Sunday 29th October 2017

This morning the Long-tailed Duck was showing well in the harbour early on before flying out to the north, but it returned later and was still present at 11.05, also 9+ Purple Sandpipers were roosting on the East Pier and nearby off Marine Drive a Little Auk was on the sea close in between 09.40 and 09.45 but then flew off to the north.

Going north at Long Nab today we had 9 Bean Geese, a Whooper Swan, a Wigeon, 16 Mallard, 3 Teal, a Velvet Scoter, 4 Common Scoter, 17 Goldeneye, 21 Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, 2 Manx Shearwater, a Redshank, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 433 Kittiwakes, 3 Little Gulls, an adult Mediterranean Gull, an Arctic Tern and 512 Auk sp., also a Great Skua went south. There were 3 Twite and a Lapland Bunting in the stubble field north of the Obs and the late Whimbrel was still in the area.

The Bearded Tits were present for their third day at the Open Air Theatre and a drake Long-tailed Duck was seen at Cloughton Wyke.

Despite extensive searching of the Cloughton/Newlands Dale area today the interesting flycatcher was not seen all day.

Saturday 28th October 2017

Certainly the highlight of the day was the continued presence of the pair of Bearded Tits in the small reed bed at the Open Air Theatre. Although they showed well occasionally they managed to spend long periods hidden and out of sight only giving away their whereabouts when they called. Patience with these birds was essential but was usually rewarded in the end with some great, close views. At one point during the morning the birds flew off high to the east but after a while they returned and were still present at 16.40 this afternoon. Also in the same area there were a Kingfisher, a Marsh Tit, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Peregrine flew over.

Yesterday’s Long-tailed Duck was still present at the Harbour Mouth and there was a Lapland Bunting in the stubble field to the north of the Obs at Long Nab.

The other bird which attracted much attention today was the late Spotted Flycatcher at Cloughton which was found again today in the vicinity of the bridge on Hood Lane. There are suggestions on the social media that it may be a Mediterranean Flycatcher Muscicapa tyrrhenica which some authorities consider as a species in its own right. The bird showed well all afternoon after it was relocated just before mid-day and many photos were taken to assist with identification as this is a very cryptic species and some say impossible to distinguish from Spotted Flycatcher in the field. Also with some very vigilant observation in the late afternoon a sample of the birds droppings were obtained to be sent off for DNA analysis. Birding really is a different hobby nowadays!!! Nearby there was a Chiffchaff in Newlands Dale.

In the gull flock at Scalby Mills at dusk there was an unringed adult Mediterranean Gull, 25 Common Gulls, 630 Black-headed Gulls, 380 Herring Gulls and 180 Greater Black-backed Gulls.

Friday 27th October 2017

The big discovery today was a pair of Bearded Tits in the small reedbed at the Open Air Theatre; this is only the sixth record of this species for the Scarborough area. Unfortunately the news broke quite late this afternoon and there are a many observers hoping that they will stay overnight and remain in the area tomorrow.

At Long Nab today a Long-tailed Duck, 2 Goldeneye and a Manx Shearwater flew north and at Crook Ness there were a couple of Fieldfares and 8 Curlews in the turnip field. Nearby in Cloughton single Chiffchaffs were reported from both Roger Trod and Newlands Dale.

About 100 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Scalby Mills at 10.00; there were 2 Long-tailed Ducks in South Bay at 08.20 but they soon flew north; in town a Black Redstart was singing on the Grand Hotel and at 15.15 a Long-tailed Duck was showing well at the Harbour Mouth.

At The Mere we had a nice selection of woodland birds including 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 8 Bullfinches, 6 Long-tailed Tits and a Treecreeper and around Cornelian Bay a juvenile Mute Swan was on the sea, a couple of Purple Sandpipers on the rocks and a Chiffchaff was in the Ravine.

