JANUARY 2009
Long stayers included the Hooded Crow at Seamer Carr Tip, 6 Mediterranean Gulls in South Bay, and a Great Grey Shrike in Wykeham Forest. The Red-necked Grebe from last month was last seen in North Bay (1st), the same day a tristis-type(Siberian) Chiffchaff was found at Star Carr (to 6th). An Egyptian Goose, a local rarity, appeared at Burton Riggs (4th to 16th), and a Little Gull (4th) was a good find at Wykeham Lakes. Several white-winged gulls were seen starting with a juvenile Glaucous Gull at Seamer Carr Tip (4th/5th), and a second-winter bird at Scalby Mills (27th). Three Iceland Gulls; a second-winter at Seamer Carr Tip (10th), adult at Scalby Mills (16th), and juvenile at Folkton (17th). Waders in South bay included up to 60 Knot, 48 Purple Sandpipers, and 5 Grey Plovers. At least twelve Woodcocks were seen at dawn at Wykeham Forest (4th), Jack Snipes at Long Nab and Cromer Pond, and Spotted Redshank (29th/30th) and Green Sandpiper at Seamer Tip pools. A “ringtail” Hen Harrier was at Hackness (18th) followed by a male over Langdale Forest (20th). Goshawks showed well in the forests, often in display. A Water Pipit was at Scalby Lodge Pond (21st). Waxwings finally put in an appearance, 14 at Burton Riggs (23rd) and perhaps the same party at Prospect Mount Road (31st), plus a single at Folkton (25th).

FEBRUARY 2009
The Wykeham Forest Great Grey Shrike performed all month, a second bird present in Langdale Forest later in the month. The Hooded Crow remained at Seamer Carr Tip. Goshawks were displaying in the forests, up to six seen in a day. Two Hen Harriers drifted north over Stoupe Brow, Ravenscar (16th). The Spotted Redshank remained at Seamer Tip pools (to 13th), two Green Sandpipers also seen there (6th). Up to four Mediterranean Gulls and 40 Purple Sandpipers were in South Bay. A Goosander and three Red-breasted Mergansers were at Seamer Road Mere, but the only Whooper Swans were three flying over Wykeham Lakes (8th). Waxwing sightings increased with several flocks noted, the largest was 53 at Newlands (25th). An Iceland Gull frequented the harbour (from 14th), with up to two at Seamer Carr Tip, and a different bird roosted at Cayton Bay (21st). Glaucous Gulls were at Seamer Carr Tip (16th), and in the harbour (21st). A Little Gull was at Seamer Sewage Farm (16th). Other scarcities were a Great Skua past Marine Drive (7th), and two Snow Buntings near Snaintin (7th).

MARCH 2009
Long stayers included a Great Grey Shrike at Wykeham Forest and a juvenile Iceland Gull at the harbour. Up to three Mediterranean Gulls remasined in South Bay as well as 28 Knot. The harbour Purple Sandpiper high tide roost peaked at 38 (10th). A Snow Bunting flew over Marine Drive (1st), and the first Ring Ouzel was at RAF Fylingdales (2nd), and  Chiffchaff was at Cayton Carrs (8th). Goshawks were easy to see in the forests, up to six daily. A male Hen Harrier was seen at Stoupe Brow and from Wykeham Forest (7th). Three Waxwings made a brief visit to Scalby (10th), but rarer were a Hawfinch at Bickley (13th), and a Raven at Dalby Forest (16th). Two Little Egrets took up residency at Flixton / Cayton Carrs (from 18th), and a Green Sandpiper was at the River Hertford, Flotmanby Carr (22nd). Summer migrants began to arrive in the last week, three Sand Martins at Scalby Beck (22nd), two Garganeys at Harwood Dale Lake (27th), a White Wagtail at Star Carr (28th), and Wheatear at the Castle Headland (30th).

APRIL 2009

The long staying Great Grey Shrikes were at Wykeham Forest (to 1st), and Langdale Forest (to 16th). Single Little Egrets continued to be seen in The Carrs (to 16th), and the pair of Garganey were at Harwood Dale Lake early in the month. South-easterlies brought a few migrants to the Castle Headland including a Black Redstart (3rd). A male Hen Harrier flew over Harwood Dale Lake (6th) and was hunting on Stony Marl Moor (20th). Three different Little Gulls were seen in the Scalby Lodge / North Bay area (7th to 12th) and an Iceland Gull was also at Scalby Lodge (24th). A mixed Redpoll flock in Langdale Forest held several classic Mealies (12th / 13th). A Hobby was at Ravenscar (12th), also a Twite and Grasshopper Warbler there (19th). Eight Pink-footed Geese took up residency at Seamer Tip Pool (from 12th), and up to six Little Ringed Plovers were seen. Wader passage at Scalby Lodge Pond picked up in the last week; two Spotted Redshanks, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Bar-tailed Godwits, Grey Plover, Whimbrel, and two Little Ringed Plovers. Marsh Harriers were at Wykeham Lakes (26th), and south along the coast (29th).

