Tuesday 28 February 2023

Tuesday 28th February

 Unsurprisingly, there was no bird news today owing to the inclement weather conditions.


Back garden Dunnock by Phil Bennett.

Monday 27 February 2023

Monday 27th February

 The Short-eared Owl continued to show along Long Causeway Road, Wykeham along with at least one Barn Owl. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming there. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Burton Riggs . A third winter Glaucous Gull flew north past Long Nab at 1028hrs and also north past there were three Shelduck and a drake Red-breasted Merganser. A drake Eider was on the sea below the Obs. Two Oystercatchers, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were noted at Seamer Tip Pool and a Stock Dove visited a Stepney garden. Along the Haygate circuit at Dalby today there were 31 Lesser Redpoll, one Green Woodpecker, 180+ Siskin and three Marsh Tit. 24 Cormorants and two drake Goldeneye were of note at Wykeham East Lake (North Yorkshire Water Park) and a walk of the complex today revealed one drake Goosander, 14 Goldeneye, 12 Gadwall, 42 Wigeon, seven Teal, five Great crested Grebe, eight Little Grebe, 12 Moorhen, 10 Mute Swan, one Woodcock, one Water Rail, two Oystercatcher, approximately 100 Lapwing, one Willow Tit, four Marsh Tit, three Great Spotted Woodpecker, three Treecreeper and one Skylark.

Greylag Geese at Seamer Tip Pool by Kevin Groocock.

Sunday 26 February 2023

Sunday 26th February

 An adult Iceland Gull flew north past Long Nab Obs at 0900hrs. A single Manx Shearwater and 11 Common Scoter also flew north there. A Great Egret flew over Seamer Mead at Approximately 1000hrs from the direction of Staxton and settled on the River Hertford opposite Folkton Carr. A Stonechat was at Seamer Mead. 40 Siskin, and single Fieldfare, Bullfinch, Common Buzzard and Treecreeper were at Cockrah Wood with a mixed tit and Goldfinch flock also present. A Marsh Tit was at Low Yedmandale. Two Willow Tits were singing in Wykeham Forest and 42 Whooper Swans were in the field on Long Causeway Road near to Ings Farm. A Great Egret was in the adjacent field and a Little Egret was at Ings Lane bridge over the River Derwent. A Little Egret was also noted at Hudgkin Lane bridge. Owls continued to provide some excellent viewing opportunities along Long Causeway Road, Wykeham with the Short-eared Owl frequenting the field opposite the sheep field and at least six Barn Owls were showing between Ings Lane and Long Causeway Road. Two Yellowhammer were also noted in the area.


Barn Owls at Long Causeway Road, Wykeham by Mark Hepples.

Saturday 25 February 2023

Saturday 25th February

 Six Eider (5M, 1F)  flew south at Long Nab this morning and 35 Curlew were on fields there. A Woodcock, two Mandarin Duck and four Jays were at Northstile, Wrench Green with three Common Buzzard overhead. A Short-eared Owl was in a field opposite the sheep filed on Long Causeway Road and a Great Egret was also present there late afternoon. At Folkton/Cayton Carrs late afternoon, there was one Short-eared Owl, two Barn Owl, three Little Egret on River Hertford just west of Folkton WWTW, 14 Stock Dove, 25 Curlew, 60 Lapwing, 300 Starling, 50 Fieldfare and 40 Pied Wagtail in ploughed field behind Folkton WWTW. A Short-eared Owl was on the south side of Seamer Tip and 150 Jackdaw and two Common Buzzard were at Flixton.


Wren by JanandGary Powell.

Friday 24 February 2023

Friday 24th February

 A Great Northern Diver flew north past Cornelian early this morning and possibly the same bird passed Long Nab shortly afterwards. Also north past Long Nab this morning were seven Pink-footed Geese, two Shelduck and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. 60 Lapwing flew NW over Middle Lane, Hutton Buscel and four Lesser Redpoll were at Seamer Tip pool. 53 Wigeon, 23 Coot, one Goldeneye, 83 Lapwing, one Great crested Grebe and four Oystercatcher were at North Yorkshire Water Park (Wykeham East Lake). 42 Whooper Swans were in the filed near to Ings Farm, Long Causeway Road, Wykeham. A Raven was heard at Stoupe Brow, a Great Egret was at Ruston Carr bridge and a Little Egret was at Brompton. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Scalby Mills.

