Tuesday 31st October

 20 Waxwings at Hovingham Drive this afternoon. Highlights past Long Nab included 3 Velvet Scoter, 2 Little Gulls, a Black-throated Diver, and Merlin. 

The harbour Great Crested Grebe - Mark Hepples.

Monday 30th October

 An Egyptian Goose at Burton Riggs. Two Blackcaps at Burniston and one at Long Nab. The Red-throated Diver and Great Crested Grebe in the harbour. Kingfisher on rocks at Scalby Mills. A single Waxwing on Limestone Road, Burniston late morning.

Goldcrest Long Nab - Nick Addey 

Sunday 29th October

 Six Waxwings were at Limestone Road, Burniston mid-afternoon. The Great Crested Grebe was still in the harbour. A Short-eared Owl flew in off the sea at Jackson's Bay, also 3 Grey Plover there. 

Yesterday's Shag at Peasholm Park, sadly didn't make it through the night - Martin Moseley. 

Saturday 28th October

 A Ring Ouzel was calling from trees early morning at Whin Bank. A Black Redstart was on the cliffs south of the town and a late Common Redstart was at Stoupe Brow. 3 Waxwings flew over Burniston towards Scalby and a late Garden Warbler was at Scalby Mills railway terminus. Blackcaps were at Crossgates and the Castle and single Woodcock flew in off the sea near Cromer Point and north of the Castle. Another Woodcock was near Yons Nab.  A Kingfisher was off Marine Drive and flew towards Scalby Mills. 2 Brambling were at Cloughton Newlands. 40 Gadwall were the highlight at Seamer Tip Pool and two Red throated Divers were off Marine Drive. A juvenile Great crested Grebe remained in the harbour with a Shag. A Chiffchaff was near Mount Pleasant Farm, Lebberston and approximately 20 Goldcrests at the Castle. Pink footed Geese were moving again today; 454 south over Mount Pleasant Farm, skeins of 120, 50 and 25 south over Scalby Mills, 38 south east over Cloughton Wyke, 60 south east over Seamer Tip Pools and 45 west over Thornton Dale. A Shag was at Peasholm Park.

Garden Warbler at Scalby Mills by Mark Hepples.

Friday 27th October

 A Russian White-fronted Goose flew north at Long Nab with a skein of Pink-footed Geese. Two Twite were in the Linnet flock there. A drake Eider flew north past Marine Drive. At East Lake (NY Water Park) were 96 Wigeon, 23 Teal, 3 Gadwall, and a Goldeneye. Potter Brompton Carr held 111 Teal, 2 Goldeneye, Great White Egret, 4 Little Egrets, 5 Marsh Harriers, Peregrine,4 Snipe, 280 Fieldfare, Barn Owl, and 46 Pink-footed Geese flew east. The Great Crested Grebe was still in the harbour together with a Red-throated Diver.

Shag Marine Drive - Chris Bell 

Thursday 26th October

Three late Swallows flew south past Long Nab, and a little later past Cayton Bay. Also 3 Twite flew south along the cliffs at Long Nab, plus a Garden Warbler at Crook Ness. A Pintail was with the Wigeon at Scalby Mills. A Woodcock at Castle Hill. 10 Purple Sandpipers, 22 Turnstones at East Pier high tide roost. The Great Crested Grebe still in the harbour, 2 Shags around the harbour and a Dark-bellied Brent Goose flew south past Marine Drive. Migrants at Ravenscar included a Ring Ouzel, 150 Blackbirds, 300 Redwing, a Chiffchaff, and 15 Goldcrests. Eight Waxwing around Nightingale Lane, Crossgates mid-morning.