MAY 2009

Highlights included a Spoonbill at Scalby Lodge Pond (17th), a Temminck’s Stint at Seamer Tip Pools (16th), two Dotterels at Jugger Howe Moor (13th), a Firecrest at Thornton le Dale (11th), a Ruddy Shelduck at Scalby Lodge (23rd), and an Icterine Warbler at Castle Hill (31st). Raptors included four Ospreys passing through, two Red Kites, and two Marsh Harriers. The first two Honey Buzzards returned to the forests (17th). A late Jack Snipe was disturbed from Stoupe Brow (1st), and Purple Sandpipers hung on until the last, nine in South Bay (8th). Other notable waders were two Sanderlings in Jackson’s Bay (8th), remarkably the first seen this year! Also a Wood Sandpipier and Ruff at Seamer Tip Pools (16th), and a male Ruff at Scalby Lodge Pond (10th). Some late goose movements were observed; 150 Pink-footed Geese flew north at Long Nab (9th), and three more north (10th). Two Barnacle Geese appeared at Scalby Lodge too (9th). Other interesting records were a Short-eared Owl at Scalby Lodge (9th), Little Egret at Wykeham Lakes (11th). Easterly winds brought a small influx of Garden Warblers along the coast together with a Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler to Castle Hill (15th). Castle Hill also produced a Common Redpoll (16th), and a second Pied Flycatcher (17th).

JUNE 2009

The month started brightly with a Marsh Warbler just north of Cloughton Wyke and a Wood Sandpiper at Burniston (1st). Another Marsh Warbler was singing at Long Nab (8th). A late Wheatear was in the centre of Scarborough (5th). Raptors included a female Hen Harrier flying south at Long Nab (7th), Marsh Harriers at Snainton Ings and Scalby, and several Hobby sightings. Honey Buzzards and Goshawks were performing well at Wykeham Forest plus a report of an Osprey over there (11th). A Marsh Tit at Castle Hill was noteworthy (21st). 120 Common Scoter flew past Long Nab (22nd) heralding the start of post breeding movements. The month ended with a Wood Sandpiper on the small pond at Scalby Lodge (29th).

JULY 2009
A Quail was heard at Long Nab (8th/9th), the only record so far this summer. Northerly winds brought a Sooty Shearwater past Long Nab (10th), also 258 Manx Shearwaters in three hours (30th). Good numbers of waders were on the move, rain grounded seven Wood and nine Green Sandpipers at Scalby Lodge (17th). A total of 54 Whimbrel moved south, and 475 Common Scoters flew north at Long Nab (17th). Honey Buzzards performed well at Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint, other raptors there included Merlin, Hobby, and several Goshawks. A Red Kite appeared in nearby Troutsdale (29th). A Hooded Crow was a surprise find at Seamer Carr Tip (16th) raising the question of whether it was last winter’s bird? Single Little Egrets were at Wykeham Lakes (23rd), and Lebberston (30th). Marsh Harriers were seen at Star and Flixton Carrs, and Long Nab. A Honey Buzzard moved north over Long Nab (29th). The first Mediterranean Gull returned to Holbeck (11th). Crossbills were in good numbers in the forests, four were also seen at Castle Hill (17th).

AUGUST 2009
Highlights included a male Red-backed Shrike at Ganton Golf Course (12th), a Caspian Gull at Seamer Tip pools (10th), a Cory’s Shearwater past Long Nab (29th), and a Quail flushed from a field at Long Nab (25th).

Raptors included five Marsh Harriers, an Osprey over Long Nab and Castle Hill (25th), several Hobby and Merlin sightings, and Honey Buzzards occasionally from Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint (to 27th). Seamer Tip pools attracted a Little Egret (12th), Yellow-legged Gulls (11th, 15th, and 25th), and several waders including two Black-tailed Godwits (17th). Wood Sandpipers dropped in at Cromer Point and Scalby Lodge (2nd to 10th), and a good scattering of Greenshank records were received including 18 flying over Long Nab (10th). A Yellow-legged Gull was in the Wykeham gull roost (4th). Low numbers of seabirds past Long Nab generally, but a Pomarine Skua was seen there (31st). A Wood Warbler was a good find at Long Nab (7th), Redstarts were also found there (7th and 27th), and a Spotted Flycatcher at Castle Hill (21st).