Thursday 26th October 2017

The Whimbrel remained around Long Nab for another day and also today 3 Twite and 3 Stonechats were recorded. Also today a couple of Stonechats were along Marine Drive and in Dalby Forest there were 6 Crossbills at Heck Dale, 4 Crossbills at Dixon Hollow, a pair of Stonechats at Bridestones and 140 Pink-footed Geese flew over to the east.

Lastly an unseen flock of Whooper Swans flew over Crossgates at 18.30.

Wednesday 25th October 2017

At Ravenscar c200 Pink-footed Geese moved south at sea and nearby at Stoupe Brow there was a Snow Bunting.

The Long Nab area produced the star of the day which was a Little Bunting but unfortunately it was only seen briefly by one observer. It came in from the north, or possibly from out of the stubble field, before landing on wires and then dropping into scrub. It was not relocated but what was possibly this bird was seen flying off to the south. Also in the area today 170 Pink-footed Geese flew south, a late House Martin flew south, the Whimbrel was still present, in the stubble field to the north of the Obs there were 3 Lapland Buntings and 2 Twite, 47 Redpoll sp. flew south as did 61 Siskin and finally 17 Whooper Swans flew south at 17.10 and then went past Cornelian Bay 10 minutes later.

Also today a skein of about 40 geese flew past the Castle, presumably Pink-feet, there were 82 Wigeon at Scalby Mills and 3 Red Grouse flew low over the A171 at Low Moor this evening at 18.00.

Tuesday 24th October 2017

Not a great deal of sightings today but we did have 2 Yellow-browed Warblers on the north side of Castle Hill; 6 Whooper Swans (2 adults and 4 juveniles) were in the stubble field to the north of the Obs and a late Spotted Flycatcher was reported at Cloughton. 

 

Monday 23rd October 2017

At Long Nab today a ♀ and 3♂ Eider flew north as did a Snow Bunting and moving south were 6 Common Scoter, 32 Woodpigeon, 18 Carrion Crows, 11 Skylarks, 19 Tree Sparrows, 11 Meadow Pipits, 2 Rock Pipits, 21 Chaffinches, a Brambling, 4 Greenfinches, 8 Linnets, 41 Redpoll sp., 6 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin and 5 Reed Buntings. Also in this area today we had a Dark-bellied Brent Goose just north of Cromer Point, a Grey Plover at Crook Ness, 2 Twite in the stubble north of the Obs plus a Coal Tit, 9 Goldcrests, a Fieldfare, a Brambling and 24 Reed Buntings.

Just down the coast at Jackson's Bay we had 10 Ringed Plover and at Scalby Mills there was a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, presumably the bird seen earlier near Cromer Point, 950 Herring Gulls and 240 Greater Black-backed Gulls plus a Dipper was seen on the Beck. Reports from Castle Hill today included a Ring Ouzel, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 5 Brambling and a Treecreeper.

Jack Snipe were seen today on Taylor Way and Brow Moor and last but not least a Dipper was seen in Peasholm Glen.

Sunday 22nd October 2017

At Ravenscar today a Snow Bunting visited the cricket pitch briefly and nearby on Stoupe Beck Beach there were 2 Wheatears and 4 Rock Pipits. Moving south there was a Chiffchaff at Hayburn Wyke and between Jackson’s Bay and Scalby Mills a juvenile Ring Ouzel.

At Scalby Mills waders included 4 Ringed Plover, 11 Redshank and 6 Curlew, there were 63 Wigeon and a male Goosander flew along the Beck where 2 Grey Wagtails and a Dipper were also seen. In North Bay a second winter Mediterranean Gull was opposite the Oasis Café.

Potter Brompton Carr held a ♀ Shoveler, 25 Wigeon and 24 Teal and at The Mere there was a single Pink-footed Goose.

