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.

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.