Displaying Goldeneye at Seamer Road Mere by Phil Bennett.

Thursday 23 February 2023

Thursday 23rd February

 A Tawny Owl was calling early morning in the Plaxton Court/ Woodlands Drive area. The Cetti's Warbler was again at the North Yorkshire Water Park (Wykeham Lakes) by the zip line tower also Water Rail. Along Long Causeway Road to Ings Farm there were five Barn Owls, two Grey Plover, 37 Whooper Swans and eight Mute Swans. A Great Northern Diver flew north past Cornelian this morning. Four Barn Owls and five Little Egret were at Cayton Carr and a Short-eared Owl at Seamer Tip. 400 Common Gull, 80 Teal, 150 Lapwing, a Little Egret, two Barn Owl and a Green Woodpecker were at Potter Brompton and single Great White Egret and Little Egret were by Ruston Carr bridge. Approximately 100 Fieldfare, one Jay, one Marsh Tit, 40 Linnets and 20 Tree Sparrows were at Riggs head. A female Goosander and two Goldeneye (M & F) were at Seamer Road Mere. A Great White Egret and a Little Egret were feeding in the River Hertford 200 metres west of Folkton Water Treatment bridge late afternoon and a Grey Heron and Common Buzzard were also in the area. A drake Eider flew north past Long Nab this morning and six Goosander were at Harwood Dale Lake.


Barn Owl by Stephen Beaver.


Wednesday 22 February 2023

Wednesday 22nd February

 A Little Egret and a Short-eared Owl were seen at Wykeham Carrs this morning and a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 210 Lapwing, 25 Wigeon, six Teal, two Marsh Tit and two Grey Partridge were at Wykeham East Lake. Two Brambling were amongst Chaffinches at Cockmoor Hall Car Park and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was at the NYCC yard at Dean Road. Two Little Egrets and four Common Buzzard were noted at Brompton Butts.


Brambling at Cockmoor Hall Car Park by Christopher Bell.

Tuesday 21 February 2023

Tuesday 21st February

 On the Water Sports Lake at North Yorkshire Water Park (Wykeham Lakes) this morning, there were six Gadwall, 18 Tufted Duck, nine Goldeneye, one Goosander, two Great crested Grebe, one Kingfisher and four singing Reed Bunting on territories. Three Sparrowhawks were in the air over Burniston. Passing north at Long Nab this morning were 382+ Pink-footed Geese and 91 Skylarks (+23 S). 10 Goosander, one Shelduck, approximately 150 Wigeon, one Oystercatcher and approximately 50 Lapwing were at Harwood Dale Lake. A first-winter Little Gull flew in there mid-morning with Black-headed and Common Gulls.  A Short-eared Owl and one Barn Owl were at Long Causeway, Wykeham late afternoon. The Black-throated Thrush at Wykeham had not been seen since 1320hrs yesterday.

Dunlin and Purple Sandpiper at the harbour roost by Steve Wignill.

Monday 20 February 2023

Monday 20th February

 The BLACK-THROATED THRUSH continued to entertain birders at Wykeham today from far and wide, offering some excellent photographic opportunities to capture memories of this rare bird. A Snow Bunting flew south past Long Nab early morning and a Raven flew south west over Snainton. The high tide roost at the harbour this afternoon hosted a single Dunlin, 36 Purple Sandpiper and 39 Turnstone. A Stonechat was on Marine Drive. A Tawny Owl was calling late evening in West Ayton.


Black-throated Thrush at Wykeham by John Harwood, Malcolm Gladman and Steve Race respectively.