Saturday 21st October 2017

At Long Nab today a juvenile Marsh Harrier flew south at 08,00, a Little Gull flew north and further southerly movement included 64 Starlings, 12 Chaffinches, 5 Bramblings and 7 Siskin. Also 3 Snipe went west and in the area we had a Coal Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrests, a Stonechat and the Yellow-browed Warbler was still at Crook Ness, another Yellow-browed Warbler was seen very briefly in a Knipe Point Drive garden.

On Castle Hill today 7 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, a ♂ Blackcap and 2 Bramblings; on South Cliff there were 3 Goldcrests; a female Common Scoter was in the Harbour and at Holbeck a pair of Common Scoter and 5 adult winter Mediterranean Gulls including the ringed bird PNN5.

Further afield we had 40+ Golden Plovers at High Marishes; 4 Goshawks and a Crossbill at Wykeham Raptor View Point and finally at Ravenscar there were 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Bramblings, a Lesser Redpoll and a Short-eared Owl.

Friday 20th October 2017

This was a frustrating early morning for the intrepid Long Nabbers when a probable Olive-backed Pipit flew over calling but could not be relocated in the area despite much searching. This could have been the first record for our area of this species, hey ho maybe next autumn!!

Also at Long Nab today with most observations from the ringing site including many Redwings and Song Thrushes pre-dawn and 8+ Bramblings, a Ring Ouzel came in off the sea at 07.50 and another was along Long Hedge, the late Whimbrel was still present, 2 Eider went north and there were a Blackcap, 14 Goldcrests, a Redstart, 6 Stonechats, a total of 35 Bramblings, and 46 Siskins flew south. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still present at Crook Ness with a female Blackcap and a couple of Bramblings were seen here as well.

The day totals for the Castle Hill area today included 20 Robins, 3 Stonechats, 50 Song Thrushes, 70 Redwings, 85 Blackbirds, 2 Ring Ouzels around the Skateboard Park area late afternoon, 5 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 7 Goldcrests, 3 Tree Sparrows, a Chaffinch, 25 Bramblings, 2 Bullfinches and the highlight was a Red-breasted Flycatcher. This bird was initially located in the small plantation behind the wall on Marine Drive but it didn’t stay for long before flying towards the Skate Park, also along Marine Drive was a Wheatear.

At Wykeham South Lake the wildfowl count included an adult Whooper Swan, 8 Egyptian Geese, 2 Goldeneye, 6 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 56 Teal, 72 Wigeon and a Pochard; also seen here today were a Kingfisher and a juvenile Marsh Harrier.

At other locations today we had a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Brambling and a Little Grebe were at Johnson’s Marsh; at Cornelian Bay lots of thrushes and finches and a Yellow-browed Warbler in a Willow by small Scalby Lodge Pond.

Finally an interesting report of a 4 to 5 foot Leatherback Turtle seen from a yacht off Scalby Mills bouy.

Thursday 19th October 2017

In the Long Nab area today the best birds were 2 Ring Ouzels, one at the ringing site and the other in Long Hedge, thrush movement this morning included 75 Blackbirds, 480 Redwings and 43 Song Thrushes most of which came in off the sea and continued heading west. There were also c200 Redwings west over Crook Ness this afternoon and present in the Long Nab area a Jack Snipe, a Coal Tit, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, a dozen Goldcrests, 2 Fieldfares at Crook Ness, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Stonechats,6 Bramblings and 16 Reed Buntings.

The small area by the water treatment works at the top of Cornelian Ravine was full of birds this afternoon in the foggy conditions and between 16.00 and 17.30 there were a Green Woodpecker, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Goldcrests, a Treecreeper, 2 Fieldfares, c30 Blackbirds, 5 Song Thrushes, c50 Redwings with many heard flying over in the fog, c20 Tree Sparrows, 3 Bramblings, 4 Reed Buntings and a Yellowhammer.

The thrush movement over town this evening was still ongoing but considerably reduced compared to yesterday.