SEPTEMBER 2009

Highlight of the month was a Greenish Warbler at Scalby Lodge (17th to 19th), followed by a Barred Warbler there (20th). A Bittern was picked up injured in North Bay (25th). A seawatch (14th) produced Cory’s Shearwater, Long-tailed Skua, Balearic Shearwater, 3 Pomarine Skuas, 24 Pintail, and 5 Pale-bellied Brent Geese. Other seawatch highlights included two Roseate Terns past Long Nab (5th), 65 Arctic Skuas past Marine Drive (4th), and a Pomarine Skua there (15th). A Barnacle Goose flew over Scalby (15th) and good numbers of Pink-footed Geese were returning south late month. Up to four Mediterranean Gulls were at Holbeck and a Yellow-legged Gull at the Wykeham roost (5th), two more (8th), and one at Seamer Carr (28th). A Little Stint was at Seamer Tip Pools (18th to 20th). Late summer visitors included a Cuckoo at Cowath Beck (6th), and a Turtle Dove at Potter Brompton Carr (23rd). Winter visitors were a Snow Bunting at Long Nab (24th), followed by three at Scalby Mills (27th), and a Redwing at Westwood (29th).

OCTOBER 2009

A Pallas’s Warbler at Castle Hill (31st), five Yellow-browed Warblers were found; two at Castle Hill, two at Long Nab, and one in Newlands Dale, and a Great Grey Shrike at South Cliff Golf Course (19th/20th). A Slavonian Grebe was at Cromer Point (16th), quite a rarity nowadays. Seawatching produced two Balearic Shearwaters, nine Black-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, four Pomarine Skuas, two Long-tailed Skuas, a Black Tern, two Long-tailed Ducks, and three Velvet Scoters. Thirty Whooper Swans flew over Scalby (2nd), and a Barnacle Goose passed Long Nab (1st). Raptors included an Osprey south over the town (11th), and Hen Harrier over Scalby (30th). A Lapland Bunting flew south over Long Nab (5th) with a mobile bird there (12th to 22nd). A Snow Bunting flew south at Long Nab (22nd) and one at Castle Hill (22nd to 25th). Ring Ouzels were at Castle Hill (19th) and Long Nab (31st). A Black Redstart was at Cornelian Bay (22nd), and Firecrests were at Long Nab (12th), and Castle Hill (13th and 21st/22nd). Four White-fronted Geese flew south over Cromer Point and Scalby (31st). Several Twite were recorded along the coast late month.

NOVEMBER 2009

Highlights included a Caspian Gull at the harbour (25th), a Woodlark at Ravenscar (15th), Black Guillemot past Long Nab (9th), and three Great Grey Shrikes in the forests. Up to eight Mediterranean Gulls were present along the coast, 37 Purple Sandpipers at high tide on East Pier, and six Goosanders at The Mere. A late Swallow was at Scalby Lodge (3rd), and a Lapland Bunting at Long Nab (8th) where up to 40 Snow Buntings were frequenting a stubble field. Southerly movements of Pink-footed Geese totalled 1,700, and 12 Bean Geese flew south at Scalby (8th). Other wildfowl included a Long-tailed Duck inland at Wykeham Lakes (5th-22nd), 36 Mandarins at Hackness Lake (13th), 4 Velvet Scoters past Long Nab (28th), and 37 Whooper Swans moving through (15th to 28th). Other seabirds included a late Balearic Shearwater past Long Nab (28th), Red-necked Grebe there (12th), Great Northern Diver at Scalby Mills (27th) and three past Long Nab (28th) plus a Black-throated Diver (9th). A Firecrest was in Langdale Forest (10th), and Hen Harrier on nearby Fylingdales Moor (19th).

DECEMBER 2009

Highlights include a White Stork flying over Scalby Mills (25th), a Little Egret at Ebberston all month, and Long-tailed Duck still at Wykeham Lakes (to 13th). A White-fronted Goose was at Scalby Lodge Pond (6th), and good numbers of Wigeon at Scalby Mills, up to 800. Floodwaters at Allerston Low Marishes attracted a selection of wildfowl including 21 Whooper Swans and 2 Pintail. 30 Mandarins were at Hackness Lake and one at Seamer Road Mere. The Purple Sandpiper high tide roost at the harbour peaked at 47 (31st), and the bays attracted 15 Great Crested Grebes as lakes froze inland. The Holbeck Mediterranean Gull flock held six individuals. Seawatching produced Velvet Scoter and two Great Northern Divers (1st), Great Skua (18th), and Blue Fulmar (30th). Seven Snow Buntings were still at Long Nab (1st), and nine Twite at Cromer Point (4th). A Blackcap was in a garden at Westwood (20th).