Sunday 19 February 2023

Sunday 19th February

 A first-winter male BLACK-THROATED THRUSH was found at lunchtime by  raptor viewpoint regular Jason Higgins from West Yorkshire, having stopped to walk his dog. The bird was loosely associating with a mixed flock of thrushes on Cockmoor Road, Wykeham and a short distance west of Wykeham Nurseries. It showed on an off in a small conifer edged field until dusk. This is the first record for the area for a species whose range is from eastern Russia through to Siberia and south to the Alti region. The Cetti's Warbler and a Willow Tit were at North Yorkshire Water Park (Wykeham Lakes) this morning and 20 Whooper Swans remained in a field near to Ings Farm, Long Causeway, Wykeham. Six Northern Goshawks were seen from Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint. Three Common Buzzards and a Peregrine Falcon were over the disused quarry at Cockrah Road and three Bullfinches and a flock of Yellowhammers were nearby. A drake Pochard and two Oystercatchers were at Burton Riggs and two Oystercatchers were at Seamer Tip Pool. Two Little Egrets and a Stonechat were by the River Hertford at Flixton Carr and 30 Skylarks, four Meadow Pipits and 40 Linnets were on waste ground on the Seamer side of the tip. The monthly BTO WeBS Core Count at Seamer Road this morning included the long staying Whooper Swan, three Gadwall, 27 Tufted Duck, 56 Mallard, 66 Moorhen, 48 Coot and four Little Grebe. 16 Magpies were in a single tree on Oliver's Mount. 5 Short-eared Owls Seamer tip.

Black-throated Thrush at Cockmoor Road by Christopher Bell.

Saturday 18 February 2023

Saturday 18th February

 The Cetti's Warbler was still present at North Yorkshire Water Park (Wykeham Lakes) near to the climbing wall by Predator Lake. A second calendar year Mediterranean Gull was on East Lake with 52 Wigeon, three Oystercatcher, approximately 400 Lapwing, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Kingfisher. 80 Wigeon, two Goosander, 13 Gadwall, eight Great crested Grebe, one Little Grebe, seven Oystercatcher, 650+ Lapwing, two Marsh Tit, two Treecreeper and a Goldcrest were around the complex. 31 Whooper Swans were with Mute Swans above Ings Farm, Wykeham and a Water Rail was again showing on Long Causeway Road by the feeders gate. A Barn Owl, five Bullfinch and a Jay were also at Long Causeway Road. Eight Teal were on Seamer Tip Pool this morning and the long staying Whooper Swan and a female Goosander were on Seamer Road Mere. Six Common Buzzard, a pair of Raven, approximately 12 Brambling feeding on beech mast with Chaffinches near the car park, one Nuthatch and several Siskins were at Cockrah Road, West Ayton. A Raven was also noted over Ruston. On the Crosscliffe to Jerry Noddle circuit at Dalby Forest today there were two Northern Goshawk, two Common Buzzard, eight Common Crossbill and a mixed flock in the conifer contained at least four Lesser Redpoll, nine Brambling, 60 Siskin and Chaffinch and Goldfinch. In the Adderstones area, there were still at least 20 Brambling in beech trees along the road. A Lesser Black-backed Gull and seven Ringed Plovers were at Scalby Mills and at Jackson's Bay and Scalby Lodge area there were 49 Oystercatcher, two Purple Sandpiper, 39 Turnstone, one Dunlin, 64 Redshank, 11 Curlew, 1,200 Woodpigeon and a male Stonechat. The high tide roost at Gristhorpe Bay held 158 Curlew, 57 Oystercatcher, 15 Purple Sandpiper, four Redshank, four Turnstone, one Lapwing and two pairs of Stonechat. In the Flower of May area there were 152 Wigeon, five Moorhen, four Mallard, two Tufted Duck, two Coot, two Canada Geese, one Cormorant, two Grey Partridge and a Woodcock.


Part of the herd of Whooper Swans at Ings Farm, Wykeham by Christopher Bell.

Friday 17 February 2023

Friday 17th February

 Wykeham was once again in the limelight today. 20 Goldeneye, 550 Lapwing and a Willow Tit were at East Lake this morning and a ringtail Hen Harrier flew north over there at approximately 1600hrs.  The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was again seen mid afternoon. A Barn Owl was hunting the bank. In addition to the East Lake sightings, one Jack Snipe, four Common Snipe, one Goosander, 76 Wigeon, eight Oystercatchers and eight Great crested Grebe were noted on the North Yorkshire Water Park complex. A remarkable 10 Barn Owls were noted on Long Causeway to Ings Farm, Wykeham. Two were by Ings Bridge, two at the River Derwent banks in the Ings Farm area with a further two simultaneously more distant towards towards Hertford Dale and two towards Heybridge Farm. Finally, two more were on roadside fence  posts towards Charm Park. A Barn Owl was also noted flying north over the A170 over the Downe Arms at Wykeham. Approximately 40 Whooper Swans were in fields at Ings Farm with Mute Swans. 


