It was singing infrequently and showing occasionally until approximately 1100hrs. 12 Teal were at Johnson's Marsh and at Seamer Road Mere, the resident Whooper Swan was seen along with a female Shoveler, Goosander, Kingfisher and a Grey Heron. A Little Egret was at Hackness and a single Sanderling was on the beach at Cayton Bay. Two Dippers, two Common Crossbill, five Common Buzzard, three Mistle Thrush, a Fieldfare and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen at Troutsdale. 18 Redwing and a single Fieldfare were at Saltpans Road, Cloughton and a Kestrel was at the pond near Hayburn Wyke.

Sanderling at Cayton Bay by Chris Bull.

Monday 23rd January

 A third winter Glaucous Gull flew south very close past Long Nab at 0822hrs following the cliffs and continuing past Jackson's Bay. A Mediterranean Gull was in Robin Hood's Bay at Stoupe Beck and a male Blackcap again visited a garden in Heron Lane, Crossgates. Two Water Rail were along The Dell this morning and at Seamer Road Mere there were 42 Mute Swans, the resident Whooper Swan, three Goosander, three Gadwall, 52 Coot, one Pink-footed Goose, one Shoveler, six Little Grebe, a Water Rail and two Mediterranean Gulls. In the Seamer Tip area, there were two Little Egret, seven Pink-footed Geese, one Peregrine Falcon, one Kestrel, one Water Rail, 350 Lapwing, four Golden Plover, four Common Snipe, five Woodcock, 45 Redwing, 30 Song Thrush, two Chiffchaff, 15 Tree Sparrow, 15 Linnet, 45 Yellowhammer and 10 Reed Bunting.

Treecreeper at Falsgrave Park by Joe Bamfield.

Sunday 22nd January

 A second consecutive severe overnight ground frost augmented the already limited open water space on still waters today and birds were constantly moving. A skein of approximately 40 Pink-footed Geese flew north over the south east edge of Wykeham Forest where 19 Lesser Redpoll, 18 Fieldfare and a Redwing were in an adjacent field. 10 Common Snipe were on the scrape at Long Nab. Seven Golden Plover, one Peregrine Falcon and a Stonechat were at Seamer Mead this morning whilst five Golden Plover were at Flixton Carr with a further six Golden Plover flying over. 10 Lapwing, 20 Teal, two Little Grebe, two Grey heron and a Barn Owl were noted there late afternoon. Two Fieldfare flew over the Archery Range at Osgoodby. At Seamer Tip Pools there were 19 Coot, 250 Canada Geese and 220 Greylag Geese and six Mandarin were at Hackness Lake. 36 Purple Sandpiper were on the outer harbour this afternoon. Most of the North Yorkshire Water Park Lakes were completely ice bound, except for a small section of open water at the East Lake and about 35% of the Water Sports Lake where displaced wildfowl was packed in. The highlights of the monthly BTO WeBS Core Count at the complex were one drake Pintail, four Shoveler, four Pochard, 21 Goldeneye, five Whooper Swan, 21 Mute Swan,  two Pink-footed Geese, 121 Mallard, 54 Gadwall, 93 Wigeon, 78 Teal, 88 Tufted Duck, one drake Goosander, seven Great crested Grebe, 10 Little Grebe, 78 Coot, 64 Moorhen, 255 Greylag Geese, one Water Rail and two adult Mediterranean Gulls. Disturbance was subsequently caused mid morning by a motorboat being used to break surface ice to allow boats to sail, thus causing considerable disruption to resting birds which were moving all the time in search of alternative open water.

Purple Sandpiper at the outer harbour, Scarborough by Christopher Bell.

