APRIL 2010

Highlights included an Osprey at Wykeham Lakes (27th/ 28th), and another flying north along the coast (28th). A Red Kite at Wykeham Forest (26th), Water Pipit at Cromer Point (10th/11th and 25th), and Great Grey Shrike in Langdale Forest (14th). Fourteen Whooper Swans flew over Hutton Buscel (2nd), followed by a Black Redstart at the Castle Headland (3rd). A Ring Ouzel was at Seamer Tip Pools (3rd), and the earliest ever Common Tern in North Bay (3rd to 8th). A Snow Bunting flew over Scalby Lodge (7th), Little Egret at Cayton Carr (10th), and an early Swift at Eastfield (20th). Marsh Harriers passed through Burniston (18th), and Scalby and Wykeham Lakes (28th). A Grasshopper Warbler reeled at Cloughton (24th), and a drake Garganey at Harwood Dale Forest (25th). A fall of common migrants along the coast included good numbers of Willow Warblers, 2 Ring Ouzels, 2 Redstarts, a Whinchat, and lots of Wheatears (25th). Four Ruff were at Wykeham Lakes (28th), where the Long-tailed Duck remained all month. 32 Whimbrel were at Flixton Carr (28th).A male Blue-headed Wagtail was at Scalby Lodge (29th).

MAY 2010

Highlights included a Raven over the town (11th), four Bean Geese flying north past Long Nab (18th), two White Storks and a Red Kite over Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint (23rd), and a Glaucous Gull past Long Nab (5th).

The first Honey Buzzard returned to the forests (13th), and first Hobby over Troutsdale (10th). The Long-tailed Duck was at Wykeham Lakes (to 3rd), and a Hooded Crow plus two Velvet Scoters at Long Nab (2nd). The last skein of 200 Pink-footed Geese flew north (6th), and a Great Skua was lingering off Long Nab (10th). A Little Egret was at Flixton Carr (14th), and Grasshopper Warblers were at Long Nab and Weaponess Coach Park (16th). Six Marsh Harriers passed through, and an Osprey flew up Forge Valley (28th). A Wood Warbler was at Ellerburn Bank late month, and the small pond at Scalby Lodge held Greenshank and Wood Sandpiper (31st).

JUNE 2010

Four Wheatears at the Castle Headland (1st) were rather late. A good month for raptors; Honey Buzzards performed well from the Wykeham Forest Raptor viewpoint, although it was a long wait at times. Several Hobby sightings came from there plus a Montagu’s Harrier (3rd). Red Kite reports came from Staxton (4th), Scalby (7th), Langdale Rigg (27th), Hole of Horcum (27th), and Cayton (28th). A male Red-backed Shrike was found at Binnington Carr (2nd) on a Corn Bunting count! It’s good to report Wood Warblers back at three sites in the forests after some lean years. A blast of northerly winds brought 13 Great Skuas and 123 Manx Shearwaters past Long Nab (20th).

JULY 2010

Little Egrets continue to increase, five reported (2nd to 15th). Three petrel ringing sessions at Long Nab produced a Leach’s and four Storm Petrels in the nets. Ravens continue to be reported; one from the Raptor Viewpoint (10th). Honey Buzzards often performed there including a very pale male on occasions. Seawatching gave records of Long-tailed Skua (22nd), Balearic Shearwater (26th), and a record count of 1,165 Common Scoters flying northwards (20th). The latter date also witnessed a good southerly wader passage; eight Black-tailed Godwits, eight Sanderling, 43 Whimbrel, 61 Golden Plover, 161 Dunlin, and 113 Redshanks. Calling Quails were heard at Sawdon (8th), Broxa (9th), and Silpho (19th). Mediterranean Gulls returned to South Bay (13th), up to four present. Yellow-legged Gulls began to be recorded (22nd) with a juvenile at Seamer Tip pools and an adult in the Wykeham gull roost.