Great Tit in flight at Forge Valley by Ray Maddison.

Thursday 16 February 2023

Thursday 16th February



 Most of today's activity was centred around the North Yorkshire Water Park (Wykeham Lakes) and its environs. A Dark-bellied Brent Goose was with the feral greylag Goose flock at Wykeham East Lake and a first winter Caspian Gull there flew east from there. The complex hosted an Egyptian Goose, one Pintail, two Shoveler, 29 Gadwall, 23 Goldeneye, two drake Goosander, three Little Grebe, approximately 60 Canada Geese, two Water Rail, 67 Coot, five Common Snipe, one Jack Snipe, one Kingfisher and the Cetti's Warbler still present by the climbing tower. 51 Whooper Swans were with six Mute Swans in afield prior to Ings Farm, Long Causeway Road, Wykeham and two Barn Owls and two Yellowhammer were also present. Elsewhere, a pair of Blackcap were in Quaker Close off Woodlands Drive and at Lowdales, Hackness, there was one Northern Goshawk, five Common Buzzard, three Teal, 18 Stock Dove, one Marsh Tit and 45 plus Siskin. 15 Lapwing flew SW there

Chaffinch by Caroline Garrod.



Dark-bellied Brent Goose Wykeham East Lake by Nick Addey

Wednesday 15 February 2023

Wednesday 15th February

 Two Little Egrets were at Brompton Butts and a displaying pair of Grey Wagtails were at Brompton Ponds. 26 Purple Sandpipers were on the sea defences at the harbour this morning and three Mediterranean Gulls were at Holbeck. Three Northern Goshawk, six Common Crossbill and a Marsh Tit were seen at Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint, a male Blackcap visited a Stepney garden and a male Reed Bunting was an unusual visitor to a garden in Curlew Drive, Crossgates. Four Mediterranean Gulls ( three adults and a third calendar year bird ) were at Scalby Mills. A colour ringed Black-headed Gull bearing a yellow darvic ring with characters TAAJ which as seen at Scalby Mills on 13th February was ringed as a chick at Skoki Duze, Poland on 14.6.2019. It was also seen at Scalby Mills on 12th February 2021, a similar date to the latest sighting. Two Shelduck, 85 Wigeon, one Shoveler and 12 Goosander were at Harwood Dale Lake. 40 Greylag Geese were in a field off Saltpans Road, Cloughton In the Mowthorpe Farm bridge area today there was one Common Buzzard, one Kestrel, three Grey Heron, three Bullfinch, one Yellowhammer and a Tawny Owl was calling along the sea cut. And finally, two Hawfinches were reported in an area of beech trees near North Moor, Wykeham Forest.


Adult Mediterranean Gull acquiring summer plumage at Holbeck by Jamie Johnson.

Tuesday 14 February 2023

Tuesday 14th February

 Passing south at Long Nab by 1000hrs were five Lapwing, one Common Snipe, 10 Golden Plover and 32 Skylarks. 24 Pink-footed Geese later flew west over Fields Farm, Long Nab. A Short-eared Owl was still showing over the last field on the left before the bridge on Long Causeway Road, Wykeham. Nine Ringed Plover, two Common Gull and a Red-throated Diver flew south at Scalby Mills.


Barn Owl by JanandGary Powell.