Saturday 21st January

 At a point south of Seamer Tip this morning there was one Short-eared Owl, two Wrens, one Meadow Pipit and four Reed Buntings. Seven Gadwall, one Goldcrest and a Bullfinch were at Seamer Tip Pool and this afternoon on Flixton Carr Lane viewing Seamer Tip from the river bridge, there were two Short-eared Owls, one Barn Owl, one Kingfisher, one Little Egret, three Golden Plover, 60 Lapwing, 10 Teal, 40 Fieldfare, 38 Tree Sparrow, 10 Goldfinch and one Redpoll. Two female Goosander were on the sea off Holbeck and seven Fulmar were on Castle headland cliffs.12 Turnstone and one Purple Sandpiper were in the harbour and two Red-throated Divers were in South Bay. At Seamer Road Mere today there were three Goosander (1M + two Redheads), seven Little Grebe, two Gadwall, 71 Mallard, 64 Coot, 59 Moorhen, one Whooper Swan, one Water Rail and a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull. (WeBS monthly Core Count values). Two adult Whooper Swans were with Mute Swans in the filed to the south of Wykeham Water Park Lake and five Common Crossbills were at Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint. A Mistle Thrush was at Westfield Farm, Cloughton and a Peregrine Falcon was seen at the top plantation at Long Nab. One Grey Wagtail and a Redshank were at the Open Air Theatre and 18 Ringed Plover were the highlight at Scalby Mills. A Great Spotted Woodpecker, two Nuthatch, one Treecreeper, one Mistle Thrush and 12 Redwing were in Hutton Buscel churchyard, another Mistle Thrush at Main Street, Hutton Buscel and two Redwing in Great Moor Road. Two Common Buzzard and a collective count of 18 Common Crossbill were at Harwood Dale Forest.

Common Buzzard by Kath Lakin.

Friday 20th January

 Waterfowl totals from Wykeham Water Park Water Sports Lake were 43 Gadwall, 35 Wigeon, four Shoveler, 12 Goldeneye and 52 Teal. Seven Fieldfare, 10 Long-tailed Tits and a Kestrel were the highlights from Great Moor Road, Hutton Buscel and at least five Goosander were at Seamer Road Mere. 130 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills and a Kingfisher and a ringed Redshank were at the Open Air Theatre. At least four Northern Goshawk, including two juvenile birds, were seen from Wykeham Raptor View point along with six Common Crossbill. a Northern Goshawk was seen in Troutsdale with another two individuals calling. Three Common Buzzard, two Great Spotted Woodpecker, 30+ Meadow Pipit, 10 Lon-tailed Tit and four Bullfinch were also noted in the area.

Reed Bunting by Mark Hepples.

Thursday 19th January

 At New Dike, Seamer Tip this morning, there was a Pink-footed Goose, one Water Rail, four Common Snipe, two Golden Plover, one Peregrine Falcon, two Chiffchaff and four Redpoll. At nearby Seamer Tip Pool area there was one Common Buzzard, one Common Snipe, one Song Thrush and one Reed Bunting. 91 Mallard and two Gadwall were at Burton Riggs and two Curlew were at Saltpans Road, Cloughton. A single Golden Plover was near Fields Farm, Long Nab and four Common Snipe and a Jack Snipe were at the scrape. A Great Northern Diver and 11 Red-throated Divers were off the harbour mouth today whilst three Turnstone, one Redshank, two Great Black-backed Gulls and a Rock Pipit were in the harbour. A male Blackcap again visited a Heron Lane, Crossgates garden.

Goldfinch by Paul Tozer.

Wednesday 18th January

 There was no sign of yesterday's redhead SMEW at Wykeham Lakes complex today despite birders' efforts. At Seamer Road Mere this morning there was a second winter Mediterranean Gull, one female Shoveler, two pairs of Goldeneye, one pair of Gadwall, two female Goosander, six Little Grebes and the resident Whooper Swan. Six Pink-footed Geese were in the field to the south of Seamer Tip. Six Grey Herons were at Johnson's Marsh at the high tide roost and at Scalby Mills, a drake Goosander was under the footbridge, two Purple Sandpipers were on the weir as well as 160 Wigeon, one Mute Swan and one Great Black-backed Gull.  A drake Goosander was also at Peasholm Park Lake again this morning. Three Brent Goose sp. flew north past Marine Drive and a Kingfisher was at the Open Air Theatre. Seven Red-throated Divers were in South Bay. A Red Kite flew west over Snainton, a Barn Owl was at Cliff Top House, Burniston and a male Blackcap again visited a Heron Lane, Crossgates garden. A male Snow Bunting was a pleasant find half way along Saltpans Road, Cloughton late in the afternoon.

Drake Goosander at Peasholm Park Lake by Stephen Beaver.