Wednesday 18th October 2017

The highlight of the day was unfortunately just a brief appearance by a Hawfinch that flew south over Seamer Station car park with 50 Redwings and a Redpoll sp. at 08.15.

The Long Nab area today produced Scarborough’s latest ever Whimbrel, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Stonechat, a fairly late Willow Warbler, 16 Goldcrests, 5 Bullfinches and moving south 13 Brambling, a Twite and 19 Siskins. In the ringing area today 11 Long-tailed Tits were trapped and were all found to be controls ringed in Filey on 7th September, there were another 6 unringed birds at Cliff Top House.

A Willow Tit was in the grass at Jackson’s Bay; 54 Pink-footed Geese were in a field to the south of Wykeham South Lake and 30 Redwings flew south over Crossgates at 14.30. There was a big arrival of Redwings over town this evening with many birds heard.

Tuesday 17th October 2017

The day started with two Great White Egrets seen by Sue Hall flying south over Scalby Mills and heading towards South Bay at 11.55, but unfortunately not seen again in the area.

A Peregrine flew south over Barmoor Road towards town at 16.10.

At Crook Ness this evening a Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 3 Song Thrushes, 3 Bullfinches and a Redpoll sp. flew south, and on Johnson’s Marsh we had 13 Grey Herons and 39 Teal.

Monday 16th October 2017

The wildfowl count at Wykeham South Lake included a Goldeneye, a Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 26 Wigeon and 10 Egyptian Geese and at Willerby Carr there were a Kingfisher, 20 Redwings and 180+ Linnets.

Other reports today comprised 30+ Crossbills in Langdale Forest, 18 Mandarins at Hackness and a Brambling along Cockrah Road, West Ayton.

Sunday 15 October 2017

The Osprey was seen again at Papermill Lake, Ellerburn between 15.15 and 15.45 when it dropped into trees on the eastern side of the lake.and nearby at Thornton-le-Dale 74 Pink-footed Geese flew over to the west early afternoon.

The Long Nab area today had a Jack Snipe and a Lapland Bunting in the stubble field to the north of the Obs and at Crook Ness there were a couple of Chiffchaffs and 2 Goldcrests, 32 Pink-footed Geese flew northwest and 2 Eiders went north with southward movement including 46 Skylarks, 4 Swallows, 22 Meadow Pipits, 4 Rock Pipits, 11 Chaffinch, 10 Greenfinch, 61 Linnets, 21 Redpoll sp., 21 Goldfinch, 22 Siskin and 4 Reed Buntings.

Johnson’s Marsh held 48 Teal, 6 Mallards and a Curlew; at Scalby Ponds there were 22 Curlew, a Stonechat, approximately 150 Linnets and another 23 flew south and between Scalby Mill and the Youth Hostel a Dipper, a Grey Wagtail, 35 Tree Sparrows and a Marsh Tit.

The Dalby Forest area had 11 Crossbills, 3 Jays and 20 Siskins at Flaxdale and in the Staindale Lake/Bridestones area 4 Little Grebes, 4 Jays and a Crossbill; on Widow Howe Moor there were a pair of Merlins and 45 Golden Plovers; at Ravenscar 66 Pink-footed Geese flew north at 16.00 and finally today a ringtail Hen Harrier flew south over the sea at Cornelian Bay at 13.50 but turned inland before reaching Cayton Bay.

Saturday 14th October 2017

The first Yellow-browed Warbler in town this year was reported calling in Alma Square today and further a field there was another at Sycarham Wood where there were also 4 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, 2 Goldcrests, a Brambling and 3 Redpoll sp.

At Crook Ness today single Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Wheatear and Redwing; Johnson’s Marsh had a Little Grebe; a Snow Bunting was at the bottom of the public footpath at Jackson’s Bay; there were 4 Goldcrests at the Open Air Theatre and at Wykeham Raptor View Point 3+ Goshawks and a Peregrine.