Monday 13 February 2023

Monday 13th February

 10 Common Crossbill flew south over Seamer Mead at 1010hrs and four Common Buzzard and six Grey Heron were noted at Mowthorpe Bridge. A herd of 38 Whooper Swans were in a field next to Ings Farm, Wykeham and a Barn Owl was hunting that area. A Little Egret, drake Goosander, 72 Wigeon, nine Goldeneye and two Oystercatcher were at the North Yorkshire Water Park. Four Fieldfare were at Jugger Howe and three Red Grouse were between Jugger Howe and Lilla Rigg. Six Common Crossbill, four Siskin and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were at the top end of Langdale Forest. There was no sign of yesterday's Great Grey Shrike. 14 Ringed Plover, an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and two Mediterranean Gulls (adult and 3rd calendar year) were at Scalby Mills late afternoon.


Long-tailed Tit by Caroline Garrod.



Sunday 12 February 2023

Sunday 12th February

 A Great Grey Shrike was showing at the north end of Langdale Forest near to Lilla Rigg and a ringtail Hen Harrier flew towards Derwent Head. A Mealy Redpoll was with approximately 20 Lesser Redpoll at SE913958. Three Green Woodpeckers were seen together and three Brambling and 12 plus Common Crossbill were around the forest. In the Dalby/Haygate area today there was one Willow Tit, two Common Crossbill, eight Lesser Redpoll and 36 Siskin and a Blackcap frequented a Pickering garden. A Hawfinch was in trees to the east of the Old Chapel in Troutsdale this morning and a single Northern Goshawk was seen at Wykeham. The Short-eared Owl continued to show well at Long Causeway Road, Wykeham this morning along with a Barn Owl and a Jay. A female Common Scoter flew north at Scalby Mills and a Red-throated Diver, two Shag, a Razorbill and nine Guillemot were off Marine Drive. 36 Carrion Crows one Pochard and one Oystercatcher were at Burton Riggs and a Short-eared Owl was seen near Crossgates. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming south of the railway near Seamer Tip Pools and a Great Black backed Gull was at the pool. 210 Greylag Geese, nine Gadwall, 10 Shoveler (8 drakes) and 45 Teal were at Scampston Lake. At North Yorkshire Water Park there were 11 Gadwall, 61 Wigeon, 13 Goldeneye, a drake Goosander, seven Great crested Grebe and 360 Lapwing. A Great Northern Diver flew north at Long Nab and two Pink-footed Geese flew south there. A Bittern was found and photographed in flight in the half light at the Predator Lake (Zip Wire Lake) at North Yorkshire Water Park. 5 Short-eared Owls Seamer tip.


Bittern in flight at the Predator Lake (Zip Wire Lake) at North Yorkshire Water Park by Simon Temlett.


Saturday 11 February 2023

Saturday 11th February

 Troutsdale bridge area hosted two Northern Goshawk, one Willow Tit, two Marsh Tit, four Siskin, one Great Spotted Woodpecker and one Nuthatch. 152 Lapwing, two Oystercatcher, seven Goosander, two Shelduck, 49 Wigeon, 10 Teal, one Bullfinch and two Yellowhammer were at Harwood Dale Lake. There was a wholly unconfirmed report of a first-winter Caspian Gull on rocks at Scalby Mills at 1137hrs but was not seen again by early afternoon. A female Goosander was on Peasholm Park Lake. Long Nab sightings today included two Common Snipe on the scrape, six Curlew, 23 Oystercatcher, three Redshank, four Turnstone and two Red-throated Divers in the bay. 11 Reed Bunting and a Yellowhammer were in the area of the cover crop. A Short-eared Owl, calling male Tawny Owl, two Barn Owls and three Sparrowhawks were at Long Causeway Road, Wykeham this afternoon and 21 plus Whooper Swans were with 18 Mute Swans on fields to the south of North Yorkshire Water Park.


Short-eared Owl at Long Causeway Road, Wykeham by Simon Temlett.


Friday 10 February 2023

Friday 10th February

 A Red Kite was mobbed by gulls as it flew over Newby this morning and one Teal and five Grey Heron were at Johnson's Marsh. A male Merlin was chasing finch and thrush flocks at Wykeham Nursery  and three Bullfinches were at Hay Lane, Scalby. Two Little Grebe, two Barn Owls and six Collared Doves were at Selley Bridge Farm and approximately 300 Fieldfare were also at Low Marishes this afternoon.


Rook portrait by Beverley Senturk.