Blue Tit with deformed bill Forge Valley - Terry Crook 

Wednesday 25th October

 Good numbers of thrushes etc were arriving from the east today.....minimum counts at Long Nab were 2 Waxwings, 1500 Redwing, 600 Fieldfare, 400 Blackbirds, Ring Ouzel, 20 Brambling, Common Redpoll. In the Cromer Point area were 35 Blackbirds, 12 Redwing, 6 Fieldfare, 12 Goldcrests, and 5 Common Redpoll. Castle Hill had 35 Goldcrests, Chiffchaff, Siberian Chiffchaff, and a Brambling. Two Common Redpolls were at South Cliff. At Potter Brompton Carr; Pink-footed Goose, 75 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 2 Goldeneye, Great White Egret, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Marsh Harriers, a Swallow (flew NW), 190 Fieldfare, 120 Starling, and a Cetti's Warbler. A Woodcock flew in off the sea at Marine Drive. Two Goosanders at Peasholm Park Lake.

Jay North Yorkshire Water Park - Terry Hobson 

Tuesday 24th October

 A wet morning with NE winds brought an increase in migrants to Castle Hill by this afternoon. A Mealy Redpoll was on the north side. A minimum of 24 Goldcrests, 33 Robins plus 2 Chiffchaffs. Two Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew north. A Brambling and Chiffchaff at Long Nab. The Red-throated Diver was still on the Water Sports Lake at NY Water Park. 42 Wigeon, 16 Ringed Plovers at Scalby Mills. Two Brambling, 11 Greenfinches in a Cayton garden. 

Barn Owl Cayton Carrs - Phil Bennett 

Monday 23rd October

 The impressive Shag movements continue; 145 south past Long Nab this morning. Also south past were 3 Brambling, 41 Twite, and a Lapland Bunting. Five Goosanders flew south past Scalby Mills. Two Ravens flew north at Pickering. 120 Pink-footed Geese SW over Crossgates. Two Shags, and the Great Crested Grebe still in the harbour. In Dalby Forest, a Green Woodpecker at Dixons, Willow Tit at Bickley, Crossbills widespread. 22 Gadwall Seamer tip pool. A redhead Goosander at Seamer Road mere. Seven Willow Tits between Wrench Green and Northstile.

Juvenile Shag in the harbour - Phil Bennett 

Sunday 22nd October

 Two Black Redstarts at Mount Pleasant Farm, Redcliffe. Also Twite at nearby Yons Nab, a Little Gull south there, 3 Golden Plover in off, and a Blackcap. A Purple Sandpiper in Burniston Bay, 3 Little Gulls in fields north of Cromer Point, 50 Pink-footed Geese south there. A Short-eared Owl flew in off the sea at Holbeck.  A Red-throated Diver inland at the Water Sports Lake of North Yorkshire Water Park (2nd site record). 22 Russian White-fronted Geese flew in off the sea over Jackson's Bay and continued SW late morning. A Jack Snipe at Long Nab. 20 Crossbills south over town, 3 south over Johnson's Marsh. Dipper again at Scalby Mills. Good numbers of Brambling in the Dixon's area of Dalby Forest totalling 40+, also c20 near Crosscliffe.

Red-throated Diver NY Water Park - Mitch Kelly.

Saturday 21st October

 Highlights today included a Grey Phalarope feeding off Long Nab this morning, a ringtail Hen Harrier north, 2 Common Cranes SW there mid-afternoon, and a Red Kite south, also 126 Little Gulls, Sandwich & Common Terns past. Short-eared Owls were arriving again, three at  South Cliff and two at Long Nab, the latter also having a distant unidentified asio owl high north. Yellow-browed Warblers were at Scalby Mills, and again at Holbeck. A Little Egret flew south over Castle Road, 50 Blackbirds, 20 Song Thrushes at nearby Castle Hill. At South Cliff a Ring Ouzel was at the south end of the golf course, and 2 Long-tailed Ducks, and a Velvet Scoter flew south. A Goosander at Seamer Rd Mere. Two Waxwings were at Crossgates, but mobile. A Ring Ouzel at Jackson's Bay, 2 Woodcocks flew in off the sea. South Cliff and Long Nab also recorded Woodcocks today. Four Mandarins, 3 Willow Tits at Wrench Green. Three Purple Sandpipers, Great Crested Grebe at the harbour. NY Water Park (East Lake): Goldeneye, 3 Pink-footed Geese, Curlew, Fieldfare, 12 Redwing, 9 Siskin. 