Tuesday 17th January

 A male Blackcap was at Sinclair Court this morning and a female was in a Barmoor Close garden in Scalby. 20 Greenfinch were in Farmanby Close, Thornton Dale and two Little Egret, 20 Skylark and 150 Redwing were at Thornton Carrs. A drake Goosander was on the partially frozen Peasholm Park Lake and the Dipper was again present in Peasholm Glen. 95 Wigeon, one Curlew and one Grey Heron were at Scalby Mills and three Bullfinch were at the Open Air Theatre. Ay Wykeham Water Park this morning there were 11 Gadwall, 10 Goldeneye, 20 Tufted Duck, 12 Coot, 80 Canada Geese, five Greylag Geese, one Little Grebe and a Jack Snipe. Two Woodcock and one Common Snipe were at Seamer Tip and a Brambling at New Dike.19 Reed Buntings were in the quinoa patch on the eastern side of the tip and four Siskin were by the railway crossing. One first winter and one adult Mediterranean Gulls were at Holbeck and eight Fieldfare were at Hatterboard Drive. Two Gadwall, two redhead Goosander, one Goldeneye, two Little Grebe and the resident Whooper Swan were at a 75% frozen Seamer Road Mere. Back at Seamer Tip this afternoon there was one Short-eared Owl at the south west corner, one Barn Owl, two Common Snipe, 10 Reed Bunting, two Fieldfare, one Common Buzzard and a Yellowhammer. 32 Purple Sandpiper and 38 Turnstone were at the harbour high tide roost this afternoon. The undoubted highlight of the day was the discovery of a redhead SMEW, a scarce winter visitor, late this afternoon at Wykeham Water Sports Lake where it was showing well near to the island. The Australasian x Common Shelduck hybrid also visited the Water Sports Lake at Wykeham lakes today (present in Yorkshire since 2016).

Montage of drake Goldeneye at Seamer Road Mere by Beverley Senturk.

Monday 16th January

 An  adult Mediterranean Gull flew south at Long Nab during an otherwise quiet sea watch in poor conditions. A Dipper was again present in Peasholm Glen and a Kingfisher and Redshank were at the Open Air Theatre. 23 Greenfinches graced a Crossgates garden and a Song Thrush was in song at Stepney. 11 Golden Plover, 150 Redwing, 50 Fieldfare, Peregrine Falcon and a Barn Owl were at Cayton Carrs where 40 Siskin flew west. Three drake Goosander, three Little Grebe and 18+ Mandarin Duck were at Hackness Lake. A Great Northern Diver was seen briefly at Wykeham Water Park Water Sports Lake along with nine Goldeneye, one Barn Owl, one Kestrel and two Redpoll. 13 Gadwall and one Bullfinch were seen at Seamer Tip Pool whilst at the nearby Seamer Tip area there were three Short-eared Owls, one Common Snipe and a Water Rail in the dike at the north east point of the tip and approximately 200 Lapwing, 12 Reed Bunting and a female Teal on New Dike.

Dipper at Peasholm Glen by Mark Coates.

Sunday 15th January

At Johnson's Marsh early this morning there were 29 Teal and nine Grey Heron. A Barn Owl and a single Curlew were at Cromer Point where there was a noticeable dearth of passerines. On waste ground on the Seamer side of Seamer Tip this morning there was a male Goshawk, one Common Buzzard, approximately 30 Meadow Pipits, 20 Skylarks and 20 Linnets, whilst at Seamer tip there was at least one Short-eared Owl, one Barn Owl and a Common Snipe. A Great White Egret and a Little Egret  were in the roadside ditch near to the sheep field on Long Causeway Road and a Dipper was again in Peasholm Glen. Approximately 30 Common Crossbill and two Common Buzzards were at Dalby Snout and three Common Buzzards at Hackness. Three Cormorant, 150 Redwing, five Reed Bunting and four Yellowhammer were at Thornton Carr.12 Fieldfare and three Bullfinch were the highlights of a walk along the Cinder Track from Saltpans Road to Newlands Dale Pond, Cloughton. A Shelduck flew south at Long Nab. Wykeham Lakes complex hosted a male Goosander, five Great crested Grebe, four Goldeneye, three Wigeon, 31 Lapwing, one Grey Wagtail, one Marsh Tit and between 40 and 50 Pink-footed Geese flew north there. A Barn Owl was hunting at dusk north of the A64 at East Heslerton.

Dipper by Susan Rowley.

Saturday 14th January

 Three Short-eared Owls were performing at Seamer Tip this morning and a third calendar year Lesser Black-backed Gull flew north past Long Nab. Two Dippers were present in Peasholm Glen today within 150 metres of each other. Approximately 300 Fieldfare and Redwing were at Coverdale Moor today with approximately 225 of the flock consisting of the latter. A Great White Egret was at Wykeham Lakes complex along with a drake Goosander, 13 Goldeneye, three Great Crested Grebes, six Little Grebes, four Wigeon and 61 Lapwing.