Thursday 9 February 2023

Thursday 9th February

 Two Song Thrushes were the highlight at the Italian Gardens this morning and at Harwood Dale Forest there were 10 Siskin and eight Coal Tit. 100 Starling, 50 Fieldfare and 50 Redwing were in fields to the south of Ravenscar mast. Five Lesser Redpoll were at Burton Riggs this morning and at Brompton Ponds at lunch time there was one Little Egret, nine Gadwall, three Teal, eight Tufted Duck and three Little Grebe. 37 Whooper Swans and 18 Mute Swans were in fields to the south of Long Causeway Road, Wykeham this afternoon. 13 Goldeneye, a drake Goosander and three Common Buzzard were at the Water Sports Lake (South Lake) at Wykeham and a Raven flew west there. Three Northern Goshawk and five Common Buzzard were seen from Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint. 


European Starling by Paul Tozer.

Wednesday 8 February 2023

Wednesday 8th February

 A Northern Goshawk was seen at Wykeham Forest early this morning and another Northern Goshawk flew over Burton Riggs where five Lesser Redpoll, an Oystercatcher and a Pochard were present. Approximately 600 Lapwings were at the East Lake at North Yorkshire Water Park and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming at the Causeway, Wykeham. Two Common Buzzards flew east there.  18 Grey Heron were in a field at Mowthorpe Farm and seven Common Buzzard and a male Kestrel were behind the Everley Café. Two Common Buzzard were at Suffield and a male and female Northern Goshawk were seen from Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint early afternoon. An estimated four Northern Goshawk were seen from Barns Cliff, Broxa at lunchtime along with eight Common Buzzard, seven Common Crossbill, 14 Siskin and 10 Linnet. A Black Redstart was on the sea defences on Marine Drive just north of the Fun Fair and Teapot Café at 1130hrs.

Coal Tit by Caroline Garrod.

Tuesday 7 February 2023

Tuesday 7th February

 Two Red-throated Divers were off Marine Drive this morning and yesterday's Peregrine Falcons were at Castle Headland. Four Teal and two Grey Heron were on Johnson's Marsh and 65 Pink-footed Geese flew west over Stepney. Four Goosander were on the sea off Crook Ness and two Skylark were over the fields there. An Oystercatcher was at Burton Riggs and the Dark-bellied Brent Goose flew in with the feral goose flock. Four Shelduck landed in Jackson's Bay where 17 Ringed Plover were on the rocks. Two Reed Bunting and were on the cliff top and a Skylark was in song at Scalby Lodge. The resident Whooper Swan was at Seamer Road Mere and eight Whooper Swans were on the fields to the south of the North Yorkshire Water Park along with 10 Mute Swans and a Barn Owl. 256 Wigeon were counted at Scalby Mills and  a Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard were noted at Ayton Castle. A Tawny Owl was calling along Scalby Beck behind Scholes Park Road this evening and another Tawny Owl calling in Middle Lane, Hutton Buscel

Nuthatch at Forge Valley by Christopher Bell.

Monday 6 February 2023

Monday 6th February

 A Red Kite flew south west over Barmoor Lane, Scalby early this morning and the drake Pochard and Dark-bellied Brent Goose were again at Burton Riggs. Eight Common Crossbill and four Siskin were near the Raptor Viewpoint Car Park at Wykeham. A Redshank was in the outer harbour and two Peregrine Falcons (one immature unringed bird) were on Castle Headland. A comprehensive check of the North Yorkshire Water Park complex at Wykeham revealed one Egyptian Goose, 150+ Teal, 27 Gadwall, 51 Wigeon, a drake Pintail, three Shoveler, a drake Goosander, 28 Goldeneye, one Water Rail, two Oystercatcher, one singing Willow Tit and the CETTI'S WARBLER still present by the climbing tower. 131 Pink-footed Geese flew north west in two skeins. A Great Egret was on the River Derwent east of Sherburn. Two Shelduck were in Jackson's Bay and a Stonechat was on the cliffs above.

Sing Thrush by Martin Moseley.