Little Gull Long Nab - Chris Bell 

Friday 20th October

 A day of easterly gales and heavy rain. Difficult conditions for birding but a few were out and about. A long seawatch at Long Nab was less fruitful than hoped, highlights were Pomarine and 10 Arctic Skuas, 45 Little Gulls and a Velvet Scoter past. The Great Crested Grebe was still in the harbour. Little Grebe, 44 Wigeon Johnson's Marsh. The sheltered south side of Castle Hill held 30 Blackbirds, 5 Song Thrushes and 5 Redwing.  25 Blackbirds, 5 Brambling along South Cliff. 

Heavy seas today! - Phil Bennett 

Thursday 19th October

 A busy day with many thrushes and robins grounded owing to rain along the coast,  Redwing were arriving in off the sea this morning and quickly moving inland with 15 west over East Ayton, 32 west over Scalby Mills and over the town. At Ravenscar there were 250 Fieldfare, 200 Redwing, 60 Blackbird, five Song Thrush, 4 Brambling, one Chiffchaff, one Goldcrest, 45 Starling, 30 Robin and two Grey Wagtail. On Castle Hill today, one Ring Ouzel, 50 Blackbird, 30 Song Thrush, 25 Robin, one Blackcap and two Goldcrest. A Little Auk flew south off the harbour and a juvenile Whooper Swan was on Bogle Hole Beck. A Red Kite flew over the A64 one mile west of Sherburn. A juvenile Great crested Grebe and a Red-throated Diver were in the Harbour and two Little Egret were at Red Cliff. A male Blackcap, six Gadwall and eight Tufted Duck were at Seamer Road Mere. Nine species of wildfowl flew south past South Cliff in addition to two Short-eared Owls, 329 Redwing and 328 Skylark. A Great Northern Diver flew north there, with a number of thrushes and robins grounded. A Yellow-browed Warbler was just below Holbeck Car Park. 10 Mediterranean Gulls in South Bay. 12 species of wildfowl past Long Nab today including two Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Also past Long Nab on a protracted watch were two Great Egrets flew south, three Short-eared Owls flew in off the sea. A Red-necked Grebe, 86 Shags and an Arctic Skua north. Eight Little Gulls also passed. Two Jack Snipe, one flushed on Cleveland Way and one at Hundale. A Ring Ouzel and a Yellow-browed Warbler were at the ringing plantation and a second Yellow-browed Warbler was at  Cliff Top House. Five Brambling were at Crook Ness.

Juvenile Great crested Grebe in the harbour by Phil Bennett.

Wednesday 18th October

 Despite the SE winds it was quiet in Scarborough. At Potter Brompton Carr; 4 Little Egrets, Great White Egret, Dunlin,  4 Marsh Harriers (all juvs), 11 Wigeon, 6 Teal. 12 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin at Scalby Mills. A Great Crested Grebe in the harbour. East Lake at NY Water Park; 43 Teal, 46 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 13 Tufted Duck, 2 Marsh Tits. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose flew north past Marine Drive. 5 Brambling, redpoll sp., Chiffchaff, 20 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare Castle Hill. 44 Shags north at Long Nab. A Brambling at Cayton.

Brambling Cayton - Paul Tozer

Tuesday 17th October

 A Little Auk was photographed from The Queensferry off Marine Drive late morning. It could not be relocated. Highlights past Long Nab included a lingering juvenile Glaucous Gull, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Velvet Scoter, Goldeneye, 4 Little Gulls, 9 Arctic Terns, 74 Shags. A Merlin was seen several times at Long Nab. 15 Ringed Plovers, and 56 Wigeon at Scalby Mills. A Woodcock moved through a Gristhorpe Garden. Kingfishers at Peasholm Park, and Marine Drive. 

