RECENT SIGHTINGS

24.01.12

A Pink-footed Goose, drake Gadwall, and 11 Goosanders at Harwood Dale Lake. 76 Teal, 13 Wigeon, and a Redshank at Johnson's Marsh.

23.01.12

A White Stork flew south over Ravenscar at 1.10PM, presumably the same bird seen flying south in Northumberland at 10.20AM. Also nearby were 12 Waxwings by the bridge over the dissused railway at Stoupe Brow and three Red Grouse near the radio mast. A Goldeneye was at Scalby Mills, four Goosanders at Seamer Road Mere, Black Redstart at Marine Drive, and the Chiffchaff still at Falsgrave Park. 60 Golden Plover over Wykeham Lakes.

22.01.12

A seawatch at Long Nab in gale force NW winds (07.50-10.30) produced a Great Skua, 285 Gannets, 55 Fulmars, Common Scoter, Red-throated Diver, and 570 Herring Gulls south (4 argentatus). The Black Redstart and Stonechat were both still at Marine Drive. Five Med Gulls at Holbeck, one of the first-winters has a Belgium ring. At Seamer Road Mere, a drake Pintail, Red-crested Pochard, and 4 Goosanders. 705 Lapwings at Folkton Carr. Sadly a Long-eared Owl was

picked up dead at Burton Riggs.

21.01.12

A Great Grey Shrike was feeding in the large clearing at Stony Rigg, Langdale Forest at 9.45AM, also 2 Goshawks and 20+ Crossbills in the northern section of the forest. Most of the Crossbills were in pairs, a few singing. Six Waxwings and 2 Mistle Thrush were at Seamer Road Business Park, a Water Rail on the nearby Mere, and the Black Redstart was still at Marine Drive. Around Seamer Tip 2 Little Egrets and a Green Sandpiper at New Dike (south of tip), the female Pintail and a Short-eared Owl at the large pool, and a probable Lanner Falcon (presumed escape) over Star Carr in the morning. At Scalby Mills the Wigeon flock had increased to 265, Johnson's Marsh held 98 Teal, 6 Wigeon, 10 Herons, and 4 Redshank.

20.01.12

An adult Iceland Gull at Wykeham South Lake at 3.20pm, also a drake Goldeneye and 24 Fieldfares at Darrell's Low Farm. 70+ White-fronted Geese and a Pink-footed Goose in fields south of the lakes. A second-winter Iceland Gull was again at Seamer Tip pools mid afternoon, also 2 Snipe and Short-eared Owl there. Six Med Gulls (4 adults and 2 first-winters) at Holbeck car park. South Bay held 2 Great Crested Grebes, Red-throated Diver, Guillemot, and 5 Shags. Two Goosanders, 4 Wigeon, 44 Lapwings, and 10 Fieldfares at Harwood Dale Lake. 10 Waxwings at Halfords, Seamer Road. The Black Redstart was around post 59 Marine Drive. 80 Teal, 4 Wigeon, and 5 Herons at Johnson's Marsh.