Sunday 5 February 2023

Sunday 5th February

 A drake Pochard, Dark-bellied Brent Goose and an Oystercatcher was at Burton Riggs at 0810hrs this morning and two Little Grebe were also seen there. An adult and a second calendar year Mediterranean Gull were following a plough along with Black-headed Gulls on a field at Long Lane, Crossgates. A Water Rail was again at Long Causeway Road, Wykeham where two Barn Owls were hunting. Two drake and two female Goldeneye and two Gadwall were at Seamer Road Mere and a redhead Goosander was at Peasholm Park Lake. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming near Seamer Tip Pools and a Tawny Owl was seen at Suffield Heights. Four Goosander, 11 Teal, 65 Wigeon, one Tufted Duck and 68 Lapwing were at Harwood Dale Lake. Three Tree Sparrow, 30 Chaffinch and one Yellowhammer were at the feeders opposite The Mill Inn and five Crossbill, two Siskin, and one Common Buzzard were at Harwood Dale. A Barn Owl was in a tree at Valley Bridge Gardens (2nd time in 10 days) and another Barn Owl was seen hunting in Newlands Road. Five Mediterranean Gulls (3 x 2nd calendar years and 2 adults) were at Holbeck.


Barn Owl at Wykeham by Simon Temlett.

Saturday 4 February 2023

Saturday 4th February

 A female Tawny Owl was calling at 0420hrs at Burniston and a Barn Owl was hunting in Roxby Manor Fields, Thornton Dale. A female Goosander was at Peasholm Park along with a charm of 26 Goldfinch and approximately 80 Starlings were on a field off Carr Lane, East Ayton. 31 Fulmar were counted on Castle Headland and approximately 170 Lapwing flew south over Seamer Tip Pool. A Mediterranean Gull was at Seamer Road Mere along with the resident Whooper Swan and two Mistle Thrush were between Cloughton and Burniston. A Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl, one Willow Tit and four Marsh Tit were at Long Causeway Road, Wykeham.


Grey Wagtail at Peasholm by Martin Moseley.

Friday 3 February 2023

Friday 3rd February

 A Great Northern Diver remained off the harbour mouth this morning and a pair of Goosander were in North Bay. A Mediterranean Gull was at Holbeck Car Park and the now resident Whooper Swan was at Seamer Road Mere. At least three Tawny Owls were heard/seen or seen in East Ayton this evening and a male Tawny Owl was calling in Burniston. A Great Egret and a Short-eared Owl were noted at Wykeham.

Bathing Goldcrest by JanandGary Powell.

Thursday 2 February 2023

Thursday 2nd February

 The CETTI'S WARBLER was again singing by the climbing tower at the North Yorkshire Water Park. Two  Marsh Tits were singing by the Trout Lake and a calling Willow Tit was along the west edge of the Water Sports Lake. A Little Egret, three Goosander, a female Common Scoter, 17 Goldeneye, 68 Teal, five Wigeon, 34 Gadwall, three Shoveler, 11 Little Grebe, one Oystercatcher, 88 Lapwing, one Woodcock, one Lesser Black-backed Gull were also present with a Short-eared Owl and Barn Owl nearby. A Green Sandpiper was on the small pool by Seamer Tip railway bridge and a Dark-bellied Brent Goose was at Seamer Tip Pool. A drake Pochard was at Burton Riggs and 19 Pink-footed Geese were at Deepdale Carr. One drake and one redhead Goosander were at Seamer Road Mere. At Wrench Green/Northstile this morning there were four plus Jays, a pair of Kestrels, four Mistle Thrush (one in song), four Redwing, one Willow Tit, three plus Marsh Tit, three Nuthatch and two drake Mandarin were on the river. Seven Grey Heron were at Johnson's Marsh, and at Newlands Dale Pond there was one Kestrel, four Teal, and single Great Spotted Woodpecker, Marsh Tit and Bullfinch.

Second calendar year Peregrine Falcon by Scarborough Porpoise.

Wednesday 1 February 2023

Wednesday 1st February

 A strong wind resulted in just a couple of reports today. A Great Northern Diver was outside the harbour mouth early this morning and the Polish ringed adult Mediterranean Gull, PNN5, was at Burton Riggs at lunchtime.


Female Common Crossbill at Wykeham Forest by Ray Maddison.