There was an Osprey around Papermill Lake, Ellerburn with 6 Common Buzzards and a Chiffchaff also in the area and finally at Boggle Hole 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, one on either side of the stream on the Cleveland Way, and 2 Swallows went south.

Friday 13th October 2017

This morning on Wykeham South Lake there were 5 Egyptian Geese, 42 Coot and a Kingfisher; at Peasholm c50 Pink-footed Geese flew northeast at 10.30; 50 Pink-footed Geese flew North over Jugger Howe Moor this morning and the Dalby Forest Great Grey Shrike was seen again today on Grime Moor.

At Crook Ness today there was a Blackcap and 6 Goldcrests, on Castle Hill 3 Goldcrests and in the harbour area 4 Purple Sandpipers and 47 Turnstones.

Thursday 12th October 2017

At Potter Brompton Carr today just 120 Teal and 2 Wigeon were reported.

The Ravenscar area held 40 Chaffinches, 30+ Blackbirds and a Yellow-browed Warbler on the cinder track near to the first bridge also just down the road at Staintondale a Hobby flew over.

At the Holbeck car park there were 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls and a little further south a Yellow-browed Warbler was in Cornelian Ravine.

In the North York Moors National Park there was a Stonechat at Spikers Hill and at Bridestones in Dalby Forest the first Great Grey Shrike for the autumn/winter was reported

The Long Nab area had a Willow Warbler and a Yellow-browed Warbler by Cliff Top House and nearby at Crook Ness there was a Chiffchaff, 22 Redpoll sp. flew south and 120 Meadow Pipits were near the car park.

The Wigeon flock at Scalby Mills numbered 45 where there were also 4 Ringed Plovers, to the south at Jackson’s Bay field we had 47 Pied Wagtails and a Wheatear and finally a male Stonechat was on Royal Albert Drive just west of the skateboard park. 

Wednesday 11th October 2017

In the Ravenscar area today a Snow Bunting flew over to the south as did 2 Swallows, a Yellow-browed Warbler frequented an area by the tea rooms and there were about 20 Goldcrests and 2 Redwings also around the village.

Crook Ness this evening hosted a Wheatear, a Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaffs and 2 Goldcrests.

Tuesday 10th October 2017

The only news today came from Long Nab where a Swallow, 4 House Martins moved south over Crook Ness which also held a Redwing; there was a Chiffchaff at Cliff Top House and 32 Meadow Pipits were by the car park.
 

Monday 9th October 2017

Today the visible migration from Long Nab between 06.20-11.25 included 204 Pink-footed Geese (S), 24 Wigeon (N), 16 Teal (N), a Velvet Scoter (N), 39 Common Scoter (2 S, 37 N), 5 Red-throated Divers (1 S, 4 N), a Golden Plover (S), a Ringed Plover (S), 4 Starling (in off), 7 Blackbird (in off), 2 Fieldfare (S), a Redwing (in off), 3 Song Thrush (in off), 19 Tree Sparrows (S), 2 Brambling (S), 31 Redpoll sp. (27 S, 4 N) and 23 Siskin (S). Also in the area were a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 14 Goldcrests, a Redwing, 4 Stonechats and 96 Meadow Pipits.

In other areas today we had a couple of Fieldfares in Troutsdale, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers on Castle Hill and 3 House Martins and a Brambling along South Cliff.