Short-eared Owl at Seamer Tip by Simon Temlett.

Friday 13th January

 The Great Northern Diver was still at Wykeham Water Sports Lake today along with a drake Goosander, 17 Goldeneye and five Lesser Redpoll. A Dipper was at Ebberston Beck (seen from a bus). passing north at Long Nab this morning were two Velvet Scoter and 506 Fulmar. A Little Egret flew in off the sea to the south of Long Nab.

Marsh Tit by Stephen Hey.

Thursday 12th January

 A  Kingfisher was at the seaward end of Scalby Beck this morning and two Kingfishers and a Grey Wagtail were at Peasholm Park. Another Kingfisher was at Thornton le Dale Beck along with a singing Dipper and a Grey Wagtail. 81 Wigeon were at Scalby Mills along with a Mute Swan and one Marsh Tit, one Bullfinch and two Long-tailed Tits were at the Open Air Theatre. 35 Turnstone were in the harbour early this morning and 21 Oystercatchers were on North Cliff Golf Club. One male and two redhead Goosander, 11 Lapwing and 40 Wigeon were at Harwood Dale Lake today and two redhead Goosanders and the resident Whooper Swan were at Seamer Road Mere. A female Pochard was on Seamer Tip Pool, 30 Siskin were at Metes Lane, Seamer and a Blackcap was again in Heron Lane, Crossgates. A Great Northern Diver was again at Wykeham Water Sports Lake at lunchtime along with 21 Goldeneye, two Egyptian Geese, one Water Rail, one Pochard, Kingfisher, three Marsh Tit, Chiffchaff, two Lesser Redpoll and eight Siskin. 33 Siskin, three Goldcrest and a male Bullfinch were at Burton Riggs.

Female Pochard at Seamer Tip Pool by Phil Bennett.

Wednesday 11th January

 12 Teal and eight Grey Herons graced Johnson's Marsh early this morning and a Dipper was again in Peasholm Glen near to the bridge. A ring-tailed Hen Harrier flew west over Coastal Road, Burniston from the direction of Cromer Point and a Red Kite was again seen in Hackness. Two drake Goldeneye, two redhead Goosander, two Little Grebe and a Treecreeper were at Seamer Road Mere. Two Shoveler, 28 Gadwall, 70 Teal, 10 Goldeneye, one Goosander, one Water Rail, one Jack Snipe and seven Lesser Redpoll were at Wykeham Lakes.

Goosanders at Seamer Road Mere by Paul Tozer.

Tuesday 10th January

 Male Blackcaps visited gardens in Barmoor Lane, Scalby and Heron Lane, Crossgates. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen at Cloughton Station and five Eider passed south at Long Nab. A Common Scoter was on the sea below the Obs. Poor weather continued throughout the day.

Short-eared Owl plunge stooping towards rodent prey at Seamer Tip by Nick Addey.

Monday 9th January

 Two Green Sandpipers, two Common Buzzard, four Yellowhammer and 400 Fieldfare were at Thornton Carrs this morning and three Dippers were on the beck in Thornton Dale. Two Goldeneye, two Gadwall and eight Tufted Duck were at Wykeham Water Park Lake and 50 Pink-footed Geese flew north there this morning. Three Water Rail and 150+ Linnet were along the Dell at Eastfield and six Goldeneye and two Goosander were at Seamer Road Mere.

The ever popular Dipper at Peasholm Glen by Mark Hepples.

Sunday 8th January

 Nine Goldeneye, 46 Tufted Duck, two redhead Goosander, one Shoveler, one Water Rail, a second calendar year Mediterranean Gull and the now resident Whooper Swan were at Seamer Road Mere.  In the area of Seamer Tip from before first light this morning, there were 11 Pink-footed Geese, two Little Egret, four Short-eared Owls, three Barn Owls, one Tawny Owl and nine plus Woodcock. A drake Goosander was at Burton Riggs and a Great crested Grebe was in the harbour as well as two Great Black-backed Gulls. 19 Fulmar were back on Castle headland and a Guillemot was on the sea off Marine Drive. A Shelduck flew south there.72 Teal and four Wigeon were at Johnson's Marsh early morning and nine Grey Herons were there at high tide. Two Grey Plover, seven Ringed Plover, four Purple Sandpipers and a Dunlin were in Jackson's Bay and a Kingfisher and a Dipper were at Peasholm Park. Three Common Buzzards were over Scalby Nabs/Hay Brow and a Fieldfare was also seen.