Ringed Plovers Scalby Mills - Phil Bennett 

Monday 16th October

 Bird of the day was a Hawfinch photographed in the canopy of woodland at Cayton Bay late morning, before leaving south at 11.50. A long seawatch at Long Nab produced the first Black-throated Diver of the year, two Great Northern Divers, 77 Red-throated Divers, 8 Red-breasted Mergansers, 49 Shags, 13 Little Gulls, a Sandwich Tern, 4 Common & 11 Arctic Terns, a Pomarine Skua, Puffin, and a site record movement of Rock Pipits, 54 north, 4 south. The usual Kingfisher at the Open Air Theatre. 

Red-throated Diver past Marine Drive - Phil Bennett 

Sunday 15th October

 200 Pink-footed Geese south over Newlands this morning. 25 Wigeon, 2 Kingfishers at Johnson's Marsh. Highlights from this morning's seawatch at Long Nab; 12 Barnacle Geese, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 5 Goosanders, 1 Goldeneye, 10 Common Terns, 17 Arctic Terns, 4 Great and one Arctic Skua, an adult Great Northern Diver. A Merlin at Cromer Point flew towards Long Nab. A Kittiwake at Scalby Mills.

Cormorant Scalby Mills - Martin Moseley. 

Saturday 14th October

 Potter Brompton Carr had nine Whooper Swans, 125 Pink-footed Geese (south/SW), 4 Little Egrets, 40 Wigeon, 2 Marsh Harriers. Goosander and Kingfisher at Peasholm Park. A Dipper at Scalby Mills. Two Ravens north over Seamer tip pool, also there 110 Pink-footed Geese SW, 16 Gadwall, 8 Teal, 3 Shoveler, Mediterranean Gull (1cy), Kingfisher, 2 Grey Partridge. 60 Pink-footed Geese north over Gristhorpe. A Raven SW over Cayton Bay. At NY Water Park; Egyptian Goose, 9 Whooper Swans, 90 Teal, Pintail, Lbb Gull, 2 Crossbills (flew north). Highlights past Long Nab; 558 Pink-footed Geese, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, Great Skua, Little Gull, 13 Common Terns.

Kingfisher Peasholm Park Lake - Martin Moseley. 

Friday 13th October

 Five southbound Whooper Swans were tracked along the coast mid-afternoon from Ravenscar to South Bay. Heavy rain to the south had Pink-footed Geese flying north this afternoon; 420 over town, then Long Nab. Another skein of 400 north over North Yorkshire Water Park around the same time. 100+ Lapwing south there also.  A Merlin flew north at Long Nab late afternoon, plus a Sandwich Tern south. Two Chiffchaffs new in there. 

Purple Sandpipers on East Pier - Phil Bennett 

Thursday 12th October

 Another day of Whooper Swan movement; 46 south past Long Nab and three at North Yorkshire Water Park. The latter site also recorded a Water Rail, and two skeins of Pink-footed Geese; 7 + 35, and 2 Stonechats, a cc Marsh Harrier flew SE, also a Redwing present.  210+ Pink-footed Geese SE over West Ayton. 50 Ringed Plover at Scalby Mills. At Long Nab a Snow Bunting in off the sea and north, a Brambling did a similar thing, a Lapland Bunting and Jay flew south, 2 Ravens flew north. 

Red-throated Diver in the harbour - Stuart Baines 

Wednesday 11th October

 A good movement of Whooper Swans southbound today. 27 past Long Nab and 18 over NY Water Park (landed to south) in the morning. The afternoon saw flocks of five and 40 arrive over NY Water Park, again landing near Ings Farm. Eventually the family party of five (3 juveniles) landed at Potter Brompton Carr late afternoon. Three Wheatears were on the rock armour by the harbour, plus 3 Purple Sandpipers in the high tide roost on East Pier. 50 Wigeon, 28 Dunlin at Scalby Mills. Potter Brompton Carr also held a Great White Egret, 5 Little Egrets, and 2 juvenile Marsh Harriers. NY Water Park: East Lake had 29 Pink-footed Geese south, 2 Teal, 15 Wigeon, 24 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, and 2 Chiffchaffs.