Sunday 8th October 2017

Long Nab was again the centre of records again today and included 184 Pink-footed Geese (182 S, 2N), 96 Barnacle Geese (5 S, 91 N), 87 Teal N, a Tufted Duck (N), 154 Common Scoter (8 S, 146 N), 6 Red-breasted Mergansers (S), 23 Red-throated Divers (8 S, 15 N), 14 Lapwing (S), 2 Golden Plover (S), a Snipe (in off), an adult Little Gull (N), an Arctic Skua (N), 2 Stock Doves (S), a ♀ Merlin (S), 11 Skylarks (S), 13 Meadow Pipits (S), 25 Rock Pipits (8 S, 17 N),  Also seen in the Long Nab area today were 2 Grey Heron, a Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, 4 Snipe, a Stock Dove, 2 Barn Owls, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrels, 6 Coal Tits, 6 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tits, 60 Skylarks, 7 Chiffchaffs, 7 Yellow-browed Warblers including 2 at Crook Ness and 2 at Cliff Top House, a Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 18 Goldcrests, 48 Blackbirds, 6 Redwings, 12 Song Thrushes, 45 Robins, 3 Stonechats, 25 Tree Sparrows, 14 Dunnocks, 30 Meadow Pipits, 5 Rock Pipits, 60 Chaffinches, 4 Bramblings, 7 Reed Buntings.

There were also 2 Yellow-browed Warblers on Castle Hill and another was seen at Cornelian Bay. 2 Ravens were seen over the Ravens Hall Hotel; an Osprey flew south past Ellerburn Bank towards the Trout Farm at 13.00 and a ringtail Harrier, probably a Hen Harrier, was seen from a car 2Km north of RAF Fylingdales this afternoon.

Saturday 7th October 2017

From Long Nab today a Dark-bellied Brent Goose (N), 3 Whooper Swans (N), 2 Gadwall (N), 131 Wigeon (N), 63 Teal (14 S, 49 N), 3 Eider (N), a Velvet Scoter (N), 54 Common Scoter (N), a Red-breasted Merganser (N), 39 Red-throated Divers (22 S, 17 N), a Great Crested Grebe (S), a Whimbrel (S), a Curlew (N), 40 Auks (34 S, 6 N), a Swallow (N), a Grey Wagtail (S) and 31 Rock Pipits (14 S, 5 N and 12 in off).

A Whooper Swan was two fields west of Folkton Sewage Works, north of the River Hertford and at Potter Brompton Carr we had a Pintail, 81 Teal, 21 Wigeon, 2 Dunlin, 12 Lapwing and 2 Snipe.

Friday 6th October 2017

At Long Nab today between 07.00 and 11.15 and then again 17.00 to 18.00 we had 3 Pink-footed Geese (N), 2 Whooper Swans (an adult S, a juvenile N), 53 Wigeon (5 S, 48 N), 19 Teal (N), a ♂ Eider (N), 39 Common Scoter (4 S, 35 N), 49 Red-throated Divers (31 S, 18 N), 2 Manx Shearwaters (N), 7 Sandwich Terns (N), 15 Great Skuas (11 S, 4 N), 3 Arctic Skuas (S) and 86 Auks (64 S, 22 N), also present in the area were 5 Pink-footed Geese, a Snipe, a Ruff, a 2cy Mediterranean Gull (presumed same bird as yesterday) and 7 Blackbirds came in off the sea.

At other locations 20 Pink-footed Geese flew over Wykeham South Lake in the morning; 2 Stonechats were at Scalby Lodge Pond and at Harwood Dale Lake we had a Redshank, 22 Teal and 2 Swallows.

Thursday 5th October 2017

Most of the news today came from the intrepid observers at Long Nab and Marine Drive and the counts were as follows. From Long Nab today between 07.10 and 12.10 we had 3 Pink-footed Geese (2 S, 1 N), a Pale-bellied Brent Goose (N), 7 Whooper Swans (S), a Tufted Duck (N), 8 Common Scoter (S), 26 Red-throated Divers (11 S, 15 N), a Great Northern Diver (S), 10 Great Skua (S), 5 Arctic Skua (S), 11 Guillemots (2 S, 9 N) and 3 Swallows (2 S, 1 N), there were also 15 Pink-footed Geese and a 2cy Mediterranean Gull in the area. Off Marine Drive this evening between 17.10 and 18.10 6 Teal (N), 2 Red-breasted Mergansers (S), a Red-throated Diver (S), 2 Manx Shearwaters (N), a Snipe (N), 12 Dunlin (N) and 2 Arctic Skuas (S).