AUGUST 2010

The month started with a rare coastal sighting of 4 Turtle Doves at Long Nab (1st). This species is reported to be widespread in the forests this summer. Honey Buzzards were still present in the forests and at least six Marsh Harriers were seen in the district. A Barred Warbler was a good find at Long Nab (14th). Other coastal migrants included a Wood Warbler at Castle Hill (16th), and Turtle Doves at Burniston (12th), and Long Nab (18th). 275 Common Terns flew past Marine Drive (7th), and the first Sooty Shearwaters were seen (13th). A Black-throated Diver flew past Long Nab (16th), and a Spotted Redshank graced Seamer Tip pools (17th-21st). A Yellow-legged Gull was in the Wykeham gull roost (21st), and the first autumn Pintail passed Long Nab (27th). Strong northerlies brought a Balearic Shearwater and 18 Sooty Shearwaters past Long Nab (30th).

SEPTEMBER 2010

A good period for scarce migrants; Long Nab had Common Rosefinch (3rd), Barred Warblers (7th and 26th - 28th), and Yellow-browed Warbler (28th). Three different Barred Warblers were in the Scalby Lodge area (7th, 28th, and 30th), plus one at Northstead Manor Gardens (4th). Castle Hill produced Icterine Warblers (7th-9th, and 28th), Yellow-browed Warbler (27th-30th), Barred Warbler (7th-9th), and Red-backed Shrike (8th). An early Whooper Swan was at Seamer Tip pools (21st-24th), and Wykeham Lakes saw a Black Tern (7th), and Spotted Redshank (8th). Up to six Ring Ouzels were along the coast, also good numbers of common migrants, many Redstarts, Whinchats, Garden Warblers, and lesser numbers of Pied Flycatchers. Early winter visitors saw Redwing and Fieldfare at Castle Hill (7th). Up to 11 Lapland Buntings were at Long Nab, and a Snow Bunting was in North Bay (28th). Northerly winds brought good seawatching late month; 5 Long-tailed Skuas, 2 Pomarine Skuas, 47 Great Skuas, 194 Sooty Shearwaters, 5 Black-throated and 4 Great Northern Divers, a Long-tailed Duck and Black Tern.

OCTOBER 2010

Highlights of the month included at Dusky Warbler  (10th-17th), Icterine Warbler (8th-11th), Bearded Tit (13th-14th), Iberian Chiffchaff (20th-21st), all at Castle Hill. Also a Richard’s Pipit at Cromer Point (15th-22nd), and 3 Yellow-browed Warblers. Four Great Grey Shrikes were in Langdale Forest (20th). An exceptional period for Lapland Buntings, peaking at 18 in a Long Nab stubble field (25th). A Hobby was at South Cliff (2nd), Shore Lark and Water Pipit at Long Nab (3rd), and White Wagtail at Cromer Point (5th). Two Black Redstarts were in the centre of Scarborough (6th and 10th), plus one at Castle Hill (11th). Good numbers of common migrants were grounded mid month Castle Hill producing up to six Ring Ouzels, 90 Robins, and 60 Chiffchaffs. A Honey Buzzard flew inland over Scalby (13th). Seawatching at Long Nab (16th) saw Great Northern Diver, 17 Sooty Shearwaters, 4 Pomarine Skuas, and 3 Long-tailed Ducks. Hooded Crows were seen at Jackson’s Bay (16th), and Osgodby (20th). The northerly winds also brought 6 Common Redpolls to Castle Hill and 3 to Long Nab (16th). Twites were seen at Cromer Point (22nd) and Cloughton (31st), and Waxwings at Cayton (24th), and 32 at Hinderwell (26th). A second Shore Lark was at Long Nab (25th). An early Glaucous Gull was at the harbour (29th-30th).

NOVEMBER 2010

Highlight of the month was a male Desert Wheatear at Long Nab (19th), the third Scarborough record, all along the same two mile stretch of coast. A Glaucous Gull was present at the coast (to 21st), a Great Northern Diver at the harbour (13th to 28th) plus singles moving along the coast (6th and 7th). A Black-throated Diver flew past Marine Drive (7th). The Long-tailed Duck remained at Wykeham Lakes, and 38 Whooper Swans moved through (24th), plus 10 at Scalby Lodge Pond (30th). A Smew was at Seamer Tip Pools (13th to 20th), and 4 White-fronted and one Bean Goose appeared at Scalby Lodge (18th). Late terns included a Sandwich at Scalby Mills (6th), and Arctic past Long Nab (8th). A Pomarine Skua passed Long Nab (10th), plus a further two (22nd), and a Grey Phalarope past there (8th). Northern arrivals included Mealy Redpolls; three at Seamer Road Mere (7th), one at Long Nab (10th), Westwood (21st), and Castle Hill (28th). Several Waxwing sightings came, the largest flock being 17 at East Ayton (9th). A Firecrest joined the tit flock at Castle Hill (10th to 22nd), and two Black Redstarts were in Scarborough (11th to 12th). 50 Little Auks were seen leaving North Bay (8th), the same day one was found dead at South Bay. Long Nab attracted up to 22 Snow and 10 Lapland Buntings, plus a male Hen Harrier (30th). A Great Grey Shrike was at RAF Fylingdales (7th).