Redhead Goosanders, Scarborough Mere by Christopher Bell.

The Scarborough Birders Bird Race Team amassed a total of 83 species today from pre dawn to sunset, covering a total of 17 miles on a non motorised event from Seamer Tip through to Cromer Point, stopping at several locations en route to add species. All monied raised by teams from all over Yorkshire today will be donated to the Little Tern Project at Spurn and in memory of the late Michael Clegg, a much respected Yorkshire born naturalist, Thanks to all members who contributed to this most worthwhile cause and congratulations not only to the Scarborough Team but also to all teams taking part.

Saturday 7th January

 A Red-throated Diver was in the harbour this morning and nine Goldeneye, two redhead Goosander and a drake Gadwall were at Seamer Road Mere today. Two Little Grebe, four Cormorant, one Tufted Duck and two Greenfinch were at Burton Riggs and 66 Teal and one Goosander were at Harwood Dale Lake. In the Adderstones/Newclose Rigg area of Dalby today there were 16 Brambling, 38 Common Crossbill and one Woodcock. The adult Mediterranean Gull bearing Polish ring PNN5 was at Holbeck now for its 10th winter.

Polish ringed adult Mediterranean Gull PNN5 at Holbeck (10th winter at this site) by Andrew Cottrell.

Bittern at Seamer Road Mere by Jo Symon.

Friday 6th January

 The Bittern showed relatively well throughout the day at Seamer Road Mere, mainly frequenting the reed bed area at the southern end of the old jet ski lake. Five drake and one female Goldeneye were on the Mere. A Great crested Grebe was again in South Bay and the Dipper again showed well in Peasholm Glen. 10 Common Crossbills were at Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint. A Blackcap was again in a Crossgates garden and at the Black Dyke end of Seamer Tip, there were five Woodcock, eight Grey Partridge, 31 Stock Dove and three Chiffchaff. 120 Redwing were at Cliff Top House, Long Nab and nine Mandarin Duck were at Hackness Lake. 80 Siskin were at Hilla Green and a Goshawk, one Woodcock, eight Lesser Redpoll and 33 Common Crossbill were in Langdale Forest. At least 17 Bottle nosed Dolphins passed Long Nab this morning.

Bittern at the old jet ski pool, Seamer Road by Phil Bennett.

Bittern at same location by JanandGary Powell.

Thursday 5th January

 Four Whooper Swans flew south at Long Nab early  this morning and continued south over Scarborough Castle a short while later. 220 Redwings had also passed Long Nab by 1000hrs with another 40 present in the area. Two Great Northern Divers and a Great crested Grebe were in South Bay and a Red-throated Diver was in the harbour. A male Blackcap again visited a Crossgates garden along with a Marsh Tit, a garden first for the observer. 64 Pink-footed Geese flew south east over Taylor Way. At Thornton Carrs/Charity Farm and the Sewage Works there were two Green Sandpiper, a Kingfisher, three Grey Wagtails, approximately 240 Redwing and approximately 140 Fieldfare. Approximately 300 Redwing were at Harwood Dale and 35 Lapwings were at Harwood Dale Lake. The Bittern reappeared in reeds at the southern end of Seamer Road Mere late afternoon and soon disappeared into the reedbed. Also present there today were two redhead Goosander, two drake Goldeneye, two Gadwall, one Teal, five Little Grebe and the resident Whooper Swan.

Drake Gadwall at Seamer Road Mere by Terry Crook.

Wednesday 4th January

 The Bittern reappeared briefly at Seamer Road Mere this morning at 0824hrs, flying in onto the island with the white and blue rowing boat near to the bridge nut was not seen subsequently. Also present were two Goosander, six Goldeneye, three Little Grebe, the resident Whooper Swan and a singing Song Thrush. Seven Mediterranean Gulls were also seen at Seamer Road Mere, comprising of one adult, two third calendar year birds and four second calendar year birds. 11+ Common Crossbill were seen in Wykeham Forest, a Red Kite was over Wrench Green where two Redpolls visited a private garden. At Wykeham Water Park today there were nine Goldeneye, six Gadwall, 23 Tufted Duck, six Great crested Grebes and four Little Grebes. The was no sign of the Great Northern Diver there today.