At Wykeham South Lake this morning a Peregrine flew through; at Scalby Lodge Pond we had 9 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Stonechats and a little further afield 75 Pink-footed Geese went south over Thornton Carr at 18.30.

Wednesday 4th October 2017

Around town today 110 Pink-footed Geese flew south at 17.00, there were 110 Greater Black-backed Gulls around the harbour and a ♂ Common Scoter was frequenting South Bay.

Meanwhile at Long Nab between 07.15 and 10.30 the highlights included a Whooper Swan (S), 11 Common Scoter (10 S, 1 N), a Goosander (N), 23 Red-throated Divers (20 S, 3 N), a Great Northern Diver (S), a Little Gull (S) and an immature female Merlin (S).

Tuesday 3rd October 2017

At Long Nab today 88 Pink-footed Geese in 4 skeins (S), 2 Golden Plovers (S), 5 Snipe (S), 4 House Martins (S), 54 Meadow Pipits (S), 30 Linnets (S), 25 Redpoll sp. (S), 153 Goldfinch (S), 2 Siskin (N), 6 Reed Buntings (S), a Wheatear was also present in the area and there was a Whimbrel at Crook Ness.

Elsewhere in our area 750 Pink-footed Geese and 130 Greylags went south over Fylingdales and at Wykeham South Lake 88 Pink-footed Geese flew over, different from the 88 at Long Nab as they were in 3 skeins, plus 4 Gadwall and a Kingfisher.

Monday 2nd October 2017

The Potter Brompton Carr survey today included a ♂ Merlin, 125 Teal, 26 Wigeon and 5 Snipe; there was a Black-tailed Godwit at Harwood Dale Lake; 14 Herons were on Johnson’s Marsh and at Scalby Mills 28 Wigeon, 2 Dippers and 2 Kingfishers.

Movement today at Long Nab included 39 Pink-footed Geese (S), a Common Scoter (N), 2 Snipe in off the sea, 3 Sandwich Terns (N), 3 Kestrels in off, a male Peregrine (S), 27 Swallows (S), 940 House Martins (S), 153 Meadow Pipits (S), 69 Linnets (S), 31 Redpoll sp. (S), a site record of 1115 Goldfinches (S) and a Siskin (S).

Some late news in concerned 8 Wheatears seen on Brow Moor today.

Sunday 1st October 2017

There wasn’t a lot of movement today at Long Nab but the highlights included 5 Wigeon (S), 8 Red-throated Divers (S), a Dunlin (S), an adult Mediterranean Gull (S), 2 Stock Doves (S), 25 House Martins (S), a Starling in off the sea, 21 Meadow Pipits (S) and 78 Goldfinches (S).

At Scalby Mills a Great Skua was lingering off shore and there were 34 Wigeon, 5 Kittiwakes and 2 Sandwich Terns and on Castle Hill there was a Yellow-browed Warbler with the tit flock on the northern slope.

Saturday 30th September 2017

The visible migration at Long Nab today was quite special with large numbers of some species, all of the following counts were of birds moving south; 18 Skylark, 12 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 12 Starling, 40 Tree Sparrow, 2 Grey Wagtails, 8 alba Wagtails, 443 Meadow Pipits, a Rock Pipit, 54 Chaffinch, 331 Linnets, 108 Redpoll sp., 737 Goldfinches (a site record), 6 Siskin and 18 Reed Buntings. Also present in this area were a Golden Plover, a Whimbrel, 2 Stonechats, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaffs and the Yellow-browed Warbler continued its stay at Cliff Top House.

Elsewhere there were a couple of Yellow-browed Warblers on South Cliff with an increase in Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs in the same area.

Friday 29th September 2017

The only news received today was the Yellow-browed Warbler still present at Cliff Top House, Long Nab this afternoon.