DECEMBER 2010

Record low temperatures brought an impressive number of Woodcocks to the coastal strip; 136 counted From Long Nab to Cloughton Wyke (5th). Also associated with the freeze were two Hen Harriers attracted by 1000+ Skylarks at Long Nab. Long stayers included a Great Northern Diver in South Bay, a Glaucous Gull in the bays (9th to 25th), and the Long-tailed Duck at Wykeham Lakes. Up to four Mediterranean Gulls were at Holbeck, and an Iceland Gull was around the harbour (29th to 31st). A record count of 1090 Wigeon was at Scalby Mills (30th). Seawatching produced frequent movements of Red-throated Divers peaking at 121 (2nd), a Pomarine Skua (4th/5th), Great Northern Divers (5th and 14th),  two “Blue” Fulmars (28th), and three Red-necked Grebes (12th and 2, 28th).  Little Egret was at Seamer Carr (27th), and Ruddy Shelduck at nearby Star Carr (18th to 24th), plus at Scalby Lodge (29th). The latter site held up to 11 Whooper Swans, and one or two Snow Buntings. Christmas Day brought ten Waxwings to Northstead and one to Peasholm, followed by five at Stepney Drive, and two in Burniston (26th).

MARCH 2010

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).

JANUARY 2010
Highlights included a Bittern at Burton Riggs (18th), Little Auk at the harbour (11th), a male Hen Harrier faithful to Long Nab (to 23rd), and up to 4,500 Skylarks along the coast in the cold spell. Little Egrets were occasionally seen in The Carrs, and a fine drake Mandarin gave good views at The Mere. A record count of 970 Wigeon at Scalby Mills (18th), up to seven Mediterranean Gulls were wintering, and along with spectacular numbers of passerines along the coast both Lapland and Snow Buntings were found in the Cromer Point / Scalby Lodge area. A Twite appeared in a Linnet flock at Cayton Bay (10th), and seven flew over Stoupe Brow (18th). Five Mealy Redpolls were at Flixton (3rd), and one at Langdale Forest (24th). Scalby Lodge attracted a selection of geese; six White-fronted (5th to 11th), plus eight flying south (16th), both races of Brent Geese, including two rather dark looking Pale-bellied Brent Geese. Seawatching highlights included Great Northern Diver and three Long-tailed Ducks past Cromer Point (11th), and two Black-throated Divers past there (13th). The Long-tailed Duck remained at Wykeham Lakes (to 13th), and three Whooper Swans were at Allerston Low Marishes (24th).

FEBRUARY 2010

The Bittern was re found at Burton Riggs (1st) but was sadly picked up dead (12th). A good selection of geese in the district with 4 Tundra Bean Geese at Cayton Carr (14th to 16th) the star attraction. Three Barnacle Geese were at Wykeham Lakes (7th) and one occasionally at Peasholm Park. The Carrs continue to hold wintering Little Egrets, one in the Cayton/Flixton Carr area, plus one at Yedingham (9th). Holbeck held up to six Mediterranean Gulls, and 34 Purple Sandpipers were at the harbour. A small influx of Waxwings (5th to 9th); singles at Newby and Eastfield, and four flew over Seamer. A Mandarin remained at The Mere, and 14 were seen at Hilla Green. Along the coast a Great Northern Diver flew north (1st) and a male Hen Harrier was at Cromer Point (4th). A Smew was at Wykeham Lakes (7th and 14th), plus the wintering Long-tailed Duck was still there (14th). Up to four Blackcaps were in gardens at Westwood.