One of three Wheatears at the harbour - Phil Bennett 

Tuesday 10th October

 Highlights today included 2 Lapland Buntings at Long Nab. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still there, and a Great Northern Diver flew north, 15 Whooper Swans south. The high tide wader roost at Cromer Point/Burniston Bay held 13 Grey Plover, 29 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin. Three Sandwich Terns, 40 Wigeon at Scalby Mills. A Common Swift feeding over East Ayton late afternoon. 70 Pink-footed Geese in fields at Gristhorpe. Seven Marsh Harriers at Potter Brompton Carr, also Great White Egret, 4 Little Egrets, 80 Wigeon, 70 Goldfinches. 

Whooper Swans passing Long Nab - Nick Addey 

Monday 9th October

 The first Yellow-browed Warbler of autumn was at Long Nab late afternoon, also 65 Redwings. 180 Pink-footed Geese, Pintail, 11 Eider south. The Knot still just north of the Observatory. A Goosander flew south at Castle Hill, 35 Meadow Pipits, 25 Robins, 25 Goldcrest, Blackcap, 2 Stonechats, 4 Chiffchaffs. Cloughton Wyke-Hood Lane; Brambling, 36 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, Chiffchaff. A redhead Goosander at Scalby Mills. 

Knot Long Nab - Chris Bell 

Sunday 8th October

 A big arrival of Scandinavian migrants today. A Firecrest was found on the south side of Castle Hill, two Ring Ouzels at Gristhorpe Cliffs, plus one at Long Nab. A Short-eared Owl around "the scrape" at Long Nab, also a Knot on a nearby flood. A good arrival of Redwing, reports from several areas, 180 over Pickering the largest number,  100 over Sycarham Wood (Cloughton Wyke) , also 70 at Gristhorpe Cliff. Two adults were ringed in Dalby Forest. Birds moving past Long Nab included 2 Brent Geese, and 4 Barnacle Geese. Six Chiffchaffs, 19 Robins, 7 Goldcrests also at Cloughton Wyke.  A Merlin at Cromer Point. Scalby Mills/Beck held a Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 20 Robins, 4 Brambling. A Blackcap at Crook Ness, 25 Goldcrests between Cliff Top House and Pipe Gully at Long Nab. Seven grey Plovers again in the high tide wader roost on rocks at Cromer Point. Highlights at North Yorkshire water Park; Pintail, 9 Gadwall, 62 Teal, 33 Wigeon, Rock Pipit (East Lake again), 44 Robins, 34 Long-tailed Tits, and 4 Chiffchaffs. A Fieldfare, 3 Chiffchaffs at Dalby Haygate. The Gristhorpe Bay high tide roost held 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, 32 Curlews, 7 Turnstone, 86 Oystercatchers.

Ring Ouzel Rocks Lane, Long Nab - Simon Temlett 

Saturday 7th October

 Good numbers of Redwing arriving today; 17 at Jackson's Bay, 16 at Long Nab, 10 at Scalby Beck Rd, and 80 over Cloughton Wyke. Dipper and Kingfisher at Scalby Mills. A Cetti's Warbler  at Seamer tip pool (4th Scarborough record), also there 43 Gadwall, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls. A late Whinchat at Jackson's Bay, also 2 Wheatears there. Waders in the bay included 5 Grey Plovers, and 4 Dunlin. A Short-eared Owl in off the sea at Long Nab, plus a Red Kite flew NW there. 37 Common Terns was a record October count there! Nearby a Fieldfare at Cliff Top House. 