Dipper at Peasholm Glen by Dan Redfern.

Tuesday 3rd January

 The Bittern was again  at Seamer Road Mere. It was seen in flight before landing on one of the islands on the Mere. Also present there were two Mediterranean Gulls, one Marsh Tit, two Lesser Redpoll, two Siskin and the long staying Whooper Swan. A Great Northern Diver was in South Bay and eight Common Snipe were at Cornelian. 100 plus Yellowhammer remained in Middle Deepdale and 200 Linnet were along The Dell between Eastfield and Oliver's Mount. A flock of 20 Long-tailed Tits was a notable record in a garden at Old Cowgait, Hutton Buscel. A Great Northern Diver, a Goosander and two Shoveler were at Wykeham Lakes. A Red Kite, Goshawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 10 Siskin were the highlights of observations in Troutsdale this afternoon.

Red-throated Diver by Dan Redfern.

Monday 2nd January

 One White-fronted Goose, 10 Pink-footed Geese and a Barnacle Goose were seen to the south of Seamer Tip, the latter sadly showing signs of the advanced stages of Avian Influenza. A Bittern was found this morning by a visiting birder  at approximately 100hrs on the old water skiing lake at Seamer Road Mere complex. Dippers were seen at Peasholm Glen and Scalby Mills today and a Sparrowhawk visited a Crossgates garden. Six Goosander were at Harwood Dale Lake and 12 plus Mandarin Ducks were at Hackness Lake. 190 Wigeon and 14 Oystercatchers were at Scalby Mills and a  Great Spotted Woodpecker visited a Burniston garden. Approximately 300 Lapwing, seven Curlew and 160 Starling were at Potter Brompton Carr viewed from Heybridge. 140 Lapwing, 40 Goldfinch four Reed Buntings and a Reed Bunting were in fields to the south of Seamer Tip Pool. Nine Pink-footed Geese and one Barnacle Goose were on seamer Mead and a Barn Owl was in the copse by Star Carr T junction. 19 Purple Sandpipers and 35 Turnstones were at the harbour and two Shags and two Red-throated Divers were in South Bay. At the Gristhorpe Bay high tide roost there were 248 Curlew, 67 Redshank, 53 Oystercatchers, 10 Turnstone and five Purple Sandpiper. A male and female Tawny Owl were heard and seen in a garden to the east of the A169 at Pickering with another male Tawny Owl approximately 400 metres away.

Goldfinch by Andy Hall.

Sunday 1st January 2023

 A Happy, healthy and bird filled new year to you all. 

Four Whooper Swans flew south over Long Nab at 0852hrs following the cliffs towards the town. A Red-throated Diver, Shag, Little Grebe and seven Purple Sandpipers were in the harbour and a Great Northern Diver was in South Bay near to the RNLI slipway. A Swan sp. was at Scalby Mills.  A Dipper was again showing well in Peasholm Glen and a Sparrowhawk was seen in Thornborough Road, Eastfield. Seven Mediterranean Gulls were at Holbeck consisting of five adults, one first winter and one second winter. A Russian White-fronted Goose was at Seamer Tip Pool, nine Pink-footed Geese were at Seamer Mead,14 Siskin were on the eastern side of Seamer Tip and a Chiffchaff was at Burton Riggs. The long staying Whooper Swan was at Seamer Road Mere along with three Shoveler, two Gadwall, five Goldeneye, two Water Rail, six Little Grebe, a second calendar Mediterranean Gull and six Goldcrests. A Nuthatch was in Hutton Buscel churchyard and 10 Fieldfare were at Suffield Ings Farm. One Teal, one Tufted Duck, 33 Greylag Geese and nine Song Thrush were at Town Farm Pond, Cloughton. A male Goshawk, one Common Buzzard and a Little Egret were in the Mowthorpe Bridge area. Two Goshawk, one Peregrine Falcon, one Sparrowhawk and nine Common Buzzard were in Troutsdale. 52 Common Gulls, 400 plus Fieldfare, 80 Starling, 20 Chaffinch, 20 Yellowhammer, 15 Meadow Pipit and two Bullfinch were in fields near to Malton Cotes Farm, Snainton Lane. Along the western edge of Dalby this afternoon there were three Marsh Tit, 20 plus Tree Sparrow, 75 plus Lapwing and eight Yellowhammer. 

Russian White-fronted Goose by Phil Bennett.