Dipper Scalby Mills - Mark Hepples. 

Friday 6th October

 Two Great White Egrets were at Star Carr. Two Redwings at Gristhorpe. Seven Whooper Swans flew south past Marine Drive, also 260 Pink-footed Geese south there off-shore. Single Ravens flew over Wrench Green and Low Dalby.. Two Great White Egrets at Potter Brompton Carr, 2 Marsh Harriers (fem plus juv) remain there, plus 6 Little Egrets. Two Redwings west over Pickering. A Red-throated Diver off the harbour.

Wigeon at Scalby Mills - Terry Crook. 

Thursday 5th October

 20 Crossbills flew south along the cliffs at South Bay this morning. A Great White Egret was a Cayton Carrs. 21 Wigeon at Scalby Mills. Three Red-throated Divers in North Bay. Kingfisher at the Open Air Theatre. At Long Nab an Eider flew north, 2 Sandwich & 4 Common Terns flew south. A Rock Pipit was inland at East Lake, NY Water Park. Potter Brompton Carr had four Marsh Harriers (2 juveniles and 2 immature males), 4 Little Egrets, a juvenile Peregrine, and six Swallows by the golf course. 

Red-throated Diver North Bay - Stuart Baines 

Wednesday 4th October

 More south-westerlies and another quiet day. The first Jack Snipe of autumn was seen arriving off the sea at Long Nab mid-morning. 31 Wigeon, and 20 Ringed Plover at Scalby Mills. A Little Egret near Ebberston, and a Red Kite near Brompton. A Great White Egret, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Marsh Harriers at Potter Brompton Carr. A Kingfisher at Throxenby Mere. 

Ringed Plover Scalby Mills - Phil Bennett 

Tuesday 3rd October

 A Water Rail was at a small pond at Cayton Bay. 10 Grey Herons at Seamer Road Mere. 15 Crossbills flew south over The Grand Hotel at dawn.  12 Wigeon,10 Ringed Plovers, and 2 Kingfishers at Scalby Mills. At Long Nab a Great Spotted Woodpecker was an unusual visitor to Pipe Gully. Seven Grey Plover were in the high tide roost at Cromer Point/Burniston Bay. 640 Pink-footed Geese flew south, and a Kingfisher flew north over the fields.  A Great White Egret at Star Carr. 

Water Rail Cayton Bay - Chris Bull 

Monday 2nd October

 A few common migrants grounded along the coast today following last night's rain. Extra Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests about, one Blackcap at Crook Ness. Long Nab saw a good southerly movement of 379 Goldfinches this morning. The nearby high tide roost of waders at Cromer Point/Burniston Bay had 6 Grey Plovers, 16 Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshank, and a Dunlin. A Merlin flew north at Long Nab, and 116 Cormorants flew by in flocks (95S, 21N). 31+ Pink-footed Geese were with c550 Greylag Geese at Potter Brompton Carr, also 5 Shoveler, 115 Lapwing, 4 Little Egrets and a Grey Wagtail. A first-winter Kittiwake was in the main harbour. Four Eiders flew south at marine Drive, 200 Pink-footed Geese south over East Ayton, plus 107 inland of Long Nab. 13 Wigeon at Scalby Mills. 

Curlew Scalby Mills - Simon Temlett 

Sunday 1st October

 The first Snow Bunting of autumn flew south along the cliffs at Long Nab this morning, also a flock of 7 Grey Plover, 25 Common and 8 Sandwich Terns, 4 Arctic Skuas,  62 Red-throated Divers south. A 1cy Caspian Gull flew north. Another day of southbound Pink-footed Goose movement on a broad front; a minimum of 788 past. The Scarborough Naturalists boat trip towards Gristhorpe Bay produced 6 Red-throated Divers, 2 Arctic Skuas, and 12 Shags on the rocks at the bay.

First-year Guillemot in the harbour - Mark hepples